Nairobi Embassy Thread!

[Nick&Ann 1]

Hello everyone,

We got our NOA2 last week on 21st June 2012, have been reading this thread for a couple of months and now i am preparing for the interview stage. A bit scared from some stories i have read but keeping my fingers crossed and praying for everything to go smoothly.

Getting together evidence of relationship, phone logs, chat logs, emails and anything else i can find. as I continue to read here. Also trying to get some vaccines done here. Is it a problem if i get my vaccines before i go for the medical in Nairobi? Will keep you posted. Meanwhile, I am reading and collecting info on what i will need for the interview as i wait for the NVC stage to be over.

Goodluck to us all and Thank you all for keeping the thread alive for us juniors and for those who will come. God bless.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Nick&Ann, congrats on your NOA2

As far as the vaccines and medical...the Nairobi Embassy will only accept medicals from two places - IOM in Nairobi, and another place in Mombasa. I feel it's better and easier to just let IOM do everything. Reason being is because they know precisely what the Embassy requires, so it's just easier to let them do it. They will review your medical history and give you the vaccines they feel you need (you will not need every single vaccine that is listed on the requirements ~ Ben got maybe four at the most). They really aren't that expensive...actually, the medical is the least expensive part of this process. If someone else does the vaccines, you will need to bring that documentation with you...and IOM will need to transfer all of that information onto your DS-3025. It's just another added step you really don't need to add and may end up causing you problems. I wouldn't suggest it. Save yourself that time to prepare for the rest of your journey. Stay blessed and much love.

[katie & sifa 25]

I agree with Jill - easiest to just get it all done at once, then you're not worrying about if you got the right thing, or whatever. Or worse - you get them done in advance and then IOM says it's the wrong thing, or it's not valid, or wahtever, and you have to get them done again anyway. The medical cost wasn't outrageous as I recall (at least in the grand scheme of things with all the expenses of immigrating) and you KNOW you're getting what the Embassy wants.

Congrats on the NOA2, by the way

Edited June 29, 2012 by katie & sifa

[Cotton Candy 0]

Nick&Ann, congrats on your NOA2

As far as the vaccines and medical...the Nairobi Embassy will only accept medicals from two places - IOM in Nairobi, and another place in Mombasa. I feel it's better and easier to just let IOM do everything. Reason being is because they know precisely what the Embassy requires, so it's just easier to let them do it. They will review your medical history and give you the vaccines they feel you need (you will not need every single vaccine that is listed on the requirements ~ Ben got maybe four at the most). They really aren't that expensive...actually, the medical is the least expensive part of this process. If someone else does the vaccines, you will need to bring that documentation with you...and IOM will need to transfer all of that information onto your DS-3025. It's just another added step you really don't need to add and may end up causing you problems. I wouldn't suggest it. Save yourself that time to prepare for the rest of your journey. Stay blessed and much love.

I don't have a medical history saved on paper, how will they know what I need?

[Ben and Jill 37]

Cotton Candy, nearly everyone in Kenya (as well as many other countries across the globe) doesn't have a medical history on paper...it's just the way it is. Ben didn't either, and it wasn't a problem at all. You can tell the doctor what you know to be true as far as your medical history; they will take care of the rest. Don't worry about it all. You've got bigger fish to fry It's not something to be concerned about. You'll probably receive about four to five vaccines...you'll be superfine

[katie & sifa 25]

Sifa didn't really have any records, either. They just did whatever they thought was necessary for him based on age etc. Don't worry too much about the medical - it was pretty much the easiest part of the whole process.

[mschana 0]

Finally received the "Welcome to America" letter from USCIS. Went to the Social Security Office on 18th June but was advised to go back after 10 days since there was some hold up from Homeland Security. Settling and adjusting has been challenging seeing as have to be a "dependent". Hubby has been very supportive. Thankful to have come here in the Summer.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Finally received the "Welcome to America" letter from USCIS. Went to the Social Security Office on 18th June but was advised to go back after 10 days since there was some hold up from Homeland Security. Settling and adjusting has been challenging seeing as have to be a "dependent". Hubby has been very supportive. Thankful to have come here in the Summer.

Congrats, Mschana! Hang in there as far as feeling like a "dependent"...it will all come together, I promise. Ben kept himself "really" busy. He left when I did in the morning, and he'd jog to the soccer field and workout for a couple hours, then he'd go to the library which was right near the field, and do this and that...then he'd eat his lunch, lol, and then would keep busy going here and there getting acquainted with his new surroundings, and he didn't even have a car. He was used to walking and jogging because that's how it was when he was in Kenya. I read your other post about your husband's kids...yes, that has to be tough for you. Now, "that" is an adjustment if I must say so myself. Stay strong, sugar. Lots and lots of love

Edited July 2, 2012 by Ben and Jill

[katie & sifa 25]

Sifa really struggled with that too - being dependent on me. It was better when he learned the bus system and such, and after a few weeks he started volunteering at the hospital closest to us (within walking distance) too. Hopefully the wait for EAD and the green card won't be too long!

[maxxell 0]

Hi

Been awhile since was here , been in kenya for a month and half so was good to visit, otherwise have a quick question as for my fiance i know first thing is kinda get married but can we try to apply for a social security number before getting married anybody who has done that please let me know otherwise thanks guys

Edited July 2, 2012 by maxxell

[Cotton Candy 0]

Congratulations, Mschana.

Can someone please let me know if Nairobi requires I-134 to be notarized? Thank you.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Congratulations, Mschana.

Can someone please let me know if Nairobi requires I-134 to be notarized? Thank you.

Unless something has changed since we went through the process...NO it doesn't need to be notarized.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Hi

Been awhile since was here , been in kenya for a month and half so was good to visit, otherwise have a quick question as for my fiance i know first thing is kinda get married but can we try to apply for a social security number before getting married anybody who has done that please let me know otherwise thanks guys

We applied for Ben's social before we got married, but he didn't need to change his name on the social afterwards. Your fiancee will have to change her name on her SS card after the marriage.

Edited July 3, 2012 by Ben and Jill

[mschana 0]

Congrats, Mschana! Hang in there as far as feeling like a "dependent"...it will all come together, I promise. Ben kept himself "really" busy. He left when I did in the morning, and he'd jog to the soccer field and workout for a couple hours, then he'd go to the library which was right near the field, and do this and that...then he'd eat his lunch, lol, and then would keep busy going here and there getting acquainted with his new surroundings, and he didn't even have a car. He was used to walking and jogging because that's how it was when he was in Kenya. I read your other post about your husband's kids...yes, that has to be tough for you. Now, "that" is an adjustment if I must say so myself. Stay strong, sugar. Lots and lots of love

Hi Jill,

Thanks for the encouragement. I needed that. I am trying to keep myself busy. I have been trying to find out how the public transport system works. Everyone scaring me that i need to be careful coz we are close to Detroit so it may not be safe to ride on the bus...but hey I worked in downtown Nairobi and survived

I guess it will all come together and I will begin loving it being here. I have been helping my huby at his business once every so often. For now I am educating myself about life here and bringing my hobbies (in my mind) with me.

[maxxell 0]

Thanks so how soon this you guys apply for the Social if i may ask ?

We applied for Ben's social before we got married, but he didn't need to change his name on the social afterwards. Your fiancee will have to change her name on her SS card after the marriage.