Nairobi Embassy Thread!

[Ben and Jill 37]

Thank you Jill. You were of so much help

Thank you for posting your interview experience to help others. Ben had the blonde woman, lol, and I'm so glad you didn't end up getting her because she's a bear! I have yet to post our interview experience...but, I am writing it now and will post it here as well as under the Embassy review section. I waited because I was just so stressed at the time (and we had the blonde woman for God's sakes ~ so I was recovering from that) and I just didn't want to post a negative experience. I'm glad I waited...as I sit here and read over what I'm writing in the review, it sounds much calmer and clear now. So, I will post it soon (even though our interview was over one year ago). Congrats, Ann! Let us know when you get 'home'. Much love, xoxoxoxo.

[Ben and Jill 37]

So, for people who have gone through Nairobi recently, how long does it take for the embassy to acknowledge receiving your petition? It has been a week now since it was delivered and signed for there, and they haven't replied to my email. I think I'd seen a range of a few days to maybe 2 weeks here somewhere, but wanted to make sure this is normal and that there's nothing else I'm supposed to be doing. Waiting is really frustrating, no matter what phase of the journey you're in!

Joy, we waited about two weeks or so before hearing anything. You're not supposed to be doing anything else...just waiting for them to reply. I don't think their response time has changed much since we went through. Hang tight

[Nyosh 5]

Congrats Nick& Ann!!!! :dance:

[Nick&Ann 1]

So, for people who have gone through Nairobi recently, how long does it take for the embassy to acknowledge receiving your petition? It has been a week now since it was delivered and signed for there, and they haven't replied to my email. I think I'd seen a range of a few days to maybe 2 weeks here somewhere, but wanted to make sure this is normal and that there's nothing else I'm supposed to be doing. Waiting is really frustrating, no matter what phase of the journey you're in!

Well, mine only took 2 days because i had contacted them two days before my petition arrived and a week earlier before i knew how to track the petition and i had been told i would be contacted when it got there.

So i didn't have to wait 2 weeks. But you should just wait until they reply to your email. But everything is going to be ok. Good luck and i wish you all the best. Anything you need, just ask.

[Nick&Ann 1]

Congrats Nick& Ann!!!! :dance:

Thank you Nyosh. If it wasn't for this thread to help us along, i don't know what we would have done. Everything we did up to this point was from VJ and this thread. And with God's help, we have come out victorious.

[Nyosh 5]

Thank you Nyosh. If it wasn't for this thread to help us along, i don't know what we would have done. Everything we did up to this point was from VJ and this thread. And with God's help, we have come out victorious.

You are so welcome . Even the next steps, you will find a lot of help here on VJ. Wish you safe travel!

[ddartt1 2]

Congratulations!! Happy for both of you!

This is my interview experience...

I got there at 7am and went through the first check point. I didn't carry a bag or cell phone because i had so much paper work to carry evidence of relationship and all... But you have to have your appointment confirmation email from the embassy and your passport before you are allowed to go through the first security check point.

I didn't have a cell phone or watch so i didn't keep track of time (Forgive me if I don't know at what time, what happened..)Anyway, i walked ahead and found a long line, guess i was late judging by the line...So there was a lady who asked for my passport and appointment confirmation, she checked on the list if my name was on the list for the day and told me to go make the line...

I made the line and then we were told to enter 4 people, two people from the line that had people with non immigrant visas and two from the line that had immigrant visas...they were two lines. At the next security check, we were told to put our luggage and whatever we were holding through the scanner and then a body search was done..Then we were given back our stuff...But those who had cell phones or cameras were told to leave them in storage and they were given numbers. I didn't have any, so i picked up my files and went through to the waiting area..

I found so many people seated, meaning, so many people had come early, i went inside the consular section and was given a number and my appointment confirmation email was taken. I was told to wait outside and it was freezing...

So anyway, when my number was called at window 5, i went inside and a pleasant lady asked me for two copies of DS-156, two copies of DS-156K and one copy of DS230 part 1 only, my birth certificate and a copy of it and my police certificate, I-134 affidavit of support without any supporting documents that my fiance had attached to it, 3 photos but since i had already stuck them on my forms, she gave back 2 of them and took 1 of them. She gave me a bit of confidence when she said I was very organized and she told me to take a seat and told me, i will be called for fingerprints shortly

When my number was called again, i went to window 1 and I was fingerprinted and asked to sit down. This was the longest wait of my life. Anyway, finally I was called, and the guy who interviewed me was really nice. I think I was a bit nervous at first and then he told me to raise my right hand but i raised my left hand instead...midway through asking me if i will say the whole truth and not lie to him, he realized it was my left hand and we both laughed when he said "raise the other right hand.." So i swore to tell the truth and then he asked me these questions...

Mean while he was looking at our pictures and he said oooohhh and then he gave them back and my birth certificate,as he was asking me these questions

1.Where did we meet?

2. How many times have we met?

3. When did we meet?

4. What my fiance does and where I work?

5.Where he goes to church and where I go to church?

6. If he speaks English because he's russian?

7.What my parents do?

8. Where he was born?

9. When he moved to the states?

It took about 5 minutes. It was like i was having a conversation with a friend and he kept smiling and i was so calm.

He then typed somethings on his computer and said "EVerything looks great" he then handed me a green slip and told me to go to the website and fill in my DHL information and pick my passport up in a week. He said you have been approved and Good luck. I said thank you and walked away.

I was so nervous because my birth certificate was messed up, my christian name was misspelled and i have another name, i have never used before but they didn't ask anything about it though i was ready with a letter Gloria (G&Oxy) had written for me just in case.

What i went with to the embassy was emails, chat logs, screenshots of emails from both my email accounts since the day we met, screenshots of video chats and calls, photos in an album, western union receipts. But what's funny, they didn't even ask to see any of it...I think its because my fiance front loaded the petition. I had also spoken to my fiance before i walked through the embassy gate and he had told me that everything is going to be ok and that made me confident too...

So that was it. After i was handed my letter, the blonde lady came over and i think she was there for the next applicant because they kept interchanging interviewers...And i survived that blonde lady. But what's funny, after i walked away, i saw the man was opening a file while showing it to the blonde lady and i kinda thought it was mine and kept looking back as i walked out to the exit thinking that i would be called back by the guard to be told it was a mistake especially when i saw a guard walking toward me..LOL :wacko: but he didn't call me back and i walked out so happy...I had been approved and i had survived the blonde lady... God is good.

If anyone has any questions, don't hesistate to ask me

Thank you Cotton candy and you'll do just fine my dear.

[ddartt1 2]

Thank you for posting your interview experience to help others. Ben had the blonde woman, lol, and I'm so glad you didn't end up getting her because she's a bear! I have yet to post our interview experience...but, I am writing it now and will post it here as well as under the Embassy review section. I waited because I was just so stressed at the time (and we had the blonde woman for God's sakes ~ so I was recovering from that) and I just didn't want to post a negative experience. I'm glad I waited...as I sit here and read over what I'm writing in the review, it sounds much calmer and clear now. So, I will post it soon (even though our interview was over one year ago). Congrats, Ann! Let us know when you get 'home'. Much love, xoxoxoxo.

We are looking forward to reading it

[Nick&Ann 1]

Congratulations!! Happy for both of you!

Thank you Ddart1.

[Cotton Candy 0]

Hi all,

I'm in Kenya. My interview is next week. I had nightmares about the blond lady last night. I wish she'd just disappear for a few days or go on holidays far away. lol

[Nick&Ann 1]

Hi all,

I'm in Kenya. My interview is next week. I had nightmares about the blond lady last night. I wish she'd just disappear for a few days or go on holidays far away. lol

Don't worry Cotton Candy, you'll do just fine. you have nothing to worry about. I assure you, provided you have all the documents you need. Just make sure to carry all the evidence you have and be confident and you'll succeed. Praying for you. Don't worry about having met once, provided you have met in person. You are good to go.

Good luck and praying for you.

PS: Make sure you fill two of each form, just so that you are prepared and in case they ask you for two.

Much love. You will do just fine.

[afoyoswa 178]

Good luck, Cotton Candy!

We finally got confirmation from the embassy that our petition is there, so yesterday we were able to access the online payment/scheduling system and get the Mpesa PDF. Aaron is going to try to get the payment made today, and then it's scheduling time! And after that, time for me to get documents ready, buy my ticket, and send wedding save-the-date emails (all the wedding deposits are transferable, of course)

[Ben and Jill 37]

Hi all,

I'm in Kenya. My interview is next week. I had nightmares about the blond lady last night. I wish she'd just disappear for a few days or go on holidays far away. lol

You're in Kenya So....what do you think of that crazy country!?! LOLOL It's something isn't it? Don't worry...you'll be super fine. I know...that blonde woman needs to go and get a job some place else! Be confident, bring all your supporting evidence with you to the interview, and pray. Let us know how it goes. Much love Cotton and stay blessed, xo.

[Ben and Jill 37]

Good luck, Cotton Candy!

We finally got confirmation from the embassy that our petition is there, so yesterday we were able to access the online payment/scheduling system and get the Mpesa PDF. Aaron is going to try to get the payment made today, and then it's scheduling time! And after that, time for me to get documents ready, buy my ticket, and send wedding save-the-date emails (all the wedding deposits are transferable, of course)

Yea!! That's great news, Joy! You're moving along so nicely. You must be super excited I remember how I felt scheduling the interview, etc., it's a great feeling to have come this far.

[shefellfromheaven 18]

Good luck Cotton Candy. You will be fine .

Congrats Anne & Nick :dance: