Ghana Embassy- My letter

[midge and isi 8]

This is the letter that I am thinking of sending to my senator and then also to what ever other offices I can find. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Has anyone else from our group sent letters yet???

Dear Senator Collins Office,

I am currently working on a K-1 Fiancé Visa for (name of fiance) of Ghana. I have been a member of the website Visajourney.com where many people from around the world can share their experiences from the start to the finish of getting their family members to be with them through the Visa process and beyond. Within this site we are able to specifically talk with others from the country that the beneficiary is living in.

There are a few of us who applied at the beginning of the year for K-1 petitions for our fiancées in Ghana and as a group we are having issues with the US Embassy in Accra, Ghana. When a K-1 petition is approved it is given a 6month expiration date, as of today the last few members that I have been communicating with have been given interview dates that are roughly 8months from their approval notice. We do know that these approvals can be renewed but waiting 8months for an interview is way above average in this process compared to other countries. It just recently changed, some other members who received their approvals at the beginning of this year had a 4month wait and since I haven’t even received my appointment as of date am concerned on how long the wait might be. Communication with the embassy is also very difficult and at times almost non-existent. Mail in Ghana is also very unrealizable and waiting for mail from the embassy is very daunting because we know it could never arrive and then you have to go through many challenges for it to be e-mailed or told to you over the phone.

We have concern also due to the fact that the US Embassy has been giving denials to many people, the following articles show how people with diplomatic passports are being denied.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=181863

http://news.myjoyonline.com/politics/201005/46030.asp

If people within the government are being denied, it seems that our loved ones will have a very hard time getting an approval.

The Embassy has a set of rights for the beneficiary during an interview but it seems that that is the only thing when it comes to service. I am very disheartened when I see others who applied in different countries at the same time as me already having interview dates scheduled when I see that it will be at least another 8months before we have an interview along with another month wait to pick up the visa, when most other countries are a few days. I knew this process was going to be long and stressful but the Embassy of Accra, Ghana is currently not providing timely or effective service to visa applicants.

Thank you for your service and action to this request,

[wb7985 0]

This is the letter that I am thinking of sending to my senator and then also to what ever other offices I can find. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Has anyone else from our group sent letters yet???

Dear Senator Collins Office,

I am currently working on a K-1 Fiancé Visa for (name of fiance) of Ghana. I have been a member of the website Visajourney.com where many people from around the world can share their experiences from the start to the finish of getting their family members to be with them through the Visa process and beyond. Within this site we are able to specifically talk with others from the country that the beneficiary is living in.

There are a few of us who applied at the beginning of the year for K-1 petitions for our fiancées in Ghana and as a group we are having issues with the US Embassy in Accra, Ghana. When a K-1 petition is approved it is given a 6month expiration date, as of today the last few members that I have been communicating with have been given interview dates that are roughly 8months from their approval notice. We do know that these approvals can be renewed but waiting 8months for an interview is way above average in this process compared to other countries. It just recently changed, some other members who received their approvals at the beginning of this year had a 4month wait and since I haven’t even received my appointment as of date am concerned on how long the wait might be. Communication with the embassy is also very difficult and at times almost non-existent. Mail in Ghana is also very unrealizable and waiting for mail from the embassy is very daunting because we know it could never arrive and then you have to go through many challenges for it to be e-mailed or told to you over the phone.

We have concern also due to the fact that the US Embassy has been giving denials to many people, the following articles show how people with diplomatic passports are being denied.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=181863

http://news.myjoyonline.com/politics/201005/46030.asp

If people within the government are being denied, it seems that our loved ones will have a very hard time getting an approval.

The Embassy has a set of rights for the beneficiary during an interview but it seems that that is the only thing when it comes to service. I am very disheartened when I see others who applied in different countries at the same time as me already having interview dates scheduled when I see that it will be at least another 8months before we have an interview along with another month wait to pick up the visa, when most other countries are a few days. I knew this process was going to be long and stressful but the Embassy of Accra, Ghana is currently not providing timely or effective service to visa applicants.

Thank you for your service and action to this request,

Sounds good to me. Good job.!

[steeel 0]

This is surely OK to send... sounds gud.. but I think we all shld suggest other avenues to send these aside senators...

[midge and isi 8]

I am. Both Senators, DOS, and still looking for others. The more attention we can get to this matter the better!

[Evans and Flor 2]

Midge.mij, you have done a wonderful job. I commend you. If we can figure out a way for all of us to sign and make copies, that way they can see at least how many of us there is, that would be great. The more on board, the better. How can we get the attention of ALL Ghana filers? We then make copies and send to our Senators, Congressmen/women and the Department of State. Like a petition to be heard from all.

Edited May 14, 2010 by Evans and Flor

[midge and isi 8]

You are all welcome to use it and change it to your needs. No worries. Most Senator's office use online mail only for concerns, if not all. So I think we should all submit there NOW! I am going to see what we can do about a petition to others. But for now we need to start actings. And send it to both your state senators why not! Get more attention to it.

[ManTra 1]

great job Midge..i like how u r being proactive about this cause....

[midge and isi 8]

If we all are maybe something will happen....maybe not for us. But we have to look out for the rest of the people who will be going through this ACCRA EMBASSY!!! If this had was what was ahead of me and no one did anything I would not be happy so we have to work to try to get things moving!

[Evans and Flor 2]

I agree. It may not do anything for us but it may help those that will be going through the same thing. The wait is long enough for us but it would be nice if we all look out for one another.

[JenAndBabs 1]

Good job! Thanks for being proactive and for providing a sample letter. I will write my senators also.

[JustUs 3]

Girl you are making things happen! I am going to wait to send my letter because it is too soon in my process since I haven't yet received my NOA2 - I need to make sure I have something supportive to complain about. I do hope that everyone who has been waiting an unusually long time for their interviews will follow your lead. I would be surprised if the situation had improved by the time I get my NOA2, unfortunately - so I will definitely be using your example.

My appreciation to you and everyone who is willing to take a stand.

[midge and isi 8]

Thanks guys- I feel that we can all make an effort. I really am trying to track down another office that we can ALL send a letter to- so its centralized.

Lets all join up! thats the only way things will happen!