Lagos IR-1 Visa granted after 3.5 years!!

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Hello All at VJ,

I am relieved, happy to report that I am now waking up to the face I love everyday - my husband was finally granted his visa after our marriage of three and a half years, a denial, being reaffirmed, having every problem under the sun happen with our visa journey and also in our personal lives.

I have to begin with saying sorry to those who wonder if I fell off the face of the earth. Where I traveled my cell phone didn't work, I couldn't go to the business center to email - so I fell off the face of the earth for over a month and a half. My husband also wasn't able to meet my family and friends prior to now, so we have been meeting and greeting so many people so there hasn't been enough time to fit everything in yet. I returned to work immediately.

I am at peace, feeling so blessed and know I owe my life and my love to Jehovah.

First I should say the Senator's office here and our attorney fought hard for us, anyone who read our previous story will know that we had every complication occur. I was quite tense and anxious about what could possibly happen at this interview some two years after the first K3 denial. I feel so blessed for the help we received through these individuals mentioned above, support of each of our families, and those here who helped me understand and research the legalities and complications of the immigration system.

We received about a two week notice for our interview, so I went to Nigeria to be with my husband at the interview. Unfortunately we both got so sick, I mean the works, we still are still sick even a month later. It all started that morning we went to the embassy. That morning of our interview I was so weak I could barely walk DOWN the stairs to our taxi. But we got there.

It's a strange scene to describe but when you drive down the road to the Embassy it's a dirt road, you pass the Embassy of Italy and maybe another country or two. There are renovations going on at the U.S. Embassy, so the Embassy was on one side of the dirt road and on the other was this covered gated but open to the air building with probably 200 blue seats facing to the front, all beside the river. They had people lining up by the river.

Petitioners were not allowed inside the Embassy even just to sit, petitioners could only come right at 11am, not for an hour or specified time period but right at 11am. A Nigerian man in uniform outside told the immigrant visa applicants to line up outside this gate that lead to the seated outdoor area by the river. This was the strange part, he told everyone they can NOT come inside unless they OPEN their medical exam outside. I later asked the Embassy American Citizen Rep. what that was about and he said it was common around the world because of anthrax scares. I have never heard of that! It worried me immensely. The American Citizen Rep did help me, I was able to communicate with him to answer questions I was confused about, he really was helpful.

So I was still sick at this time. I gave my passport to my husband to show the interviewer, let them know I was outside in hopes that if they wanted to talk to me they would know I was there. But then it became urgent because I was sick I needed a bathroom. The frontman to the embassy would not allow me in without my passport, but I also could not get my passport from inside the embassy. So I was stuck outside to sit on the ground or curb with the other people. I was wearing a lovely dress, this was a special day so me and my husband wore our "Sunday" clothes.

I got progressively ill, I almost fell over outside while standing so finally one of the Nigerian officers let me sit in the one chair that was outside - I think it was for those officers to sit in - they looked like military but I really have no idea what they do, they were standing there - probably 4 of them or 5. All of them were unhelpful, except for one who was very kind - I wish I had gotten his name.

So my stomach became urgently sick after sitting for 3 hours! My husband was still inside. I saw him cross the street and go into the Embassy, so I knew that all those 3 hours he was inside, I was sick but hoping he'd come out soon but it wasn't happening...lol. So I went to the officer in front of the embassy door and told him I HAD to use that bathroom. I ran inside to the bathroom. Then I felt really, very unwell, I fell over in the back of the embassy because I was so weak. I started to black out. It wasn't even hot outside but I was sweating as if it was 120 degrees.

The officer outside called a medic and eventually I also saw people surrounding me including an American. So the medic was a lovely woman who calmed me and I thought I was ok. My husband came around the corner in the back area and saw me crying and sitting on the step where they were helping me, he was so confused because I was sitting on the ground crying with all these people around me. He got me up and we walked outside. The embassy asked for our address and we walked outside. Suddenly everything was going black again and I started vomiting in the street. I thought I was dieing, I have never blacked out like that. When I was vomiting the people in the street were gasping. Later this was a source of humor but at the time it was frightening - I've never been that weak in my life. So my husband helped me into the taxi, though I vomited all over his lovely shirt and tie. We went back to the hotel.

That is when I found out that the Embassy gave him a 221g form for denial because of missing documents. There were documents I submitted to NVC that apparently never made it to the embassy! fortunately I brought a copy of the financial support documents, and the DS-230, I-864 and all supporting documents, everything that NVC had. But for some reason at the initial interview they wouldn't accept it from my husband, they asked him to return with them. They also said we needed a new police certificate and medical (but they weren't expired, they were only 2 weeks old). This was frustrating but I called the American citizen rep and our attorney who contacted a Washington liaison. We just thought it all so strange, but we just wanted to complete this and just got the required items. We had family situations going on in the background though that had to be dealt with so I requested an expedite from the Embassy to bring in the documents for our second interview sooner and they granted it. They seemed understanding about those events that were out of our control.

But I am happy to report, the items that the embassy said were missing and needed such as the I-864 form and all the financial support, and a new medical and police certificate - we brought them in as quickly as we could and were granted my hubby's visa. They didn't ask many questions at the interview, but our case had been reaffirmed by USCIS. We had tons of evidence, phone records and pictures, but they didn't look at any of it. It was almost like they knew what they were looking for before we came into the office. They asked our address, how my husband can cope in a colder climate, not many questions - then requested the documents that they said NVC did not give them. They gave a letter to us with that list. I also must say that the initial letter we received from NVC listed all the documents they had sent, it stated that we did not give them my husband's birth certificate but we had! So my husband traveled (at great stress) to the area where he could get another new birth certificate in case they really did lose his. But at the interview they had his original birth certificate we mailed.

When we were granted the visa, it was in the form of a letter that told us to go to a printing facility in about a week to pick it up. This printing facility was not near the embassy at all but it was in a sort of wealthy district. We chose to go a day early to see where it was, we were granted his visa and immigrant package a day earlier!

We were treated kindly at the Embassy. The Interviewer was kind. However the whole process was sort of frustrating - especially buying a new exam and police certificate. But we were ready to complete everything and be together so we just asked them what we needed to do and they told us. We were both weak from being ill, but once we realized we would not have to separate a calm came over us. This is just a little outline of how things went.

So now we are home. It took 2 days of travel to return home. I was worried about my husband adjusting to the food change, time change, weather change. He is coping but it is a big change for him and he's had some of that normal vomiting/stomach upset.. and jet lag. We hold each other at night. We went to our place of worship. We have eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner together. I feel peace in my heart, now we are beside each other.

I married the sweetest man. He is gentle, humble, kind. I feel so blessed. I am thankful that we can now begin our journey... I don't know how we survived up to this point, this process has been so stressful that I thought it could really affect the health of my heart and his, but we made a promise to each other before God. Now my prayer is that I love him as he loves me, and never take forgranted the gift we were given.

Thank you all...

[C.D 1]

Wow! what a journey! Congrats!

[Mr. K 8]

Congratulations for staying in it for the long run!

So what were y'all sick from? And all of that stuff regarding the interview, did that happen all on the same day? I hate it when they ask people to return with stuff that they have at the interview and refuse to look at it. It ought to be some type of law against that.

[Nwanyioma 11]

It was a battle worth fighting for. I hope you and your husband enjoy your life together. Congratulations!!!!

Nwanyioma

[patient2010 93]

WOW I am in awww of you!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

Congratulations for staying in it for the long run!

So what were y'all sick from? And all of that stuff regarding the interview, did that happen all on the same day? I hate it when they ask people to return with stuff that they have at the interview and refuse to look at it. It ought to be some type of law against that.

Yes, that all happened on the same day - but we had to return a week later with the additional documents they requested. I still do not know what we were sick from. We were at a hotel, the food we ate was fresh and prepared as we had done prior to be certain we did not get ill. We had vomiting, and the runs, then what seemed like a bad cough/cold and then we got sick to our stomach again - all over a course of a month. I couldn't figure it was dysentery. I thought we had a bacterial infection possibly. Though we were exposed to cholera and typhoid in the city, we both have immunization to it. Right now my cough went into my chest and I got an earache so I am going to the doctor soon. I have no idea what we had, I belong to IAMAT which is a group of doctors who are approved by U.S. standards, so if you travel you can find proper medical care but we were unable to find the two listed for Lagos. I'm so relieved to feel even remotely better. Thanks for your congratulations!

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

It was a battle worth fighting for. I hope you and your husband enjoy your life together. Congratulations!!!!

Nwanyioma

Hi Nwanyioma, C.D., and patient2010: Thanks for your congratulations! it was worth fighting for, I am so relieved and calm but I wished I had for the last 3 or 4 years gone into counseling to cope with all the stress prior to this because I realize looking back just how stressed I have been, and you don't have to strong arm it, you should take care of yourself through this journey. My husbands warm love, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it right now. Thank you for all your congratulations!

[Hadiza 1]

I am so HAPPY for you in this journey!!!!! Congratulations to you and all the BEST!!!!!!

[Naijabound 1]

Congratulations...

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Yes, that all happened on the same day - but we had to return a week later with the additional documents they requested. I still do not know what we were sick from. We were at a hotel, the food we ate was fresh and prepared as we had done prior to be certain we did not get ill. We had vomiting, and the runs, then what seemed like a bad cough/cold and then we got sick to our stomach again - all over a course of a month. I couldn't figure it was dysentery. I thought we had a bacterial infection possibly. Though we were exposed to cholera and typhoid in the city, we both have immunization to it. Right now my cough went into my chest and I got an earache so I am going to the doctor soon. I have no idea what we had, I belong to IAMAT which is a group of doctors who are approved by U.S. standards, so if you travel you can find proper medical care but we were unable to find the two listed for Lagos. I'm so relieved to feel even remotely better. Thanks for your congratulations!

Congrats on finally getting through the mess. One slip up a lot of people make is even if they are careful about the water they drink they use ice made from unknown sources.

[Aya820 33]

Whoo Hoooo....Congratulations!!

[adethony 2]

Congrats!!!

You can rest now

[ghanagal 2]

Congrats B! you deserve this so much, I am so happy to hear you two are finally together. I wish you two the best!

[DebbyNSeyi 15]

I am so happy for you and your husband! I wish for both of you all the happiness in the world....you guys really exemplify the meaning of faith and perseverance.

I want to thank you also, for being a source of encouragement to others even when you yourself were going through the worst immigration nightmare.

Again, congratulations to you and your husband...your visa journey is a source of strength and inspiration to many people on VJ.

[Afrilaskan Queen 0]

I am so happy for you and your husband! I wish for both of you all the happiness in the world....you guys really exemplify the meaning of faith and perseverance.

I want to thank you also, for being a source of encouragement to others even when you yourself were going through the worst immigration nightmare.

Again, congratulations to you and your husband...your visa journey is a source of strength and inspiration to many people on VJ.

Thank you DebbyNSeyi, I know we will hear good news from you soon too! I'm glad if I can be of any encouragement. I didn't get the strength from myself, I have a lot of people and God to thank for getting us through. Many, MANY people on visa journey helped me over the past couple of years by educating me and encouraging me when there were seemingly endless roadblocks. Thank you to all of them for they know who they were, and there are too many to count!