Gambia / Senegal Interview Experiences

[ZaakirahM 28]

Hello

VISA approuved today Thank you to allll :joy:

Congratulations!

Don't forget to detail your experience on your timeline, please!

[momov31 2]

Congrats, God bless

[JennW 3]

My husband had his interview today, and despite my income being enough he was told to get a joint sponsor (probably because a good portion of my income is new) and also we had lots of relationship documentation but she requested original facebook conversation from when we met. I deleted that account shortly after we met - but thanks be to God that my husband kept his and has them. She said to bring those two things back for his approval.

Now to get a joint sponsor - cant wait for this to be finished

[Ebson's Wife 10]

Hello

VISA approuved today Thank you to allll :joy:

Congratulations !!!!!! I am glad to see that you have been approved.

Hello

VISA approuved today Thank you to allll :joy:

Congratulations !!!!!! I am glad to see that you have been approved.

[ZaakirahM 28]

My husband had his interview today, and despite my income being enough he was told to get a joint sponsor (probably because a good portion of my income is new) and also we had lots of relationship documentation but she requested original facebook conversation from when we met. I deleted that account shortly after we met - but thanks be to God that my husband kept his and has them. She said to bring those two things back for his approval.

Now to get a joint sponsor - cant wait for this to be finished

Glad she was thorough! Hope it's an easy process here on out! Good luck!

[midou3 0]

Hey y'all, Amadou here I have my mom petition sent to Dakar for interview she coming to Dakar Friday from Guinée, Conakry. It's an IR5 petition Son petitioned for mom I am very nervous she speaks only Fulani and is set to interview on February 9th. Told her take all my pics new, old, baby pics of us in the pics, Plus I was there in October we took very recent ones, money transfer receipts my birth certificate with her to the interview but truth be said I am very nervous.

I would appreciate any input anyone has to help thanks.

[ZaakirahM 28]

Hey y'all, Amadou here I have my mom petition sent to Dakar for interview she coming to Dakar Friday from Guinée, Conakry. It's an IR5 petition Son petitioned for mom I am very nervous she speaks only Fulani and is set to interview on February 9th. Told her take all my pics new, old, baby pics of us in the pics, Plus I was there in October we took very recent ones, money transfer receipts my birth certificate with her to the interview but truth be said I am very nervous.

I would appreciate any input anyone has to help thanks.

All I can say is there may be an option for a translator. At the time they were very low on staff...so my husband was the translator for those who spoke his local language of Mandinka.

I can also advise you to have her bring every single thing that they suggest you bring. You do not want problems/delays there. And as long as you frontloaded (submitted evidence beforehand)...you should be okay.

Good luck!

[luckyef 2]

hey folks, i just want to ask a questions,for someone, do anyone know the cost to get married in senegal?the process? i know about the gambia,cause i have leave in gambia for 6 years,before traveling to usa,i will be happy if someone went through marriage in senegal,thank you all

[midou3 0]

Well today was D day for me. My mom went to the us embassy in Dakar interviewed but was put on AP and handed a form 221(g) which stated

-need valid medical certificate with a validity of six months ( she could not get her medical result before interview. Result are set to be given on Thursday while interview was on Tuesday)

- A joint sponsor form I 864 and form 1040 tax year not specified .............

Now I read a few things about AP otherwise known as administrative processing. My take on it is more like a refusal or as they put it on a website an intent to refuse (like the wording) that's one the other thing is that this is a process that can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of years and frankly couple of years NO.

So VJers drop me some knowledge. Has this happened to anyone if yes what was the outcome?

Also during interview it mentioned to her that I had a daughter which she had no clue of. Hated she had to learn that from a CO at the embassy. But my relationship did not last long with the mother and she took the child away I never mentioned it to my family for cultural reasons.

[Renee14 9]

Well today was D day for me. My mom went to the us embassy in Dakar interviewed but was put on AP and handed a form 221(g) which stated

-need valid medical certificate with a validity of six months ( she could not get her medical result before interview. Result are set to be given on Thursday while interview was on Tuesday)

- A joint sponsor form I 864 and form 1040 tax year not specified .............

Now I read a few things about AP otherwise known as administrative processing. My take on it is more like a refusal or as they put it on a website an intent to refuse (like the wording) that's one the other thing is that this is a process that can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of years and frankly couple of years NO.

So VJers drop me some knowledge. Has this happened to anyone if yes what was the outcome?

Also during interview it mentioned to her that I had a daughter which she had no clue of. Hated she had to learn that from a CO at the embassy. But my relationship did not last long with the mother and she took the child away I never mentioned it to my family for cultural reasons.

Your AP doesn't sound bad. You just need to return what they are asking for very quickly. You'll get your health certificate to return from the doctor that's not an issue. Then find a joint sponsor who meets the income requirements. They will need to return a copy of their tax filing or transcript. Follow the instructions you did for the I-864 for the first sponsor.

[JennW 3]

Well today was D day for me. My mom went to the us embassy in Dakar interviewed but was put on AP and handed a form 221(g) which stated

-need valid medical certificate with a validity of six months ( she could not get her medical result before interview. Result are set to be given on Thursday while interview was on Tuesday)

- A joint sponsor form I 864 and form 1040 tax year not specified .............

Now I read a few things about AP otherwise known as administrative processing. My take on it is more like a refusal or as they put it on a website an intent to refuse (like the wording) that's one the other thing is that this is a process that can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of years and frankly couple of years NO.

So VJers drop me some knowledge. Has this happened to anyone if yes what was the outcome?

Also during interview it mentioned to her that I had a daughter which she had no clue of. Hated she had to learn that from a CO at the embassy. But my relationship did not last long with the mother and she took the child away I never mentioned it to my family for cultural reasons.

My husband was also asked to come back when it was his appointment in Jan with a joint sponsor. They want the most current tax year 1040. So depending on when you return it, since i believe taxes are due to be filed in April, you can give 2014 if you don't have 2015 yet. But I would think that 2015 would be more beneficial.

Also, is the box checked next to AP? Or did you just assume that because the form was given? My husband was given the same form with two things checked but was not on AP.

[midou3 0]

Thanks JenW I got the AP from the website ceac visa status check on the form itself I did not see AP. What was the outcome for your husband?

[JennW 3]

So my hubby went back today with what they had requested and was APPROVED! Praise God it is over. Here is a brief rundown of our Journey.

We hired a lawyer approx 6 months after we got married. We hired Allan Lolly, he was very friendly and helpful at first then we found that once hired we were turned over to a 'case manager' and getting ahold of our lawyer became quite difficult and we had to be very demanding. The lawyer experience is one of its own but if to do again we may hire a lawyer but not a big name firm that you just become yet another piece of paper as the lawyer caused us so much delay and the case manager was incompetent.

We had some delay in when we filed papers because we were coming up with all the fees plus lawyer so that is also part of the reason why our journey took a bit longer. We filed with my income alone, which had to be a bit high because of the children I have. I got a job in addition to the business I run to be able to show the income. We sent in about 4-5 pictures, letter of authentic relationship, prof of communication, and trips etc. We were approved at NVC about 13 months after original filing but again there was some delay from us coming up with fees. Approved in mid Nov, appointment set for late Jan.

My husband saw the dr about one week prior, we had heard stories of cutting it too close and having to come after appointment with medical and we wanted to avoid that. On the day of his interview my husband went with binder of well organized into sections ; photos in a photo sheet that displayed them nicely, proof of communication (skype, whatsapp, emails, facebook, and a facebook convo he had with my mom) copies of packages and cards sent, all of his original legal documents, copy of my original petition, etc.

He got there around 6-6:30 and i think he said he was number 8 on the list to sign in. When you go in, they pull cases from a basket or something, i dont think up until that point you have a particular CO. He was called up and asked some questions like 'How long was your wife previously married for, how many kids does she have what are their ages, how did you meet' I cant remember all of them but nothing in particular that he struggled with, he first quoted the time me and my ex were married before we separate then he corrected himself and explained to her when we were separate then when divorced. She was gracious about it.

She gave him a 221(g) with two things checked - joint sponsor and proof of relationship, she wrote on it she wanted our original facebook conversation from when we first met. This seemed a bit crazy to me because we met over 4 years ago and had documentation for three years. He told her that I deleted that facebook account and she said he can still retrieve it. So he brought back the conversations from his end even though they didn't have my name except when he called me by it in the conversation. We didn't understand why we needed joint sponsor because my income is over the 125% but maybe it is because of the jump and also I am self employed primarily.

So we talked to our case manager at the firm and asked them what are the requirements of the joint sponsor and they were completely incompetent and told us that they must cover me, my kids, him and themselves (the lawyer confirmed this - I don't even think they looked at our case before answering we are so aggravated about it) - upon further research we found out that it is a lie so my best friend offered to be his joint sponsor as she has no dependants and is single. We proceeded to fill out the form and all ourselves as we were sick of delay and incompetence of Allan Lolly law firm. So hIs appointment was on the 21st of Jan and he went back on Feb 2 and 4th and was turned away they said that they were short staffed that week that he must come back the next week. So he went back today brought the facebook conversations (about 5-6 screenshots of it) and the joint sponsor form with original signature, her 2015 income tax return, her w-2's for 2015. He waited in the cue and the same CO called him and he gave her the papers and she said approved gave him a green ticket told him to come back in 7 days for the visa - he said that they were very busy and those who came back with medical didnt even need to see officer to get green ticket that they were going through everyone fairly quickly i am guessing they were a bit backlogged.

I am so glad this is over - ready to be living together!!!

[JennW 3]

Thanks JenW I got the AP from the website ceac visa status check on the form itself I did not see AP. What was the outcome for your husband?

Ours said that also on the website - i think that is a standard message, I don't think it is AP as in the one that take so long for review, I believe if your mother brings back what is requested she should be approved - I wouldn't sweat it it much. My husband was there today as well and he brought back what was requested and was approved - I am sure your mother is on her way

[JennW 3]

Can someone tell me if when you pick up your visa you have to stand in cue again to go inside?