Ghana Embassy Headaches

[Asante Maroon 0]

Hi, Im new. My husband's interview date is March 20, 2008. We were disappointed with such a long wait but at least we have the date. Anyways, I do not know much about this stuff because I hired someone to file for us, but it seems they gave him packet 3 and 4 together when he went to claim his packet. My concern is that they mention in his letters that he should bring certain forms filled out that have been included in his packets, however they are not included. I can easily get this forms elsewhere but was wondering if that is usual for embassy in accra. I mean, what if they forget some other important paperwork. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Oh, and how would I approach a local government official to get involved in hurrying his interview date? Its sounds preposterous but some of you mention that it can happen. Im from Cali, maybe I can get my governor to call the embassy for me. Haha, I wonder how the embassy would feel about geting a call from the terminator himself.

Hi. Welcome to VJ! I'm still pretty new myself.

My fiance received packet 3 & 4 together as well and he also had forms missing from it, for instance the I-134 form. When he called the embassy, he was told that it was okay for him to download it from the net. I believe most forms are available on VJ for download or you can go to the travel.gov website and download the forms there. Just to cover yourselves, you should contact the embassy and tell them what forms you are missing and ask them what they advise you to do.

As for contacting your local government, I plan to e-mail a few senators in my area and see where that gets me. If they are able to send even a simple request by e-mail to the embassy, I think that may suffice.

Good luck!

[Asante Maroon 0]

Someone mentioned emailing the consulate. I emailed them just about monthly for an entire year and never got a response. I did email the ACS in Ghana and got a response from them. They said that they forwarded my email to the consulate people, but I still didn't get a response. Some people have been able to move their interview dates up, but they were at the consulate in person to do this. I attempted to get our interview date moved up when I was there, and I was unsuccessful. I even cried and they brought me to a back room, but they didn't budge. I was also there during a week with a holiday so they had a lot of employees out on vacation.

Good luck to everyone.

The e-mail address that is posted on the Ghana embassy website and just about everywhere else seems to NOT be working. I have never received a response from that e-mail address. The e-mail that address that seems to work is: Consulateaccra@state.gov. I don't know if this really made a difference, but what I have done was cc: the NVC at NVCinquiry@state.gov as an added pressure for them to reply, even though the NVC really can't do much for you once your case is forwarded to the embassy. If you are having serious problems with your case the NVC will refer you to the Department of State Visa Service (202) 663-1225 in Washington DC. The Dept of State Visa Service, however, does not respond personally to e-mails. They send out a generic reply with a list of links that directs you to their site.

I can't believed they would not budge even when you cried...but on second thought, this is the Ghana Embassy we are talking about here. But the fact that they were short staffed probably contributed greatly to their lack of empathy. When people are stressed, they find it very difficult to sympathize.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Hi, Im new. My husband's interview date is March 20, 2008. We were disappointed with such a long wait but at least we have the date. Anyways, I do not know much about this stuff because I hired someone to file for us, but it seems they gave him packet 3 and 4 together when he went to claim his packet. My concern is that they mention in his letters that he should bring certain forms filled out that have been included in his packets, however they are not included. I can easily get this forms elsewhere but was wondering if that is usual for embassy in accra. I mean, what if they forget some other important paperwork. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Oh, and how would I approach a local government official to get involved in hurrying his interview date? Its sounds preposterous but some of you mention that it can happen. Im from Cali, maybe I can get my governor to call the embassy for me. Haha, I wonder how the embassy would feel about geting a call from the terminator himself.

I'm not sure which forms you are referring to, but I believe that the embassy now only takes two of the forms online. They require that it be done on a computer and printed out, not hand written. But you aren't supposed to sign it until you are there in front of the consulate officer. I read that on their website. Maybe they explain it in the instructions packet? If not, check on the website for more information. There was some more information there.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Hi, Im new. My husband's interview date is March 20, 2008. We were disappointed with such a long wait but at least we have the date. Anyways, I do not know much about this stuff because I hired someone to file for us, but it seems they gave him packet 3 and 4 together when he went to claim his packet. My concern is that they mention in his letters that he should bring certain forms filled out that have been included in his packets, however they are not included. I can easily get this forms elsewhere but was wondering if that is usual for embassy in accra. I mean, what if they forget some other important paperwork. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Oh, and how would I approach a local government official to get involved in hurrying his interview date? Its sounds preposterous but some of you mention that it can happen. Im from Cali, maybe I can get my governor to call the embassy for me. Haha, I wonder how the embassy would feel about geting a call from the terminator himself.

Hi. Welcome to VJ! I'm still pretty new myself.

My fiance received packet 3 & 4 together as well and he also had forms missing from it, for instance the I-134 form. When he called the embassy, he was told that it was okay for him to download it from the net. I believe most forms are available on VJ for download or you can go to the travel.gov website and download the forms there. Just to cover yourselves, you should contact the embassy and tell them what forms you are missing and ask them what they advise you to do.

As for contacting your local government, I plan to e-mail a few senators in my area and see where that gets me. If they are able to send even a simple request by e-mail to the embassy, I think that may suffice.

Good luck!

The I134 is supposed to be filled out by the USC so that would probably be why they don't put it in the packet. You are supposed to fill it out here and attach the necessary documentation then send it to your SO in Ghana to take in on their interview date. Along with the NOA2 and any other helpful evidence of your relationship. VJ also recommends taking a new letter restating your intent to get married to your SO since the process takes so darn long.

[His Glory 25]

Thank you zee for your answers. I love your countdown till the interview. Its so close to my husbands so when i see the numbers going down it makes me smile.

[His Glory 25]

Hi, Asante. Thanks for the info. Your husband/fiance looks like a younger version of my husband.

[His Glory 25]

Thanks Bassi. My husband got so little in both packets. He faxed them all to me and they amounted to only 7 pages! He didnt send the medical form. But it sounds like he only got one not the one I hear you are supposed to have for xray and vaccines. Are you given seperate one for each? If so, then we have something to worry about. I hear total for all is about 300.00. So, are they letting you walk the results back to embassy or do you have to wait for delivary?

[Asante Maroon 0]

Hi, Asante. Thanks for the info. Your husband/fiance looks like a younger version of my husband.

No problem Efia. Anytime. Your husband must be very handsome then

Hi, Asante. Thanks for the info. Your husband/fiance looks like a younger version of my husband.

No problem Efia. Anytime. Your husband must be very handsome then

No problem Efia. Anytime. Your husband must be very handsome then

[Asante Maroon 0]

Hi, Im new. My husband's interview date is March 20, 2008. We were disappointed with such a long wait but at least we have the date. Anyways, I do not know much about this stuff because I hired someone to file for us, but it seems they gave him packet 3 and 4 together when he went to claim his packet. My concern is that they mention in his letters that he should bring certain forms filled out that have been included in his packets, however they are not included. I can easily get this forms elsewhere but was wondering if that is usual for embassy in accra. I mean, what if they forget some other important paperwork. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Oh, and how would I approach a local government official to get involved in hurrying his interview date? Its sounds preposterous but some of you mention that it can happen. Im from Cali, maybe I can get my governor to call the embassy for me. Haha, I wonder how the embassy would feel about geting a call from the terminator himself.

Hi. Welcome to VJ! I'm still pretty new myself.

My fiance received packet 3 & 4 together as well and he also had forms missing from it, for instance the I-134 form. When he called the embassy, he was told that it was okay for him to download it from the net. I believe most forms are available on VJ for download or you can go to the travel.gov website and download the forms there. Just to cover yourselves, you should contact the embassy and tell them what forms you are missing and ask them what they advise you to do.

As for contacting your local government, I plan to e-mail a few senators in my area and see where that gets me. If they are able to send even a simple request by e-mail to the embassy, I think that may suffice.

Good luck!

The I134 is supposed to be filled out by the USC so that would probably be why they don't put it in the packet. You are supposed to fill it out here and attach the necessary documentation then send it to your SO in Ghana to take in on their interview date. Along with the NOA2 and any other helpful evidence of your relationship. VJ also recommends taking a new letter restating your intent to get married to your SO since the process takes so darn long.

I'm Sorry he is missing the ES230 part II (the sworn statement), not the I134 form.

Thanks Bassi. My husband got so little in both packets. He faxed them all to me and they amounted to only 7 pages! He didnt send the medical form. But it sounds like he only got one not the one I hear you are supposed to have for xray and vaccines. Are you given seperate one for each? If so, then we have something to worry about. I hear total for all is about 300.00. So, are they letting you walk the results back to embassy or do you have to wait for delivary?

I'm Sorry Efia, he is missing the ES230 part II (the sworn statement), not the I134 form.

[Zee Bee 61]

Thanks Bassi. My husband got so little in both packets. He faxed them all to me and they amounted to only 7 pages! He didnt send the medical form. But it sounds like he only got one not the one I hear you are supposed to have for xray and vaccines. Are you given seperate one for each? If so, then we have something to worry about. I hear total for all is about 300.00. So, are they letting you walk the results back to embassy or do you have to wait for delivary?

When your husband takes the medicals he will have to go back and pick up the results to take with him to the interview.

[Kanyiri 0]

I would include a letter explaining the situation with the pictures and the dates of your wedding and marriage.

[His Glory 25]

Hi, Asante. Thanks for the info. Your husband/fiance looks like a younger version of my husband.

No problem Efia. Anytime. Your husband must be very handsome then

Haha! Yes he is and let me tell you going by my own husband's looks, yours will only get more handsome with age. You guys look really happy together.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Thanks Bassi. My husband got so little in both packets. He faxed them all to me and they amounted to only 7 pages! He didnt send the medical form. But it sounds like he only got one not the one I hear you are supposed to have for xray and vaccines. Are you given seperate one for each? If so, then we have something to worry about. I hear total for all is about 300.00. So, are they letting you walk the results back to embassy or do you have to wait for delivary?

Afenab posted the medical information that he received about a week ago. Do a search of the site and I'm sure you'll find it. Zee knows how to link boards, but I don't.

This is what it says on the embassy website:

NIV Appointments – Now Just 3 Easy Steps

Step One: Pay your Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee at Standard Chartered Bank; please note that MRV receipt are only valid for one year- you must book for appointment within a year of paying the MRV fee.

Step Two: Fill out your DS-156 form and any supplemental forms online. You must fill out your non-immigrant visa application (DS-156 and, if applicable, DS-157) on a computer. Hand written applications or applications typed on a typewriter are not acceptable, and you will not be admitted for your interview if you bring these. Schedule your appointment online.

Step Three: Appear at the Consulate for your interview fully prepared. Applicants should arrive at the consulate, no sooner than 30 minutes before the appointment time.You will not be admitted for an interview more than 30 minutes prior to your appointment time.

The DS 157 is for men older than 16 and younger than 45. But all the forms have to be done online. So, maybe they give you instructions instead of forms. The instructions, the medical instructions page, and the DS230 would only be 4 or 5 pages, right? I wonder if Afenab will stop by and tell us how many documents he received in his package. He's probably busy getting everything together because his interview is in December.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Someone mentioned emailing the consulate. I emailed them just about monthly for an entire year and never got a response. I did email the ACS in Ghana and got a response from them. They said that they forwarded my email to the consulate people, but I still didn't get a response. Some people have been able to move their interview dates up, but they were at the consulate in person to do this. I attempted to get our interview date moved up when I was there, and I was unsuccessful. I even cried and they brought me to a back room, but they didn't budge. I was also there during a week with a holiday so they had a lot of employees out on vacation.

Good luck to everyone.

The e-mail address that is posted on the Ghana embassy website and just about everywhere else seems to NOT be working. I have never received a response from that e-mail address. The e-mail that address that seems to work is: Consulateaccra@state.gov. I don't know if this really made a difference, but what I have done was cc: the NVC at NVCinquiry@state.gov as an added pressure for them to reply, even though the NVC really can't do much for you once your case is forwarded to the embassy. If you are having serious problems with your case the NVC will refer you to the Department of State Visa Service (202) 663-1225 in Washington DC. The Dept of State Visa Service, however, does not respond personally to e-mails. They send out a generic reply with a list of links that directs you to their site.

I can't believed they would not budge even when you cried...but on second thought, this is the Ghana Embassy we are talking about here. But the fact that they were short staffed probably contributed greatly to their lack of empathy. When people are stressed, they find it very difficult to sympathize.

I sent two emails to that address and used ACS in the subject line and they responded to both within 24 hours.

[Zee Bee 61]

Here is the info on the medicals:

1) Physical exams, X-Ray & lab test @ Holy Trinty: 510,000.00 cedis

2) Blood test @ Medlab: 420,000.00 cedis

3) Vaccination @ Akia house: 1,170,000.00 - 1,570,000 (Depending on whether additional vaccinations are required or not.

Make sure to get a copy of the vaccination records.