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| Togo |  Review on September 28, 2018: |
TogoAfrica
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
12/20/2017 we sent our petition to the USCIS.
7/16/2018 7 months later we received our approval and it was sent to the NVC.
8/1/2018 The NCV received it 16 days later from USCIS approval.
8/7/2018 our petition was electronically sent to the American embassy in Togo.
8/9/2018 the NVC web sight indicated the American embassy in Togo was ready for us to make an appointment to pick up our packet 3. We emailed them to make the appointment. They emailed back and said they would call us when they are ready.
8/16/2018 the embassy called my fiancé and told him he could come today and pick up the packet 3, (packet 3 for Togo is basically just a list of what you need for the interview and scheduling your interview and getting the clinic names and the letter you must show the clinic to make your appointment.) My fiancé was sick with the mumps and malaria and could not come 8/16/2018 for the packer. He asked for another day. They said to come 8/20/2018.
8/20/2018 we both went to the embassy to pick up our packet 3 and schedule the interview. They would not let me into the embassy and said I had to wait outside. My fiancé was inside for about an 1 1/2. They told him he had a choice between two different clinics in Lome for his medical exam and to make an appointment with them. Clinique Saint Helene Rue Sédomé Doulassamé or Polyclinelle Wossinue and Gbogbo Rue Soviepe Ave Maria. They also scheduled his interview for 8/30/2018
8/21/2018 we visited the clinic closest to us and they made an appointment for his exam 8/24. They also informed us it takes two weeks to get the results because it is sent to America and back to Togo. They only do medical exams on Fridays at 8:30am. We explained we needed our exam fast because the interview was 8/30/2018. They explained this was impossible and we would not have the results in time. We decided to visit the second clinic and see if the same was true there, it was. So there was nothing we could do about it, we emailed the embassy and explained our medical exam would not be ready in time for the interview and we asked them what they would like us to do. They emailed us back and asked him to come anyways and when medical exam is ready to return and bring it.
8/24/2018 we arrived at Polyclinelle Wossinue and Gbogbo for our 8:30 appointment and then sat and waited for 5 hours. During that 5 hours my fiancé paid for the medical exam ($418 American) then was called to have an X-ray. Then later was called to have blood work. Then again was called to speak with the doctor. The doctor asked if he had ever had a serious sickness or in the hospital for anything? My fiancé mentioned his current health situation. The doctor also asked if I was the one in the lobby he was marrying and my fiancé answered yes. It was a simple meeting. They then told him to come back 9/7/2018 at 2pm for the results.
8/30/2018 we both arrived at the embassy at 8am for my fiancé 8:30 appointment for the interview. I was prepared to sit outside like I did last time but the security guard insisted that was not appropriate or allowed. He suggested I sit in our car and we explained we don’t have a car, but a moto. He then said see if the security guards inside will let you in. We entered but then my fiancé remembered he forgot his passport at home, this caused commotion as he explained he needed it for the interview and needed to go home. The security guard was kind and tried to help explaining we only need his ID card to get in but my fiancé kept insisting he needed the passport for the interview and needed to go home. Well they insisted we enter and ask someone in the office what to do. Before we knew it, we both were in...even though technically I was not suppose to be. He then asked someone in the office if he could go home and get his passport, they agreed. I stayed and waited while he went home to get it. After an hour waiting, He was first called to the window to give his paperwork they asked for in the packet 3. The women could see me there and asked me to come up also. She is Very kind, and asked me if I was the one he was marrying and I said yes. She explained I may not be able to be part of the interview but if the interviewer needed to ask me questions they would let him know I’m here also. We then sat and waited for his turn for the interview. While waiting he was called up to another window where he paid for the visa ($265/we gave it to them in cfa). Later he was called up by a white American man who did his interview. It was very simple interview... he was asked
Had he ever been married before or had children? Had I ever been married before and had children? When did we first meet? Why? Where? When did I arrive in Togo recently? And when did we intend to travel to America? He asked this question twice and my fiancé explained both times we had not bought our tickets yet because we do not know if we are approved for the visa. He asked for no additional evidence that our relationship had continued. We had a folder ready with this information; phone calls, WhatsApp conversation, photos, plane tickets, supporting letters, receipts for rings. But they didn’t need any of this, maybe because I was there I was evidence enough relationship was continuing. The interviewer then kindly said he was sorry he could not approve us today because we did not have the medical results but to bring them in as soon as we did. They then gave him a pink denied paper and on it was marked denied because we presented an incomplete application and they require additional information and it was marked they needed medical exam results. It then said return Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 11:30-12:30 with the information.
9/7/2018 we went to the clinic to get the results. Crazy we had to wait 3 hours just for them to hand us a sealed envelope for the embassy. Also they gave him his x-ray disc, and vaccinations. We feared because he had mumps, a contagious disease this would delay getting the visa. But the doctor didn’t mention anything about any health concerns. Mumps is only contagious 5 days and when he had the exam it was 12 days later. So we are feeling like this was not a problem anymore.
9/13/2018 my fiancé brought the medical results to the embassy. It was very simple and took only 30 minutes. He just needed to give it to the secretary. She said she would give it to the interviewer and they would call him.
9/21/2018 the embassy called my fiancé and told him he was approved and his visa was ready to be picked up!!! They gave him a sealed envelope with papers we are to give at the airport entering America.
The embassy was wonderful in Togo! Very kind and everything happened efficiently on their part. The medical exam is a pain and the hours it takes is a waste of time and very tiering as you just sit and wait for your turn. This is our visa journey. Hope it helps someone else!! There is not a lot of information for Togolese, so we hope this helps the next ones behind us.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #24742