Seunn11:
Please Help with the following question

How can one make payment for the I140 form processing from Nigeria?

Thanks

You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check.  When filing at a USCIS lockbox, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-140
https://www.uscis.gov/pay-with-a-credit-card

In summary, you pay with a US Bank personal check, cashier’s check, or credit cards, or a money order drawn from a US organization.

In practice, from Nigeria, if you are using an attorney, you give the government filling fee to the attorney and the attorney will use any of the acceptable forms to pay the USCIS. If you DIY from Nigeria, you will need someone in the US to help you buy money order or cashier’s check, or issue a personal US check, except you have a US bank account yourself.

Also, note from the second link attached that only US Bank issued credit cards are allowed.

kollykolly:

Thank you sir. You are God sent to this group.

Truly i can't agree more. Learning so much on these pages everyday

Helpout12345:


You may pay the fee with a money order, personal check, or cashier’s check.  When filing at a USCIS lockbox, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions. If you pay by check, you must make your check payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-140
https://www.uscis.gov/pay-with-a-credit-card

In summary, you pay with a US Bank personal check, cashier’s check, or credit cards, or a money order drawn from a US organization.

In practice, from Nigeria, if you are using an attorney, you give the government filling fee to the attorney and the attorney will use any of the acceptable forms to pay the USCIS. If you DIY from Nigeria, you will need someone in the US to help you buy money order or cashier’s check, or issue a personal US check, except you have a US bank account yourself.

Also, note from the second link attached that only US Bank issued credit cards are allowed.

Thanks. Excellent. This is very helpful

kollykolly:

Thank you sir. You are God sent to this group.

You can say that again! Thanks Helpout12345.

It's my pleasure my people.

Honestly Indians and Chinese have been taking advantage of these routes for years. I know many Nigerians are qualified for these visas, just that they are not aware or lack all required information on their processes.

@Op, Thank you so much for this thread. By God’s grace , I shall come back here to testify very soon.

Please I’m a professional Realtor with some year’s experience although I have Bsc ED in accounting, having reading through the post from the beginning and still stuck. Can someone kindly help which category I belong to?
I have received few awards and I’m sure and could also get publication from the social media handle of the companies I have partnered with.

Thanks for your response in advance

Anonymousqueen:
@Op, Thank you so much for this thread. By God’s grace , I shall come back here to testify very soon.

Please I’m a professional Realtor with some year’s experience although I have Bsc ED in accounting, having reading through the post from the beginning and still stuck. Can someone kindly help which category I belong to?
I have received few awards and I’m sure and could also get publication from the social media handle of the companies I have partnered with.

Thanks for your response in advance

If I understand you completely, you are thinking of claiming the following criteria out of the 10.

1. Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence

3. Evidence of published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media

5. Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field

6. Evidence of your authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media

Is that correct ?

Yes, thanks alot

Great summary response from @Helpout12345
@Anonymousqueen: my understanding is that you'll need more than just from social media handlev(depending on what you mean). Alongside 'em, you'll need to articulate and include where those social media links to: The actual publications.

Helpout12345:
If I understand you completely, you are thinking of claiming the following criteria out of the 10.
1. Evidence of receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
3. Evidence of published material about you in professional or major trade publications or other major media

5. Evidence of your original scientific, scholarly, artistic, athletic, or business-related contributions of major significance to the field
6. Evidence of your authorship of scholarly articles in professional or major trade publications or other major media
Is that correct ?

Anonymousqueen:
@Op, Thank you so much for this thread. By God’s grace , I shall come back here to testify very soon.

Please I’m a professional Realtor with some year’s experience although I have Bsc ED in accounting, having reading through the post from the beginning and still stuck. Can someone kindly help which category I belong to?
I have received few awards and I’m sure and could also get publication from the social media handle of the companies I have partnered with.

Thanks for your response in advance

semmyk:
Great summary response from @Helpout12345
@Anonymousqueen: my understanding is that you'll need more than just from social media handlev(depending on what you mean). Alongside 'em, you'll need to articulate and include where those social media links to: The actual publications.

@semmyk, thanks for your response.
Yes, I have some flyers that shows some of the winnings and an award placards
I hope that would help with the social media pages links?

Anonymousqueen:


@semmyk, thanks for your response.
Yes, I have some flyers that shows some of the winnings and an award placards
I hope that would help with the social media pages links?

Okay. The social media pages are about the award.

You can submit printed copies of the flyers and award placards alongside the hardcopy completed I140 form. Then include all social media pages in your petition letter. Also include in your petition letter, background of the award, what body issues it, what accomplishments are required to be considered for such award, why you were nominated or considered for the award, how the final winners are selected and why the award is significant in your field.

@helpout12345 Thanks so much for your response, I really appreciate it

Anonymousqueen:
@helpout12345 Thanks so much for your response, I really appreciate it

You are welcome.

Hello all,

To cut a long story short I have basically struck out with getting an attorney through relatives in the US.

Helpout12345 you previously mentioned (thanks again) a couple of attorneys one of which was better for industry professionals – Zhang & Associates of https://www.hooyou.com/

I did a little research on them and though their reviews online appear a bit mixed (people with refusals are naturally disgruntled) the fact that one or two others here gave positive reviews of them helps.

So I am thinking of contacting them to get finally get this process started.

However, I would appreciate any further recommendations of attorneys experienced in the oil & gas immigration area as this is the specific industry the principal applicant works in. And like Helpout12345 hinted I would be looking for those who would give very hands-on help and direction in writing/drafting letters, petition and whatever else may be required.

The idea behind getting an attorney versus DIY is to get this exact kind of help and of course to enhance our chances of success especially as we are doing this from Nigeria.

johnJS:
Hello all,

To cut a long story short I have basically struck out with getting an attorney through relatives in the US.

Helpout12345 you previously mentioned a couple of attorneys one of which was better for industry professionals – Zhang & Associates of https://www.hooyou.com/

I did a little research on them and though their reviews online appear a bit mixed (people with refusals are naturally disgruntled) the fact that one or two others here gave positive reviews of them helps.

So I am thinking of contacting them to get finally get this process started.

However, I would appreciate any further recommendations of attorneys experienced in the oil & gas immigration area as this is the specific industry the principal applicant works in. And like Helpout12345 hinted I would be looking for those who would give very hands-on help and direction in writing/drafting letters, petition and whatever else may be required.

The idea behind getting an attorney versus DIY is to get this exact kind of help and of course to enhance our chances of success especially as we are doing this from Nigeria.

@johnJS, based on the experience of a friend currently using Zhang and associates for his EB petition, you need to up your bargaining prowess when discussing attorney fees so you dont end up paying more (should you decide to use them). As far as I know, my friend drafted the recommendation letters for Zhang and associates to edit, dont't know about petition letter stage yet.

Hmm, thank you for sharing this. Some of the reviews on them that I read on yelp and other websites had complaints in this regards. I thought they were just unhappy because of unsuccessful applications but it appears they do pile on the bills a little?

From the little I have seen online some attorneys will charge a flat fee for all the work they put in from A to Z which should be preferable.

Do you mind sharing what kind of fees your friend has encountered with them?

praizG:

@johnJS, based on the experience of a friend currently using Zhang and associates for his EB petition, you need to up your bargaining prowess when discussing attorney fees so you dont end up paying more (should you decide to use them). As far as I know, my friend drafted the recommendation letters for Zhang and associates to edit, dont't know about petition letter stage yet.

johnJS:
Hello all,

To cut a long story short I have basically struck out with getting an attorney through relatives in the US.

Helpout12345 you previously mentioned (thanks again) a couple of attorneys one of which was better for industry professionals – Zhang & Associates of https://www.hooyou.com/

I did a little research on them and though their reviews online appear a bit mixed (people with refusals are naturally disgruntled) the fact that one or two others here gave positive reviews of them helps.

So I am thinking of contacting them to get finally get this process started.

However, I would appreciate any further recommendations of attorneys experienced in the oil & gas immigration area as this is the specific industry the principal applicant works in. And like Helpout12345 hinted I would be looking for those who would give very hands-on help and direction in writing/drafting letters, petition and whatever else may be required.

The idea behind getting an attorney versus DIY is to get this exact kind of help and of course to enhance our chances of success especially as we are doing this from Nigeria.

For oil and gas industry. Add the following to the list of attorneys.

1. https://www.coane.com/attorney/francis-andrew/

Expensive attorney but helps review recommendation letters.

2. https://luishesslaw.com/

Reviews recommendation letters.

3. https://messersmithlaw.com/

You can ask for review of recommendation letters.

praizG:

@johnJS, based on the experience of a friend currently using Zhang and associates for his EB petition, you need to up your bargaining prowess when discussing attorney fees so you dont end up paying more (should you decide to use them). As far as I know, my friend drafted the recommendation letters for Zhang and associates to edit, dont't know about petition letter stage yet.

Thanks for sharing this.
I think I also prefer the petitioner draft the recommendation letters from technical perspective while the attorney reviews and adds legal perspectives to the letters. Such letters are stronger than those solely written by the attorney. For example, oil and gas industry, the petitioner can add all technical oil/gas and project specific terms to the letters which the attorney cannot or is not vast in, and the attorney sharpens up the letters with legal terms.

johnJS:
Hmm, thank you for sharing this. Some of the reviews on them that I read on yelp and other websites had complaints in this regards. I thought they were just unhappy because of unsuccessful applications but it appears they do pile on the bills a little?

From the little I have seen online some attorneys will charge a flat fee for all the work they put in from A to Z which should be preferable.

Do you mind sharing what kind of fees your friend has encountered with them?

Flat fees are better. Don't do hourly fees, they can get you hooked and give you surprise charges down the line.

Thank you very much!

Helpout12345:


For oil and gas industry. Add the following to the list of attorneys.

Very good points!

Helpout12345:


Thanks for sharing this.
I think I also prefer the petitioner draft the recommendation letters from technical perspective while the attorney reviews and adds legal perspectives to the letters. Such letters are stronger than those solely written by the attorney. For example, oil and gas industry, the petitioner can add all technical oil/gas and project specific terms to the letters which the attorney cannot or is not vast in, and the attorney sharpens up the letters with legal terms.

I agree. Helpout12345 thank you, all your input is very much appreciated

Helpout12345:

Flat fees are better. Don't do hourly fees, they can get you hooked and give you surprise charges down the line.

zed7:
Unfortunately, most Nigerians don't qualify for this visa. Think twice before wasting funds.

How did you come about this information, please educate us more

Helpout12345:


Just as I responded on the NVC thread, to avoid missing the opportunity now, she will have to travel to Nigeria.

But who is the primary applicant? And will other family members able to attend the interview?

Depending on when the interview was scheduled for them by NVC, their files might still be at NVC, if their file is still at NVC, they can ask NVC for reschedule of interview.

If their file no more at NVC, then they have to ask the embassy for a reschedule of interview.

Please how long does it take NVC to schedule an application for Visa interview at the embassy

NotsonewMary:


Yipee, we have an approval story on the thread. Congrats drbabsok!

Did you file i140 and i485 concurrently? And was your application submitted at the Nebraska or Texas center. A couple of people have told me Nebraska is faster with processing than Texas that’s why I’m asking if you wouldn’t mind. Thanks!

You are right. Texas have long wait time

eakhilomen:


Please how long does it take NVC to schedule an application for Visa interview at the embassy

According to NVC currently as below.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/nvc-timeframes.html

After you submit payment and all documents, it is currently taking about 2 months to review your documents. If all documents are complete, your visa priority is current, depending on how busy your embassy is, you should expect interview letter within 1 or 2 months.

johnJS:
Hmm, thank you for sharing this. Some of the reviews on them that I read on yelp and other websites had complaints in this regards. I thought they were just unhappy because of unsuccessful applications but it appears they do pile on the bills a little?

From the little I have seen online some attorneys will charge a flat fee for all the work they put in from A to Z which should be preferable.

Do you mind sharing what kind of fees your friend has encountered with them?

He was charged $9000

Goodness that is crazy much! So that validates some of the negative reviews I saw online that they keep making you pay for this and that.
That's a shame because they would have been my top pick going by the success story shared here but I no even get power for anything close to that. I mean considering that there are the actual EB2 application fees apart from any legal fees.

Thanks a lot for sharing and I sincerely hope you will have a resounding success story to share on your friend's behalf at the end of theirs.

praizG:

He was charged $9000

Saynoomore:


Are you a Prof?

What docs did you submit for NIW?

Thats the end goal. For now, I am a postdoc at a University in the US. I submitted lot of documents tho. I will advise you to hire a lawyer to help you navigate the whole process.

How can someone currently in Nigeria pay the NVC fees? On the NVC website its stated that (You will need a bank routing number and a checking or savings account number from a U.S. based bank. ). Please experts in the house, kindly advise. Thanks

hollo:
How can someone currently in Nigeria pay the NVC fees? On the NVC website its stated that (You will need a bank routing number and a checking or savings account number from a U.S. based bank. ). Please experts in the house, kindly advise. Thanks

The easiest way is to get a trusted friend or family member in the US to help do it. You can transfer USD to the person via Wise transfer app or site.

Nice and informative thread.
I'm going to have my masters in CS by December. I have just a year(part-time) work experience however.
Is the EB-2(NIW) likely for me at this point, or is working with OPT and trying to get H1-B the better option?