₦airaland Forum

Queenbeloveth:
If you don't mind an appointment for 9th in Lagos, you can chat me up

JustCare:
Use stanbic, processing time = 2 days, rate = 517 or even lower now.

DRscience:
Hello! Pls is anyone going to Nottingham Trent University or applied to the school? Thanks

mimilyrics:
You need to pay before you go for your test but you pay after you book. You'll have to take your receipt along when going for the test.
It cost N57,800 (not sure if it's been revised in line with current increase in $ exchange).

Dammytt:
I'll be going to Coventry in January

macbernard:
Best exchange rate ever. 381 naira to a dollar. But avoid Paga verve if you can

LagosismyHome:
You should be fine, depending on how the exchange rate goes

They usually dont ask but if they ever do then this your response in bold

fairheart:
What is the cost of attendance for this program?
Like others have said, one cannot really know all the reasons a visa was refused, although some applicants' cases are obvious and can be perceived if they articulate how the interview went. The current embassu section, I think, is not willing to put any applicants on "administrative processing." At least, so far, I haven't seen anyone placed on AP for bank statement verification. What does this mean? During the short period of interview, VO assess whether your tuition is too high (unreasonable for some programs, and if no scholarship or GA) or "affordable" (VO might feel this cost is not bad for this degree).
I want to say that these consulars look at things and make judgement--based on applicants' program COA, program, age, background, and chiefly, response to interview questions. This is why I always emphasise on not selecting a very expensive school if GA or scholarship will not be available. This is my opinion; I am not a VO!

Likewise, one of the things I make sure applicants don't do during mock interview is start a response to questions, such as why this school the way you did. Where is personalisation and talking like a student that you are? "I chose the University of Illinois because..."

@Buksss. You said you and your roommates said the same thing Peacock1234 said to Why this school, and you all got approved? When did you get your visa? Did he really need to say the same thing?

If I were to say something about his response to why that school, I would tell you it didn't go well. He simply left off benefit of courses, research interest, working with a faculty member, and then straight to internship--the last reason there can be? Internship is available in Nigeria too. Is this the only reason a student would want to go to the US to spend $30-something thousand (I assume this is your COA). MSF at the University of Illinois has some very hot concentrations, but you did not talk about that. I think the VO was not convinced that you're a credible student, hence your refusal. A few things work together to earn that credibility during the short interview.
Situation changes, so you can still get your visa.

drDoom3:
VO: Good morning, I'll be asking you some questions to confirm if everything is alright.

Me: Okay

VO: So have you ever been to the US?

Me: No

VO: Have you travelled out if Nigeria before?

Me: Yes

VO: What do you plan to study?

Me: Engineering or computer science

VO: When you get to school, do you stay on or off campus?

Me: on campus

VO: So I can see everything looks okay, congratulations, go to ... to pay your reciprocity fee...

Chibzee2:
Mine was cancelled as well with no rescheduled date

Alwaysgetbetter:
Hello house,
please where can i register for SAT exam in lagos. please i need it urgently

thedsl:
Please Help.


Hi guys. Please I need some help answering questions on my DS 160 form.

Here are my questions:

For intended date of arrival, do I pick any date within my earliest date of arrival and my program start date? And is it a must that I book my flight to that day eventually?

‘Have you made specific travel plans’. What do they mean? I’m thinking ‘no’ because I haven’t planned for flights or anything.

‘Address where I’ll be staying’ - can I just write my school’s address?

Those who have filled the form, did you actually fill out all your social media usernames in the part where they asked for social media presence?

Also, if I choose ‘not employed’ in the form, will that be a problem during the interview and will I have explanations to do?

Lastly, please am I supposed to ask my school to send the original copy of my GA offer letter or a colored printout will do?

I know the questions are many but I’ll appreciate answers to anyone of them. Thank you. ��

Agnestardom:
Do I need to pay my sevis fee before applying for the emergency visa interview?

zeeLady:
In Abuja embassy? Are they granting emergency appointments in Abuja? even when its not up to 60 days to resumption?

MISSPUNIG:
I saw in on the page that Purpose of travel is to begin or resume a valid program of study in the United States within 60 days when no regular Visa appointment are available. I’m currently doing my masters online but the start date for Spring is Jan 10. Can I go ahead to Request for Emergency Appointment or wait till 60days to resumption?

Ykxcels:
Wow...any other person gets a reschedule email. I have not o, mine was 22nd and I have not gotten a new date yet.

HoluwadareY:
Yea. Today , 21/10

HoluwadareY:
A friend' visa was approved in Abuja embassy today. He was able to get the emergency booking because he is one of the EducationUSA students and they have been prioritized. Find below his paraphrased transcript(may not be exact):

VO: Pass ur docs
Him: Passed
VO: Have you been to the US before?
Him: No
Vo: Have you travelled outside the country before?
Him: No
Vo: Why did you choose this school?
Him: *Mentioned things about the research he will be doing
Vo: who is paying for your studies?
Him: I have a full ride that covers tuition and living expenses
Vo: How long will your program take?
Him: 5 years
Vo: Are you sure 5 years is enough for this program?
Him: Yes
Vo: I will be approving your visa...blah blah blah

Seems the EducationUSA people already mentioned that those guys are the best in their schools with first class and all...and that explains why the interview was more of "gisting". Now i feel sad for not joining�

If you know any first class graduates willing to study in the USA, tell them to enrol in the EducationUSA...

All the best everyone

geofortress:
Visa approved today October 19th 2020.

I was scheduled for 6am. Got their 5:30 am. We didn't start until around 6:30. Everyone that cane for 7 and 8 am was attended to together.. We joined the queue together.

Here is how it went

VO: good morning, pass me your documents.
Me: good morning and I passed it.
VO: where are you heading?
Me: I am a student of GSU and im studying Geosciences at MSC level.
VO: Whao! You are a student already? When did you start your program
Me: Yes. I have started in fall August 24 2020.
VO: type for some seconds and said do you have the evidence of enrollment.
Me: yes. I passed my certificate of enrollment and school fees payment receipt.
VO: He types again and ask you got a scholarship?.
Me: Yes. I got a tuition waiver and GA with stipend.
VO: Who is sponsoring your other expenses and what does he do?
ME: My Uncle. He is into real estate and has two filling station. VO cuts in..your father side or mother side. I said my mother side.
VO: OK. Where did you do your undergraduate?
Me: University of Lagos, University of first choice and the Nations pride.
VO: Ohh.. Lagos.
Me: Yes.
VO: Are you married, do you have children
Me: NO I'm not married and don't have any kid.
VO: This is your i20, take it along when you are traveling, Our system is down for now. Come back later maybe tomorrow to pay your recipository fee.
Me: The state way. ����✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️


The white man that interviewed me denied first two people and I was number on number 9. He approved from number 3 to number 10. That I knew. I can't say about those that are after us.

2 undergraduates were approved. The remaining 4 was MSC including myself and 1 phd. 3 of us have started our program already while just two hasn't begin theirs.

Alhamdulilah.To God be the glory. I wish everyone success. When you are going, plan to be there a day to your interview. Maybe an hotel. The road blockage is mad.. I fly bike tore and very expensive while coming back.
Moti gbera tan o..

Matluck:
I had the interview on the 16th October, 2020.


I booked a room at a hotel about 2.7km from the consulate. I also was fortunate to meet a driver who agreed to drive me to the consulate at 5am sharp...amd he kept his word... I almost felt goosebumps when he called me 4:59am.
Anyways, I arrived few minutes afterwards with some 5 interviewees waiting. We weren't attended to until few minutes past 6am.

Heads-up... please get all your documents and reciprocity fee ready. Some who came quite early had to fall out of the line to get their stuffs set... And trust the "boys" waiting to overbill you for your unpreparedness.
Shortly, we were ushered in and checked thoroughly and I began to fall back from my 2nd position in line to abt 5th (apparently, a razor was detected in my wallet which I had no premonition about)
Well, I entered sha...verifications and all. My ds160 was for Abuja and upon knowing, I was asked to wait so it can be retrieved to lagos' database. At this time, I was no 17th.
Gladly the consular official (I think he's the infamous Chinese) was just issuing visa o... Abt 14 plus... Only 1 got a yellow slip. I guess he took a break and another dude took over. And fast forward to me... Here it went thus..

Me: good morning
VO: yea, morning, your documents please
Me: hands over

VO: why are you going to US?
Me: I'm going to pursue a Masters degree in Engineering with concentration in petr....

VO: Why this school?
Me: well, besides the fact that it's among the top 10, the....

VO: I know, but why this particular one and not the other 9?
Me: OK, the works of prof... Quite aligns with mine interest and...

VO: so, who's sponsoring you?
Me: I was offered a research assistantship position which caters for the tuition and comes with stipends for my living expenses..

VO: are you married
Me: no

VO: do you have children
Me: no

... VO muted the microphone and started speaking with his colleague saying somethings like.. Yeah he's genuine and all and he's into a research program blah blah... Las Las...
VO : I intend to issue you a visa, go pay at counter 22 ensure your i-20 is with you blah blah...

Me: thank you.. God bless.

I'm profoundly grateful to my friend Prosper for the mockup interviews.. I don't know how to thank my God enough really.

Anybodie:
Visa Approved
I'll be back with transcript

Interview was scheduled for Friday, 9th October at the Lagos Consulate.

Two windows (VO) were available to interview applicants, both white in their mid 30's - 40's.
My interview session was really brief and straight to the point.

VO: Good Morning, I will like to take your biometrics for verification.
Me: Good Morning Ok Placed my fingers on the scanner.
VO: Please take your mask off briefly for Identification.
Me: Ok
VO: So, where in the US are you going?
Me: The University of Southern Mississippi
VO: What are you going there for?
Me: To pursue a Masters degree in Hydrographic Science
VO: What did you call your course?
Me: repeats twice
VO: So why Southern Mississippi?
Me: The Hydrographic Science program at USM comes with another certification, the FIG/IHO CAT-A certification. It is an industry standard and widely accepted certification. I also want to take advantage of the quality research on Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
VO: Ok, tell me about your course (at that time he stopped looking at me, started typing but kept smiling
Me: drops some sakamanje about AUVs and underwater gas seepages ..... I was sure he had little or no idea about my course so I confidently said what came to my head at the moment (I read my course description last night on the school's website, this was also helpful)
VO: Visibly impressed with my description, So who will be funding your study? Did you get an assistantship?
Me: Yes, My admission offer came with full tuition waiver and monthlyl stipends
VO: Ok, Are you married?
Me: No, I am still single
VO: Do you have Kids?
Me: (at this point, I was a bit worried because I thought he was trying to establish home ties) I smiled and replied calmly, NO sir
VO: Ok, Take this slip to the cashier and make your payments, Keep your I-20 well, it will be requested for at the POE.
Me: I was smiling anyhow already, but I used my nosemask as disguise. Thank You!


That's all..... no question on travel history, educational background or professional experience. Brief and straight to the point. I think it is best to answer the questions as brief as possible, and let your answers match what you filled in your DS-160. About three candidates were rejected while I was on the line waiting for my turn. I was able to eavesdrop on their interview session

Rejection 1: He claimed to have a funding offer but it wasn't reflecting on his I-20. He said it will only reflect upon admission(I guess he meant resumption). The wasn't having any of it, he insisted the guy was admitted already and any funding offer must reflect on his I-20, he said he would have approved him but no proof of funding.

Rejection 2: Baba claimed to be single on DS-160 but said he was married when asked during the interview. He started shalaye , According to him, he gave his babe belle and had to marry her . He said he did his traditional marriage on October 10th, but was yet to do the legal marriage. VO didn't but his alaye ....Rejected.

I can't recall the reason for the third rejection.

The second VO asked some funny questions for the other guys while I was been interviewed
1) What's the official mascot of your school? The guy didn't know, he was asking what a mascot was...... His visa was approved regardless
2) Pronounce the name of your school (University of Louisville). The guy tried but not so spot on, VO corrected him and granted the Visa .

Overall, today was a good day for most applicants at the Lagos Consulate. I would say about 80% approval (judging from my time in the waiting hall, i noticed only three rejections).
About 30 - 40 applicants were interviewed today, 7 am was the last time on the schedule according to the CGI official on ground, and the last person on the queue (from outside) was already in the waiting hall before I was done with my interview (around 9 a.m.).

Bottom-line, wear something you are comfortable in; It can be a long wait before it get to your turn. Trust me, you don't want to be sweating outside while standing for over two hours. I went in a simple native attire that was free on my body, so I was at ease all through.

Curious2020:
Ok so application deadline should be a month before I start asking abi?

you started well but ended with a funny statement.

Curious2020:
Pls someone should create a thread " General USA UG and PG Admissions enquiries", it seems like this thread is full of selfish people who have gained admission, some are in the US, some are just concerned about getting their visa. Let's find our square root!

Nigerians are selfish, check quora you'd find oyinbo e.g: Tom Stagliano, Chris Lee e.t.c that are very passionate about answering your questions. I messaged them they replied enthusiastically, but I messaged a Nigerian girl from loyola Jesuit who got into darthmouth for her UG studies walahi she snobbed my message even when they're very busy, the oyinbo man Will always answer my questions. Naija let's be selfless oo, because later una go dey blame "Buhari", at ur own level what help did you render to those in need? Just to type and answer ppl question you do like say u no see. Na wa oo