₦airaland Forum

AKO1:
Cool, thanks. That's a bit tricky for me because I'm switching from F1 status and an expired F1 visa. So if anything goes wrong I won't be able to re-enter the US right away.

Also, there's this: http://canada.usembassy.gov/mobile//visas/visas/categories-and-requirements/important-notice-for-applicants-with-a-visitors-permit-to-canada2.html

"With rare exceptions, visa applicants temporarily visiting Canada should apply at the U.S. Consular Section in their country of residence. If the applicant is not a resident of Canada, interviewing officers at the U.S. Consular Sections in Canada may not have experience in evaluating the circumstances in the applicant's country of residence. The applicant will, therefore, have greater difficulty establishing eligibility for a U.S. visa in Canada than would be experienced in the applicant's home country.

A substantial percentage of visitors to Canada are denied visas under these circumstances. Consequently, we strongly urge visitors to Canada to apply for U.S. visas in their country of residence."

I sent you a Pm

AKO1:
Thanks, first time stamping.

You sure I'm not required to go to my home consulate to get stamped?

My passport expires in two months.

No, you're not. And you can get a new passport here in the US

AKO1:
Hello everyone, two quick questions (for context, I'm in America):

1. Is it possible to renew my passport here before it expires? It's expiring just before I plan to travel home later this year.

2. Can I have someone else pay the GTB fee and collect the receipt I need (cant remember what it's called) to book an appointment in Lagos from here? While I'm home, I need to get an H1B visa stamped and want to book the interview well in advance (yes I've already been approved, etc etc.)

Thank you, and sorry if I'm slightly off topic.

I believe you can only renew your passport 6 months before expiration. BTW you can as well get your H1B stamping done in Canada.First time stamping or renewal?

akin3102:
My story continues...Honestly people should listen to gurus here for advice..prepare wella before coming..I am in a temporary accommodation here organized by international centre but I smell some difficulty ahead because we are just five Nigerians here.. I dnt even knw who to share apartment with..Na white community,I am thinking of going back now..please I need advice.. This is my story.. I was not doing pretty well in Nigeria before,so I decided to opt for a master degree in order to boost my profile..After the process had reach 95%..I got a contract outside naija.. Whx was $5k/per month, the contract was suppose to be 6months but I discovered payment voucher is being raised every 3months..I got TA offer in school,school resumption coincide with visa expiry.. Because of fear of unknown I came to US..so that I won't lose on both sides.cos my second. Payment might or might not be raised..I have resumed my TA job,started classes..I have even started discussing RA job with the prof in the future but my company is asking me to come back and finish my contract... I am thinking of deferment but I dnt want to look bad to the prof becos i need this kind package wen nxt am coming back..I am confused as hell..Ojap,imperrilox,Msnas and other gurus..i need help..I only came to US with $10k so I am scared as hell. Tuition $6k for one yr becos of the TA position I got..TA position/$700 per month,cost of living is low here too.I can only take care of myself for a yr..na the other yr dey make me fear ..na why I wanted to change to Canada the other time but I dropped it cos of advice here..make una no abuse me oh..abegi una..I fit use $25k build house for my village and do masters in SA and still come back to US..na confused human being I be..lol..less I forget, one naija guy working with the prof..told me some people were praying I shdnt come cos they needed my fund too..I can defer till fall 2016 cos I can't make spring again..maybe I can work more and come back next yr but I still need TA/RA position.. How best can I break the news to him..abi make I sit down jejely since I don land.

Well..change doesn't always feel good initially-you're not alone there.
I was the only African in all my classes throughout. That's a typical situation in a lot of schools..you just need to mix and interact with people. Trust me, the Indians and Chinese have lots of information. You need to get close to take advantage of that. Some of them also make really good friends.
And...you're already here. My advice is to just complete what you've come for-it's a worthwhile investment! You're a TA which is even better. If your school allows internships, you can start applying to companies for CPT after your first semester. That way you can go on internship after two semesters. You'd probably lose your TA but then you will have to do some analysis to see which one benefits you more.
But then, it's your decision!

sorbitall:
Would be flying with 7k cash, hope there wouldn't be any problem with that at the POE

Nope.

stevecrun:
housing is not a problem over here,I paid 600usd for a room my first month till I found my foot.Always wanted to live in New york,but probably not now.

Hmm sure about the bolded?...

foohard:
I mean from my experience in USA, I usually feel people in Information Technology stands a better chance in Canada with regards to jobs after school because I have seen people here hunt for jobs for several months with nothing till their OPT eventually expired. Some of them relocated to Canada for Ph.D. as they know PR comes easily with Ph.D. which is my main purpose of advising people to consider Canada over USA because I know PR is key to every Nigerian schooling or wanting to school abroad.

What did you study or still studying in USA?

Also, F-1 student may have to contend with a new rule about OPT now. Read the bolded. It was posted on 13th of August 2015.

F-1 students will always have 12 months to work after studies on OPT provided they've not used it up in previous advanced degree or Pre-OPT. The contention is about the extension for S.T.E.M. grads....and IT jobs are everywhere if you're skilled and know your way around.

HoneyBronzed:
OK thank you.

It depends on seller instructions. Typically, expensive stuffs are not left by your door. They'll try to redeliver and if not successful, you'd have to go pick it up or it will be sent back. I would call whatever the courier company is-FedEx,UPS,USPS with the tracking number to get specific delivery information..

akin3102:
Please what is maximum dollar one can travel with? I can't get Gtb dollar card as it is.All my money is already converted to dollars.. I intend to travel with my school fees and open an account shaperly when I get there.

$10K cash max or you will have to declare it to US CBP

coobboy:
Omo men cost of living mad gan for here no be small thing, me and my sister wan stay same apartment for plano just 0.1mile to my school, but e expensive die $850 for rent $200 each for deposit fee and app fee 50$each as in eh, the thing weak me, we see cheaper apartments, but my uncle dey say neighbourhood no safe, anyhow e go be sha.

Plano is bit expensive comparatively...you're close to some good companies though, around the Plano-Frisco area

HoneyBronzed:
You guys is PNC Bank a good bank? I can't deal with BOA mtce fee or 1500 av balance.

Yup. It's okay.
Most 'small' banks waive unnecessary fees. BoA,WF will also waive acct maintenance fee for college checking; they typically have age restriction though..check with them.

Seun:
Windows comes with an anti-virus. Switch to a different antivirus only if you have some evidence that it's better than Windows Defender.

Most times though, you need an anti-malware software in addition to that...Good thing is Malwarebytes is free from Microsoft; at least the basic (non-premium) edition.

HoneyBronzed:
hi Big Francis please do you know any stores around here I can buy a duvet real quick?

Greenbelt beltway mall-Target

HoneyBronzed:
Finally found a place in college park. Behind greenbelt metro which is one straight ride to d metro near my school. Moving in tonight. All utilities included 500$. Its amazing how people stay overweight here when You have to walk to everything. I feel like i have lost so much weight already. The money I spent on motel dey pain me but na God win!

Good deal!

zeezahbee:
Na wa oo

He mean say F1 must leave USA Immediately after study

They want to start doing like UK

Na them sabi sha

It only affects the extension..not the initial 12 months

OjaP:
There is no cause for alarm. The DHS only needs to file for proper notice, take public comments, and get the president sign it by February 12, 2016. I pray it works out well.

Well..hopefully they do something before the end of the year since 2016 is election year... another consequence of a broken immigration system...

HoneyBronzed:
They did not search my bags at JFK POE. Should have packed more food.

That happens a lot at JFK..

For those saying 6,

3 + (3 x 3) - 3 + 3 = 3 + (3 x 3) +(- 3) + 3

Go figure!

GboyegaD:
No vex ooo. I have a deadline for later today ni ooo.

okay!

GboyegaD:
If you have a CGPA above 3.5, I would suggest you consider UNT as well because it comes with out of state tuition waiver and an additional $1000 scholarship per year. Please check if that still holds as I'm talking from my experience working with the International Office during Summer of 2012.

I got that at UTA too The only condition being I had to get a professor to fund me

BTW... I no see your call o

EAD under the new rule applies to H-4 and L-2 visa holders...and even that is not right away. There are pre-reqs before applying.

kennyzita:
Hi guys,

Long time.

Please guys, what sort of preparation is required for a F2 visa interview as my husband is going for one soon?

Also, is F2 visa supposed to be for someone staying through out the time the F1 applicant is in the US, or it can also be for someone desiring to shuttle while F1 applicant is in the US?

I need clarification.

I await your responses, seniors, zee, slimmy05, etc.

Thanks

Someone with F-2 visa can stay as long as they want in the US as long as the F-1 visa holder is in status...they just can't work

GboyegaD:
Oga, you still dey keep in touch with them?

Yes o

Sorbital:
Visa delayed this morning...
Reason: out of the four schools I applied to, two were located in the same state...he tot I have personal interest in the state, perhaps an uncle or relative I wanna run to...I tried very hard to convince him that after my researches and streamlining, bla bla bla, that it was a mere coincidence that the two were located in the same state.. He was just so mean to give me the Visa...deep down me, I knew I prepared well and answered confidently cos I really prepared...

Feeling very depressed and helpless since morning..
But what can man do?

Sorry about your denial, but that on its own is not the reason you were denied.
I had all universities I applied to in the same state, and many other people as well. Work on what what you feel your lapses were and give it another shot.

mbeenox:
can't find d address, give the full details of the address

Just call them..they have people in the school area
5001 New York Ave, Arlington, TX 76018

mbeenox:
I'm staying in a hotel, will go apartment hunting tomorrow

You can get across to HOF church 817...461.****. They'll help out with settling down...apartment,phone etc

mbeenox:
Hello my fellow Peeps, I just reach texas today since Monday morning in Nigeria. Gonna start my waka tomorrow. Any advice

Did you get an apartment yet? and you're at UTA right?

Nabylet:
I mean if I can open BofA account immediately, not applying for the credit card immediately. And school said no job till after my first year, na to beg remain.

Got you! That you can do with most banks if not all. Be sure to check what's suitable for you though based on location, and go with a student account to avoid unnecessary maintenance charges.

Nabylet:
Were you the one that requested for that amount or they just come up with a figure to approve? And can I open BofA immediately I get there with normal passport or any Naija Id?

lol...without even banking with them for some time? hmm nah. You have to have been banking with them for about 3 months at least. By the way, I feel you shouldn't be in a rush to get a credit card. Take time to settle down, understand how to manage your funds, get an on-campus job if you can, then you can go ahead...else you'll find yourself in one big mess. You don't want to mess up your credit and end up paying up debts for a long time..
Sounds 'juicy' but be careful.

Mystiqme:
The bolded is your opening.

If you are not in the mood, read only the words in bold.

What do you do when a babe you like tells you she doesn't have a bf?

1. You ping her regularly abi? Open a stream of communication with this guy, but don't overdo it
2. Soon she'll stylishly ask about your gf. You will know there is progress when he asks for GPA, GRE and SOP.
3. You will constantly profess your love for her, and talk about spending a future with her. Talk to this guy about his research, his publications, and what future directions he wants his research to go.
4. You will not talk to her about x in the early days, right? Do not ask about money until you guys are in good communication, or until he raises it.

Finally, while I will not advise you to tell several girls you love them, I will suggest you keep lines of communication open with other profs until you have an offer letter in your hand. Anything can happen.




Just to add a bit to what godG said.

Best.

See illustration

Stewee:
Oh thank you for your inputs...

What is ITIN?

It's just a taxpayer number for non-resident aliens not eligible for SSN, and issued by IRS.
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Individual-Taxpayer-Identification-Number-ITIN