₦airaland Forum

Alani55:
I don't think the course might be the reason for denial. The form he gave me was about not having home ties and stuff. Cos he was asking me if I'm married and have a kid. I was shocked. It might be the SOA. I don't even know what the particular issue might be.

You missed my point.
What I'm saying is...what do you intend to do with the degree after studies? Career/job prospects..
Any alternate plans?

efizzy22:
brother, plz the course is not the issue. You can get visa with any course so far you explain your case well and how it will help in your career. So forget course ish.

You don't get my point. I'm talking about what happens after you get the visa and you complete your studies.

Alani55:
I was denied today by that Chinese guy. Dude didn't give me concrete reasons for denial.

Me: Good morning
Chinese guy: yes morning. Pas your document s please.
Chinese guy: why are you going to the US
Me: going for my masters program in University of Illinois
Chinese guy: what course?
Me: public administration (specializing in planning and economic development)
Did you have your bachelors degree here in Nigeria
Me: Yes
Chinese guy: so why this school?
Me: this school has an excellent Public administration program. Cos the curriculum is well structured and ....( the guy just started squeezing face like he has heard this kind of flow before) then he cuts me
Have you travelled out of Nigeria before?
Me: no
Chinese guy: Are you married?
Me: no
Chinese guy: Do you have kids?
Me: No
Chinese guy: so who's paying for this?
Me: my mom
Chinese guy: what does she do? Can I see her statement
Me: passes statement to him then told her what she does
Chinese guy: *looks at the fixed deposit statement of 5m and then passes it back then looked at then looks at the other saving like 2.5 m and then asks that when and where did I get the statement.
Me: I explained
Chinese guy: I'm sorry you re not qualified this time for ... blah blah

He handed me the form and don't give me reasons for denial. Plus, the way the my were handing out denials today like fliers. I don't even know what the next step is

Your account statement might have been a cause for denial..but why don't you guys just go for 'better' courses. You put yourselves in difficult situations when you go for such courses in a really competitive environment as someone mentioned earlier. Remember, getting a visa is only the first step out of many!

edgecution:
Hello, you need sponsor or bank statement? Sms 08187198800. SMS only. Thanks

Another one..

kennyrony:
I received d debit alert in d morning and went to d bank to complain. Emirate told me I can cancel it but am gonna be charge $200. Dats abt 40K

That's cancellation fee..all airlines have that 24-hour policy(starting from when the flight was booked-not the payment processed). I guess it's more than that already.

kennyrony:
No... I was told by Emirates airline to pay d sum of #220K + in d bank, but I went ahead to use my card and #255K + was deducted. I called emirate but dey said it from d bank that I shouldn't av pay using my card. I went to bank to lodge d complain but dey said dey can't do anything to it cos I use ATM. They use 231 as exchange rate. Instead of 200 which Emirate told me to pay wit.

Has it been 24 hours after you made the payment? If not, you can always cancel and get a full refund!

dicapino:
Guy na the way ooooo.....looking for US schools that are still altruistic...since I don't have the money to spare. OJAH how una they hold up this end na?

Did you try UT Tyler?

amanze15:
Abeg person send me a printed out paper with flight itenery ?! Abeg na the thing be tickets abi na those hard paper wey we dey see for TV I never travel before o

The itinerary should contain a confirmation number/ticket number. Go to the airline website and confirm the details of your trip with that.
You'll get your boarding pass(es) at the airport when you check in...or 24 hours before your flight if you choose to print it then.

bbdd:
This is a bold faced lie.
I know of MFA courses and courses in critical writing and literature where your creative piece and portfolio will speak for you if you're going to be funded.

You think these people have funds to dash out. They'll take your transcript from a third world University hook line and sinker without validating it with a general test which is a leveller for everyone in the world? Which is GRE, TOEFL, GMAT etc and still give you funding?

Besides those avoiding standardized tests are afraid. That means they aren't even the academically excellent ones with good grades. You can tell.

Even after all these they conduct interviews for PhD applicants who are going to be funded to test their spoken English and composure.

Some people talk to professors directly to work In their labs sending countless emails and soliciting for spaces and assistantships.

You're not talking to novices. In this Era of budget cuts, schools are reserving funds for the best of the best and those who are ready to show excellence. People write GRE three times you know so as to get a high score.

On a final note
There is no advantage in not writing standardized test. I will still say it. Only a lazy student will choose not to write one.

P. S. If you still wish to advice lazy applicants not to take standardized tests, you can create a thread titled " how to get funding without standardized tests. This is real! Tried and tested "

I'm sure many people will rush to the red herring. After all many agents still dey hammer on top lazy applicants.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him/it drink.

mbeenox:
Pls what happens when u graduate n u don't get a job in 90days n u go out of status?
How easy is it to get a job after graduation?
Will graduating with Distinction guarantee u a job?

Nothing good comes easy.
Go for a good course, and be aggressive with job search.. way before graduation. You should get something.
Well...distinction doesn't matter much. Employers need your skills!

adewoleray:
I just wish to remain in the US after my masters and OPT, but now that mph only offers a 12 months OPT, should I look for the masters that will offer a 27 months OPT ?
What I want is just to remain in the US and be working there legally
Thanks

Well, then after 27 months?

Keep in mind..whether 12 months or 27 months, you still have to get that job within 90 days of graduating to remain in status. So, have to be able to balance job prospects with interest, for your choice field. Once you decide, just focus on your MS first..there are other challenges

sammynwaGod:
how does it work

You need to have been in the US legally for 2 years, among other requirements. Check the link below

http://www.visapro.com/immigration-articles/?a=1350&z=29

angel34real:
. . Visa approved by 7:30am. Have benefited a lot from peoples's experiences and suggestion.Deem it expedient to post mine as it could help someone out there....Mine was simply the wonder of God @work.Left 4 Lagos from Port Harcourt on Tuesday evening (16:30hrs arik air flight).I arrived @ about 17:30hrs headed straight to Piccadilly hotel..Headed to d embassy the next day 4my interview schedule for 06:30am .Did check in, observed all the do's and biometrics and was called in window 7. The following conversation ensued. VO; Good morning 2U. Me; Morning (with a brisk but possessing smile); VO: Can I have your first four right fingers to validate the biometrics; Me; Confidently had dat done.
VO: you are going for what course? Me: I am going for Master degree in Geology with specific emphasis on sedimentary petrology and stratigraphy. VO: which state are you heading to; Me: Texas state. VO: you have a first degree here in Nigeria; Me: yes ma'am; VO: what course; Me: same course Geology. VO: when did you finish and what have you been doing; Me: finished In 2008 from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, kaduna state and immediately after my studies I went for my NYSC Program where I worked as a secondary school teacher, just before I finished service, I got employed by my current employer. Vo: where do you work: Me:Masters Energy oil & gas co. Limited in port Harcourt. Vo: what do you do; Me: [b]work in the petroleum analytical laboratory as a senior geoscientist analyst where I carry out sampling, testing, quality assurance and recertification on white petroleum products such as premium motor spirit, automotive gas oil, dual purpose kerosene, aviation fuel, low pour fuel oil and analysis of crude from vessels and shore tank while ensuring Nigeria and international specifications are adhered to without compromising product quality using classical and modern instrumentals methods such as distillation apparatus, colorimeter, specific density meter, conductivity meter, viscosity meter, and flash point apparatus testing for its quality, Density, observed viscosity at 20 degree Celsius, flash point, appearance, colour, water interface rating, copper corrosion, pour point, specific gravity, smoke point, odour and electrical conductivity. I also carry out analysis and testing of base oil and various grades of Masters Energy lube oil such as the engine oil, hydraulic oil, gear oil, asphalt oil and bitumen oil using svm3000 stabinger viscometer. [/b] VO: how much do you earn: Me: 350,000. Vo: how do you plan paying your fees: Me: I will do that ma'am; Vo: can I have your statement; Me: looked at me like this lady is independent. I have a good income, hence a good savings. VO; took my docs aside and informed me to pick up my visa on Monday in port Harcourt dhl office trans amadi. Me: thanks.

NB: No document was asked aside my bank statement, payslips, test score sheets, letter of introduction from my company nor letter of employment.

Thanks to everybody that has assisted me one way or the other since I joined this thread. Special thanks go to my good friends (more than just friends); Kennyronny and Darklight. Also, God bless Imperioux, Slimmy05, profojah, walspring. et al. The list is endless. GOD bless you all.

Key is; Pray, fast, prepare early, don't be intimidated by denials you see for people before you.

Congrats!
Were you really allowed to talk that long @bolded ?

sammynwaGod:
are you sure about that?

Yeah

adewoleray:
I read something like MPH is eligible for a one year OPT there can't be any further extension after the one year OPT unlike some other courses where their OPT can be extended by another 17months or so
Pls is this correct ?

Yep

bridestiny:
Hi everyone, Great job and congratulations to the recent visa successes!

Is there anyone in Texas paying in-state tuition after one year in Texas?

@ Zeezahbee, Walspring et al.

one-year requirement for state residency doesn't apply to F-1 students unless you have a pending I-485 petition.

adewoleray:
Really grateful to u. U have just given me a vital information that money can never buy.
God bless u abundantly
I plan doing Masters in Public Health, MPH.
Pls is it under STEM ?
Secondly, going back to P.hD or another masters, will the F1 visa be applied for again in Nigeria, or right there in the US

I don't think MPH is part of STEM.
If you choose go back to school, you don't have to leave to get another visa stamping since you will still be in F-1 status. If however you decide to go outside the country to say Nigeria for some personal reasons, then you will need to go for visa stamping; which you can always do in Canada or Mexico before travelling or in Nigeria when you get there.
Keep in mind that a visa is an entry document, all you need to care about while in the US is maintaining your status.

adewoleray:
Pls, I want to ask. I learnt on this forum that after Masters programme, one will do OPT which will keep one in the US for at least another 2 years, but after the OPT, what happens ? Will they expect someone to return back to Nigeria ? Or can someone still remain legally in the Usa ?
Secondly, what's the possibility that someone can get a greencard after the masters in the US
Thanks

There is an employer route to getting a Green card, but takes a while.

Basically after studies, you look for a job and start your OPT-1 year(+extension for STEM grads). During that time your employer must start your H-1B filing and you need to be selected in the lottery(You have a better chance if you completed your MS or PhD),; or you need to look for another company to file for you. H1B is valid for 3 years after which they can extend for another 3. During that time, your employer has to start your Employer-Based(EB) Green card; or you need to look for a company willing to sponsor you.

There are other ways to remain in the US legally if things don't work as I explained, one of which is going back to school( for another MS or a PhD) and remaining on F-1 status, among other possibilities.

sammynwaGod:
to be in the military u must be a citizen .

No, you don't have to.

SantaClause:
My Naira brothers already in the State.....what are the chances of one getting into the military or coast guard when he or she arrive in U.S.??

MAVNI..you can join after 2 years of being on F-1.

Check their website for other requirements.

.

http://newtelegraphonline.com/cbn-restricts-use-of-naira-denominated-cards/

For those planning to carry ATM cards along for tuition,upkeep etc.

purplesummer:
Hi everyone. Please o, I want to do my LL.M in the US, do I need to write GRE or any standardized test at all? Do lawyers write GRE too?
Thank you

No, need for you to write GRE. You may need to write TOEFL though, depending on your school requirements.

mbeenox:
Its about the price of apartments....how much can a get an ok apartment, just a bedroom n toilet

Generally between from about $350. Send me a PM and I can forward some links

mbeenox:
Hi. re u in texas? Would like to ask u some questions if u don't mind

I was, but go ahead and ask your questions.

bigfrancis21:
Spaghetti, cheese and macaroni are one-way straight ticket to getting fat in this country. I ate lotta spags last semester at our school's diners (my job comes with free meals, all I need do is order my food at Subway, Chic Fil'A, Aunt Anne's, Sbarros etc. and swipe my student ID card) and I started noticing I was putting on weight, so I have stopped eating that one.

When I go to subway and order my favourite BLT sandwich, I tell them not to add the usual cheese, before person go fat for this country joor. Its so easy to put on weight in this country.

Feel free to raid my fridge anytime any day!

Looks like I'm gonna be around College Park soon

DeeTus:
But Isn't a penalty for unlawful deportation?

You can always get a lawyer to look into your case if you are in the country; before deportation, not when you're out.

mbeenox:
Yes

Check out University Terrace apts. Inexpensive and good. Centennial is just a rip-off

mbeenox:
Texas, I found another on campus apartment n that 1is $529 per month 2bedroom apart, centennial court

UT Arlington?

sammynwaGod:
Guru's im the house. .
Please my bro is trying to pay ma flight ticket but it's not going thru , from yankee
I went to complain at the airline office nd I was told that if someone pays it for me from there . I would be asked to show the card used for paying. which is not possible.
is that someone there cannot help pay ur ticket from their ?

Which airline? The person paying for you here has to go to the nearest major airport to sort that out-especially if paying with a credit card

Busconductor:
Will I be able to extend it there or do I have to come back to Nigeria?

You can't renew a US visa in the US.You can go to Nigeria or neighboring countries like Canada,Mexico.

If you don't plan leaving the US, no need to bother yourself about renewal as long as you remain a student.