₦airaland Forum

xest:
Goodluck bro.
But my question now is this, what exactly are they looking for in your phone. Is it part of the checking too? And what will happen if they find something funny? Thank you

The US Border Agents have the legal authority to conduct searches (including searching phones and laptops) at the United States border that a police officer on the street wouldn’t.

If they find "something funny", they would either laugh if off and let the person in, make an arrest or refuse entry. So it depends on what the "something funny" is.

If they find a chat on the phone discussing how to work in US or your credentials in one's bag, be sure that person would be refused entry.

LagosNIV:
A few of us (myself, abujaniv, VisaOfficer) are professionals.

Never knew you guys are here ooo.

.

asid:
Mornings, do permit my asking, please do banks have different PTA exchange rates?

The last time I bought in May, a dollar was N360 across all banks. I guess it should be same situation.

Boykay:
Good day sir/ma. Pls I have been having challenges signing and submitting my DS-160 form for myself and my son. Respond I get each time I click on the sign and submit is that "passport number enter does not match previously entered. I have crossed check zillion times. Passport number is correct but I keep getting same respond each time I tried submitting. Pls what shall I do?

I guess you're referring to the signature page where you are to enter your passport number as signature. If the system says incorrect passport number, then there is no doubt that the number is incorrect.

Firstly, you said DS160 form for yourself and son. I hope these are two separate forms, if not you have to complete two separate forms.

Secondly, check if your passport number includes zero (0) and be sure you didn't state letter "O" instead.

Thirdly, check for transpositional error like stating "918" as "981".

Moniro:
Travelling to the us for the first time wit a visit visa, do i need a round trip airline ticket or only a one way trip airline ticket

You need a round trip ticket, besides no airline would allow you to board with a one-way ticket (except immigrants and students on F1 visa) and it's also not economical.

Bigzbabe:
Do I really owe you an explanation to that? I asked for advice with regards to what my friend advised I do and you are questioning the funding of my programmes. Na u wan fund am for me? If u must knw I'm an independent freak and the banking sector didn't encourage my programmes which was why I pulled out. I expressed my worries of being fully dependent on my parents he advised I move that there are opportunities to work and study unlike here in Nigeria. Iv written my 200level 2nd semester exams in rivers state university awaiting next session 300level and I've been idle. Iv applied for jobs to get busy to no avail. My concerns are on my chances of getting admission either as an undergraduate for nursing or post graduate for accounting and still work over there and u here typing trash.U obviously dnt hv any positive input to this so stay off the thread!

Apologies!

Your comments are noted. I will respectfully desist from commenting on your posts but not stay off the thread.

Bigzbabe:
I am a rivers indegene and have my school fees intact, I was advised to use it to process going to the usa. I also have sponsors but I need where I can wrk and study so my sponsors (being my parents) won't bear the whole burden as I have younger ones too. I need advice on the right decision to make with regards to going to the usa with hope of wrk and study or stay in Nigeria and complete my studies. My friend advised opportunities of working over there with what I have is better than Nigeria

Bolded above
Not quite sure what you meant by process going to USA. Hope it's not this agency stuff?

In your initial post you said Iv exhausted the little funds i saved up for my programmes and my friend in Houston advised I apply for transcript and come to the usa as a post graduate student.. My comments were based on that premise.

I wish you the best.

DeeTus:
Don't discourage her! Her chances of surviving out there is higher.

Best of luck to her then.

DeeTus:
This is a wrong advice. What happened to scholarships?

Even with scholarships which normally cover tuition and books, he needs to eat and pay for accommodation.

Bigzbabe:
Good day,please I need advice on how to apply for visa to the USA. I am 26years old and have HND lower credit 2.88 in accounting from a federal polytechnic,I just rounded up my course work in PGDE in NOUN with 3.87 cgp (writing project now) and also will be in 300 level bsc accounting regular programme in rivers state university by October. I intended studying nursing whenever I leave Nigeria so i sat for waec this year for sciences and made all papers (results released last month). I have 7 years banking experience with different banks but resigned from firstbank as contract staff in January 2017 to run my bsc programme. All these are plan b for greener pastures. Iv exhausted the little funds i saved up for my programmes and my friend in Houston advised I apply for transcript and come to the usa as a post graduate student. All I desire is a favourable environment to enable me work and study but haven't gotten any other job. I want to know my chances of getting admission in the USA as undergraduate for nursing or if to go as post graduate with my hnd accounting. I've always desired to go to the USA but with all these I'm kinda confused. Please someone should advice me. Thanks

If you can't fund your education here in Nigeria, I don't see how you'll be able to fund US education.

olulumdp:
Thank you so so much...I appreciate!

Lastly, there is a section at last page which ask "if you fill the form yourself" I think the agent puts my name as the person that fills it.

I hope they will believe me when I state in the form that the person who assisted in filling the form made a mistake..... (I'm just thinking like, they might think his name should be there as the agent who filled it)

Pls reply.

Sorry for my wahala

Cheers

It is not strange for Agents to state that no assistance was given in completing the form. Even if it was stated that someone assisted you in filling the form, the responsibility is still yours.

So for me, the most important thing is that you have admitted some mistakes were made in an earlier form.

Like everyone have said here, the VO is likely not to be too harsh with you because of your travel history. What travel history does is to support the postulation that you did not intend to obtain undue advantage with those mistakes.

olulumdp:
Thank you so much. I really do appreciate your contribution.

All contribution makes sense to me now. Do you think I should just state in the form while explaining that the person that helped me fill the form made a mistake or i should explain in details all the false information in the previous application/form?

Again, thanks and God bless!!

Go through my post again, I think I have answered your question. On the form, if I were you, I'll simply state that the person that assisted me to fill the form made some mistakes. And wait for the VO to ask me for specifics during interview, if interested.

Time2Smile:
Long Post Alert; Here goes my travel and POE transcript so far; Left on August 12,

I arrived at MMIA airport quite early accompanied by my loved ones..........

I was approached by an elderly Guinean lady, who only speaks French, She asked me if I speak French but I told her I only speak English and some Arabic. She wanted to borrow my phone to call her son but MTN network wasn’t even roaming. While I was searching for someone to borrow her a phone, an African American lady seem to sense our need and offered me her phone. We were together until her son came about an hour later to pick her. She was so grateful.(What a gracious woman!!!, the kind of African mother everyone can relate to).

I am currently in JFK trying to kill some time before taking Airporter to La Guardia airport for my connecting flight to Dallas. I have actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I don waka around all of terminal four (4) and would have taken a full tour of JFK on the airtrain, if not that I am not ready to pay $16 dollars for baggage storage. More gists later.

You should start going to La Guardia airport now.

seyewest:
Wow... You're so fortunate to have your bro number and also I like the fact that you quickly informed him about the number...
Are you sure you're staying in U.S for 5years?

He would have been on his way back to Nigeria if he said that, he was referring to his brother living in US.

olulumdp:
Good Evening Everyone...

Firstly I know I made a mistake, pls I need urgent advice..

I applied for visiting visa with my wife in 2015 and we were refused (An agent helped us). He told us he knows someone in the US that I should claim he is my uncle which I did and he changed my business name while filling the form to his preferred one (I think he did all this to justify the money he collected from us) and I have a good business with good earnings.

I have a good travelling history, I have been travelling to the UK on visiting for the past 10yrs, I did my masters there aswell and I lived there on work permit for 2yrs plus. I currently have a UK visiting Visa and I have been to Spain before which I planned renewing soon.

I want to apply again and I don't feel comfortable lieing about having an uncle in the US and using the business he used for me in the past


MY QUESTION: please can I come out clean to the consular about the false information in my previous application? And explained the situation and make him understand information in my new form is the real me.

I don't mind if I am refused, I just want to clear the false information up.

Thank you for reading and look forward to your advice

Without prejudice to suggestions already offered, when completing your D160 form, I suggest you state a generic response in the box after the Question on if you've been refused US visa.

Something "Yes, I was refused B1/B2 visa in 2015 principally because of the mistakes made on my DS160 form, by the person that assisted me to complete it then".

During the interview, the VO would have seen it on your form. If no question is asked in this respect, I won't suggest you bring it up since the VO already knew you were denied before.

With your good travel history the VO is likely to be optimistic in assessing your strong ties, rather than being pessimistic.

Keke123:
Hello house, this is a wonderful thread and u guys r doing a great job by keeping it alive. To cut my long story short, I've applied for US visa before with my family and was denied. I had no travel history then, I wanted to attend my twin sister's graduation, she is a citizen. Now I have 2 travel history, Ghana and South Africa. I still maintain my old job which is not paying so well. Right nao I want to reapply, to my question is it safe for me to mention my twin sister as my sponsor or hubby because my salary can't sponsor my trip. I have a baby but I want to go visit my twin sister alone without baby and hubby. Pls house wot are my chances dis tym cos I really want to get it rite.

Your husband would be a preferred choice as sponsor moreso your sister is just graduating.

Hope your baby is old enough for you to leave behind with someone.

ladoshady:
Hello our dear professionals in the house. I have been trying to schedule interview for me and my family using my profile created on the CGI platform . However, after filling mine and trying to add other family members, I get a prompt like some details belong to another person so I am unable to make progress. kindly advise. its urgent

Professionals?

A professional is a person engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation.

NLers share information and knowledge on this forum freely, based on their personal experiences.

iekene:
Probably you didn't understand my previous post. No one is relying on US Government to fund college cost,It is not a "Funded" agreement, it is a privilege given to students who attend California community colleges and display outstanding leadership skills in various areas. Fortunately the Transfer Agreement Plan works for all including International Students. More 97% admitted International students admitted here with me plan to transfer to a 4 year California University. They are from other countries, I am the only Nigerian among them I obtained my Visa with a Community College i20 not a University. I discussed this transfer option with the VO and i was issued a Visa.

You could google this, you probably would understand better.

I have not followed this discussion on CC since it started here, but just felt like buttressing the point made here.

My baby got her visa based on I-20 by a CC and that was the only US school she applied to. Her educational performance has been exceptional and the CC offered her a scholarship without even applying.

However, it is instructive to state she wasn't a first time traveler but never been to US.

tipssy1:
My appointment was for 8:30 appointment I was in a happy mood all through, I got their around 7:45 and I was happy inside me because I could feel it am leaving here with my visa despite HV had several attempts one thing I always have in mind denial is not a failure but rather a way to restrategise and learn from your misatke.
Let me cut the story short I was in the strong room and multitude of people were their, the cubes were full with visa officer, with new recruit and experience one in window 6,7,8,9, I prayer in my mind that God should direct my steps it window 8 elderly black america lady lady or 5 young lady in her early 20s because I know I will flow in conversation. With her well, but as God did it na window 8.
I told the woman if she could allow me tell her something b4 the interview commence she said I should proceed, I told her I might stammer during the conversation but she should forgive me it it happens she smiles at me but she didn't want me to sense it because she knows that fear comes at times when questions is asked.
Vo: why this school
Me: the school tuition fee is lower compare to other school the schools, is business oriented, with renowned professor, good course curriculum that match my area of interest and I will be joining in a research with professor micheal guerra
Vo: how many school did u apply to
Me: 3
Vo:Why do you wish to study this course
Me: I aspire to become the managing director I'm the company where I work now this masters will make me a decision maker when I return back and also for the growth of my father business which will become my inheritance in future date
Vo: tell me everything about the course and what are the course u will take
Me: international finance, international business, management theory and practices, taxation, fiancial project, I will take 36 credit hours 12 elective 9core courses, one research or internship with a period of 24 months before graduation
Vo: so tell me what your highest level of education and what have you been doing since then
Me: Bsc in banking and finance Lagos state university after my Nysc I was retain by my company as a unit manager in human resource department
Vo: you mean u HV a BA honours
Me : mine is bachelor in social science the profession is under social science in my school
Vo:What does your father do
Me: his a business man he own a hotel and filling station
Vo: can I see your statement of account.t
Me : na so I no see Soa, I know carry am comot from house and I never knew so immediately I told the woman I will bring it to her that if she Cld could Gv me few minutes
Vo: don't worry about that again, where do u work ?
Me: I work with an insurance company in the human resource department as a unit manager
Vo: oh really, that's cool
Me : thank you
Vo: she kept on typing and brought out a white paper and picked up her pen she was just looking down the white paper to circle the pick up location ( na so she pause for over 8 seconds ) and drop the pen then wipe every good thing she has written And told me that she is sorry that she is sorry I should re-apply
this is the closest I have ever had and it lost right away IN a nanosecond, immediately I saw that white at first I was thanking God for perfecting everything already and feel so happy. Right now I feel bad I did the needful red, prayed, fasted and gave needy money so that God favour can fall upon me too

Most times the VOs don't ask for documents but when they do, it could be a signal that you're on course with the interview. This is the reason I am of the view that there is no harm in going with all the documents that they could ask for.

In some cases, some applicants were given the opportunity to bring the document demanded, may be this is where mother luck comes in.

cosade:
Go with all the documents you have, it won't hurt if none is asked for, but would, if asked for and you don't have it.

By the way, you mentioned reservation not evidence of payment/wire transfer for the Dubai hotel and hall, which I think is the most important.

Tipssy1, hope you weren't tipsy before the interview sha?

simplyhonest:
wow... but who uses them in a conversation?

Maybe Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon

Adekydo:
Hello House.

I want to say a big thank you to every contributors in this thread. I engaged the help of an Agent prior to discovering this innovative thread and I came to the conclusion that I should not have but instead follow the guidance of this thread's "technocrat". We went for our interview (B1/B2) and our transcripts are below:

Venue: Lagos US embassy
Afrer all security clearance, we were finally At cubicle 5.

VO: Good morning
ME: Good morning. Happy US independence in arrears
VO: Oh! Thank you.

VO: Your passports please. (handed over our passports)
VO: You are going for family vacation right?
ME: Yes.
VO: You are going to... (expecting me to confirm our destination)
ME: We are going to Orlando Florida

VO: What do you do?
ME: I work with ................. as Financial Auditor.
VO: That means you are a practising Accountant
ME: Yes, I am a Chartered Accountant.

VO: Is this your only Child?
Me: Yes

VO: Have you been on family vacation before?
Me: Yes. We went for family getaway weekend to Gha..... (did not let me finish before turning to my wife)

VO: Madam what do you do?
WI: I work with ....... as a relationship officer
VO: What's your work e mail?
WI: www...............com (cuts her...). Is that your personal e mail?
WI: Oh! my personal email is ..........@...........com

VO: Sir your visas are approved and you will find instructions on how to collect them on this paper (Its white).
ME: Thank you.

Note: the interview did not last for more than 3 minutes and the VO was busy typing for close to two minutes of the 3. Thank you everybody. We hope to travel soon because we are still working on harmonising our holiday period in our various offices (Me and my wife and our 1 year old Treasure).

If you are using help of an Agent, kindly ensure details in your forms are based on your instructions and thoroughly verify this by requesting copies for your perusal prior to attending the interview. It will be well with us all.

Congratulations Adekydo.
This is a good example when having quality job/employment and working with a reputable company/institution mean "strong tie".

sinzui:
but bros calm down, you find it very hard believing because you are in nigeria , and are a nigerian i am not indulging in self pity i am pretty sure if you meet me you wont say such.. and in quote i have a good life in nigeria, i am just 23, i own my own comfortable apt. own my own business and have my own car so no need for the harsh words sir, nigerians find it hard to believe and understand we are much more than we are taken for.

Yes, I am a Nigerian but has travelled widely so I have seen all sorts. From your account, I thank God for your achievements so far, but it will pay you better to focus on your business and go for a part time degree program in Nigeria.

There is nothing wrong starting with holiday visit to your generous friend in US, to test the water for assurance.

sinzui:
Hello Good People. Kindly help me on this matter as my case is quite unique and i'm still amazed as to the refusal.
i intend on attending a uni in the abroad( for laughs USA), i wrote this year's toefl and SAT and had scores of 96 and 1140 respectively and this is for someone that hasn't been in a classroom for 7years ( i graduated from secondary school in 2010 and i have been working since then,i have managed to own to branding offices here in yaba, i import flex and flock material for branding wears. sadly i haven't registered my company and that i intend on doing ASAP , about schooling in nigeria, i honestly feel its a waste of time as i have friends that are now learning tailoring four years after graduating , hence why i chose to just focus on my business and be dedicated ) fast forward to jan 2017, oribamishey i was lucky to meet an american online ( dont overthink it, its not a scam ) whom was super impressed as to my 'resilience' because i lost my mom right after highschool and dad has never been there, she paid for my sat tuition and toefl as well, anyways fast forward again to monday aug 7th, i went for a visa interview with her bank statement and sponsor's letter which she mailed to nigeria and also to the us consulate in lagos , clearly she has over $400,000 in her active bank account signed by CHASE , she declared her asset to be over $3M on her sponsor's letter and lo and behold the VO said '' i am not convinced by your ability to afford your school fees'' , he asked every question and i answered confidently with impeccable grammar ( not like it was needed or anything lol , just to impress him) , i told him i lost my mom right out of high school ( i suspect this to be the cause as he might feel i dont have any parent which might compel me to return but duh, i have a great life in nigeria, only one cant see free help and say no ) .. anyways, i was denied and it really pained my sponsor since she's spent over $4,500 on my tutition at MET ltd in ikeja and school and visa processing, sorry for the long epistle , dont judge me by my not so serious post, my case is just funny and i was just surprised by the VO's reason for the refusal. pls any advise as to what to do next, considering reapplying as my start date is August 21, but i feel i might get denied again. any suggestions
thanks
OKIKI

Okiki,
My candid advise for you is to face your business squarely and get yourself enrolled into a part time degree program such UNILAG DLI. Stop indulging in self pity, you lost your mother and so what?. I lost mine forty years ago (in Form Two, JSS II equ.) but qualified as a Chartered Accountant ten years later, at the age of twenty-three.

If you're not careful you'll put yourself into big trouble. Are you that naive? Someone pitied you because you lost your mother, so she'll be taking up the responsibility to educate you "in the abroad". She'll expose her assets to a complete stranger and you don't see that as a bait.

LagosismyHome:
true in some way that why I prefer the UK style of a point based system (although not sure if they still do it ) ......... Once you have the points and apply for Student visa you pretty much know if its a yes or NO ...

This US method nobody can predict and it all just based on the VO you meet , his or her mood and as "world people" like me would say the Voices in the VO head

I agree with you absolutely, even same for the other non immigrant visa (visit/tourist) whereby they (UK High Comm.) take their time to review and verify documents submitted, instead of the "two minutes harassments" people face in US Embassy standing up with no privacy.

muyico0le:
Pls what about if no travel history and your employer is the one responsible for the trip, can I just answer affirmatively, NO...?

If you have no travel history, of course the answer will always be "No" irrespective of whom your sponsor is. The best you can do is to quickly add whatever strength you think can over ride that.

If I were in your shoe, I'll say "No, because since I started work it has been difficult to get two weeks leave at a stretch but this time my employers are sponsoring so I am permitted to travel for the period .....". It's a gamble, hope that the VO would listen to you but as it has been advised severally here, it's good to have good travel history before seeking US visa.

I hope you work for a reputable company sha.

OmoBendel24:
But you still can't state your sponsor's income, not captured.

I now recall that my spouse was asked verbally during the interview. But with my office name and position on the application, it would have given the VO an idea of my status.

Yea, you're absolutely right.

Ajakayekoke:
Thanks,reservation,in the sense of everything,thats what I meant.

During your interview, you should look for the slightest opportunity to use this as a strength to cover your major weakness of no travel history.

Like if you're asked if you've travelled out of Nigeria. I'll expect something like "No, because my Dad who is my sponsor insisted my first trip outside Nigeria would be for my wedding ceremony, which would be taking place in Dubai and he wants the honeymoon in California. He has committed so much if his personal resources to made this dream if his come true".

Hopefully, at that point you may asked for evidence of payment made for Dubai ceremony.

LadyGuinivere:
Even at that. With no ties? Let him work on himself. Any ways shebi them hold, let them go and post sha so we can learn.
Gudumoney sir o!

US is very much interested in those that can "oil" their economy without hurting it.

Ajakayekoke:
Thanks so much boss.for the dubai stuff,what are we to take along to the u.s embassy,is it the dubai visa,or hotel&hall reservation and all?cos we intend going for the us interview before the dubai trip.

Go with all the documents you have, it won't hurt if none is asked for, but would, if asked for and you don't have it.

By the way, you mentioned reservation not evidence of payment/wire transfer for the Dubai hotel and hall, which I think is the most important.

Brooklynsouth:
another tribalistics mofo see the way he selected more of his kinsmen .I keep saying this osibanjo is more tribalistic that the vegetable soup in rondon

The candidate from PYO's state came first in the exam if you care to know.

xtus:
lots of people have been looking to for universities and colleges that are totally free to apple. you don't have to worry about application fees no more because there are lots of universities in the united states that charges international student zero dollars to apply.

http://www.xtusconnect.com/2017-list-universities-colleges-with-no-application-fee/

i found list of colleges and universities in the above link thats absolute free to apply.

Whoever application fee is an issue to, shouldn't even dream about studying in US. Not even up to the compulsory SEVIS fee of $200.