₦airaland Forum

graduatestudent:
Hi, has your visa been issued now?

Hi, yes it was issued on the 27th.

Does anyone have the OIS phone number to reach. I can’t see it anywhere.

Let me add that the phone number they have online (through Google search) is wrong.

Efetobore1980:
** Make the option immediately after your interview and choose premium (paid) delivery. After that you should call or email OIS staffs for awareness. 👍

I agree with everyone that the VO is not necessarily asking your school to increase your funding. Usually, you should submit your bank statement to the international office in your school demonstrating that you have enough money to cater your family. Then you will apply for a new I-20 to Dover your dependent, and they will use this information to update your I-20 (depending on how many dependents you have and how much you need to show) so that when they go for the next interview they can prove that you have enough money to cater for them.
Some people have asked friends for audio help to show this and return audio monies after visa is granted. It’s up to you anyways and not your school.

Izanghi:
Please, I need your advice. I am currently in the U.S. and fully funded with no financial deficit on my part. However, my wife and two children went to the embassy this past week, and the visa officer told them to ask me to get the school to increase my funding in order to cover the living expenses of my dependents, which is about $20k- 10k for my wife and 5k each for my children.

I went to the International Office to explain what the visa officer said, but they informed me that there is nothing they can do. They mentioned that the school is only obligated to fund the student and not their dependents. I am already a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in my department.

I feel stuck right now, as the school is not willing to make any adjustments, and the embassy insists on seeing additional funding from my institution for my family.

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions on how to proceed. Should they still continue to try or what, because I am confuse right now on what to do, as the embassy will normally say that people should not come back if there's no change.

Thanks

Congrats on your visa issuance!
Did you experience administrative processing (AP) in Abuja?
Just trying to figure out if delays are more common at Lagos—I’ve been on AP since the 9th for a visa renewal and haven’t gotten any updates yet.
Someone I know got cleared in Abuja in just 3 days, so I’m a bit anxious.
I need to return to the US very soon for work authorization, and the delay is starting to stress me out.

FisayoYe:
Hello,


My visa has been issued, although, it is not yet ready for pickup.
I had my interview on Friday 16th in Abuja.
It was approved yesterday and got issued today

It’s very funny! I joined nairaland because I thought we can all share conversations, but this thread… ☹️

Treyknowles:
People on this thread are quite strange! You quote them to ask questions, they don't respond, subsequently those people come on here to ask other people questions, no response either.

Nawa o!

Hi Fisayo,

Any update on your visa status and document delivery? I remember you asked about this at some point.

FisayoYe:
Hello Petengine,

Were you sent an email notification when the status changed from denied during AP to approved?

Hello Fisayo,

You can track your visa status on the ceac website using your details. Where did you have your interview, and how long is your AP been for?

FisayoYe:
Hello Petengine,

Were you sent an email notification when the status changed from denied during AP to approved?

Just curious. Has your visa been issued yet?

Waposh:
Had my visa interview on May 2nd, 2025 at Abuja embassy, Nigeria
1st time
PhD in chemistry
My time was slated for 8am, got to the embassy around seven and joined the first batch, a lot of people had interview this day so the queue was so long and exhausting, after the screening and standing, we entered the hall, first went to do biometrics then joined queue again for interview

Interview proper
I was interview by i guess an Indian American female in her mid/late 20s(she seems young)
My interview was quite long took around 15mins or so and most of it we where not talking, she was just looking at her computers, typing or looking at my I-20

Me: Good morning ma, happy new month (passing my I-20 and passport)
VO: smiled, (the only time she follow me smile through out the interview) Good morning
She go through my I-20 and ask what would this degree do for you ?

Me: This degree would allow me pick up a senior lecturing role at my current place of work where I work as a Teaching Assistant at the Bleep…I have always been passionate about becoming a professor

VO: which field will you be working on ?

Me: I will be focusing on the field of analytical and environmental chemistry, my research specialization is on air quality analysis using nanoscale materials to monitor and mitigate air pollution, this research is very important particularly in developing countries like Nigeria where we experience significant amount of air pollution and air contamination that as been a major problem to our public health

Then VO was silent for about 3-4 mins don’t know what she was looking at in her computer cus I can’t see it, and I did not want to talk until she ask me something so I don’t shoot myself on the leg,
After the long silence

VO: Why this school

Me: Kansas state University stood out for me because of its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research particularly in the field of analytical and environmental chemistry which I am majored in, I will be working with renowned faculties particularly prof Bleep whom I will be working with, his research on air quality analysis using nanoscale materials strongly aligns with my background and research goals and aspiration

VO: How many school did you apply to ?

Me: I applied to three universities, Kent state, Miami University and Kansas state
Kansas state stood out for me because of it strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research particularly in my field of environmental chemistry, I will also be working with renowned and outstanding faculties in my department

I was not even sure if she was really listening because she was just looking at her computer and did not really look at me or even nod her head

She was silent again, now looking at my I-20 for like 3 min then asked

VO: is this funding secured ?

Me: yes

VO: what’s the on-campus employment on your I-20? What will be your role ?

Me: it’s a 20 hour per week duties which I will be working as a teaching assistant, my role majorly involves conducting laboratory sessions, teaching undergraduate student and grading assignments

VO: how long have you been working as a Teaching Assistant here in Nigeria ?

Me: October 2024

VO: so what have you been doing before that ?

Me: I graduated in September 2024, then I was appointed as a Teaching Assistant by my department due to my strong academic background and strong involvement in my department during my undergraduate

VO: goes silent again this time looking at her computer for like 3 mins
Then suddenly left her seat and goes to I think her supervisor (the supervisor was at the back and I can see them discussing, VO was pointing to my I-20 but I can’t hear what they where saying exactly…VO came back and ask for my funding letter from my department

I quickly rushed to my file and grab out the letter and pass it over, then she went back to her supervisor and takes another 2 mins or so
All through this discussion, I was trying to get what they where saying but I can’t, I guess it was about the funding
Then VO comes back
Still did not ask me anything and I didn’t ask any thing too.
Then after she asked me

VO: what social media do you use ?

Me: I said LinkedIn (knowing that’s the only social media that was on my DS-160)

VO: only ?

Me: yes

VO: okay, have you been to Gaza ?

I was like Gaza bawo!
Even the eyes I used in answering this question the VO shock

Me: not at all oo

Goes silent again, this time like forever…looking and scrolling through her system, (only God knows weti she Dey look for exactly) then type and type

Then she goes okay great,
Picks up a white paper, (i don Dey happy say approval don show)

VO: I will be placing you on administrative processing, you don’t have to do anything and we don’t need anything from you, we will let you know by email notification for the next step, I will be keeping your I-20 (then returned me my passport and funding letter)

Me: okay, thank you and left

I seem to agree. Someone I know came out within 2 days

Treyknowles:
It seems those who were placed on Administrative processing at Abuja are getting updates faster than those who went to lagos.

When you change the location of your appointment, then you have to fill out a new ds160. The code number (AA00…), you will create a ticket on the avits website reques them to use it for that appointment. That’s very important… When applied, they will reply you and you’ll be good to go.

Please let me know if this is clear…

Chidirolex:
I used Abuja in my DS-160 application. Will it be a problem if I pick from Lagos instead?

Why not? Please pick the dates you see asap before they disappear. You can always change when you see a better option. But remember to always update your ds 160 accordingly.

Chidirolex:
Hello everyone good morning, I want to confirm please. I am seeing July dates in Lagos but September 11th in Abuja, and I will prefer to be interviewed in Abuja.

Do you think I should get the July dates in Lagos while I wait for better dates in Abuja?

Congratulations. All the best with your MSC program.

I think the AP is a constant nowadays. I’m a returning F1 and got the administrative processing decision this Monday in Lagos. However, that status has not changed until now. I know someone who had in Abuja, that had already gotten their approval. I have to be back in the US before the end of the month (flight booked). I really am hoping on a short AP timeline, and hopefully before 1 week like you stated.

Is there someone here who is returning F1 and had AP in Lagos?
How long did it take?…

JMG12:
F1 visa interview
First attempt (Approved) ✅✅✅✅✅✅
Date: 15 may 2025
Time: 8:00Am
Location: Lagos Embassy
Program: Double Masters (Media and EMDD) $7k deficit

Before I start, please know what you put your DS-160, and build your story around it. As I was talking he was looking at the DS-160. I am tall, I could see his activities

There was alottttttt of denials, and I just stood confident because I have manifested my visa and traveling to the united states months before, so I was just there to collect my approved visa. After lots of rejection over the counter, I decided to erase most of the prepared answer in my head, and just retain some key points.

VO: Goodmotning, please pass me your I-20 and your passport

ME: Good morning officer, here you go. I was smiling and looking directly at him. (I also make sure I’m well dressed, and my hands were visible over the counter and I demonstrated with my hands well) it’s psychology.

Vo: How many school did you apply to?

Me: Just two.

VO: Okay, I see Ball state, so why ball state?

Me: I went for ball state for two main reasons. First, they have practical labs and hands-on experiences in film and digital media. Speaking with director of media, his research interest in local history is so exciting to me that I knew right there that I would love to work with him. Also the second reason is because I’m an African documentary storyteller, and ball state, in person of Dr Jennifer pallilonis, showed me how EMDD and media can help me achieve my career goals. We scheduled a zoom call, and When I shared what I was doing in Africa, she was excited and willing to work with me, and she even offered me a GA to come study.

Vo: You have a deficit of $7k, how do you intend to fund it?

Me: My brother will be taking care of that, at it’s in tune of less than $10k, he was happy to give me as a gift. Even though I could easily cover the expense, as I have been saving up for my graduate school for the last 5years, he insisted that his is way of supporting and showing me how proud he was of me. (I smiled again well)

Vo: What does your brother do?

Me: He’s a senior civil engineer and he was for many multinationals in form of consultancy.

Vo: Okay, good. How many years did you say your brother has worked again?


Me: 12 years now (with a smile)

VO: When was the last time you were in school?

Me: 2023.

What was the highest degree?

B.Sc in Business administration and Marketing (it’s a double bachelor).

VO: Have you travelled out of the country before?

Me: Yes, I have travelled to couple of historical sites in Ghana, Benin and Togo. I do tour guide and take people on this trip to give them historical knowledge about local cultures.

VO: I see, okay. What do you plan to do when you get back.

Me: Because of what I do currently, which is African documentary storyteller, The technical competences I get from the EMDD program, and the practical competences I acquire from the media program, will help me to further research into design thinking and campaign optimization of local history. There are a lot of historical site in Africa that are not getting the necessary attention and because of lack of man power and knowledge in that field, those history aren’t brought into the media space. This degree will give me the necessary knowledge to further my work in that area.

VO: oh so you are a film maker?

Me: Yes, with a big smile.

VO: Have you been to Gaza or Palestine?

Me: No, not at all.

VO: I will be denying you temporarily, but do not worry, congratulations. This is routine, I just need to do some administrative processes on your documents, and will get to you within a week, this is your first time applying to the US, right?

Me: Yes, it’s my first time.

VO: when is your program stating?

Me: August 15th.

VO: I will be keeping your passport and your I-20. Congratulations, and have a nice day.

Me: Thank you.

What I notice: Do not rehearse. Know everything about your program, let it excite you. I showed a lot of excitement about my program, my research, what I needed it for. I kept it short and simple. I wasn’t forcing anything or any words. Those that required one word answer, I gave one word answer, those that required expanded answers, I gave expanded answers. During all of it, I made sure I maintained eye contact when he looked at me, used hand movements, smiled when I get to a point I’m passionate about. I remember taking about one of the professors documenting a 100-year history of Indiana state. I paused and smiled well there. And I said, that captivated me, and motivated me to work with him.

Good luck.
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