₦airaland Forum

tangela:
Hello. I have full finding offer too, but my first payment is in November while my course starts in September. Is the situation similar for you? I am unsure if I have to include a POF for my spending for the one month I have to wait to receive my funding. I sent a dm in case you prefer to answer privately.

Ask the international office of your school. I think they are in the best position to advise you.

liberallatty:
Hello house.
I want to make enquiry regarding UK ihs payment. I asked my friend in the US to help make my ihs payment of about 5k (going for PhD) but it kept declining.
"PAYMENT DECLINED
Your payment has been declined."

I'll like to know what could be the possible cause and what we can do to rectify it.

Kindly help with insight.

I have been there. I suggest using a UK card (Revolut worked fine for me) if you have one or get someone in the UK to help you pay.

Fatherspride:
Congratulations!!!

How long does it take to get the ATAS certificate?

Mine took about 6 weeks (which I think is standard for peak application period according to them)

splendorian:
Congratulations to you.
Please did you leave your POF running until your visa was out?

I had full funding offer (confirmed in my CAS) so I did not have to upload POF. I just optionally uploaded my offer letter.

elawazaki:
I also submitted my application on 15th of July. Have you gotten a decision email from UKVI?

Yes. Standard appointment

Biometrics - July 22
Transfer of application to UKVI notification from VFS Global - July 22
VISA successful email from UKVI - July 31
Decision received email from VFS Global - August 1

Supporting documents submitted:

Mandatory
- Passport (all pages, color)
- ATAS certificate (required for my program)

Additional
- Funding offer letter
- U.S travel history (to support waiver of TB test requirement)

Pipeloluwa:
Thank you. I have been able to do it already.
However, who knows a a number I can reach VFS on. On the day of my biometrics, they insisted I used courier. I eventually paid for it. Since Tuesday I haven't heard anything from them.
Has anyone else faced this issue, and how did you go about resolving it.

Hi. Please, how were you able to access your e-VISA without having first collected your passport? I am in the process but it requires a step that will need me to have my physical passport document.

splendorian:
Hi guys,

Please is the UKVI still using vignet visa (the one attached to the passport) or they are now issuing evisas?
Thanks

CCing this post please. I submitted my application on July 15 (but passport was still retained after biometrics).

Blackfinegirl:
People are not sharing transcripts again, they just come here to ask how to pick up their approved visa.

For me, I applied via interview waiver for VISA renewal and was issued my J1 VISA some days ago. But I am grateful for the community here and people taking their time to share tips and thoughts et cetera!

Hi guys,

The email I got "reminding" me that my passport is ready for collection at OIS in Lagos says that I can come collect at my convenience for free till December 31, 2024. But I chose to pay ($30, if I remember correctly) for this premium service in the process of scheduling my appointment. I am collecting by proxy.

Someone kindly and urgently advise. Can I safely follow the email and come get it at anytime for free or still book an appointment/prepare to pay?

Hi guys,

The email I got "reminding" me that my passport is ready for collection at OIS in Lagos says that I can come collect at my convenience for free till December 31, 2024. But I chose to pay ($30 if I remember correctly) for this premium service in the process of scheduling my appointment. I am collecting by proxy.

Someone kindly and urgently advise. Can I safely follow the email and come get it at anytime for free or still book an appointment/prepare to pay?

Guys, EducationUSA is organizing a student VISA orientation tomorrow and there is an option to join via Zoom. One gets to interact directly with a consular officer. The information is on their instagram page.

I am not sure what percentage of (successful) US VISA applicants from Nigeria are represented by those posting on nairaland (or online in general) so it may not be a good idea to use that as a statistics, in my opinion. I have visited the U.S twice on a J1 VISA and I don't think I came visiting nairaland concerning my VISA application process when applying for the VISA those times (if I recall correctly).

- My advise is to ensure to demonstrate good ties showing you would be back to the country (just like other non-immigrant US VISA categories I believe). I think it would also be nice if you are being funded by the program or in the position you will be undertaking while in the U.S to an extent that will be beyond doubt capable of covering necessary associated expenses.

- Try to be able to clearly explain what you will be doing (and it's importance to your career, Nigeria or something) in the U.S during your visit (ensuring your explanation aligns with what is in your DS-2019, including the dates of participation).

- If it's not your first time visiting on a J1, I would suggest keeping a reasonable explanation handy to distinguish the current program/position from the former you travelled for (why you are going for the current one and perhaps how it all connects with your aspiration).

*Please, treat as just my suggestions. I am not an agent or some kind of expert. I am just also an applicant sharing from my experiences.

Wishing you the best.

Vicky21003:
Any J1 approved visa transcript here. There seems to be a scarcity of J1 visa applicants in Nigeria. My interview is coming soon and there’s little to no transcript online

[quote author=Emmy1309 post=132829213][/quote]Take the time to go through previous posts on here and you should find information (especially on filling a form/sending an email) that could be useful for your situation.

Vicky21003:
Is there an issue if the start date on my DS-160 does not match the start date on my DS-2019(this is like form I-20 for j1 visa).

My program sponsor wants to adjust my start date because visa interview availability is too far (July 30th 2025)
I have submitted my DS-160 so I can’t make changes to the start date I filled in.

Hope it won’t cause future issues

Have you tried expediting your interview appointment date before looking at adjusting your start date?

I am curious about what exactly makes you think you are not being qualified for interview waiver here. After answering the questions, did you or did you not receive a prompt telling you that you may be qualified for the interview waiver and asked if you wished to proceed via that route or not (or something like that) before getting to this "consular appointment" page?

If you did and you chose to go through that route, why don't you go ahead and pick an appointment date so you can proceed to drop off documents for your VISA renewal application? Or am I missing something?

By the way, I also chose "other" under annotation and I picked an appointment date to drop off documents eventually after that point before being able to download the interview waiver confirmation letter.

ushomeduo:
Different strokes for different folks. Hope you found a solution.

Please for the interview waiver questions , can you remember the response you gave to the question about having annotation on the visa and if the annotation was waiver, blanket, clearance or other? I chose 'other' because what I have on my visa where the annotation should be is just "PA" followed by my spouse's name and school. I suspect that's the question that made the system route me to consular appointment and not interview waiver.

After I answered the questions and stuff, it told me that I may be eligible to apply via interview waiver and asked me if I wanted to go through that path which I did. It then asked me how I wanted the documents returned. Eventually, I think I got to the same point you made a screenshot of and I just picked the earliest date I could for Lagos. After that, I was able to download the interview waiver confirmation letter... This is as far as I can recall. I cannot really recall how exactly the order of the whole thing was. Hope you find this helpful though.

A positive update to this guys - I received an email notifying me of the approval of my preapproval request (I am applying for J1 VISA renewal at Lagos) less than two hours ago. (In case you didn't catch that before now, it's been my fifth week waiting on preapproval request processing). I have now been able to schedule an appointment to drop off my application documents with OIS next week. (A big relief. Thank God!)

I made a phone call to one of the US embassy contacts again this morning. I was directed to follow up my previous email notifying lagosniv@state.gov on Tuesday of my issue and to copy nigeria@usvisaapt.com (I somehow found out that I did not eventually copy the latter in the email but I made sure to send them a separate email referencing the one I sent to lagosniv... and how the email was yet to be addressed). I literally made a plea for consideration or feedback in the emails I sent today (and also attached a screenshot of the preapproval thing in my AVITS portal alongside the other details that was directed to be included by the form).

Not sure if that was what worked (concerned people should definitely give it a try!) but I thank God in all because I was just giving up to be honest. Growing weary of the preapproval delay, I had just taken a trip from Akure to Lagos earlier this week to attempt dropping off my application documents with OIS yesterday without the interview waiver confirmation letter from AVITS but of course, it wasn't successful. God is faithful!

Wishing everyone the best in the process.

DFocus:
As sad and disappointing as this may sound, I think it may be the most feasible way forward for those of us witnessing preapproval delays from the Lagos Consulate (perhaps depending on intended travel date though. I am looking at December ending and I have not even been able to schedule an appointment).

(Lagos Consulate has not ceased to disappoint in one way or another in all my applications. I gave them a benefit of doubt and had hoped things would have been better especially with their VISA application website transition but look where we are ). I'm likely doing this next week if things don't change. Hopefully a positive outcome on the entire application caps it all and makes it all worth it by God's grace. It is well.

Wishing everyone the best.

*Note that I have made an update to this comment in a later one

As sad and disappointing as this may sound, I think it may be the most feasible way forward for those of us witnessing preapproval delays from the Lagos Consulate (perhaps depending on intended travel date though. I am looking at December ending and I have not even been able to schedule an appointment).

(Lagos Consulate has not ceased to disappoint in one way or another in all my applications. I gave them a benefit of doubt and had hoped things would have been better especially with their VISA application website transition but look where we are ). I'm likely doing this next week if things don't change. Hopefully a positive outcome on the entire application caps it all and makes it all worth it by God's grace. It is well.

Wishing everyone the best.

deees:
The advise has been reiterated here several times. Please do not wait. Open a new profile, pay the money again. Pay for Abuja this time around.

Beautifulfeettt:
Use this link for Lagos oo

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMSMzJmoYVaxf-obif6_AaMIT4fbxpIvLEkPW84ISGSwSkIg/viewform

Let us know when it works ...next 2 or 3 business days

It states at the end that the navigator doesn't collect or transmit information and I have sent a complaint on my situtation to the provided email since Tuesday. I am still yet to receive a feedback or resolution on the preapproval delay in its fifth week of action.

zinachidi:
F1

What month did you input as intended travel date please?

zinachidi:
My pre approval didn't take more than 45 mins (Lagos) on Tuesday. I guess it's luck, cos I'm seeing people saying it took weeks. The Koko now is getting date. Earliest date I saw was 10 January 2025 by 6:45 am, but when I try to click it, it says slot is already taken. Same with other dates I saw. If the slot is already taken , so why is it green then? Same with other dates I try to take. Because I want to pick a date first then apply for expedited appointment to get date in November or maybe early December.

Has anyone experienced this? How do I go about it and know available slots

Please can you fill us in on more details of your VISA application? What category and are you applying for renewal or interview?

Is Abuja too now beginning to have preapproval request delays? Folks applying to Abuja, please kindly let us know so one can make informed decisions.

This is my fifth week of preapproval delay from Lagos, all just to get interview waiver letter from them (I suppose) and know my business is now with OIS.

Please, does anyone know if OIS is still accepting drop-off without interview waiver confirmation letter from the embassy?

Chetachukwu01:
I gave the OIS staff my GTB payment receipt, my OIS acknowlgment slip, my ds 160 confirmation letter, 2 passport photographs and passport booklet. She gave me back the GTB receipt, she use took the OIS acknowledgement slip and typed on her computer to confirm my appointment was booked for that day (she confirmed and gave me back the OIS paper) she also checked my last visa and confirmed that I qualified for IW. Then she took my passport booklet, 2 passport photographs and my ds confirmation letter, pinned them together and kept. I filled the register and that was it. No question was asked about my old appointment which was scheduled for December 2 2024 and no question was asked about the AVITS appointment cos it’s not needed there.

I am for renewal also (thinking I am qualified for that).

Based on some information I saw on Nairaland sometime ago, it seems people were able to successfully drop-off documents with OIS without the interview waiver confirmation letter that we are supposed to get from the embassy after answering the questions accordingly subsequent to passing the preapproval phase. But I saw a mention that that was no longer obtainable (without the confirmation letter).

Can anyone please confirm any of this?

Timgreat31:
Thanks for sharing. Its been more than one month for me. Mine is renewal, which i never beleived would stress me at all, but here I am raising multiple tickects, making calls, and sending emails that never get responses.

I pray it works iut well for everyone in this situation very soon.

I reached out to an EducationUSA Specialist, registering the frustrating delays F1 and J1 VISA applicants to the Lagos embassy are facing at the preapproval phase. They let me understand that the "Consular Management is fully aware", that they are "even more frustrated", and "are doing everything humanly possible to rectify the issues".

* I am applying for J1 VISA myself for a position starting in January and I have been stuck at that phase for 2 weeks counting. I am hoping I get to pick again sometime soon also so that I can choose Abuja instead. The feedback shared above is for the information of any concerned person.

My advice right now to anyone who is just applying is to avoid Lagos and just apply to Abuja.

Timgreat31:
Yes, the system allowed me to do that and I chose Lagos, because I felt I jad to stick to my choice on DS-160. I also filled my travel date. It's been 5weeks now, no progress.

Timgreat31:
Thanks for your suggestion. Its one month since i paid my visa fee alrwady (September 9). I got a notification about the rejection on September 29. However, I clicked on the link in the notification (on AVITS portal) and the system requested that I reupload my I-20, which I did immediately, hoping it would a step towards scheduling. Shockingly, it returned to the old rhetoric of "preapproval request is being processed". That's what I have till now. Any tip that can helpnis welcome. Thanks.

Hi, did the system also allow you to pick the location you are applying to and intended date of travel (just like at first) when you were allowed to resubmit?

OyoTunjiUSA:
🤠

1. I am not suspecting you, and suspect you for what ? If i doubts you based on the kind of question you asked it does not mean suspect, It means you may likely be asking question on behalf of someone, and it is permissible. But if a 40 year old man claims to be a Nigerian, but cannot mention Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba as three of the strongest languages ,then that person is a liar.

2. Can you point out to the public where i mentioned phone calling to the USA embassy as the new means of applying for the J1 VISA or renewal? I wrote via email, not via phone call. I only suggested that, you may as well call the embassy staffs for clarification.

PS: You should be an expert since this is your 3rd attempt. I am out of this trailer.

🙏

My bad for misquoting/misunderstanding you
🙏. I don't get the 40-year old man part but thanks anyways - I appreciate your responses. I will dig further into it

Firstly, I really appreciate your response to me and other enquiries on here. I understand you might have had some distasteful experiences with people here in the past, hence the tendency to suspect. Still, I appreciate the attention you are giving to people's cases.

But I making these enquiries for myself and my ignorance is innocent. I have successfully applied for J1 twice in the past between 2021 and now. This is the third application I will be attempting to make.

So, I understand some of the things you mentioned about the VISA category but the mention of having to schedule interviews via phone call with the embassy for J1 is honestly news to me and this is perhaps a recent update.

I would really appreciate if you can guide me to the source so I can hopefully follow it and make headway in my application (can't find the info yet).

And yes, I have my DS-2019 for this new program.

Thanks so much.

OyoTunjiUSA:
Hey 🤠

1. I don't think you are the real J1 VISA benefiary, and if you are the one, you definitely do not understand the kind of VISA you got.

1. Presently , every J1 VISA applicant is supposed to send an email to the US embassy requesting for VISA interview appointment, unlike the normal F1 VISA applicant , who is supposed to go directly through AVITS.

2. By the above fact ,
wether you are applying for the first time or renewing your VISA, the application process is the same. I also understand that some J1 VISA applicant categories does not pay VISA application fee (though this apply to 1st timer).

3. Aside of the above, Some J1 VISA category also carries, the 2 - year home- stays rule , which means that you must come and spend 2 straight years in your country of origin after the expiration of your program. Most J1 VISA program also allows for extension of stay while you are still in the United States.

4. In this regard, the topic of J1 VISA is lengthy, and sometimes complicated, but i am certain that you are applying for the renewal in a wrong direction. Have you gotten a new DS- 2019 ? Anyways, may be you call the embassy help-line for accurate info.


Best Wishes 🙏

@OyoTunjiUSA or anyone

I am still within 48 months of my last J1 VISA issued in Lagos (expired last year August) and I have never been rejected for a VISA application in the past. I think I qualify for an interview waiver but I haven't gotten past the preapproval processing for Lagos to answer the eligibility questions and possibly get a interview waiver letter (from the trend I have been seeing online).

I saw somewhere something that hinted at the possibility of doing a drop-off at OIS without having to wait for an interview waiver confirmation from the embassy. Since this preapproval processing for Lagos isn't looking promising, is this an option I can explore? Please, I beg, help my ignorance here and kindly advise me

My opinion:
- Know which VISA category you would be coming in, which will determine the document you need (you can ask the program director)
- If it's F1 VISA, start pressuring them (especially if you start in the spring) for I-20, or DS-2019 if it's J1 VISA. Also, start familiarizing yourself with what your VISA category is about and what you need to apply for it.
- You may want to start filling the DS-160 form (maybe around the time you expect your document to be sent from your school)
- When you begin to apply for the VISA on the usvisaappt portal, attempt using a USD card to pay (might not work) for your VISA application fee to possibly avoid having to wait before being able to proceed towards accessing interview dates.
- IMPORTANTLY, I would strongly advise you choose Abuja as your interview location as I think it generally has better reputation for processing and dates in my opinion (especially if you are expecting to start in few months time).

Obueze:
Good day.
I just received an acceptance letter from the college I applied for diploma program in the USA yesterday.
Please how do I proceed with my visa application process.
Help a brother 🙏

Please, does the embassy call people? I received a call from a number starting with 0700... but did not pick. Tried calling back and I got something like... call centre, you are likely calling us because you missed our call. We are currently processing a lot of calls.....

I am in the middle of applying for a J1 VISA and currently stuck at the preapproval processing for Lagos.

Hi. I am applying for a J1 VISA and already gotten to the stage of preapproval being processed (picked Lagos) but I have been seing issues with Lagos approvals. Since I have not submitted my DS-160, is it advisable to wait for me to wait and see what happens first so I can easily change to Abuja and pick that location if I have the chance next time?