₦airaland Forum

Lagos

dfutbolar:
Congrats..

Was this at Abuja?

Getting EA now is almost impossible… they gave me last minute yesterday. My family and I had to run all the way from Cotonou overnight to do the interview this morning… my school is starting May 23rd and I don’t think they wanted to give me…

ugobent:
Please help a brother....got denied of EA today in Lagos after applying for EA within the 60 days stipulated time frame, I'm to resume my school in 31th of this month.... please what's your advice to follow immediately. Really running out of time...

Thank you for your consideration.

Hi everyone. So my family and I just got our visas! I’m f1. Husband is F2 and child F2.

you add the f2 as dependent in the appointment. you go together for the interview or you can decide to go on different appointment dates by creating another appointment profile...

Patricel:
Pls how does one book interview appointment for F2 planning to go with the F1 on the same date of the F1 interview to use emergency appointment?

Or the F2 doesn’t need to schedule an appointment?

getting a work visa isn't as easy as it seems because the US will want your employer to state that your position in the organization cannot be filled by a US citizen... this means that you need to have a certain level of skill/expertise to qualify... plus your employer has to pay to process the visa...

ocpaschal:
My uncle plans to invite me over to the USA for a visit for easy access to a visitor visa. Pls I'm new on this USA travels. I want to enquire on the following;

- has anyone visited the USA through invitation by a family relative? Pls I need a guide on the steps towards obtaining a visitor/tourist visa.

- Is it possible to change my visitors visa to a work visa in the USA upon arrival or later on?

- If I obtain a visitor visa, will I be eligible to apply for study program or can I later change my visitor/tourist visa to Study visa in the USA?

lol welcome to America. You have to read before each class... try and read to understand... not cram... that's what helped me during my master's program in Houston... plus try and pick easy electives, and also make sure you do your assignments well... all points are vital... one mark can be the difference between an A or a B...

haywhy17:
I have an update on a reply here but before I do that. How are you guys that are already in the US having straight A in your courses?��. Because I don’t understand how I am expected to have 90+/100 in a course to get an A. What happened to 70 (A)��

its not a new environment for me though... I schooled there, did opt, and got a b2 visa... I'm actually changing to f1 again... i just need someone to help with our 2 kids who are under 5 years old and cant go to school yet...

Chukspredos:
They may still see it as too long for someone who has something doing in Nigeria. Remember that he'd get a 2 year visa even if he says he's staying for 2 days. Leave it at a 2-3 weeks that he's there to help you and the kids settle into a new environment before he goes back to Nigeria to his job.

the vo will ask what type of job do you do and you know you cant work while on f1

Kingnonny:
Hello gurus in the house, please I want to know how to present my case to the VO concerning my sponsorship because I chose myself as my sponsor,with no form of funding from the school.

I’m in almost the same predicament. Just that my husband has a bar and restaurant in Cotonou… I still don’t know how he’d say it if asked. Our main sponsor is my dad…

jbryan54:
My husband works remotely from Nigeria for a company based in New York, US. (His job is fully remote and he can actually work from anywhere).
He is also my sponsor.

I am applying for a visa and want to apply for my husband and child as F2 dependents so he can support me with the baby for a period of time.

My question is, since F2 dependents are not supposed to be working, how will he convince the VO that he won’t work in the US since he can actually work from anywhere?

What should he mention and what shouldn’t he?

University of saint Thomas Houston. I got my master of liberal arts degree from the school and recently got admitted into a PhD program. It’s a catholic school so it might not be like other schools in the US. They teach morals and social justice in the curriculum… I didn’t pay an application fee to apply… maybe it depends on the program… I don’t know…

Chubbyface:
Hello house I am new here, plz can anyone recommend any university or college still accepting and waiving application fees for fall 2022.

hi how did you cope with late resumption? plus how did you get an early appointment after the first rejection?

Gent2nice:
First Attempt: (expedited appointment) Tuesday, Aug 31, 2021
Lagos Consulate
Status: Approved, later...denied (Program start date was Aug 30, 2021 had extension till Sept 6. Went with the letter but didn't present it because it was not asked for)

Around 10am, I met with the VO, a very black lady in her 50s (VO Valerie).



VO: Good morning

She collected i20 and passport, started typing, looking carefully.


Said to us please wait while she typed on.

Finally
VO: tell me why you are going to study this course and why this University. And she gave us a full attention

Me:
I spoke about how I have good background in Deaf Education field, my first degree in special education (hearing impairment focus), my masters degree in Deaf Education. I have taken leadership position in Nigerian Deaf community which I have used all to contribute towards Development of Deaf Education. I mentioned that I am Education Officer under ministry of education. (At this point I realized I have blown myself enough and needed to proceed to the relationship with the current which I intended to do, I wondered if she wouldn't have started wondering if I understood her question) so I continued
I want to study this course because I want to acquire adequate knowledge, experience and build up my skill in research, advocacy and innovation as a tool for contributing to the development of Deaf Education in Nigeria.

I chose Gallaudet University because it is the only University all over the world promoting bilingual and bicultural education, known for its excellence in teaching pedagogy, where Deaf students from all over the world find a sense of belonging , the needed learning resources, supportive faculty, student and staff. It will help me to achieve my aim (I stopped there, I momentarily lost what to continue with but immediately realized it was worth ending there)

Then she *signed* thank you while I blushed. She typed briefly.

VO: You said you work under ministry, tell me what exactly you do there.
Me: I have been an education officer under ministry of education since (my thought was to continue explaining the duties I carry out at different stations I've worked)

VO: cuts, Ok, since 2014?
Me: responded positive (she typed)

VO: I can see that you have school scholarship that covers $26k+, tell me how you will pay the deficit of $23k+.

Me: I will be co-sponsored by my sister and my friend. My sister is Mrs xyz, she works as accountant under KPMG, abroad , she also has landed and rented properties back here in Nigeria. My friend is Mr abc, he works as , Tennessee.

VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, because I've not had a reason to.

VO: Where do you say your sister works?
Me: she works as accountant in audit region at KPMG,

VO: Typed... Do you have any document to prove that your sister works at KPMG?

Me: Yes. (Reached for my file and brought out document her employment letter, Bank statement and Sponsorship affidavit filled because I stapled the three together)

VO: Looked thoroughly and calmly . Typed, then put up her hand to get a white paper, took my I-20 and placed it where I should pick it and said Be careful about covid-19...


Three days after I got called to send an update i20 because I attended the interview postdated. I sent documents required within the hour... And later rejected.

In my Ds160, I noticed minor error and corrected the error.
Also when I was explaining under yes to previously denied, I added that I have convincing and compelling socioeconomic ties. I stated that I have a permanent and pensionable appointment as... And also I talked about my achievements in community service in Nigeria etc then ended that I am a credible Student . ( I practicalized FAIRHEART theory, lol, because I went back to read this Nairaland page from page 1, lol).

I got date through surge appointment after so much stress trying to get date.
I did more prep and talked to some mock VOs (Carter, Francess and Jake who i met on GraithF1 visa whatsapp group ) who expressed concern about a friend as sponsor and was advised to find a way around it.
Note, sister was my major sponsor covering 85% of the deficit and it's her detail I input into Ds 160.


Second attempt
Wed 24th, November, 2021 (surge appointment, 7am)
Lagos Consulate
Status: Approved
Vo was a black lady, probably in her 30s, at extreme window.



Interview proper around 8.35am , can't say..by 8.55am, I was out!

Vo: Good morning
Me: good morning

Vo: where are you going to?
Me: I am going to Gallaudet University, Washington, DC to pursue a doctorate degree in CSEDL which is under SEVIS category of Education/ Teaching

Vo: What do you do?
Me: I work as Education officer under ministry of and my current post is at Federal Education... -----state where I ensure quality service delivery at schools through monitoring,and inspection of school, curriculum and pedagogy. Also I provide recommendations and reports for the Education of children with disabilities, also I supervise the library service of the department (*she fixed her eyes to the computer reading my job section to ensure it is a match)

Vo: You have scholarship of $26000+ and your sister is sponsoring you. What does your sister do?
Me: she works as accountant at KPMG , and she also has rented and land properties in Nigeria. She has been supporting me in my undergraduate when I was best faculty student.

Vo: how much does she earn?
Me: about $45000 annually

Vo: do you have any document to show me regarding your sister's job?

Me: nodded, searched and gave her recent appointment letter dated Nov 23rd, together with her recent bonus letter.

Vo: went through it.

Vo: there is Mr abc here who is covering the deficit, who is he to you?
Me: He is someone that has known me before I became Deaf and after I became Deaf and who knows about my academic and community achievements despite been Deaf and he is willing to support me.

Vo: How long have you known him?
Me: I have known him since , before I became deaf and after I became Deaf and he knows about my academic achievement and community contributions.

Vo: When did your sister started working at
Me: 2019

Vo: when did she arrived
Me: 2018

Vo: when did Mr abc leave for the US?
Me: was saying 2016/17 (not sure, though my disposition indicated I wasn't sure I was unruffled. It was as if I was answering to a normal conversation)

VO: When last did you see him?
Me: since..., ha I can't remember, since... (my mien was truly like trying to recollect something while having an informal conversation)
Vo then helped me add that ok since a long time.

Me: yes a long time.

Vo: has he ever come to Nigeria since he left?
Me: Noooo, but his wife and children have visited when they came for burial of his in-law.
Vo: asked about his job
Me: said it


vo: when did you start working under ministry of ?
Me: 20**, I was first posted to Federal bla bla bla (one of the federal unity colleges), where I taught chemistry to students.. and ... and ....

Vo: ok

Vo: where is Mr abc in the US?
Me: Tennessee


Vo: Do you have any family or friends in the US?
Me: Family? Family? (I wanna be sure what interpreter signed, because the 'friend' looked dicey to me) Nooooooo


Vo: Where will you be staying in the US
Me: On campus. The school encourages her international student to reside on campus so as to learn culture (deaf culture)...

Vo: brought white paper.. I will be approving your visa.

Me: thank you ma. God bless you ma.

Exit

(Visa issued next business day)



PS: At both my first and second interview, I was very confident and even more relaxed or settled at the second..hmmm. I said more than I wrote to the first question in my first interview because I recall I hinted about my proposed thesis interest too.

Visa interview is exam, take it as one! Let your profile be rich. Bank on the areas where you are loaded, academic? Career experience/achievement? Community contribution/volunteer experience? Financial capacity? Travel experience etc. And wherever ur application gives you fear (weak), find your way around it.

Note that VOs are not doing giveaway with visa approvals and they are there doing their job while they also have their own constraints too. The onus lies on you to do your part and do it well. Seek help, study and practice. Before my first interview too, I had my transcript vetted by friends schooling abroad too and I started following Nairaland page two months prior the interview.

If anyone has a denial, especially after a meaningful interview, look inward to see what you can do better, study, seek help, take advices and do your best. Don't just get angry at the VO.

Ensure you have a copy of your DS 160 which you must review over and over as interview approaches and if you see anything to change, kindly retrieve and fill another one latest before 72hours to your interview (I made that mistake with my first interview)

The God factor still remain a sure factor, trust Him too and honour him.

I'm very grateful to everyone who has helped me on this journey, some of whom I have mentioned earlier. I wish everyone the very best.

please who knows about the cov 19 restrictions for flying to the US? do you have to be fully vacd or will a negative test be enough?

but i'd still be in school. He's following me basically for support with the kids while I attend classes.

Chukspredos:
8 months is a long time. Keep it down to 2-3 weeks tops

Cotonou is faster for processing Nigeria passport

horkami:
Does anyone here have any Immigration contact at Festac Passport office?

Lol I don’t know what I was thinking. I didn’t check the year. I’ve submitted my emergency request and hoping for the best.

Teeswift:
Are you sure about this? Lots of slots.......? The earliest available slot for Lagos is April 18, 2023.

Ok thanks for the clarification.

UmmZayd:
Yes to the rest but please keep "he will come back in 8months..."out of your conversation. The rest are okay. Go with the childbirth receipt in case.

Best of luck

Ok thanks for the clarification.

UmmZayd:
Yes to the rest but please keep "he will come back in 8months..."out of your conversation. The rest are okay. Go with the childbirth receipt in case.

Best of luck

Hi please I’m applying as an F1 applicant for a phd program in Houston. My dad is the sponsor. He sponsored my earlier Masters degree too at the same University. My husband and child are applying as f2 dependents. Child is 8 months old. My husband has a bar and restaurant in Cotonou and we also have landed properties in Nigeria. My first child was born in Houston in 2019. We have the fully paid receipts and I didn’t overstay. I actually gave birth there cus I had complications during the new year vacation. I have questions
1. Should we mention our restaurant and say that my husband will put someone in charge while he follows me to support me with the kids and help me settle down then he’d come back in 8months time during the Christmas holiday to check on the business…
2. Will they bring up the US child question?
3. Will they ask for his bank statement even though we have the bank statement of my dad who is the sponsor

I just picked a date for me, my husband and child. There are lots of slots available for f1 and f2 applications in lagos. I thought I was going to have to request for an expedited date…

farggie:
The EA date is applicable to both F1 and F2

i can see that f2 visa holders can apply for vocational study programs. should he register for any vocational training program because I don't want them to think that he will be idle... or its not necessary.

Davidganna10:
He will be applying for F2 visa. Goodluck

hii please I got admission into a Ph.D. program in Houston. I got my master's degree from the same school back in 2014 and I have been able to visit my siblings using a visitors visa. However, I want to go back now with my family: my husband and two kids aged 3 and 7 months. what visa type should I get for my husband. My dad is the sponsor so money isn't the problem but I don't know the best visa status he should apply with...

WEIRDPC:
How many months or years programme are you going for?

10 months program.

Please I need help. Did anyone get passport collection notification before medical request? I submitted January 24th via the vfs in Lekki.