₦airaland Forum

3 Days.

SAMUELPJ:
Pls how many days those it take to collect approved Visa in a different location. I did my interview in Abuja
But I picked Lagos as pick up location
Pls I need your help

Congratulations! Celebrate Grace

SAMUELPJ:
VISA APPROVED IN ABUJA
12th August 2021
I was denied 15 December 2019
My transcript is very short,

No funding
VO: What do you currently do
ME: I work as an IT support staff in glo
VO: plans after graduation
ME: come back to Nigeria to resume as the new regional manager
VO: who is your sponsor
ME: my uncle
VO: OK I WILL BE APPROVING YOUR VISA BLALBLABLABLABLA BLA

Congratulations. Celebrate Grace!

Hyfeseyi:
VISA APPROVAL TESTIMONY

On the 10th of June 2021 I was denied US visa at the Lagos embassy. I couldn’t say the exact reason why i was denied. This was my first attempt.
I was so frustrated and I left the embassy in pains.
When I got home I paid for another visa fee and started looking for date. I didn’t see date in Lagos so i moved my search to Abuja. I saw October 24th in Abuja, I picked it and applied for Expedited appointment, it was approved within 24 hours and I got a new date for 9th of August, 2021.
On the 8th of August I got to Abuja via Arik Airline and lodged at St. Matthias Hotel.
My interview date (9th of August) came and I went to the embassy. I was interviewed by a slim white lady with blonde hair.
See my transcript below :

V.O : you are going to **** for masters in computer science
Me : yes please with focus on Information security.
V.O : what do you do currently?
Me : I explained
V.O : what will you do after the degree?
Me : I explained
V.O : who’s your sponsor ?
Me : My Maternal uncle. He works as a Business project manager in New Jersey
(V.o cuts in )
V.O : but during your last interview you said Cousin
Me : (I was already shaking) I can’t remember maybe that was a misrepresentation but my sponsor is my mummy’s brother that’s my maternal uncle
V.O : typing….. she looked at me and said he lives and works in New Jersey
Me: Yes
AND THE VO GAVE ME WHITE PAPER…….
I bursted into joy ……God showed up for me. To say I was denied 2 months earlier. I’m grateful I didn’t give up.
This is to encourage everyone here to keep pushing and I want to advise that not everything you read online is correct information, if I asked people they will say don’t reapply immediately after first denial, some will say if you have family abroad don’t fill it on your Ds160. My elder sister is a US CITIZEN and I filled in her details and my sponsor lives in New Jersey.
Don’t listen to people, fill your ds160 truthfully.
God will always show up, he makes all things beautiful in his own time.
See you in America ��. To God Alone be all the glory �.

Wow! What an Inspiring and a dramatic write up. Congratulations Man! Being persistent is key! God crowned your efforts with favour and Grace .

SMREXY:
This is going to be a somewhat long...

Fams, in whatever you find yourself doing, always put GOD first. Without him, your hardwork and great profile could be regarded as nothing in few seconds. Indeed, GOD is nothing but Great and Awesome... Alhamdulillahi Robbil Alamin.

Also, NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR PURSUIT FOR SUCCESS!

My first visa interview was at LAGOS and was scheduled for November 27, 2019. I had a fully funded PhD in Civil Engineering (Water Resources Option) at University of Kentucky, Lexington.

So, this was how the interview went...

Me: Good morning ma'am
VO: Good morning, pass me your passport
Me: Should I include my I-20?
VO: Pls do
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going to the United States of America to have my PhD. degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky in Lexington
VO: Why University of Kentucky?
Me: I got to realize, during my online search, that the University of Kentucky meets my expectations with respect to my research specialization. I realized that Dr.__ specializes in fate and transport of environmental contaminants (had the mind to express myself further but wouldn't know what killed my morale at this point, just got blank)
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I was able to complete my application to only University of Kentucky. I would have also applied to University of Colorado but my GRE score was not up to the required score of the school
VO: What's your GRE score?
Me: 300 (I proceeded to give the breakdown)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at....
VO: What will this PhD do for you?
Me: Apart from my research, the PhD will give me the opportunity to gain promotion to the position of full Lecturer as the position I currently hold is a training position that requires further training (meanwhile, I had prepared to say something different entirely but someone gave the advice and I thought it weighed more than what I planned initially, so my subconscious took it instead)
VO: Why are you changing career
Me: No, I would not be changing career. My first and second degrees were in Water Resources Management and I intend to specialize in Water Resources Engineering during this program. Moreover, I intend to focus on water treatment, which is better handled in Civil Engineering.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at Federal University of...
VO: What do you teach? (I couldn't hear what she was saying until the third time)
Me: I teach water related courses (I had to say this twice and later realized I should have been explicit enough)
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, I have never had the need to
VO: Are you married?
Me: No, I'm not
VO: Started typing...
Me: In my mind, I felt it was going to be positive as she continued to type. Then a smile appeared on my face as she opened her mouth to say the unexpected.
VO: I'm sorry I won't be able to approve your visa this time. Then she passed my passport and I-20 with a yellow paper to me.
Me: I collected them with a smile and told her thank you.


My second visa interview at ABUJA was scheduled for January 12, 2020.

Me: Good morning, Sir! How are you doing?
VO: Good morning, how are you doing?
Me: I'm doing fine, thank you.
VO: Pass me your passport and I-20
Me: Here they are.
VO: Are you employed?
Me: Yes, I work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of...
VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I'm going to the US to have my Doctorate degree in Civil Engineering with specialization in Water Resources Engineering at the University of Kentucky.
VO: Why this school?
Me: Apart from the full time research assistantship I was offered, which covers my tuition fee with a generous stipend that covers my living expenses, the school meets my expectations with respect to research specialization. My guidance, Dr... who specializes in the fate and transport of environmental contaminants and their treatments also specializes in Water Disinfection, which is a problem I intend to tackle when I am back to Nigeria after my programme in the US.
VO: What do you do?
Me: I work as an Assistant Lecturer at the Federal University of... where I teach water related courses such as Water Quality Assessment and Pollution Control, Principles of Irrigation, Hydraulic structures and Elements of Hydrology. I am also a researcher by default (I had a letter from my Registrar but I didn't remember to mention it).
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: I completed my application to University of Kentucky. Though I also have a pending application at Steven's Institute of Technology
VO: Are you married?
Me: No
VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, I never had the need to.
VO: Sorry, bla bla bla
Me: May I please know why I was denied?
VO: It's written on the paper
Me: Thank you


The third one was at LAGOS on June 1, 2021 for a different programme and school.

VO: Good morning, how are you doing?
Me: Good morning, I'm doing fine. How are you doing too?
VO: Good, thank you. Pass me your passport and I-20.
Me: I did as instructed
VO: (Typed and glanced through his system and my I-20 for a while) I can see that you are going to Kent State University for a PhD in Geology.
Me: Yes please.
VO: How did you learn about the school?
Me: I used Google search and USnews.com to search and narrow down the schools that offer my course of interest.
VO: Why the school?
Me: Thank you for this question. Firstly, I will like to let you know that Kent State University offered me a full-time Graduate Teaching Assistantship position that fully covers my tuition fee and living expenses including 70% of my health insurance as you can see on my I-20. Also, I was able to establish a research correspondence with Dr... who was excited to receive my mail after mailing him to inform him about joining his research team towards conducting a research on the modeling of hyporheic zone which is the interface between surface water and groundwater systems and allows for the exchange of both organic and inorganic pollutants. Also, I should let you know that the school initiated a platform known as flashfriends that allows for the interactions between current and prospective graduate students to enable the sharing of information about the school and all, which was very helpful during my application process.
VO: I can see that you've been refused twice, 2019 and 2020.
Me: Yes, that's true for the same program in Spring 2020
VO: Which school was that? (I didn't hear well so I asked to be sure)
Me: That's University of Kentucky
VO: You applied for Water Resources Engineering then, why Geology now?
Me: Thank you for this beautiful question. I should let you know that my major, which is Water Resources Management, is an interdisciplinary course that cuts across geology, hydrology, civil engineering and environmental science including climate science. So I am going for the Geology aspect which will allow me conduct a research on the modeling of the interaction between surface water and groundwater systems which is similar to the research I intended to conduct with my PhD at University of Kentucky. (All this while he kept typing and wouldn't say anything). So I chipped in this... Also, I was unable to sustain my funding at University of Kentucky due to COVID.
VO: How did you get this great funding?
Me: Thank you. I believe the admission committee must have been greatly impressed with my academic excellence and research capability. I completed my first degree with a First class and my second degree which is a Master's degree with distinction grade. Also, I'm quite sure my recommenders must have submitted excellent recommendation letters on my behalf because they know me quite well having worked with them while they were HOD of my department where I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer. So they know about my capabilities quite well.
VO: Are you married?
Me: No, I'm single
VO: Do you have kids?
Me: No, I don't
VO: Typed for a while that I was already hoping I got the Visa this time... Then blah blah blah
Me: Felt bad, said thank you, then left.

The interview lasted longer than this as he was just typing, typing and typing. I noticed his countenance at some point while he was reading through something on his system so I have a feeling that the issue is from my profile which I wouldn't know what it is. The denial was quite shocking because I was not expecting it throughout the period our conversation lasted.


Now the fourth and the FINAL...

I wouldn't know how, but God perfected everything. The next 2 days after my last denial was my birthday. I checked my visa portal to see what's up and luckily, I saw first available date "June 28, 2021". I thought I was dreaming because the date appeared too close for a recent denial (that's a freaking 27 days after last interview). With faith, I rushed to pay another MRV fee and I was fortunate to still have the date intact at LAGOS Embassy.

What if I tell you that I do not really have a transcript to share for my fourth interview. I mean my experience was nothing but God's mercy. At the utterance of my first response, I was already about to give up because I realized I was in no way at my peak. However, God was merciful enough to change the story for me.

So, I was scheduled for 11:30 am but I left my hotel around 8 am. To locate me became an issue for my bolt driver so I spent several minutes trying to get him to find me. That didn't get me worried though because I felt I still had enough time since it's just a 25 minutes drive to the embassy. Eventually, I was able to capture him after he had passed me again. Thank God I saw his car colour and plate number on the app. I eventually got to the embassy arena and had my bag and phone kept with one of those business oriented fellows... If government no provide job at least some people thought it well to earn through a legit means other than scam and related ways. Meanwhile, they were not even considering the scheduled time of interview so I was just passed in for document verification. It's like not much people were fixed for today because the population was not so much as my first but more than my third.

After the whole waiting, I was eventually led with four other people into the interview hall. It was then I realized that people plenty small o... But still not as much as my first.

When it got to data capturing, the lady asked me when I took my passport photograph and if I had used it for a previous interview. Since the latter response was a yes, that's how she gave me a note to go and snap another one outside o. Thank God they already have a guy on standby in the waiting arena who was charging just #1,000. I went back in after I got the new passport and I completed the process. Then comes another long wait for finger print capture. That's how oyinbo's computer no wan capture my fingerprints o. I was like abi my international passport is fake ni abi dem don ban my passport ni... don't mind me, it's not a good thing to have visited the embassy several times without approval. He had to restart his system and apologized for the delay, then I felt a lil relief that the problem ain't from my end. At last the system came on and fingerprints were captured successfully.

Finally joined the last que for interview proper, then I started viewing different VO-Applicant interactions proper. In this life, until GOD says it is your time, my brother and sister just continue to have patience o because this visa approval/denial of a thing could make a denied best student feel like losing all hope. Some guys with strong case and everything intact, the next thing sorry blah blah blah�. While some with shaky voice and less effort will just get it ...boom... visa has been approved! There was the case of a guy who had previously went to US twice for tourism and spent 6 good months without any good reason to bail himself out. Mehn the VO tackled the guy till the end o even as he was trying to tender other high grade certificates to cover up his flaws. At last he was rejected and everyone kinda laughed because it was turning to a drama between them.

Meanwhile, there were 4 VOs (one was like a part-time because she wasn't really stable at the window but she eventually became my super hero).

I was checking out the scenarios at each of the windows but didn't let what was happening affect my morale because a lot of drama was happening for whoever is ready to laugh and some set of people were actually deriving joy from it. All the while, I just kept praying to God for mercy because after my 3rd interview, I knew what was left for me in this sojourn is nothing but Allah's mercy. I wasn't having any VO in particular in mind but was praying that I get interviewed by the VO that will be willing to allow God use him/her for my case. Thankfully, I got God's mercy in a miraculous way and my prayers were fully answered.

When it was almost my turn, there's a guy in my front that was about stepping to window 2 (or so) where the part-time VO is but was beckoned on to move to one of the active VO window where dramas were happening. This left me open for the window 2. I got there and the following happened...

Me: Good morning ma'am (with a smile)
VO: Good morning
Me: How are you doing ma'am?
VO: I am doing fine (with a smile)... Maybe she likes my attire because I wore native
VO: Pass me your documents.
Me: *(After getting rejected 3 times without me being asked if I have any document from my employer, a friend advised that I include it with my I-20 and fake ignorance. After all you've been denied before so it's no new thing, the most the VO will do is to return it)* So, I folded the letter of introduction I got from my Registrar (stating that I'm a bonafide staff of the Institution with my job role, including that I am expected back at my job after the programme) and placed it in front of my I-20 in-between my international passport, then passed it to her.

VO: (Luckily for me that was the first thing she saw) She removed the letter and glaced through it so swiftly as if she didn't read anything and returned it back to me that she doesn't need it. In my mind I was like... *chai mama don vex o* �
Me: Collected it and felt as if nothing has really happened.

VO: Why did you choose this school?
(Me that I already have a good proposed response for such question just realized that nothing was in my head again o, but at least went ahead to say the rubbish English that my mouth could speak at that time)
Me: I chose the school because among the schools that I applied to Kent State University had my focus with respect to course interest and research focus. I currently work as an Assistant Lecturer (VO cuts in...)

VO: that's okay, you work as an Assistant Lecturer? Where?
Me: At the Federal University of... in...

VO: Okay! What will this degree do for you?
Me: As an Assistant Lecturer, it is expected that I ensure (VO cuta in again)

VO: Where did you say you work again?
Me: Federal University of... in...

VO: Checked something on her system, then was like University of what did you say?
Me: Federal University of... in... In fact I have a letter from my Registrar incase you wish to see.

VO: No, I don't need that. Who is paying for your education?
Me: The school offered me a Graduate Teaching Assistantship position that comes with tuition fee waiver and a generous stipend which I am grateful for that covers my living expenses and 70% of my health insurance leaving me with a deficit of $1,835.

VO: So who is paying for the balance?
Me: I will be covering that with my personal savings.

VO: Checked my I-20 and was like 'Okay'

I was just staring at her. That's how she carried my passport and dropped it inside a box and removed a white paper o. Then she faced her system and started reading through what's there. Then everything started looking like a film trick. She wasn't really happy with what she's seeing there. So she took out my passport from the box and also picked my I-20. At this point, I became really scared and started saying all prayers that my mouth could say. Thank God there's nose mask to shield my mouth's movement. All I was asking for was God's mercy as much as I could. She eventually stepped out to speak with someone I was not seeing, but it was obvious she was soliciting for a consideration on my behalf (only God knew what these people don write for my case o). She came back, started doing something on the system and it seems like copy and paste or deleting something sha. Meanwhile, she's yet to return my passport into the box but at the same time still have the white paper placed beneath my I-20.

VO: What position will you attain with your PhD?
Me: Lecturer II

VO: Okay!
She resumed to her typing and after a while, the golden words came out of her mouth... "I am approving your VISA"

That's how my system just scattered that I was trying to listen to what she was saying but my ears no gree hear o. All I wanted at that moment was to allow her stop talking so I could thank her for the consideration.

Eventually she finished talking and I thanked her and pray that God continue to bless her abundantly. It was obvious from her facial expression that she's happy about the decision and how I felt afterwards.


Special appreciation to my one and only chiefest chief, PEPEronically macaroni who saw my first interview transcript on Nairaland, reached out to me and gave me some encouragements that denial is nothing, that I will eventually get it if I remain steadfast. Thank you very much great Scholar, brother, leader and all-in-1 personality. May God continue to be your fortifier.

God didn't stop at that, He always had people sent to me at every point of my bad times. In no order of arrangement, these Scholars have been of great and immense support to my morale in all ramifications: Afeez, Ariwoola Mattew, Demmy, Yusuf, Debik, Zaynab, Mayowa, Chinonso, Gifty, Enyo (Nairaland), Eyo, Kemi (Nairaland), Kush, the whole ACER family and FCLN family. You guys are the best!

Alhamdulillahi Robbil Alamin... God will not start what He cannot complete. So, remain steadfast in your pursuit for excellence!

Congratulations!! Celebrate Grace!

Queenneomakanu:
Thank you all for your kind wishes!

TRANSCRIPT:

VISA APPROVED AT ABUJA EMABASSY FOR A FAMILY OF SIX (F1 RENEWAL, F2 APPLICATION)

I am a 3rd year PhD student so I came for renewal and F2 application for my husband and four kids.
VO: Ah....hello there (to the kids)
My Kids: Hellooooooo
VO: So who is the primary applicant?
Me: I am...my husband and kids will be joining me.
VO: OH wow! Good..Good (he was typing for a long time)...please hold on, we have six applications here! (He is smiling).
Me: No wahala Boss...�
VO: I see you are teaching two classes?
Me: Yes
VO: For how long now?
Me: Two years
VO: (nodding) Good...good...
Me: Yes....
VO: How are you funding your trip?
Me: I have an assistantship that covers my family. And also my daughter's godfather is supporting us financially too.
VO: OK...your application looks good.
Me: Thank you
VO: (only question to my husband) Sir, what do you do?
Husband: I am into xyz
VO: Good, good...okay I WILL BE APPROVING ALL YOUR VISAS...good luck.

He started with covid regulations, make sure you check the country before you book your tickets so you don't get stuck. I nodded and jumped up like three times and then packed our documents.

That was it! That was it!

iReplied.

Malone122:
hello how’s it going w you
Please do you mind checking your mail I have a personal question to ask

Replied.

Malone122:
hello how’s it going w you
Please do you mind checking your mail I have a personal question to ask

I briefly demonstrated my ties and politely requested for a fair hearing then sealed it with a prayer after submitting my DS-160 form

Hyfeseyi:
Please how did you answer this question on ds -160 if you have been debied under section 214b before?

Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa, or been refused admission to the United States, or withdrawn your application for admission at the port of entry?

Congratulations.

chuksmanred:
Visa approved today in Abuja. Transcript coming in days. Lemme organize myself first.

Congratulations.

librangyps:
Visa approved Abuja.
Canada study visa denied July 2020 (Apploed alone)
US study visa denied in Lagos November 2020 ( Applied alone)
US Visa approved in Abuja August 2021(Applied with two kids)

God's time is the best!

Transcript loading

Check your email.

Tosinmichael11:
Didn't see the option of a DM ...

No idea. Just be clean!

Rriol:
Thank you.
Apart from post and comments, do they check messages?

Yes. I did mention that in my last interview I wasn't given the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate my ties (facts) and politely requested for a fair hearing.

lexiwonder:
Please in the DS 160 form where asked that have you be denied Visa before or denied admission at the point of entry and so on. When you choose yes. Did you specify in the remark the type of the visa denied or write any other comment or you just choose yes without putting any remarks.

I included my FB and IG accounts initially, didn't change it. But pls note you must be sure to have got a clean record, no implicating stuffs, videos or pictures if you must include it .


Did you change anything or add social media accounts?[/quote]

Send a Dm.

Tosinmichael11:
Please how did you get to reapply and you had a swift date??

Thank you. Yes I did.

lexiwonder:
Congratulations. Please after the ist attempt, did you fill another DS 160 form?

Thank you.

walepepe21:
Hearty Congratulations

Thank you. Sure! F1 applicants were attended to.

jojoey:
Congratulations!! I got news that F-1 applicants were not attended to, did you see anything like that? Because it’s obvious there were F-1interviews yesterday.

Ehizy007:
Congratulations! Mine was also approved today. Transcript coming after settling. To God be the Glory

Firstly, I ascribe all the glory to God for His mercies and grace ��. If you believe in God keep believing, trusting and having faith do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Never underestimate the power of prayer and Grace!
I'd also like to say a big thank you to this platform for the wealth of information/knowledge herein and also transcripts shared, which I richly benefited from.

1st Attempt:
Appointment - 7th June 2021
Consulate - Lagos
Window - 5
Status - Denied.
It was a day of dishing out blue paper, for every 10-20 people interviewed, only 2 or 3 were approved while I was still there (not exagerating, you can ask those that had their interview on that day). I was interviewed by a dark elderly woman (black American in her 50's). On this day I was just gradually recovering from Malaria, so my voice wasn't as audible as it should.

V.O: Good morning, pass me your i20 and passport.
ME: I did.
V.O: Why are you going to the States?
ME: I'm going for my masters in Architecture with concentration in Sustainable Architecture (types...).
V.O: Who is sponsoring? (Glancing at my i20 and then staring at me).
ME: My mom (said where she works)...I also have some personal savings which will cater for my living expenses (types...).
V.O: Do you have proof to show that?
ME: I passed my sponsorship letter (glances through).
V.O: switches off mic and says I should give her
some time, she went inside with my documents...after 2mins she comes back, types for a while and then reached for the blue paper, returns my documents and passport and says I can try again (putting on a pity face). I was in shock as I didn't see that coming and didn't know what she went inside to confirm.

2nd Attempt:
Appointment - 29th July 2021
Time - 7:30am
Consulate - Abuja
Window - 7
COA - $32k
Funding - Nill
Status - Approved (8:30am).
My interview lasted for about 3mins. Interviewed by a beautiful white lady in her 30's. The two guys before me on the row were denied. Immediately I saw that and I was next to be interviewed, I resumed my words of affirmation, declaring that "my case is different, I shall not return with my passport" ( I was the first to be approved In my qeue).

V.O: Good morning
ME: Good morning.
V.O: Place your fingers for your biometrics
ME: I did.
V.O: I can see you're going to BG for your Masters in Architecture (starts typing...).
ME: Yes, that's correct...then quickly added with a concentration in Sustainable Architecture (nods head and continues typing...).
V.O: Will you be focusing on Green Architecture?
ME: Yes, exactly (keeps typing...).
V.O: What will this degree do for you?
ME: I intend to come back to Nigeria and hope to utilise this specialised knowledge and skill acquired in creating a niche for myself as an Architect, and my company where I currently work, here in Nigeria as I would be one of the pioneers to bring this back home (nods head and continues typing...).
V.O: What do you currently do?
ME: I'm an Architect in one of the leading real estate/ construction company in Banana Island, Lagos (nods head and continues typing...).
V.O: Who is sponsoring this?
ME: My mom (said where she works)...I also have some personal savings which will cater for my living expenses (nods head and continues typing...).
V.O: What did you go for on your last visit?
ME: Vacation.
V.O: Congratulations I will be approving your visa.
ME: Thank you.

Then she went ahead to talk of the strict Covid-19 protocol and all but I actually didn't hear anything just kept my gaze on her and was smiling behind the mask as I remembered what peeps here always say about "not hearing anything" (facts).

Advice/word of encouragement:
DO NOT Giveup on your dreams. Stay focused! A delay/denial isn't the end of Life, Try Again! (Na who giveup carry last). Above all, Trust God! Pray, fast if you can. DO NOT tell Lies. Speak with Confidence, maintain eye contact at all time. God that did it for me will do same for you �� (What God Cannot Do Doesn't Exists) GO GET YOUR VISA's! #Believe.

Congratulations! Mine was also approved today. Transcript coming after settling. To God be the Glory

HisExcellency21:
I prayed that God should give me 'a twinkle of an eye' interview and JESUS did it. All praise and honor to God. I wish to also thank my friend & Boss, the Big Francis for paying my sevis fee from his pocket. My interview didn't even last up to 1 minute.
Note: NO FUNDING
COA: $42000
Me: good morning
Vo: good morning,
Vo: fine thank you
Vo: pass me your passport and I-20
Me: passes it over to her
Vo: I can see you're going to the University of Maryland College Park
Me: yes ma'am
Vo: What would you do after this master's degree?
Me: I will return back to Nigeria to seek reabsorption into my present place of work XXXX as a Senior Mechanical Engineer or take up a lecturing job at my Alma Mata, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka as a senior lecturer.
Vo: who is your sponsor?
Me: my uncle and his wife Dr. XXXXX
Vo: what does your uncle do for a living?
Me: my uncle is the Director, XXXX in Texas, while his wife is a Medical Resident at XXXXX .
Vo: I will be approving your visa...be mindful their are restrictions in London and Bleep. My mind was not there to hear all that as Joy overwhelmed my heart.

Congratulations! Kindly share your Transcript.

Chariotsalive:
Greetings to y’all.
Been trying to figure out how to post here!
Well straight to the point, got my visa approved.
Going for Masters with no scholarship or GA/TA position.
Applied for myself, husband and two kids!
Boom like a miracle the lady in Abuja approved our visas without much questions.
Here’s to encourage someone not to give up ��

[quote author=Hallelujahvoice post=103752801][/quote]Oh! You didn't give a detailed transcript. Congratulations all the same.

Wow! So you mean you only answered "Yes, that's right ". This is actually less than 60seconds. Grace indeed! Congratulations!

APPROVED!
F1 (Fall 2021)
Abuja
July 2021
COA: 32K
First attempt
No GA or TA
Lasted not more than 2 minutes

Interview proper:
After exchanging pleasantries and biometric verification:
VO: I see you're going to Ohio University.
Me: Yes, that's right.
VO:Why Ohio University?
VO: What is your concentration?
VO: Who will be sponsoring your education?
VO: I will be approving your Visa (while handing me the white paper). And she talked about the covid protocol and all.

It felt like a dream. Had to shake myself to confirm this was real.

Favour!!! Congratulations.

Timgreat31:
Visa approved
Date: Tuesday 6th July
Location: Lagos
1st Attempt
Full Funding
Program: Msc Sociology

I give glory to the Almighty God for the grace and favour I received.
The questions were few. I believe it God's grace. And I really appreciate everyone who has dropped transcripts as well as one info or the the other that guided my preparation.
Thank you all
My appointment was for 11:15am. But I got to the embassy by 8am. Many things happened but no time to explain all that now.

My transcript below


VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning ma'am
VO: Where are you going
Me: I'm going to Mississippi State University. (She started typing for about 30seconds or more)
VO: What are going to do?
Me: I'm going for my masters degree in Sociology.
VO: What was your undergraduate course?
Me: Sociology and Anthropology at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife.
VO: What's your intent?
Me: (I became fussy a bit, so I answered poorly) My intent, I want to study sociology at the masters level because I believe it will make a me better sociologist. (I knew that wasn't even to my taste). Then she cut in.
VO: Wait, where do you work?
Me: I work as a data analyst at xyz. (I thought I'd lost it that point, but I still kept my eye contact firm with much less tensed facial expression)
VO: What's your intent? She repeated
Me: My intent is to go for my PhD in sociology after this course so that I can pick up teaching appointment at my alma mater.
VO: What was your undergraduate degree? She asked again
Me: Sociology and Anthropology at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife.
VO: Ok, congratulations, I will be issuing your visa. She reached for the white paper, circled the pick up location and passed my documents to me. Your issued visa will be ready in five business days... I didn't hear the remaining part again jare.

I packed my things and left. Meanwhile she mistakenly dropped my passport together with documents, but excitement didn't let it occur to me that I should call her attention to that. I sha packed everything and left. It was the security man I greeted well on my way out that called my attention to the error. He guided me back inside and another guard led me back to the window where I was attended to. Then I explained to the VO that she mistakenly returned my passport, I had to show her my white paper for her to believe. She oh thank you, took my passport and dropped into the trail.

The joy that flooded my heart was like the deep water that surrounds the embassy.

I wish you all well I'm your interviews.

Congratulations.

Themaths:
VISA APPROVED.
Abuja 02/07/2021.
COA = $27k
Graduate Assistantship = $24k5
Deficit = $2k5

Transcript as promised.

My interview was slated for 9:30PM. I came at the exact time, the security men were asking me why I was late, I told them I came at my exact time.

Completed my check-ins, realized I'm the second to last on the queue, no matter.

Me: Good morning

VO (Huge white lady): Good morning, place your fingers there for me.

Me: Alright.

VO: Pass me your i-20, passport and DS-160.

Me: Here they are. Please, I stutter, if you would be so kind to me patient with me.

VO: Of course (she had time, I was the last person she was to attend to) So, I see you are going to the University of Arkansas for your masters.

Me: Yes, masters in Mechanical Engineering.

VO: Alright, what did you study in your undergrad?

Me: Same Mechanical Engineering, here in Nigeria.

VO: Alright. What will this program for your you?

Me: This degree from the US will place me in a very competitive position in the Engineering Design industry....

VO: cuts in...will you be going back to your previous job?

Me: Yes.

VO: Did you have a talk with them you will be returning to the company after your studies?

Me: Yes, my supervisor especially was in full support, he even paid for my Visa fee to show his support.

VO: Alright. Will you be returning to the same position?

Me: Of course not, a more challenging and managerial position.

VO: Pointing at my i-20, who is *****?....

Me: He is my older brother.

VO: Where does he live?

Me: ******, here in Nigeria.

VO: Starts typing furiously.... alright, I will be granting you this visa, you will get your passport after.. blah blah... COVID-19 blah blah.... She was just speaking so fast, I couldn't even comprehend anymore.

Me: Thank you.

Know what you filled in your DS-160, look them straight in the eye, even though you stutter or cannot speak fluently. God that did mine will do yours for you. Thank you once again.

Congratulations.

Fikayoid:
VISA APPROVED
TIME: 8.30 2nd July, 2021. Abuja

COA = $35k
Funding = $13k
Deficit= 22k

Arrived early, just to get myself acquainted with the environment. Did all the documentation and stuffs. And it was time for the interview.

I was so reluctant to when the VO called for next, and I was asked to go there, (she denied the last 2 applicants)...I almost went for the other window that jus got opened...Anyways sha I proceeded. Did my Biometrics and stuffs. The interview was as follows

Me: Good morning ma'am
VO: Good morning, pass me your documents.
I passed her everything....i20, sevis, passport etc.

VO: oooh, you're going for a Master's in this Construction Engineering and Management, that's nice.

Me: yes, that's correct.

*she stares at the I20, starts typing....

VO: what will you do after you complete the program

Me: where I work at the moment, **** Construction. The Research and Development department has just been opened, I interviewed for a position in the department and I was recommended, all that is left is to get the minimum requirements of an msc. The position triples my current pay. In the long term, I plan to start my own construction firm, where I will focus majorly on "Digital Construction".

She stopped typing and started at me, saying,

VO; What is Digital Construction?.

In my mind I was like, yes, I don get am

Me: Digital Construction is an application of the emerging trends in technology to Construction. Emerging trends includes Internet of Things, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, etc. Its very rare in Africa and I want to be one of its pioneers over here.

She continues typing for a while....

VO; who is your sponsor

Me; mentions the name

VO; yes, so??

Me; He is my uncle

She looked like She wanted more information and I picked it, so I continued talking

Me; He has been an ever present figure in my life, he actually sponsored my first degree. In my 3rd year as an undergraduate, he told me, "if you can graduate with a first class, I will sponsor your international masters", and here we are.

VO; when did you complete your Bachelors Degree

Me: 2016 ma

VO: how long have you worked at **** construction. (Almost like she wanted to confirm the information on the DS160)

Me; this is my fourth year, I have been there since the beginning of year 2018

Vo; nods her head and continues typing for a while, then she asked what does your sponsor do

Me; He is into large scale mechanised cocoa farming. He exports cocoa from Nigeria to Cameroon and Benin republic.

She nods her head and picked up the white paper....all the things wey she talk after, na she know o....lol.


Thanks to everyone on the platform, I learnt a lot, in all honesty. Although I haven't been long on this portal, but I took time to read a lot from the previous pages and I really learnt. God bless you all.

My advice; If you can get a relevant working experience to your intended study plan, it's a big plus.

See you all at the top.

Please can someone who was recently denied pick a regular appointment?

Oyeyemidesign:
Guys if you request for Emergency in Lagos and no response, try and use the ‘Provide Feedback’ option on the cgi portal and select Interview Appointment as reason and add comment + you can attach your i-20 document. You can try this if it works

Please can someone who was recently denied pick a regular appointment?

afeezzezo:
Go to the DS160 access site. Fill in your details (location and Confirmation number) Simply select “Retrieve An Application”, then “create a new application”.

You’d be able to access the old DS160. Just that this time, you’d get a new *Confirmation Number*. Make the necessary adjustments and submit when you’re sure you’re done. Then proceed to the CGIfederal website, login and navigate to

“Update Profile”

Erase your old confirmation number and replace it with the new one

Please can someone who was recently denied pick a regular appointment?

Abbiemills:
Have you been able to pick a date for your interview?

If yes, is the date you were able to book is anything after September 2nd which is your resumption date?
If yes, then request for emergency

Okay.

jerry8243:
Abuja

Congratulations. Was this done in Lag or Abj?

jerry8243:
Had my Visa interview on Thursday, 24th June and it was approved, Coa - $48000, no funding.
Here's my transcript.
VO: I see that you're going to bleep to study bleep
Me: yes
VO: What is your current highest level of education
Me: I have a Bsc in bleep from bleep.
VO: what year did you graduate
Me:2015
VO: I see that you work at bleep, so what will this course do for you
Me: it will fast track my promotion to a senior managerial role in the company I'm currently at.
VO: do you have an agreement with the company to come back
Me: Yes, and my immediate manager was the one who suggested the school
VO: who is sponsoring you
Me: my aunty, she is into importation of textile materials and she has been sponsoring my education since I lost my father
VO: I will be approving your visa.
She didn't even check my sponsor's bank statement.
It can only be God!
He never fails, pray and believe!

NO

Crane1:
Hello house, is medical exam important before going for the VISA interview, interviewing on Monday and the medical exam not yet done.

I need your response please