₦airaland Forum

Thanks be to God.

pronto543:
You're right bro. Thanks for all the advice and heads up.

For those of you wondering if there's early date, as at 09:39pm today, the First Available Appointment Is Friday July 12, 2019 (for LAGOS CONSULATE).
Best of luck

Hi, let your husband visits you later, or you will guys will be making impression that you're migrating. Apply for your visa alone, except this is the underlying plan?
It is NOT NECESSARY that he follows you. Go for your visa; husband can come for visit later.
Best of luck!

Wanderlust18:
Good afternoon to you all.

I currently have admission from SIT NJ, and plan to apply for the visa alongside my husband (F2). He plans to use this visa only for visiting purposes, as he doesn’t plan to leave his job here.
Can we attend the interview together and should we state this at the interview?

You passed every test thrown at you there! Congratulations!

pronto543:
Here is the transcript of my visa interview at the General Consulate, Lagos yesterday. I was interviewed by a slim beautiful white lady at Window 2.

She had denied the 2 guys before me and spent almost 7 minutes on each one throwing different questions at them. However, the male VO at Windows 3 was quite congenial and seemed to take less time before making his final decision. The lady he interviewed before it got to my turn had a fully funded offer like me to study PhD Environmental Engineering. I heard her saying she had her Msc in Environmental Engr from UI, I was even planning to meet her but didn't even remember to after concluding my interview Her interview lasted about 3 minutes. I was praying for such luck given the way the VO I was to face was serious and kept asking loads of questions with denials.

I can't recollect the exact sequence of the questions nor our whole conversation vetbatim.

Status: Approved!

VO: Good Morning

Me:Good Morning

VO: Pass your passport and I-20.

VO: What course are you going to study in the US?

Me: I'm going for my PhD in Environmental Engineering and Water Resources at University of Kansas.

VO: What will be your duty be as GRA?

Me: I am expected to work 20hours/week on research projects that will lead towards to PhD degree.

VO: What types of research will you be doing?

Me: (My response was not great, probably because I wasn't expecting the question at that point). I will assist in collecting water sample and testing in the lab (she cuts in)

VO: See, as a student I could test water samples in the lab. As a PhD student, what specific research projects will you be involved in? I can see you have a fully funded offer here as GRA (I was a slightly nonplussed at this point by her pointed response and directness)

Me: I actually have a phone discussion later in the week with my supervisor where we would discuss the specific project I will work on. (She cuts in and said something like I still need a more convincing response from you. All the while she was typing fast).

Me: At this point I regained my composure and said maybe I should give you a little background about my research experience. I actually did some research on wastewater treatment during my Master's program where I removed dyestuff from textile effluent using activated carbon. (She cuts in again and asked with some kind of smile what I did with wastewater)

Me: I removed dyestuff from the textile wastewater using activated carbon. (She nodded her head like she was enjoying my gist).

VO: How many schools did you apply to?

Me: I applied to 6 schools altogether. North Carolina State University (She cuts in and asked where), Raleigh (pronounced as 'rally') I replied, (she shook her head in approval). It then occured to me there is there another university named University of North Carolina Charlotte. I continued mentioning the schools: Michigan Tech, University of South Florida. (I almost went blank at this point before mentioning Temple University but she seemed to satisfied with the 3 I had mentioned so far).

VO: How many of them offered you assistantship?

Me: It was only University of Kansas and I was
admitted by 3 and rejected by 3.

VO: Did you write any standardized test?

Me: Yes, I wrote GRE

VO: And what did you score?

Me: 315 (She rolled her eyes and seemed to be impressed by my scores). I scored 160 in Quants and 155 in Verbal.

VO: Are you married?

Me: No

VO: Do you have any kid?

Me: No

VO: Are you planning to get married before leaving?

Me: No I said with a smile on my face.

VO: I'm actually asking so that you could file for her.

VO: What do you plan to do with your degree?

Me: My plan is to return to take up a lecturing job in my alma mata. I have tried to join the department at University of Ibadan after my Masters but I was told I needed to have a PhD preferably from outside the country. So I believe my chances of being absorbed after completing this degree would be bolstered.

As I was about to finish the statement, she stood up from her seat and left for the direction to her left. At this point, I began to pray silently in my mind that the interview would not end with a pink paper. While I was nursing this thought, she just appeared with a white paper containing Education USA info and circled the
pickup location for my visa and passport. Then, she made the golden remark "I will be approving your visa bla bla bla..." Your document should be ready for pick-up in less than a week time.

Me: Thank you and have a great day.

VO: You're welcome and you too. She passed me my I-20 while she was saying this.

Many thanks to everyone that helped in reviewing my transcript before the interview as well as everyone that has kept this thread alive.

My advice to those that would appear in the future for interview is that they should prepare adequately by preparing a transcript that would answer most of the likely questions VO are likely to ask. For PhD students, be ready to answer questions about your research. For Mac applicants, try to answer the question on why you chose your school in a unique way that is tailored to your career goals and past/current work experience.

Also, pray for be interviewed by a VO that's understanding and patient.

You can go back this fall or wait for NYSC, or you could get exemption. Other than this, what is your career objectives? Do you want the NYSC experience, perhaps, so that while you do that you can take time to settle the health challenges? And immediately after that, you could go back for your MS? You are in the best position to decide what is best for you as nobody here is in your shoe. You need to make calculated decision and be pleased with whatever your choices are. In my mind, anything you go for is fine. But consider the fact that your health is very important here.

Aside the fact that you have health reasons for coming back, students like you are very, very rare. I doubt if we have upto 3 out of 10 F1 applicants who return home after studies, even when they have better opportunities back home. I am happy to see you back home. You know why? The embassy will know it is not every F1 applicant that is running. That students still go to US and come back home. If you want to get in touch, you can PM me.

I wish you the best.

Nasoegodebe:
Advice please.

I completed my 4 years Bachelors degree in the US, graduated and did 1 year OPT (did only 9 months), I had to come back early this year before the end date on my EAD due to health reasons.

My school gave me a direct admission to the masters program with partial scholarship . I can choose to start in the fall or spring and even deferr to a later time.

Now is it advisable to apply for the visa for the fall being that I have only spent 4 months in Nigeria or should I do NYSC first before applying to show non-immigrant intent?

Somebody from my school said to do NYSC first which I have registered for. Also, I’m not in a hurry. I’m still recovering.

Depends on the consular you meet. Some would not even take it let alone look at it. It can be used but nobody can say how that will go for your application. Statement of account is ideal.

ysteph:
Good morning people. Please can I use a fixed deposit certificate to go for student Visa interview at the US embassy? Secondly is Northeastern University, Boston a red flag school?

No. But some of them would tell you they are alumni of so and so university if you're going to the same school.

amb001:
Indians have a student visa day TODAY in their different embassies. It's like a visa festival with majority alot of the F1 applicants given visas. There is light refreshment like ice cream and snacks too. The different VOs wear the shirts of the schools where they finished from. Is their anything like that in Nigeria?

Miaanita, I hope you got your visa? Not sure you posted your transcript.

If you are sure, get another MRV receipt and go back. Remember the example of a student I shared earlier. Wish you the best!

Pefuele:
There where huge withdrawals,huge deposits,small withdrawals and small deposit and bank charges.
I didn't really check the period .
No be my account jare.

Let the applicant tell us the opening balance, the balance. We could tell what is wrong if it is actually the statement. But I hope he do his own findings and get things right.

AspiringPHD:
Difference between total credit and total debit over a period of time would NOT always result into the current balance on the account.

Alright.

Pefuele:
The statement current balance is N33,941,657.44
Infact,I used it to request my i-20 in April and the available balance was correct when I checked that time on this.
I will have him speak with the AO to check this.

If this is the case, which I still strongly doubt, then he must have been saved from a ban!

Samuelpluto:
something smells fishy in the statement. softwork lag I presume!!!

You get on the paper what is in the banking system based on available balance. What is the statement current balance?

Pefuele:
I just checked that now.
Could that be an error from the Bank.
Cos I actually collected it From the Account officer .

Goodness! Time2Win. I did not look the figure well o. I actually took the total credit for N406 million. Thank you for this. Am I to believe the total credit is N406,689,020 for the six month period?? If yes, then I was right with my assessment of the cause of his refusal.

Time2win:
What's the deficit on your i20? For this details you posted, you have N4,961,644 as balance and it clearly shows you don't have enough money in the account. Highest scholarship giving by University of new haven is 50% and deficit is 22,405$ unless you were given provost assistanship.

There's a guy here going to Purdue University for MS in Animal Science or something related. He said he got a full funding. Anybody here with information regarding his interview?

This is well-funded enough. If you can get another date, do reapply. I hope it turn out good eventually.

Pefuele:
Total credit:N406,689,020
Total debit:N401,727,376.41
This is for the last six months .
Account has 25pages.
Account was busy with inflow and outflow.

Possibly. I was only assuming, too.

LagosismyHome:
With The high number of applicants daily , there is no way there wont be rejection for no reason self ............So sometimes it not even about SOA or the best transcript or funding . Many little factors even the Mood of the VO or the voices in his/ her head can come into play .

Nobody can fully say what cause a rejection , to be honest when i see all these over analysis i just Smile . .. Reality and NL comments can be black and white . A change in course happens everyday , i doubt if that is a valid reason but offcourse since the VO doesnt actually say the real reason then people just assume it because of X and Y with no evidence to support it

Alright.

Brown2Green:
One thing you did have to know is this process is extremely dynamic. . keeps changing.
Last year and this year ain't same.

I like to keep information shared with my confidential..
But I am very sure that's the reason.

Brown2Green, students have changed program and still get their visas. In my opinion, this may actually not be the case. Sometimes late last year, Grace of Bleep was at the interview for the second time. Everything went very well because she's got one of the best transcript I have seen here. When the VO took her statement for brief assessment, she then ask her: why so much withdrawal recently?" The student then said because her sponsor is currently doing a project. The consular said, why not put in more money is sponsor is doing a project. She returned the statement and refused her. She reapplied with the same statement and the VO who interviewed her did not even bother to ask for the same/or another statement the previous consular used to justify refusal. She got then got the visa.

If the applicant was refused because of the program she changed, I think she wouldn't have gotten to a stage where statement was asked for. It's obvious the VO was being convinced and willing to give until...whatever she/he saw on the SOA.
I don't know what the VO saw, but when an interview got to a level a statement of account was requested for, believe me, the consular was concluding to issue approval. If the VO sees what she/he doesn't like, the conclusion may be negative. However, it still depend on the type of consular.

Brown2Green:
Within what span of time did you change your course?
you switched from Sustainable Energy to Electrical Engineering because of a project.. You really think the VO was nodding in approval?


Normally the deficit wouldn't be an issue is with such SOA.

I feel your main issue is the course switch and the reason you gave.

Another VO might reason differently.

I would like to see your statement of account, if you don't mind. I am suspecting total credit and total debit. This aspect of the SOA account is a major thing the embassy weigh during their brief assessment on the counter and during AP. The total credit for last six month should be high enough to show that the sponsor actually have stable source of income. It is obvious that YOUR HOME WORK (in preparing for the interview) took you through to the last phase of the interview, but the SOA messed up everything. This is the type of interview outcome that breaks my heart. I hope you reapply, because the next consular that will interview you may not really mind what the consular who took you today used in deciding your ineligibility.

Pefuele:
Here is my transcripts at the US embassy today:

VO:Why are you going to this school?
Me:Because of how this course will help me...she cuts in
VO:Where ..
Me: Uninversity of new Haven,West Haven Connecticut
VO:You were at the embassy last year for Sustainable Energy why the change of course?
Me:Last year I worked with the quality department on a project on Solar Energy and I believe Sustainable Energy will help address my challenges then.
However,at the completion of the project I moved to the Managed Print Services department to work on a bigger and long term project .Much of what I am doing now will be addressed by my MS in Electrical and Electronics Engineering..VO shakes head in approval.
VO:So you work at XXXX
Me:yes(They have the company machine exactly where the interviewed is conducted?
VO:Did you write GRE


Me:Yes

VO:whats your score
Me:299
VO:who is paying for this?
Me:Uncle ****
VO:what does your sponsor do
Me:He is into building materials.He is a key supplier of Dangote and Lafarge Cement in the South-West.He also owns several production facilities for moulded blocks.
VO:Can I see his SOA
Me:gave it to VO
VO:checked front page,checked back page,
Count the sheet,check the opening balance and closing balance on front page,check the pages again.
VO:the type for like 2mins and have me blue paper.
Me:I was shocked.

Please help vet this..
Thanks

From me:I thought I should have told her my scholarships when she asked who is paying for this?

SOA is legit and with a balance of N32m
My total cost less is less than N9m after scholarships

You do! Believe you do! That is one of the keys to nice interview--if you are interviewed by a consular that's working to listen and understand applicants intention. Good luck!

dimejalex:
Do student like me that don't have funding from the school stand a better chance at the Vo side

lols. You guys are fabulous. I've been laughing out loud since I came back here.

NewAjala:
I just had to quote you at the mention of "Heineken"..

You got eye for good things.

Chai! My queen! Only me? I certainly don't deserve all these
See as my head dey swell like puff puff wey just fall for hot oil.
You go make person fall in love
Thank you for the compliment. And yes, I miss you too.
I look forward to your approval soon. God bless you dear.

sharwama:
Queens see Kings
Welcome back King fairheart
First of his kind
The last word bender
Hub of wisdom
Pinnacle of respect
Allayer of fears
I just love the fact that no matter what happens, you always find your way back to us. You didn't even wait to resume giving your wise counsel.
Welcome once again and yes, I missed you a lot

lols. You're right.

bracelum:
This is exactly what I was complaining about a few days ago.

Lots of crap but nothing meaningful from the transcript. Admins should do us a favor by deleting these transcripts.

If you don't want to share meaningful details here, keep your transcripts to yourself. We don't give a flying f*ck about it.

This is bad!

Also, transcripts should be straight to the point! All these "I went from Obalende to CMS", "I fasted for 30 days" and "I booked a hotel at Garki" etc are not important. Go straight to the point and give us the real gist so that people can learn from your experience. My point though!

Yes, GA, GTA, GRA, etc increase chances of getting the F1 (at least these days) but it is not and never the only factor the consular looks at in determining your eligibility. You can still get your F1 if you prepare well and able to convince the VO. But continue to contact your school. Look for the webpage where list of open assistantships are posted. Contact the director of your program, or the person heading your department. These are the people who have first hand information on open assistantships position. I wish you the best!

Ogbabe2k2:
hello house pls i just got admitted into UT Arlington without funding. i will like to know if anyone here knows how to go about funding request because i have contacted the academic advisor severally and he hasnt given me a response concerning funding. i just noticed most people who got the U.S visas had funding of different sorts. kindly help with useful information

There are great people on this forum, some of which life has brought to my path for strong friendship and relationships. Yes, I have been away, because as we pursue our dreams and goals, our priorities must shift and change; or else, we might be left behind! However, I am still very much here. I am very grateful for this post. It shows how grateful you and other folks on this thread are. It is not about what myself and others contribute, but chiefly because you guys were and are willing to learn from others experience and ideas.

Those who give something out also take something back in the process. We broaden our experience! That's what I see about Nairaland, particularly, this thread. And that is why I am still here despite disagreements now and then.

And what is more important is that, F1 visas continue to drop! It may even exceed the record we have seen in the past 3 years. Just do your thing and get things right. And congrats to students with recent approvals. Make una study well and top una class!

God bless you ProYouWebsiteUK for this post. I am back here for now to do the little I know to do.

ProYouWebsiteUK:
Fairheart has not been active here for like weeks now, which is unlike him and no one has ever noticed him or asked after him.

You know, sometimes, those guys deserve some kind of encouragements that will make them want to do more of what they have been doing. No one is paying them to help here, but they are doing it freely from the depth of their hearts and they enjoy doing it.

If we get to know how busy these guys are but still find time from their busy time to attend to our issues here, maybe then, we will learn to appreciate them and stop insulting them even when we are not comfortable with their comments and when we find their comments absurd.

Our Fairheart, where have you been. Hope you are good? We miss your contributions here and we'll love to have you back as soon as possible.

I want to use this opportunity to say a big thank you to all of you guys for the good work you have been doing here.

Bracelum, Fairheart, Brown2Green, Lagosismyhome, Time2win, Shawarma, Agreatman, Walspring and others. You guys are wonderful. You deserve more than just a few words. Thank you for taking out of your busy time to make others succeed as well. I pray the Good God will reward you for your good work and stand for you whenever you need help.

You guys are just so wonderful. You deserve the best.

I'd advice you get a translated copy, or ask the bank if English version is available. But it could be used especially if figures are numeric. I rarely see cases where the statement is not in English.

Vhintage:
Please my SOA is in anoda language precisely italy...shud i take it like dat

Do nothing! The document will be released and delivered to you. It happens. But if you want to be sure, call UPS.

gbeje:
Hello,
Pls my I-20 is being held by Government Regulatory Agency in Lagos as indicated on UPS tracker since yesterday. What do I need to do?

Perfect summary . Thank you!

Time2win:
Unless you are willing to lose the visa for the correction you are about to give her. The poster was just calm all the shut up, the V.O felt she did bad and in other to compensate her wrong, she approved him. That's if she truly said shut up as the poster said.

For the sake of visa, best is to swallow the insult as far as you get what you want.

If you assess my comment very well, you'll not see where I dispute any of what guys are bringing up as to what can be said in certain places or not. People get fired for saying things they shouldn't say or that the vision and principles of organizations are against. Nobody dispute that there are consequences for such behavior.
The essence of my comment was not seen or assessed, which is in the second paragraph. I was saying that life is not about what we deserve, and that we could be embarrassed, hurt, experience pain and difficulties "we" believe we don't deserve in the pursuit of our dreams and goals. Are we going to blow up simply because the person who said it and what is said shouldn't be in a corporate circle? Who hasn't experience one or all of these things? We have seen many F1 applicants on this thread who did all their best yet did not get the visa, and we have seen students who were not impressive during the interview got approvals. People who are worth being cared for get abandoned; a woman who's worth being cherished can be abused; things can go wrong even when we don't deserve them. Failure happens! But what is our attitude and reaction to these things? It's not what is said to the guy that matters to me, but his positive reaction.

The applicant negative reaction to "shut up" (supposed he said something awful in return to the VO) could have cost him the F1 visa. Corporate world or not, people say things they shouldn't say, and they will continue to say it. A good example is President Trump! History tells us how different he's. But what is people's reaction to these? He called Joe Biden sleepy and sluggish, retarded, etc. Did Joe react negatively? Our attitude and reactions to what is said to us is what I was hammering on, not whether it's allowed or disapproved in corporate organizations.

sconp:
I think it's banks that majorly do this, there's a difference between being blunt, giving corrections, being harsh and actually insulting a person in a corporate environment. Insults can get you fired in a corporate environment.

Nobody can say, actually. If the exams were waived, state the reason during your interview. Consider that your overall response to the interview questions determine the outcome. So, I'd advice you prepare strong and unique answers. It should go well! I wish you the best!

Tecord1:
Good morning everyone. I applied to a school that don't require GRE and other specialize test in the US. Since i have not written any. Will this have any negative implication during interview at the embassy?

Make sure you have all the basic and required document with you. Sevis Fee confirmation receipt, GTB visa fee receipt, I-20 (signed and dated), appointment confirmation, DS160 confirmation, 2 passport photograph of the same you uploaded online, scholarship letter (if any), test score result printout (in case the consular wish to see, which is rare), sponsor official bank statement. That is all.

Wish you the best!

Alfarrouk:
Good Evening House,

I have visa interview scheduled for Tuesday (28/05/19). What documents are most required for a study visa ?