₦airaland Forum

Ghost1759:
Happy weekend everyone please I need help with my SEVIS fee payment is there anyone that can help with the payment or any method for easy payment my interview appointment is in 10 days thanks in advance

Contact @Walspring

Flakkie1130:
yes, at the virology centre

Pls, do you know how much it costs and how long it takes to get the result?

Jolek15:
Pls does one need to pay SEVIS fee and MRV fee before one can book an appointment or you can book appointment after paying Visa Application fee?

MRV fee is the same as visa application fee and once you pay that, you can book.
SEVIS fee can be paid later but must be paid at least 72 hours before your interview.

Oluwatosin2000:
Wawu, thanks! But how can I find her please? Any idea? There are almost 800k pages on this thread ���

Use the search button. Search for creative writing, filter to travel section

Adekemimi:
Visa interview at the Lagos consulate
Time: Dec 21, 07:30am
University of Alabama, Graduate Teaching Assistantship full funding.
Deficit: 1500 dollars.

It's a very long transcript. I was squeezed like cloth.

GiftIyi:
Status Approved
Lagos Embassy
Nov 24th
Graduated from University of Ibadan (2019)
CGPA- 6.4/7.0
Course- German Language
Admitted to- University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Course- German Studies

I waited this long to share my transcript because my best friend and I got admitted to the same university (graduate teaching assistant with monthly stipend, tuition waiver), but her interview was scheduled for today after the embassy rescheduled her appointment twice and I can’t share a testimony while my partner’s’ is pending.

Wow. For some reason, I got emotional reading these transcripts.
Congratulations to both of you. I celebrate your friendship.

pompeiimagnus:
I think GTB dorm account is fine. It comes with a USD Mastercard which you can use to withdraw or make payments anywhere in the US. You would have to fund the account with USD before leaving Naija. Having a dorm account isn't really necessary, unless you prefer to go cashless like I do. Some people dey like carry money for wallet, so it depends on if you are comfortable with holding lots of USD in your luggage/carry-on when flying to the US. Of course you would need to open a checking account when you get here. So nothing to worry about.

Thanks

Hi guys
Please is it still necessary to open a domiciliary account before travelling?
If yes, which bank would you recommend?

Inzaghi04:
I am guessing this means the passport is ready for pick up?
I just received this email now
Hope my guess is right?

Yes, congratulations again

omofolajomi:
Good day Guru's in the house,

I need your help, i am trying to complete my Ds160 form and i need clarity on the educational level information,
qeustion 1 : am i suppose to fill in my secondary school information or just the university i attended here in nigeria

You should include your secondary education as well. The second help box explains how to fill the secondary education.

Lete:
So how should one print their DS-160 ? Everybody keeps saying those hustlers hustling for money keeps telling them they need to reprint their DS-160 why isn’t anyone saying the right printout they finally got so we know and go with the right printout.

I doubt there's any "how" to it? Follow the prompt on the screen that says "print confirmation" and print it like any regular document, you can print it coloured because of the passport photo but I don't think it matters. I know someone who went with black and white and it wasn't an issue.

zeeLady:
The most important thing is for her to make sure that her name matches the name of her son, whichever name she chooses.

Thanks ma'am.

LagosismyHome:
Best to be consistent.... her ID should Match the birth certificate that she intends to use. What name that would be is her personal choice to decide

Thanks for your response ma'am

Hi everyone.

A friend of mine asked some questions which I'm not able to answer. She's not on NL but approved of me posting it here. Please, I need advice from experienced people here.

I will be sharing her story and her questions below. I'll be using imaginary names, so we can follow.

She (maiden name: Ada Okeke) recently lost her husband (Obi Eze) of 3yrs and they had a son (Junior Eze) together before his death.
She is a first class graduate, currently on her Master's program here in Nigeria and is considering PhD in the US (Fall 2021).

She has not done her change of name but on the child's birth certificate, her name is written as Ada Eze.


She's still young, so there's every possibility of remarriage. The child is 18 months old.

Now, she has the following concerns:
How will this affect her going with the child after getting the admission?
Should she still do the change of name so that it matches what is on her child's certificate?
Should she get another birth certificate for the child where her name is written as her maiden name Ada Okeke?
Also, she wants to get her intl passport soon and is not sure if she should do change of name before then or use her maiden name.

It's really complicated but I hope I was able to explain well.
Thanks in advance for your responses.

That's for upload. I believe you did that it in your ds160.

Phori:
okkk cool.. the place you said "not more than 240kb" tho. how do I ensure that, tot I am suppose to come with a physical copy.

2inches by 2inches or 5cm by 5cm
Not more than 240kb

Phori:
please what is the accepted passport photograph size at the embassy. thanks

Visa approved
US Consulate, Lagos
Nov 30 2020
7:00

N:B This is a testimony/ transcript �

My mum's call woke me up at 4:59am before my 5:00am alarm. She prayed for me.
Then I started getting ready, prayed and read my devotional and as God would have it, one of the readings was Jn14:26 downwards. I read 26,27 and I was like this is a done deal! I'm going to get my visa.
Got to the Consulate some minutes past 6.
Those guys at the car park were like come and staple your passport, do you have phone, come and keep it here, this is where you will pass .. Bla Bla bla...I just kept going, not minding them... I had already gone to do survey yesterday, I went to figure out the location and all... and kept saying to myself I am leaving here with my visa approval tomorrow.

Here goes
Me : Good morning
V.O: Good morning, pass your documents. Scrolling through her screen and squeezing face
Me: Passed it and kept my cool
V.O: Can you put your fingers on the scanner
Me: I did
V.O: Put your mask down for a second
Me: I did and smiled at her.
V.O: She smiled back and said , "thank you, put it back"
V.O: Where are you going to?
I am going to University of Delaware for my PhD program in Chemistry and Biochemistry with concentration in Biochemistry
V.O: what is your intent?
Me I got confused but immediately regained my composure)
I will be working with Prof.... on redox biology and antioxidant proteins.. Can't remember all I said..
V.O: which other schools did you apply to?
Me: listed them GMU, CSU, UNM, USC
V.O: How did you choose this school /what did you do to get this school (not sure)
Me: I did an extensive search on the internet, reached out to professors, took the standardized tests and I had a video interview.
V.O: Do you have your academic transcripts here? ( she asked 2 people before me the same thing)
Me in my mind 'Ha, what is this?' )kept calm and said 'no, they are not here but I have my test scores'
V.O: What other documents do you have here then
Me: Gave her my test scores and funding letter.
V.O: Where is your admission letter
(Hmmm, God have mercy o. Will I get funding without admission? ). I calmly told her, "I don't have it here ma, my admission was actually for Fall but I had to defer to Spring due to the closure at that time." I am not sure that is the appropriate response but I sha said what came to my mind.
V.O: Nodded
V.O: What will you do when you return?
Me: I currently work as a research assistant at my Alma mater and I intend returning to take up a lecturing position there.
V.O: How much do you earn at your current position?
Me: ***
V.O: What did you study at Master's level?
Me: Biochemistry
V.O: undergraduate?
Me: Same
V.O: Are you married?
No
V.O: Any kids?
No
V.O: Have you ever traveled outside Nigeria?
I've never had a reason to
Me: (Here comes the verdict, or so I thought but she obviously had other plans)
V.O: What is your masters GPA?
Me: (in my mind, are are still on this matter?) Me: 3.43
V.O: Undergrad?
Me: 3.35
V.O: Nodded again (at this point I was wondering whether she was verifying from somewhere)
V.O: Looked at the screen and scrolled again
You worked as a science teacher, how long was this?
5 months, before I started my Masters program.
V.O: checked her screen and nodded
V.O: How long have you been in your current position
Me: One year
V.O: nodded again while typing. Have you travelled outside Nigeria before
Me: (shebi you have asked before) I was getting tired already but I sha shook my head to say no.
V.O: Typed for what seemed like eternity
V.O: I will be issuing your visa...
Me: Thank you very much, then 'the popular temporary deafness'

Whew! That was intense! To God alone be all the glory! I saw His hand all through the entire process!
Thanks to everyone for the transcripts shared, questions answered, tips given and suggestions made on this platform... God's blessings! Best wishes to all going for their interview soon!

Pls take every document possible o
Prepare for any kind of question but stay calm even if the question seems to throw you off balance.
Pray, prepare and pray

Pjomo:
For your mind, you be investigator?. You better go write GRE and apply to better schools. And pray you are as lucky as me. If you keep hating, your visa will be denied and you will forever blame your village people

There's no issue of hate here. A few people already believed that... There's no need for all that confusion

fairheart:
Sorry, I don't understand. Can you share a more detailed transcript?

Maybe he's just trying to be funny but it's actually not funny.
Same person posted this a while ago...

Pjomo:
Forget all those fake visa transcript you read about no GRE, you know how many fake transcripts i wrote myself about no GRE?. I am even going to write one tomorrow that the embassy was opened because of me alone and my visa was approved . On a serious note, I have been an advocate of “take GRE test” even if your school doesn’t need it. All those lazy id!ots just want to abscond to USA without putting an effort. They will come here and end up been a dish washer at a mexican restaurant. Please don’t support that..

Congratulations

HoluwadareY:
Location: Lagos
Date: Nov 13, 2020
School: UIUC
Course: MSc Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Funding: 52k
Gap: 10k
GRE: 306
TOEFL: Waived
UnderGrad: First Class
Status: Approved


Transcript

VO: Good morning
Me: Good morning, how are you doing?
Vo: Fine. Where do you stay?
Me: Abuja
Vo: So why did you choose Lagos?
Me: I was able to get a more convenient date in Lagos
Vo: Its okay to say Lagos is better than Abuja? ( Laughs)
Me: You can say that again (Smiles)
Vo: Where do you currently work?
Me: As an analyst at a management consulting firm in Abuja
Vo: Tell me how this course aligns with your career path
Me: I intend to be a Prof, having a masters degree is a step in the right direction at achieving that ( not as smooth)
Vo: Laughs...how long did it take you to memorize that ?
Me: Not long (laughs )
Vo: Who is paying for the remaining 10k gap?
Me: My aunt
Vo: Father side or mother side?
Me: Father side
Vo: Where is your dad?
Me: He's deceased
Vo: I am sorry
Me: Thank you
Vo: So where does your aunt work?
Me: She's head of IT at XYZ Hospital, Abuja
Vo: Can you say that again?
Me: XYZ Hospital
Vo: You said Institute?
Me: No, Hospital
Vo: Spell it
Me: HOSPITAL
Vo: Oh, Hospital
Me: Yes ( relived )

Types for a while

Me: How long have you been in Nigeria for?
VO: A long time, 6 years
Me: Do you like it here?
Vo: Yes, I do ( smiles)
Types.....
Vo: What will your girlfriend do when you leave to the US? (Smiles)
Me: She will wait for me (Laughs)
Vo: Go to the cashier to pay your Reciprocity fee
Me: Thank you and have a nice day
Vo: You too


Thank you all for the guide...this thread has been so useful from when it seems embassy will never open to the interview preparation. Thanks to all who kept our hopes alive especially Fairheart.

Wishing everyone the very best

Congratulations

prosper388:
I got to the embassy by 6am. We were around like 40 as I estimated. I didn't spend up to 2 hours standing and waiting.

Me: Good morning
VO: Good morning, your passport and I-20
Me: (passed both to him)
VO: your DS-160 and place your 4 fingers on the machine.
Me: (I did everything he told me to do)
VO: why are you going to the US?
Me: I am going for a master’s degree in petroleum engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
VO: why this school?
Me: UL has a centre for optimization of petroleum system which aligns with my research interest and I was also given full funding.
VO: did you apply to other schools and name them?
Me: I applied to Louisiana state university, University of Kansas, University of Oklahoma, Texas Tech University and this University of Louisiana at Lafayette
VO: where do you currently work?
Me: I work as a performance analyst at TradeDepot Limited
VO: Trade what
Me: TradeDepot
VO: what do they do there?
Me: It's a retail distribution company and I work as a performance analyst.
VO: so how does this correlate with petroleum engineering?
Me: (at this point, I was lost; I didn't know what to say again) I wanted to start explaining how I love data science and Artificial Intelligence before the VO cut in..
VO: wait, what did you study in your undergraduate?
Me: (looking for how to regain my confidence back) I graduated with a first-class degree in petroleum engineering (me adding the ”first-class” to convince the VO that I understand the course quite well)
VO: (looking convinced) are you married?
Me: No
VO: any kids?
Me: No
VO: types to like a minutes and says, ”I will be approving your visa”.
Me: (while VO was typing, I said, ”Lord let your will be done”)


I noticed a lot from people that were denied and I easily predicted that the VOs weren't convinced.
A lady was asked why she chose a school and she said, ”the school offers a lot of courses”. The VO was like, so other universities don't have several courses? At that point, she sensed she was going to be denied.
Another guy with funding was asked who pays the rest, he said his bro. VO asked what his bro does, he said the bro works so so so and has a farm and does this and that. The VO didn't look convinced because it looked like the guy was beating around the bush.
Tips: once you have full funding, you already have a 95% chance of your getting approved; you just need to be confident and add the God factor.
If you have deficit, please try to clearly state what your sponsor does.

Thanks to everyone who has dropped his or her transcript here and those that give answers. Also thanks to my friend, Matluck and my two Gees, Kg and Karen.

Henrryng:
Or can i transfer my sevis fee to the new school and everything will be okay.

If your interview is more than 3 days away you can do the following:
1. Fill a new ds-160 and update your confirmation number on the appointment page
2. Transfer your sevis fee to the school you want to attend. Read about sevis fee transfer here https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/2017/06/students-sevp-now-accepts-online-i-901-sevis-fee-transfer-requests

I hope that helps

RukayatAkanji:
Pls guys, is there any available date in November on their site right now?

Yes, 20, 23 and 30... Seen about an hour ago

Anybodie:
Visa Approved
I'll be back with transcript

Congratulations

uche06:
Biko have people started travelling to USA or just d interviewws

Airspace has been opened since last month. So, yes

Friedpotato:
What is the earliest appointment in Lagos right now

Nov 20

BrTune:
US Visa Approved!!!

Sent a strongly worded email with convincing points for an emergency visa appointment on Tuesday Night - 6th.


Received an email from the US embassy at 7.30am the next day - Wednesday, scheduling me for an interview on Friday at 6.30am.

Today, Woke up at 5.00am, joined hands with my sister to decree divine Favour.

Bath, dressed and booked an Uber, got to VI at 6.20am.

Went in for my interview at 7.00am

Sent back out because I did not print my DS-160 confirmation.

Rain flogged me, some soldier men even gave me umbrella my who cloth was wet.

A lady helped me to print the DS - 160 form, said I should pay her 5K, I didn’t have any money on me. Begged the lady and eventually paid 3500 outta my reciprocity fee.

Went back into the embassy.

VO: Good morning
Me: Hi, Goodmorning

VO: Pass me ur I-20 and visa and da-160 form

VO: where are u going
Me: Going to ...Ivy league school

VO: Great school, but very expensive too, how are u funding it?
Me: Received 80,000 USD in Fin Aid and taking a loan of 20K from my uncle to complete the rest.

VO: Ok, what does ur uncle do?
Me: My Uncle is a real estate developer and deals in wichtech roofing sheets.

VO: Any evidence of ur uncles ability to pay?
Me: before I could Pass him my uncles statement, he said I shouldn’t bother, he believes me.

VO: Have u travelled out before?
Me: Yes, I have been to the US, Germany France, Qatar, Kenya, Uganda...etc

VO: What did u go for?
Me: Explains

VO: Your visa has been approved, do u have the reciprocity fee?
I knew my reciprocity fee was short by 3500 but I answered yes, I did not want wahala.

VO: Go over there and pay, and enjoy ur stay in America

I go over there, praying for a miracle and the money to double...didn’t happen.
Went out and was looking for whom to borrow money from as I didn’t have my atm. One guy who just finished his interview saw me and asked what the problem was.
I told him, he then called his driver to bring money and dashed me 4K. I quickly begged him to wait for me, so I follow him and drop off at my stop.
He waited for me to pay the reciprocity fee and then told his driver to drop me off the stop close to my house.

Good luck every one

Congratulations!!!
Pls did you use emailed I-20?

Neeta02:
Me too. I’ve been trying to fill the ds160 form since last week but I never get past the beginning page

Could be due to the strength of your internet connection and/or kind of browser. Change one or both of those factors and try again.

paulousguy:
.

Are you waiting for new appointment date too?

Kind of. My admission was deferred to Fall 2021 but I'm trying to get a Spring start date instead. So, it depends on the outcome.

oracle009:
This is not so true sir. You can fill another ds160 even after scheduling appointment. It must just be done before 72 prior to interview date. This is from their website:

"If you made a new DS-160 after scheduling an appointment, please log in to your profile and update your DS-160 confirmation number on the “Update Profile” page at least two business days prior to your visa interview appointment. ... Note that your visa application will be processed based on this DS-160 confirmation number."

Ok. Thanks for clarifying that... @paulousguy please take note.

paulousguy:
.

Please boss, can I start my ds160 all over if there are few changes I want to make, as I already submitted one. In line with this, can I now use my old visa appointment fee (and reference) that I paid to schedule an appointment?

Thanks

As long as you've not scheduled an appointment with the old one, I think you can fill a new one. You just need to change the confirmation number on cgi to the new one before scheduling an appointment. And... if it's not yet up to a year that you made the MRV fee payment, it's still valid

tmphoto:
Please I need help in filling my ds160 form
I’m seeking an undergraduate degree
•who should I put as my U.S. Contact, should it still be the school I’m going glad I have no one there?
•it asked about my current occupation and I typed student, still it requested I type the current school should that be the school I’m going in the U.S. ??
• passport book number and passport travel number what is the difference?

On your I20, there's 'school official to contact upon arrival'. That's your US point of contact. Enter the person's name, email address, phone number and your school address
Passport /travel document number is your passport number
Passport book number does not apply