₦airaland Forum

akpumping30:
Good morning, I was admitted to SMSU for spring 2019 but I didn't
get my i20 yet and school will resume Jan 20, plz can I still get an
earlier date for the visa .... plz house reply me

frankcobrown:
Please house, i want to re apply for my visa but my sponsor is out of the country for business and he is not coming back soon, now i want to know if i can make us of another sponsor and hope it will not affect my interview because his name is not on my I20.

Petersburg94:
Hello guys, kindly help me with this.

I once applied to a school, went for interview but was denied so I want to change my application to another school that's better. Do I need to pay another sevis fee or use the sevis number I was given previously

lincolnsnowhite:
Good evening all, pls I want to ask If sponsorship letter can be printed with plain white A4 or cream A4 paper
Thanks �

Ubah1:
Yes, just go with a genuine statement the covers everything you have on your i20. Also have good reason why the person is sponsoring you. Then you are good to go.

Yommy247:
Hello house, is still posible for me to pay the visa fee on Monday and get a December date? My school is resuming January/10/2019

GahiaO:
I would like to share my transcripts here because the Nairaland platform was of tremendous help in preparing for my Visa interview. But before I go into all that, I would like to give a brief bio.

I am a Medical Dr and I applied for a masters degree to study Public Health at the University of Massachusetts. My IELTS score was 8/9 and my GRE score was 300. Applied to two other schools, university of Arizona and Georgia Southern University. I got accepted to all of them but only Massachusetts give me an Assistantship (which came with full tuition waiver, health benefits and biweekly stipends). I got my visa in my second attempt. My first one was in August 11, 2018 (at 11am) and it goes as follows;

VO; Goodmorning
Me; Goodmorning - can’t remember if I smiled or not
VO: so you are going to the University of Massachusetts?
Me; yes
VO: what would you be studying?
Me; Public Health with a focus in Health Policy and Management
VO: Ok. how long is your program?
Me: 2 years
VO; Ooh you are a Medical Doctor
Me; yes
VO: are you currently working?
Me: yes
VO; what do plan to with this degree?
Me; I intend to come back to Nigeria so that I could work in key organizations both government and Non governmental organizations involved in health policy formulations like the the ministry for health, primary health care development board. I also intend to.. the VO cuts in and says “so your father would be sponsoring you”
Me; NO, it’s actually my uncle. And besides I got a graduate assistantship that came with a full tuition waiver, health benefits and biweekly stipends. The entire value of my award is in excess of $44k.

VO: I know but your I-20 says you have a deficit of $12,300 (my total cost of attendance was $56000)

Me; yes, my uncle would take care of the rest.

VO: do you have his statements?

Me: yes
VO: lemme have them
Me: passed it to him. I came with a total of N6.1m from two financial institutions; Zenith Bank( had 1.6m) and Arm Investment Company ( had 4.5m)

VO; looks at it for a while and then say “.. ok.. congratulations.. I would be approving your visa but I would verify these statements and if they are fake you would ban from entering the US for life..”
Me; that’s fine they are 400% authentic.
VO; passes me the white paper and told me where to pick up my passport. He then mentioned that “..inform your school so that they can send you a letter that you would present at the POE should there be delays with verifying your statements”
Me: Ok. Then I walked away

So after the interview, the embassy closed down for over 2weeks. When they reopened, I got a mail from the embassy saying I should submit a letter of authorization for just the ARM Investment Company bank statements. I did that quickly. I sent copies to both the bank and the embassy. I also informed them that I had submitted what they asked. So, after a week got another mail saying that I should resubmit my bank statements along with my passport. The next day they returned my passport so I printed the exact same bank statements I came with during my interview and resubmitted it alongside my passport. After this, I was quite optimistic that there won’t be any issues. 2days later, I checked my status and it had changed from “administrative processing” to “Refused”
I was a bit confused and shocked. because my bank statements were legit and I had done all that they asked. So I waited to pick up my passport to see what their could have been. When I pick my passport, they attached a denial letter to it. It was very generic and it was the same one they normally give anyone they denied. I was really sad. I didn’t want to try again. The whole process had taken over a month and in the end I was still denied. Meanwhile, my school had deferred my admission to spring 2019. But luckily for me, they said I would still have my assistantship should I come over in January. This gave some form of courage to try again. So I did. My second interview was last week Thursday (25th October) at 9am Abuja. This time around, I got a new bank statement from a Conventional Bank that had more money (9.4m). My interview was as follows;

VO; Goodmorning, welcome to the United States embassy
Me; Goodmorning
VO; why are you going to the University Of Massachusetts
Me; I’m going to obtain a masters degree in Public Health
VO; what school did you attend
Me: university of PortHarcourt. I studied medicine and surgery
VO: I can see that you have a GA, does it cover for you full tuition
Me; yes it does, it also comes with health benefits and a biweekly stipend.

NB: After I said this I tried to bring out my bank statements to give to him because I thought he said “can I see your statements” but he quickly cut in and said “ pls put that back, I would not be needing that”

VO: how did you get this Assistantship
Me; I applied, then I was invited to do a Skype interview with the Director and weeks after, I got a mail saying I had been offered the position
VO: when did you get this Assistantship
Me; July, 2018
VO: are you currently practicing
Me: yes
VO; he typed for a while and the said “ congratulations, I would be approving your visa..I hope you enjoy your stay at the University of Massachusetts” and then he gave me two white slips and then was said some other things about where to pick up my passport. But At that point I could no longer hear him.. I was so happy and shocked.. I kept saying in my “ he did ask for my bank statements, he didn’t ask why I chose to study this course, or what this course would do for me, or what are your study plans, or why were you denied the last time” all the questions I prepared for, all the questions I feared he might.. he didn’t ask any of them. He just approved my visa. Just like that !!

My passport was ready for pick the next day but I picked it up yesterday.

It was a very humbling experience for me and in all I give thanks to God almighty. He did it for me. It ended in praise. I am also grateful to everyone here on this platform. You guys are doing a great job. God bless you all. Shalom

AyomsD:
Good day house,

The person that made my visa payment mistakenly put my old passport number instead of my new passport number.

Pls can I still go ahead and schedule my appointment or what can I do to rectify this error?

Thank you in anticipation of response.

Laparo:
Pls house I wanted to schedule my appointment for January 2019 no space again till march 20 is that possible .And someone booked for Jan 2 ....is there anything wrong

donvito102:
Hello guys, I went for my interview in September,now am planning to go again. Is it safe for me to change who’s sponsoring me? Like; can I use another statement of account? Thanks

Freeman59:
Guys I need your help. How do you fill the information below on your ds-160. Or do I just fill in the address of my school? Cuz I don't even know where I'll stay til I get there

tunji5558:
Hello Everyone, I need a clarification on this. I was denied F1 on August 8 and defrred my admission till Spring, i want to apply again now, can I use the old DS-1600 or complete another one?

Emmalondon:
Congratulations.

Emmalondon:
How can you advise someone to see a fellow human as inferior or as a nobody all in the name of building confidence? Please this is not a good advise at all. There are many other practical but positive ways to build confidence.

angelajuni:
yes

angelajuni:
So finally I got time to put my transcript together. Had my interview on the 4th of october and it was successful.
I had spent over 2 months praying, fasting, practicing, mock interviews, reading etc. Like everybody say, your confidence is key even in the face of uncertainty you cannot not be confident. I think confidence comes from a lot of practice, self awareness and a bit of understanding that las las its not a do or die affair.

Two weeks to my interview I decided not to be on check nairaland for any updates because every time I came on here I got scared by the rejection transcript I read, I just felt I didn't need any bad energy as day for my interview drew near.
Additionally, from day 1 I have trusted God through the process and the confidence of me getting this far solely was on my trust in God. He totally made the process from day 1 effortless for me and I trusted that He wouldnt leave me hanging. That is not to say I didn't prepare, I prepared like the outcome totally depended on my practice. Few days to my interview, I had a virtual mock interview with a friend currently studying in the US and she scolded me so much on my answers not been specific with too many stories, I had to work on my answers and make them more specific, some with specific examples, I feel like that was the deal breaker. Enough said, see my transcipt below.

Was scheduled for 6:45am, got the the embassy at past 5 or so. At some point I needed to ease myself, asked the security where i could do that and he directed me to a gutter near by, while doing my business, my passport which I was holding in my hands fell inside the gutter, I was like "na like this Devil wan start". I quickly picked it. It was really wet, thank God I had handkerchief with me, I kept on cleaning every page of my passport till I entered inside the embassy.

Straight to my interview.......He was like the oldest of the VO's, had rejected everybody that went to him that morning before me and I had just told myself anyhow e go be, its fine.

VO: Good morning, passport please
Me: Good morning......passed my passport and i20

Vo: What are going to do in America
Me: I will be studying for my masters in business administration at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio

Vo: How many universities did you apply to?
Me: I applied to two universities - wright state and university of michigan - flint. Got admitted to both.

Vo: Why did you apply to these universities
Me: They are located located in smaller cities compared to bigger cities like Boston, New York, Chicago etc. I believe this will help me focus on my studies and achieve my goal of coming top of my mba class.

Vo: Did you take any exams
me: yes, I wrote Toefl and gmat. Had 92 on toefl and 460 on the gmat.....raised my exams score sheet for him to see

Vo: 460 is an impressive score
Me: Smiled, nodded (truth is, 460 is really not an impressive score on the gmat)

Vo: tell me about you academic experinece
Me: I studied marketing at the university of nigeria, nsukka. I also a have a certificate in marketing from the charted institute of marketing, uk and have taken other short courses in negotiation skills, digital marketing just to mention a few

Vo: Who is sponsoring you
Me: My Uncle

Vo: Can I get your bank statement? Are you with them?
Me: yes....gave him my statement

checks them then ask

Vo: how are you exactly related to them .....(before the interview, I was hoping they wouldnt ask these questions because my sponsors are both yoruba's and I am igbo - was scared our names may give us away)
Me: My mum's cousin (said that with all the confidence I could gather)

Vo: I see two different names(talking about my bank statement), are they both your cousins
me: yes

Vo: Have you travelled out or Nigeria before......oh you have been to the UK
Me: No, I haven't been to the UK.....Vo:oh, the UK program was online
Me: yes. I have been to Dubai twice, one for vacation the other for some business meeting.

Vo: What will you do when you complete your program?
Me: I will return back to Nigeria and continue work with my current company, I currently work at xxxxxx nigeria limited. I will also seek roles in other fmcg companies in Nigeria like p&g, unilever etc

Vo: Your visa has been approved......said plenty things I didnt hear, gave me the white paper, circled with where I will pick up my passport
Me: Just nodded to all he said, carried my document and left.

I picked up my passport on Tuesday, class starts in Jan 2019. Still here till Dec.

YoungIncredible:
Had my second attempt at the Abuja embassy today.

After seeing 6 people walking out with blue papers, I became distabilized immediately. My heart began to beat heavily and faster. On getting to the V.O, a black woman in window 10, she frowned at my "good morning" and my confidence was reduced to 5%.

I was talking and shaking at response to the questions even though I answered them well, but it was obvious in my response that I was shaky.


I want to take a break on applications and work on my confidence and how to face a v.o


Pls,

P. S. I'm a naturally shy type and extremely introvert.

At 29, I can't even woo (toast) a girl confidently. My past relationships were arranged by my friends. It's a secret shame I have been trying to fight but I can't just help it anymore.

GboyegaD:
I am not sure you quoted the right person but I hope he or she gets to read your post and pick the information you are passing from there.

oma226:
Good Evening NL, I'm 22 years old with a bachelor degree in Geology. I've decided to go for another degree in Computer Science and I was offered admission. I've been refused a B1/B2 visa before together with my parent but when they decided to go without me, they were issued a VISA. They both travelled together, my dad stayed in the US and my mom came back to Nigeria. She has been travelling back and forth until recently when she was invited for reinterview about my dad and her VISA was revoked and was told to reapply on her own. Now I'm filling my DS-160 and there's a field about the information of my father which asked if he's in the US. Right now I filled it as YES and stated is Legal Status as Non-immigrant. I just want to know if it's the right thing to do and it won't blow back on my face. Moreso, my mom will be covering all financial expenses.
Any other information you feel I should know would be much appreciated also.
Thanks

GboyegaD:
This is a tough decision and I can only hope that whoever interviews you will be objective enough regarding your application. Is it possible for you to get a graduate admission instead?

KeLcHeE:
Great fellas,

I got admitted into a school in the US for fall 2018. I-20 was processed but was not parceled down to Naija, although SEVIS number and school code were emailed to me in order to fast-track the visa application process and all. I ended up deferring the admission to 2019. Now, I have been admitted into another University for Spring 2019 of which i am bent on attending. Do I have to transfer my SEVIS number? If yes, what is the process?

**Visa application was not initiated. I only generated a payment coupon on the fmjfee website, but ended up not paying the SEVIS fee at the time (since resumption date was around the corner..)

Thanks in advance

hardeyswaggz:
can someone please help respond to this question? I also need to know

harriseen:
Thanks boss! But may I know why you’ve said this?

NYPD:
So i have gotten a lot of Pms because of this post. I dont have the time to reply any of them. The truth here is i had to raise money one way or the other because i just couldnt stay in naija anymore. 70% of my funds came from MMM also had to sell some of my stuff. During my visa interview i was praying the VO shouldnt ask me for my sponsor's (allegedly my dad) bank statement because nothing dey the account. I didnt even go with it. As God would have it i got my visa on first attempt.

I am happy here and enjoy going to school. Am not balling or living the good life as i am on a very tight budget but just the peace of mind i have, going to school in a system that works, getting the grades i deserve and gaining so much knowledge is enough for me. Once i manage to pay my Rent and tuition am okay. Having white babes issa goal also to ease the academic stress. ;
In summary Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.

Senatorbee:
Pls assist me
I mistakenly submitted my application form without completing it and it's is not retrievable
Pls what can I do
Am yet to upload my SOP
Pls help

harriseen:
@NYPD Thanks boss! Your very candid advice is very much appreciated!

Guys I intend reapply for visa using same I20.

Please I wanted to ask- would I need to pay a new SEVIS fee?

NYPD:
I left for the US when i was 25. My parents cant even afford to buy plane ticket. Application, flight ticket and all was paid by me. I had to tell them i was on a scholarship (which i wasnt)so they dont have high bp thinking how they would pay my fees.

The thing is whatever you set your heart to get, you would get it. Nigeria frustrated me, i was almost depressed even God knew he had to take me out before i ran mad, so he provided the resources.

solarinde:
Pls house, how much precisely is student visa? I have gotten different prices online, $471, £462, £348. Please which is correct? Or anyone with a different price?. Thanks

Ogakings:
You


No fake documents... Jezz, can't do that.
Well the first interview, the VO asked
VO: what's your purpose of travelling?
Me: for studies
VO: how do you got to know about the school?
Me: through my elder brothers friend
VO: who's your brother
Me: he's my sponsor called his name with some other explanation
Vo: when did he travel to America
Me: he's a banker I goes often for business
VO: know I mean Mr uche(uche is my uncle who stays and work in America, I used his name in my ds 160 because I was asked if I had any relative staying their)
Me: I became dumbfounded because I list expected the question of family members, and I started explaining my relation with uche the VO kept on asking question
Vo: which school did he study at
Vo: how long has he been in America
Vo: what dose he do
Vo: wow... It's a pity you don't know you brother too well that's bad... Then the blue papers and the try again grammar
Me: almost about to cry with a straight face working out disappointed .. ..


The second interview.. My DS160 has expired so I didn't get to meet with the VO, the lady checking in turned me back and rescheduled
Then the next appointment I missed it because my SOA did not arrive earlier.

The 4th one was at Lagos with the 1million people attending, after checking in...
VO: can I have your passport?
Me: yes of course, morning to you, nice outfit..
VO: thanks dear
Vo: what's your purpose of traveling
Me: for studies
Vo: what's the name of the school
Me: McLennan community college
Vo: how did you get to know about
Me: it's through online search and my uncle suggested it
VO: why did you chose the school
Me: because they recorded a great remarks on bio medical course among other schools in Texas with great reception and audience from the student coordinator(amanda straten) with a good atmosphere and it's location located towards the northern river of something something like that with noteable alumni like bla..bla bla..
Vo: why did you choose bio-medical course..
Me: it effect in Morden medicine which has not been incoroprated in Nigeria health sector bla bla bla....
Vo: what courses will you be undertaking
Me: us English 101..maths, 112..maths 102 history.. 101 etc
VO: did take any international exam?
Me: no
Did you apply to other schools and which one
Me: yes.. I started naming the schools...
VO... With the blue paper and their normal try again later grammar...
Me: sorry if I may ask, why the denial?
VO: sorry it's confidential
Me: did I say anything improper?
Vo: No,its confidential and protocol!
Me: thanks and have a great day...
Vo: smiled.. You are welcome

This has been my experience..

soulpiano23:
Hallelu juah---Got my Visa approved on the 14/09/18.This is Heavenly favour!
Had never been to any embassy in my life(even Benin Replublic if that exist)
The interview was like 3-5mins.I prayed for favour all through last week,even while the interview was going and God favoured me.
Celebrate with me cos God is faithful and will favour you when you sincerely cry onto Him.

My transcripts...
I just got my visa approved today(14-09-2018)
This is beyond my ability(dont say am claiming holy holy).when God is involved you will ascribe all the glory to Him which is my case.
The story.........I will try to keep this short
I have been aspiring to further my education in developed countries USA as my target.Written GRE also did WES evaluation as required by the school I finally applied to. Miraculously, I was awarded FULL schorlaship and in addition,i would be paid monthly stipend in August 10 2018 and I have to resume by 27th of August.hmmmmm. My heart started beating like the heart of rabbit oooooo.I borrowed money to pay for SEVIS cos I was damn broke.I also hustle the visa application fees but the ealiest appointment date available was 14/09/18.Cold and POOH catch me cos i was thinking I would not make it with the resumption and probably loose the juicy schorlarship ooooo.I started sending mails to the school,the department,international admission office like a sales man that wanted to keep tracks of his customers.Nairalanders I sent endless mails ooo stating my situation and condition.Surprisingly,I was moved to Spring 2019(Jan) with the schorlaship and stipend still intact.Halleluyah!
Started praying for Favour on my appearance,Favour from my voice and words of my mouth ,Favour all round.Today ,woke up 4:00am hit the road 4:30am declaring favour on the road and on the traffic oooo.The traffic at Island today(14/09/18) was scaring cos am not use to this axis at all.Got to a point and jump on Okada.Got there 7:50 and I was scheduled 6:30am.Started panicking cos I have never been to any embassy before .Started asking people about my situation ,one young lady understood my siyuation and said I will be attended to.8;30am I was in ,going thru security screening.I never knew there was one small flash drive hidden inside my file oo.The security lady asked:Do you hhave flash in your file ? I said No(confidently oooo).The lady screen the file and said you have flash in that file.Lo and behold I saw the evil flash oooo.I mmediately i was directed back to square one(Join the queue from beginning.This time it was 9:00.and seems the whole of lagosians were on the queue.Some how,I jump to the front oooo.by 9:10.I started seeing blue papers like no tomorrow.
The interview started
V.O: Your documents
Me:Good morning
V;O: she did not reply my greetings ooo
V.O: how do you know about the school?
Me: I started saying story oooo
Vo: Calm down
VO:HOW DO YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS SCHOOL
ME:ONLINE
VO:WHAT DO U DO NOW:
Me: I work in a research and development of company...........
VO:WHY MSC IN CHEMISTRY
ME: THERE ARE ALOT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT THAT ARE going in the USa that are ALIENs TO ME ,I WANT TO STAY INFORMED IN THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WORLD SO THAT I COULD BE BETTER EQUIPPED AND ALSO get BETTER job
VO: ARE YOU MARRIED
ME :YES WITH 2 KIDS
VO: Are they coming with you during your program
Me: No( which kind witch question is that)
VO: I have to ask you now so that your family wont be denied visa when they plan of coming to join you during your program
Me: No
VO:started typing ooooooooo
Vo: who is sponsoring this
Me: the fact that I got full schorlarship with monthly stipend, my cousin will take care of my welfare
VO: Where does your cousin work
Me: XYZ as ………
VO: have you travelled ouside Nija before
Me: No(with smile)
VO: started typing like no tomorrow
VO: I have approved your VISA,she circled the collection point on the white paper and started talking oooo
ME: Joy unspeakable blocked my ears ooooooooo.I didnt hear anything again till I stepped out to get my phones from the police officer.
MY advice: Pray for favour and ensure all your documents and your responses during the interview align with whatever you are going to do in USA.
IT IS REALLY A NEW DAWN ERA
Same is mine , because what eyes have not seen nor ears heard shall become the order of the day………………..this is really Gods doing