₦airaland Forum

I did not get your PM boss.

fregkay:
Boss,I hail o...pls,did you get my PM I need your help pls.

Hello Boss, I am in Chicago.

slimmy05:
Please this is important an urgent. Please any Nairalander in Houston, Texas??

Anyone who can refer me to someone there? Any Nairalander around Chicago here? Let me know please. Thanks

bigfrancis21:
I don't even know what i'm doing for this Christmas. Maybe i'll hang out at my aunt's and later with my friends before they go to Brazil. I'm graduating this Saturday. Got an exam today and another on Wednesday. Not feeling the graduation vibe, maybe because of my exams. Got exam chills.

Best of luck... Exams should be routine for you now especially when it is the final term.

Present Sir.

@ bolded... I pray it does not cos I guess I am a victim already.

imperiouxx:
A large bedroom including utility at $500 in a city.... they should be dancing and rejoicing.

Their mates that came straight to NYC are tasting serious mehmeh now. That's about $1100/mo here.

Talking about work on day one. I see lot of newcomers here trying to speed up things over night. I hope journey of 2-4 years won't be everlasting one for them.

Bae, please just let go for the sake of NLders

hottyarewa:
Can u screenshot our chats nd paste so ur errors can b pointed out to u by som1 else nd nt me? Hmmmm,eniyan!!!

I just wish people could see beyond their nose and help themselves. I understand why people will do anything to leave naija but I dont understand why they wont do anything to make the transition easy for them.

Telling people to plan appropriately before coming as earned me so much enemies because they just believe you dont want them to come America as if you are the consular.

That said, I strongly advise that we keep helping ourselves because the more the unity, the better we become in this country but when we need help, we should understand that people are different and we have different level of tolerance.

OjaP:
The bolded part would only apply to those who have genuine intention of coming to the USA for school. You are also smart that you did your home work while still in Nigeria. Many people won't do anything and expect manna from heaven. Personally, I don't have any problem using the F-1 visa route to "escape" to America. I would do that too if I had no money to pay. But before going through that route, I would do my research well before coming, get my temporary accommodation sorted out, and have enough cash to survive my first 6-12 months in America.

Many veterans with vast experience of 'life in the USA' come here always to advise people and constantly remind them to be well prepared in form of cash and information before coming to the U.S; yet, some won't listen and even go ahead to curse such people out. Some won't even come straight and will be telling lies about their conditions and intentions.

For those still in Nigeria, I beg you to please come with enough money and be well prepared before travelling. While it is true that whatever one is passing through isn't permanent, I would not want to come to America without money or plans for my accommodation. Life in America is not easy for first timers.

Be prepared.

I mean from my experience in USA, I usually feel people in Information Technology stands a better chance in Canada with regards to jobs after school because I have seen people here hunt for jobs for several months with nothing till their OPT eventually expired. Some of them relocated to Canada for Ph.D. as they know PR comes easily with Ph.D. which is my main purpose of advising people to consider Canada over USA because I know PR is key to every Nigerian schooling or wanting to school abroad.

What did you study or still studying in USA?

Also, F-1 student may have to contend with a new rule about OPT now. Read the bolded. It was posted on 13th of August 2015.

[b]Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colombia significantly curtailed immigration benefits for foreign students in the United States on F-1 visas. In her opinion in the case Washington Alliance of Technology Workers vs. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle invalidated USCIS’s 2008 17-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension rule. DHS argued that it had good cause to publish the regulation in 2008 as an emergency rule because thousands of highly skilled individuals educated at U.S. colleges and universities would otherwise have been forced to leave the U.S. Judge Huvelle held that DHS failed to show it faced an emergency situation in 2008 that exempted it from carrying out the notice and comment requirement, thus making DHS’ rule invalid.

The 2008 rule had three main benefits. First, the rule allowed F-1 students with degrees in certain Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) fields who work for employers enrolled in E-Verify to extend their OPT work authorization period from 12 to 29 months. Second, the rule eliminated the requirement that DHS expressly grant H-1B “cap gap” protection via notice in the Federal Register and instead made the granting of H-1B cap gap protections automatic. Third, the rule allowed F-1 students to apply for OPT during the 60-day period after graduation rather than requiring filing before graduation. All of those benefits have been eliminated with the invalidation of the 2008 rule.

Judge Huvelle stayed her decision until February 12, 2016 because the “immediate vacatur of the 2008 Rule would be seriously disruptive” and “would force ‘thousands of foreign students with work authorizations . . . to scramble to depart the United States.’” The Court said it “sees no way of immediately restoring the pre-2008 status quo without causing substantial hardship for foreign students and a major labor distribution for the technology sector.” That being said, as of February 12, 2016 all of the benefits of the 2008 rule will be eliminated unless USCIS issues a new OPT STEM extension rule via notice-and-comment rulemaking. The rulemaking process can take 90 days or more from the date a rule is prepared for publication, however, so DHS will have to issue a new rule very quickly to avoid the consequences of this decision.

Unless DHS passes a new rule this decision will adversely affect three key areas of business immigration:

F-1 STEM work authorizations will stop being valid on February 12, 2016. This will affect both F-1 students who currently hold STEM OPT as well as individuals who would be eligible for STEM OPT as of February 12, 2016.
H-1B/F-1 cap gap will no longer be automatic. DHS will have to formally announce that the H-1B cap is met and then publish a notice in the federal register. This will result in uncertainty for both employers and F-1 students, as “cap Gap” protections will no longer be automatic but will instead depend on affirmative action by DHS.
F-1 students will only be permitted to apply for work authorization while still in school; post- graduation applications will be no longer available.
The invalidation of the 2008 rule is concerning because employers and students have relied on these provisions for seven years and have made hiring, promotion, and staffing decisions in reliance on the work authorization conveyed under the STEM OPT rule. Alternative work visa options are extremely limited for F-1 students on STEM OPT, particularly considering restrictions around H-1B visas, so the United States will undoubtedly suffer from brain drain because foreign students in STEM degree fields will be trained in the United States and have to leave the country to work for foreign competition.

All told, this is another example of the failures of the current patchwork approach to immigration. Congressional failure to act results in DHS taking action via interim rules and policy memos that can be overturned at a moment’s notice. Such an environment makes it difficult for foreign workers and employers to plan for the future, creating a situation that benefits no one.[/b]

MsNas:
Can you explain what you mean? I don't really understand you.

Hmmn.. Is this advise strictly for geologist or any oil related career? I am interested because I use to think it is the other way round for people in Info Tech field.

MsNas:
Thank You. I tried to be as objective as possible so that it won't look like I'm condemning Canada in favor of America. My advisor's exact words during the interview was "Canada is not for the young who are just trying to start their careers. It's very very good for retirement and not for career starting. There is lesser possibility of changing jobs easily like it is done in America because many people tend to hold on to their jobs and not move. Thereby positions don't open often for people to get hired".

This is someone that lived in Canada for at least 15 years, he told me his first two kids were born there too. Canada is a large country but small in population in compared to the U.S. Which means lesser jobs. I'm not in any way saying people don't get jobs in Canada but the more population, the more the available jobs. I can't deal with the weather too. I regretted dressing for summer from the U.S the cold was another story. And in May oo. Lol. But thats just me Sha. Some people don't mind

My 2cents advise, look for a University.

newstudenthere:
@lagosniv Please i'm kind of new here and i was kind of wondering if community college really affects my chance of getting a visa approved, i'm a complete noob in this affect so if it really does affect it tell me why and if there is a way i could make a difference...
Shout out to every other gurus out there helping people, you guys are LIFE......

If it wont violate the F1 120 days rule, SHOOT abeg.

awe2015:
Abeg gurus, can i book my interview this month against September 10th School opens on 8th January 2016 and I wish to have everything prepared and sought out before december...so I am left with 3 months. Any advice? slimmy05, bigfrancis1, deetus, profjah...make una put mouth biko!

You get am my Oga...

slimmy05:
That kind swag

Thats nice of you... Oshey!

MsNas:
I will babysit for free

Boss of life... I remain loyal Sir.

imperiouxx:
Hello sir. Long time.

Bwawawaahahahahaaha.. Abeg no kee me for here. Who will feed them when I start my Ph.D? Thank you anyways..

MsNas:
OMG! OMG!! I can't deal. Jeez, she's so frigging cuteee Congrats bro. God keep her for you. May she have 11 siblings (football team plus one reserve)

Sooo cuteee!! I feel like pinching her cheeks

You are invited for sure and it is free ooo.. the $2.99 is just a swag on the IV.

slimmy05:
I'm in 60056. The $2.99 na buffet

Nas of life... We are very well ooo.. I called everybody for the naming oooo. How have you been? Acada/Work nko? Dont miss this one if you missed the name sha.

MsNas:
Mr. Foohard, long time no see. How's Chicago today? Madam na nko? I hope dem triplets don land? Although you didn't call us to come chop amala and gbegiri with ewedu?

Hello house,

If you are coming to USA on F-1 and hoping to work here after school... You may want to read the article in the following link before you decide. If you have 17 months OPT extension, you want to do the same.

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=4a6c033f-2dac-4a98-9b64-227bd1990617

You too

virginice:
Thank you my brother , God go bless you no b small!

Knock Knock... Longest time

MsNas:
Good evening mommy. How is the weather this evening?

Welcome back..

virginice:
Ok, I am back!!!!

Hello house,

If you are coming to USA on F-1 and hoping to work here after school... You may want to read the article in the following link before you decide. If you have 17 months OPT extension, you want to do the same.

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=4a6c033f-2dac-4a98-9b64-227bd1990617

I would be glad to know how you got that $700 out of your Naira Master Card in a day.

zeezahbee:
I still used mine to get $700 today for a friend. It works fine . I don't buy money order at Walmart. I buy at Kroger. Call customer service at +2348029002900. Tell them to unblock you card. They actually block your card once in a while , I dunno why

ok...

slimmy05:
I have said it all

godG:
Where are these people?

lisadem, FindOut, foohard, flynbird, kunlebal, Technolee, Virgin Ice, RickyRozzay, Yvete, kofsy, babsharon, Olarwarlay, Mamacinta, etc.

I do hope all is well with you there. Keep holding on!

All is well with me my Oga and I trust all is well with others. Thanks for checking.

How certain are you on this? because for about a year now, I have not been able to use my GTBank Naira Master card for money order at Walmart as before.

When I came in (Fall 2013), I usually get money order of $1,000 per transaction from swiping my GTBank card but it stopped all of a sudden even before the withdrawer limits posted on International transactions.

slimmy05:
swiping for money order is working smoothly just like swiping at any grocery store and you can purchase even $1000 money order with it. The daily limit withdrawal if you guys pay close attention to details is restricted to ATM withdrawals and not POS

Thanks bro..

I asked on the forum if it is too much before getting letter from school for all of them. It never occurred to me. Would tell my wife to get the letter.

Thanks.

Classicalmusic:
Do you wanna invite basketball team? 7 is too much but I can understand your passion.

Please exclude your pregnant sister if you really want to receive a good news for visa approval and let her apply separately with medical invitation letters from your wife if she's a nurse and of course the hosiptal.

I wish all of them success! Take care brother!!

Ok.. Thanks!

lalavita:
If your sister's intention is to attend your grad AND give birth, she should be forthright at her interview. She should tell the VO and be prepared to present proof that she has made arrangements with a dr and hospital plus she has the funds to afford it. Many people are given visas for this purpose. After the birth, she should pay her bills and keep the receipt.
There is a whole thread on NL devoted to USA births.

https://www.nairaland.com/617280/give-birth-usa-cost-procedure

Disadvantages of 'hiding' her pregnancy at her visa interview include possibly being turned back upon arrival in the US and/or being denied when she goes to renew her visa after having the baby. Good luck.

Yes! it was her first time at the embassy.. I guess it was due to lack of travel history according to the interview transcript.. I am inviting 6 of them plus one cousin making a total of 7

Classicalmusic:
Are you talking about group interview now? First of all, do you have any clue on why her application was turned down? Was it her first time at the Embassy? How many siblings are you inviting to the United States?

Thanks zeezah.. Yeah, her hubby can handle the bill. Thank you for your response.

zeezahbee:
its not so early to apply because my roomie graduated last December and her family had gotten their visa like way back in October. The embassy even support you to apply early incase of denial or any processing. So they are free to apply in Feb as long as they have the school IV and yours as well. As for your sister , she shouldn't talk about her pregnancy if she's not asked. Once she get her visa, she could email the embassy telling them about her plans of coming for your graduation and also having her baby, as long as she can foot the hospital bills, she should be fine

Oh.. When I say hide, I didnt mean to hide the pregnancy but to hide from appearing alone since she was denied recently.

Classicalmusic:
Hiding pregnancy before VO is an offense to the eyes. She should be honest and go through proper route for giving birth in United States.

Yes, applying for visa on time is advantageous and the embassy encourages it.

Also, you may wait for that person to become a full-citizen before filing for you. But if you cannot wait, you may just hold go ahead with him.

Sis, I am not saying that it is you because it might be another person.

Being a citizen means jumping queue and also not on first-come, first-serve basis with PR.

PR means you have to be on the queue and it takes quite long to get to your turn.

Hi People,

My graduation is May 5, and I want to invite my siblings. I got letter from school and would write mine.. My concern is, one of my siblings want to come in before the graduation (she is pregnant, due before graduation and want to deliver here) say like February but she want to hide under the long list of others. I dont want her to appear alone so soon again because she was denied late last year when I invited her alone (I sensed it is due to lack of travel history but she visited France after the denial and just returned). Can they appear at the embassy like first week in February for an event that would hold on the 5th of May? Is it too early? please advice.