₦airaland Forum

4gunners:
Do you still need SOA even when one is fully funded.

AARasheed:
Hello house, I am a new member here.

My visa was approved at the Abuja embassy yesterday pending an account verification. I just checked my status now and it says refused. I am 100% certain that the account is genuine because i went with my uncle to pick it up at the bank. I also got a mail with the normal refusal letter to go pick my passport at DHL.

Please could this be an error or i should i call the embassy for clarification. Please who has been in my shoes before.

Thank you.

doublezero7:
This would be a long read. So I'll break it down into 2 or 3 posts.

Visa delayed on the 21st of November.

I booked my appointment on the 15th of October and although i saw earlier dates, i chose November 20th. Partly because it was the most recent with an appointment for 6:30.

Since i had been practising and perfecting my transcript since around May (with Tolatof, Ubah, 100kobo, etc), it was easier for me to get ready for the interview proper.

I got to the consulate around 5am on the D-day. Then found out that i wasn't with my visa fee payment confirmation printout. Our ogas lurking around the consulate said I'd have to pay 10k for them to help track and print a new one.i just walked away and straight to the queue. Since i couldn't have booked an appointment without a trace of my payment with the CGI officials, i proceeded to the first checkpoint. Fortunately, the visa fee confirmation wasn't a problem. Unfortunately, i was told to go fill out a new DS-160 form and print a copy. More bad news is rhat i had 20 minutes or i wouldnt be allowed back to the pavilion. Paid 3k to have that done and rushed back. By now, it was around 7:30.

Cleared the other checkpoints and then got in. Everywhere was rowdy mehn. The queues were too long. Stood to interview for over an hour.

Interview proper at 8:45am.

VO: why are you going to the US?
Me: I am going to the United States to study for my masters degree in Healthcare Management at the California State University, Los Angeles.

VO: Did you apply to other schools?
Me: Yes i did. Aside CSULA, i applied to 4 other schools (mentioned) and got admitted into all.

VO: So why did you choose CSULA
Me: I choose CSULA because they have an ongoing research specifically in the area I am most interested in which is Medical intelligence and surveillance service systems. I mailed the program director, Dr Andre Avramchuck my paper on how i thought effective MIS can be crucial in controlling epidemic outbreak in Nigeria and Africa in general. He was not just happy with the quality of my paper, he was also very much impressed with my years of experience in the Nigerian healthcare industry, my GRE scores, my certificarions in healthcare management and most importantly my love for knowledge

VO: Who is paying for this?
Me: my mom is. She is a medical doctor and owns hospitals in 4 states and also a pharmaceutical company in Lagos.

VO: Do you have her statement of account?
Me: Of course ma'am (passes it)

After glancing through and typing almost at the same time.

(Looks up)

VO: what would this degree do for you?
Me: This degree would afford me the opportunity to manage and grow subsidiaries of my family's healthcare companies upon my return to Nigeria . With courses such as Leadership in Healthcare Management, Healthcare Law, compliance and ethics and financial management in Healthcare, I would be better equip to takeover the day to day operations ofthe company

Also, with my research in Medical Intelligence and surveillance systems, I would be able to collaborate with the Nigerian govt through the Federal Ministry of Health in providing creative and innovative consultations on issues bothering on epidemicoutbreaks and how to control such situation.

She types for a minute, goes through my statement of account, looks up, types again and brought out the famous paper.

VO: you're not eligible at this time. You can apply again. However, I'd advice you go through our website to know more about the student visa procedures.

Me: (still shocked) Thank you and have a nice day.

100kobo:
Congratulations Doctor and more blessings. Ensure to represent yourself and country well.

homirefacuny:
Congrats Bros. You did well by going again and kudos to the school for maintaining the GTA on your behalf for the spring not many schools does that. Have a very successful studies out there and say me to Ogbeni Trump.

Flaame:
hello,congrats,pls I would want to ask something about ur transcript.....did u go with the same bank statement u went with the first interview? And did they ask for it?

lorlardey94:
Yes it is asking me if I have been refused before which I have been but really want to know if that is applicable to me since it specifies in the last 2 months. That's why I want to be sure if I fall in that category as going by the calculation, mine was refused 14th July, 2018. I dont want to choose the wrong thing erroneously, so that I wont be seem as deliberately misrepresenting my application. I dont want that to happen.

lorlardey94:
Yes it is asking me if I have been refused before which I have been but really want to know if that is applicable to me since it specifies in the last 2 months. That's why I want to be sure if I fall in that category as going by the calculation, mine was refused 14th July, 2018. I dont want to choose the wrong thing erroneously, so that I wont be seem as deliberately misrepresenting my application. I dont want that to happen.

Bro please check your pm. Thanks

Flaame:
Is the statement legit?

Blesso222:
You can contact your account officer to check if your is the one delaying the process. I work as a contact center consultant with a bank in Nigeria, a particular embassy sent a SOA for us to verify, but due to backlogs no one responded to the email. The embassy decided to call, I happened to pick the call and I ensured I contacted the customers home branch and responded to the embassy within 4hours verifying the authenticity. Liaise with your bank to see if that is pending with them.

kenzygist:
I had my visa interview on August 11th, 2018 at US Consulate in Abuja but my application was placed on Administrative Processing so as to verify my father's bank statement. Please who else is in this condition or had this experience? How do banks verify the bank statement?

jelmusboy:
My visa just got issued after two weeks of AP but have not been told to pick up my passport.

My class started last week Monday and I must enter the class before the end of this week if I want to go for Fall 2018.

I'm just confused on what to do right now to avoid stories that touch at the point of entry.

What can I do?

NB: Going for PhD program

kenzygist:
I had my visa interview on August 11th, 2018 at US Consulate in Abuja but my application was placed on Administrative Processing so as to verify my father's bank statement. Please who else is in this condition or had this experience? How do banks verify the bank statement?

SocialG77:
Please, who else had his or her interview at the Abuja Embassy on August 11? Any update?

SocialG77:
Is there any update on this? Mine was also on August 11 and it’s still showing Administrative processing.

Flaame:
August 15...but all of us including;16th,17th,18th,and 20th august applicants has been kept on hold

Flaame:
Bigfrancis,ubah1,lagosismyhome,naughtyvirgin....Please does anyone know the email address of the U.S embassy in abuja This awaiting stuff is now frustrating.

daxier:
Brother, my case is very similar to yours. Had my interview same day in abuja. The VO told me to pick up my passport after 3 business days. Tried the online tracker, only to discover I've been placed on AP. I was at the DHL office on friday, heard no passport was delivered all through the week. In anticipation, I had earlier booked a flight for Saturday evening. My school resumes today, 20th August.
I called the number up there, the lady that picked referred me to send a mail to abujaconsular@state.gov, got the usual response I got all through last week, "sorry, we are unable to attend to visa bla bla bla..."
I'm missing orientation already, I only pray I get this all sorted before classes start next week

West07:
Shout out to everyone aspiring to be better in life.
I'll make my post short.
Visa interview: 13th June 18, Abj.
Dress code: Short sleeves tucked into trouser.
Visa approved: 13th June 18
status updated: 6th Aug 18
Visa issued: 7th Aug 18

Stayed on AP, with a lot of financial document drama...4 weeks after interview I was asked in an email to resubmit BS, sent it through the portharcourt DHL, two weeks later was asked to summit BS again, meanwhile my passport was returned blank, had to travel to abj and resubmit passport and BS again at the embassy on 30th July, finally status was updated on 6th Aug.

Reason i'm putting this up here is to encourage anyone going through any form of waiting to not be weary, discouraged or depressed. Trust God to perfect things at His time.

Incidentally, i only came on this platform days to my interview. Twale to everyone sending out useful info and guidance. wow!!

GahiaO:
congrats. Trust me I know how it feels to be on AP. I myself have been on AP since the 11th of August. My interview was at the Abuja consulate. It’s hasn’t been easy since. The tension no here. To make things worse, The abuja embassy is closed at the moment. Anyways, I would like to know the number you called?

Judgepelumi:
LONG POST ALERT!!!
Today is Sunday so I want to share my testimony
I've been following this thread since December 2017 after Canada bounced me and this thread played a great role in my choice of school and visa prep & all of that. IMO, I think getting a visa is now harder than before especially when you don't have a plan or you don't know why you want to further your study. I saw many blues that day and people who dressed inappropriately for the interview(I was just smh).
July 19, I was interviewed by a tall slim lady @window4 and I was just praying not to be directed to the black woman tho she fine with nice pomo lips , Lol.
As an Accountant wey I be, I wore my suit, white shirt and a wine tie+pock square. I'm not sure I've any better advise to give other than the ones the elders here have always reiterated. But it's best you speak with all sincerity & be confident, plan(i mean you should know what you want), prepare well and pray well too. With God, all things are possible.

Vo: Good morning, can you pass your passport
Vo: Why are you going to the US
Me: I am going to Montclair State University, NJ for my Masters in Accounting with a concentration in Forensic Accounting (she tried to cut me but i had to rush my words just to mention my concentration)
Vo: Did you apply to any other school?
Me: Yes College at Brockport, SUNY
Vo: Which of the campuses?
Me: Rochester (I never knew if they had other campus stations but i was lucky to remember the day i dialled the Grad coord's nos it showed Rochester on truecaller)
Vo: So why did you pick MSU over Brockport?
Me: Aside that MSU offers a concentration in Forensic accounting and accredited by AACSB, MSU is the best public university and the most innovative business school in NJ. Aside that, the curriculum is well designed such that it doesn't focus alone on the theoretical aspect but it integrates a lot of practical case studies which would be beneficial for me going forward in my career. I will also get hands on experience with software training that helps to get a full picture of someone's financial habits and activities, track spending patterns and combine information from multiple financial accounts and I will get moot court room experience as well. The curriculum also ensures that when I eventually take my CFE exams, I'd not need to take extra classes.
Vo: You've been working at XYZ for how long?
Me: 5-6months now, started late Feb
Vo: And before then you worked at shengbele company, what do they do there?
Me: Its an Audit firm
Vo: Have you ever applied to another country(I guess she'd see through their database)?
Me: Yes that was last year, Canada
Vo: What program was that?
Me: A PGD in HRM
Vo: So why are you switching to accounting?
Me: I have been an accountant for a while and my undergraduate degree was in accounting so I have decided to remain in that career path
Vo: Was there no Msc Accounting in Canada? Why didn't you apply there, why US?
Me: The tuition fees were expensive and I couldn't afford it
Vo: Oh that's why you went for a PGD instead
Me: Yes
Vo: Have you been to the US before?
Me: No
Vo: Married, kids?
Me: No
Vo: Does anyone in your family have a visa
Me: No
Vo: So what will you do with this degree after school
Me: This degree will afford me the qualifications to take up a job at EFCC as an expert in fraud examination. I plan to work in the anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorist activities dept upon my return. In the long-run, I'd love to have my own forensic accounting firm where I'd be able to render consulting services to both the public and private sector.
Vo: Did you write any exams?
Me: Yes GRE and TOEFL
Vo: What did you score in GRE
Me: 296 (gave her the breakdown but she didnt ask for the report card)
Vo: Who's sponsoring you
Me: My mom
Vo: What does she do?
Me: she's a distributor for.............
Vo: Can I see her BS (she perused it well well)
Vo: Are you sure there's no other reason why you're going to NJ
Me: Not at all aside that MSU offers my preferred program
Vo: She reached for the white paper, ticked AP, said something about checking to see somethings check out and some other things i didn't hear clearly, wrapped my BS & I-20 in my passport and that was it. But the battle wasn't over till Friday when I picked up my passport.
I was on AP for a month, first 2weeks I heard nothing so I sent an inquiry mail but no reply. The 3rd week ended and I had to just call them and I guess that was when my BS were sent for verification. And the following week it got issued. TBH, this AP was torture especially having to wait a month. So many thoughts, High BP but special thanks to Ekebs & sunshine for encouraging me, e no just easy. My special gratitude to Folmus for reviewing my transcript and Winterstorm for the pep-talk before my interview day and to the elders here for your great contributions as my dream is now a reality.
E bami ki hallelujah meta o ke to

GboyegaD:
Hopefully it is completed before then. I have seen a day completion of AP.

Flaame:
Your case is even better than mine...when will your school resume? My interview was scheduled 15th but was rescheduled to an indefinite date. Worst is,school resumes on 28th.

Flaame:
Abuja consulate stopped functioning on that 14th bro

jelmusboy:
I've been on AP since Tuesday and class starts on Monday 20th August.

My heart is beating fast cos I don't if the issue is with my SOA verification or backlog at the embassy.

What can I do?

Sooredaniel:
White paper issued today with the pick up location circled. I'm really grateful to everyone on here. I was tensed and stuttered a lot. I must say God did it. Had so many odds but was only asked 3 questions. Would post transcript soon as I pick up. God bless y'all.