Dotman23:
Good morning, I know this is the F1 section but I need urgent advice on this so they won't scam me ...

My Cousin was denied f2 visa 2years ago, and on July 2018, she was denied again, now she's trying to attend her brother's convocation in the states slated for December 2018, but according to agent we spoke to, he said, the available dates are January and February, but he said we can pay him for change of date (#35, 000) so he can change the date to December.. Please is this possible or what other means can we use to get an early date. Thank you.

Don’t pay the agent anything. He/she wants to rip you off your hard earned money, there are available dates from October to December. For Lagos embassy, there are dates in November while Abuja embassy has dates in October.

100kobo:


If you're a first-timer, there is an 'emergency booking' option which you could leverage on. But if you've interviewed within the last 6 months, your best bet is to defer your admission to Spring.

Even if you have been refused within the last 2 months, emergency option still works for F1 visa anytime but might not work for B1/B2 visa if it’s less than 6months of refusal

hwfwl:

Thanks, my admission is not out yet and am starting to get worried. I thought I could wait a bit.
I'll put other plans into motion then.

Many schools haven’t released their admission decision for spring 2019, so don’t be worried. You are not alone

npmi:
Please how much is sewis fee.
I need the account number

Account number lol... go to fmjfee.com and generate western union receipt, then take to any western union office abroad and make your payment. Sevis fee remains 200$

FaskRolce:
hello people, i am new to this thread. i wish i found it sooner. My husband was denied a student visa today. i havent seen him to know the details of what transpired but from what he told me, the VO seems to have issue with the fact that his brother is sponsoring his studies, she didnt even ask for the brother's statement of account or his employment letter. just like that, she declined. what could be the problem please?

He should drop his transcript here so gurus in the house can advise him further

lawali:
Morning all. First and foremost, I appreciate all efforts and guidance of many gurus in this thread. I have followed this particular part 14 from beginning till this point and it has helped me to take certain decisions like identifying about 6 universities to study, WES evaluation and registering for GRE. I am 40+yrs graduate of Public Administration (ND) and Mass Communication (Bsc). I plan to go for Master in Healthcare Administration in Fall 2019. Kindly advise/guide me on these 3 things:

1. I have a one-letter spelling difference in one of the names that I used for ND against that of Bsc. I actually have an affidavit for change of name after marriage but it doesn't cover the name on my ND statement of result because of that error.
2. I finished my BSc since 2011/12 with no formal work experience. I practically took care of my family and do business after the programme. Will not having formal work experience count against me in getting admission/visa?
3. On SOA, must the balance in account cover the 1st year cost of attendance (tuition, accommodation, etc) or the VO is only going to check if the inflow and outflow (potential) from account can cater for cost of programme? Can I augment SOA with foreign share information of sponsor that can easily be converted to cash? Thanks as I anticipate your feedbacks.

40+++, no work experience and going for masters

1. Your bsc is enough, you don’t need your nd result for anything again. So the error shouldn’t bother you since the name on your bsc is okay

2. Yes it can. You need to package your application well if not, hmmmmm

3. Yes the balance must cover your whole tuition fees and living expenses for 1st year. Not just the inflow and outflow. Don’t know about foreign shares but someone has used it here to supplement his SOA and still got his visa.

100kobo:


Do you have problem with comprehension? I referred him strictly to part 13, you faulted it, only to corroborate that advice again. Don't be quick to condemn. Look before you leap.

Oh sorry, didn’t read well . No vex. Thought you said from part 1 to part 13

100kobo:


Read back from page 1 of Part 13. This is the best advice you can get. Don't attempt to do anything in a hurry. You should understand me better as a first class student.

That’s a wrong advice. Some details in some part are obsolete and waste of time. Part 13 is enough

harriseen:
Hello fellow nairalanders.

So I got the blue paper today at the Abuja embassy. Feels very sad, but I hope to try again. School resumes Oct. 22, 2018.
Despite the outcome, I really do thank y’all here, cos the extent to which I prepared was because of what I learned from you guys

Below is my transcript and please I will need your assessment. I don’t mind overly frank comments. My own na to learn, refire and get my visa approved

VO: Good morning.

Me: Good morning.

VO: passport and I20

(I passed it)

VO: So I see you’re going to Westcliff University in Irvine.

Me: that’s correct. Irvine California

VO: what program are you going there for?

Me: Master of Business Administration with a concentration in International Business

VO: So where did you first learn about this school.

Me: I first saw it on LinkedIn, on a former schoolmate’s profile, he did his MBA there. I then went further to do a personal online research on the school, including on the school’s website.

VO: so what kind of school is this (honestly this kicked me off balance, until this moment I thought I was very confident and fluent in my expressions, didn’t really understand what she meant. I sha answered that it’s a school that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, they basically got only a faculty of Education and a college of Business. She cuts in and asks: “is it an online school or what?”)

Me: oh, that... they offer both online and hybrid options, but I chose the hybrid option as it is more involving and robust. There’s student mentoring and the cross cultural learning to gain. Besides Westcliff has an arrangement for hybrid students to have a few days internship experience at selected firms. (Nodding her head and typing seriously, and not smiling at all)

VO: what’s your schedule for this program?

Me: (this was where I feel my problem started). So classes are once in a week. (She cuts in and asks: “So what will you be doing on other days?” “Cos one problem with these hybrid programs and in your case where you go to school just once in a week, is that students end up working, and that’s illegal.” I sha told her, apart from classes with lecturers there are student discussion groups and engagement, “besides I don’t intend to go doing anything illegal, that’s something I have never done in my life”). We will be doing courses in Organization behavior, managerial accounting, financial management, marketing management, strategic management in globalized economy, managerial economics and of course my concentration- International business.

VO: when did you finish your first degree.

Me: 2011, although the session was officially 2009/2010, the semester dragged into the first quarter of 2011.

VO: So what have you been doing since you graduated.

Me: oh, so much. After my NYSC in 2012, I worked briefly as an intern producer with abc tv station. I then joined xyz bank as service quality officer in the loans department in 2014, later that year I moved to abc bank where I was a customer service officer and funds transfer officer. Since 2015 till date I have been with xyz bank as head abc unit in one of the branches where I’m responsible for xyz of the branch, supervise a team of xyz who are in charge of “this this this and that”

VO: So what will this degree do for you?

Me: (I feel I also messed up here, some how I failed to mention how this degree would enhance my growth with the bank or give opportunity for a specific role). Even though I have had this vast experience in banking operations for about 4 years, there still is that foundational gap, as my first degree was in the arts- English and Literature ( at this point she stopped looking at me, quickly typed and was staring at her monitor); so this program would help me with in-depth understanding of organizational capabilities needed for operations, especially in specialized functions as Finance, marketing and Human Resources. (I know I didn’t really do well here, somehow I didn’t say all I had prepared to say, and the way she was staring at me didn’t even help. Lol).

VO: who will be paying for this program?

Me: I have been able to save up over the course of... (she cuts in)

VO: Pointedly, tell me who’s paying (tapping her wrist), time, time.

Me: oh, I will be partly paying, my uncle takes care of other expenses. (Almost forgot to add) I also have a certain percentage of scholarship.

VO: can I have documents for that. ( handed her my statement, uncle’s and scholarship letter)

Me: (while she was going through the SOAs) my statement is a money market account statement, but I have a letter of introduction here from the bank stating that it could be liquidated at anytime.

VO: why would your uncle wanna pay for you?

Me: he’s my foster father, he’s been very much involved in my education, especially after my dad’s sight got inpaired, also I’m like the child he doesn’t have.

VO: what does he do?

Me: Primarily he owns a bureau de change and also imports and sells tiles.

She then types ooooooo, next thing na blue paper, stating that I have not proven strong home ties.

I need very candid advice here on what next to do. Sch resumes Oct. 22.

Also one guy got pink paper, he left frowning and very embittered. But what does the pink paper mean?

Abuja embassy uses blue paper and pink paper for visa refusal. It has same content

kingvicking:


good evening,
pls my sister went for US students visa interview,
1. after the interview, a white paper with her name was attached to the back of her passport and signed.

2. was told a message will be sent to her mail within two working days

3. she was given a white paper, saying her visa approval needs a further administrative decision, and she will be gotten back to.

what does it mean please

Was she given her passport back?

Her visa will be approved if they finish the verification of the document they want to do and it turns out genuine

harriseen:
Hello good people of Nairaland. Great work you guys are doing here. Pls my interview is next week and I got a problem. My sponsor is out of the country on a business trip and may not be back before my interview to make a request for a fresh SOA at the bank. I, however, have one dated August 09. Pls would this be suitable.

Help a brother pls.

I know @jelmusboy already said it’s ok and I truly appreciate his response, but I would still wanna hear others’ opinion before I make a decision. I really need this pls

Thanks in advance!

Go with the one you have. You can ask him to send electronic copy to you so you can print it and attach with it.

Ibromotion:
Hello house. Please I want to know if choosing just one school will affect one's chances of getting his/her visa application approved. Because I chose only one school and I am going for my interview on the 13th of this month.

No it won’t affect your chances but better to choose more schools to show your seriousness. You can’t predict your chances of admission with just one school. What if they didn’t admit you, that’s how you will miss out.

generous:
Good day all
Wld NYSC certificate be needed for applying masters in schools in US?

No.

solaiphones:
Pls i need a cheap university in the US for my masters

Hit google.

Ibromotion:
I need your advice on this one. I've been admitted to my school of choice in the United State but I'm yet to go for my F1 Visa interview because I haven't even register for it due to some personal reasons. The school resumption date in my i-20 is on the 1st of October... I just want to know the consequence if I go for the interview days before the resumption date. Urgent response please.

Lol when do you think you supposed to go. It’s already getting late. F1 visa can be issued 120 days to program start date and you can resume 30days to your program start date. Hurry now and apply for your f1 visa interview.

jofreddy7:
Hello guys,

Please I applied to several universities and paid over 1.5k to xyz university for acceptance deposit. Then I got admitted to a more reputable abc university ranking 34th in the U.S. Now xyz university is refusing to refund the money paid, stating that there terms and condition for refund is only if visa was refused tho xyz isn't aware of my admission to abc. Please can someone advice me on what to do? $1.5k no bi moi moi cash to forfeit just like that.

Was your visa denied? If no, they don’t owe you anything as the agreement for refund is only if your visa was denied.

roniex2:


Hey bro. You really tried with this but I would delay you if I was the VO.
Please work on 'how did you hear about this school' and 'why this school'. It's too generic and I am sure they must have heard it hundreds of times that day. Come up with your own answers. Something they don't o hear often or they have never even heard before (let it be unique) and you will be granted. All the best. I await your testimony

There is nothing wrong with that reply. What sounds good to V.O A may sound boring to V.O B. The answer is fine if he delivers everything well

Anyiodogwu1:
guy I don google am.
Bates College.

Bowdoin College.

Bryn Mawr College.

The George Washington University.

Hofstra University.

Pitzer College.

Sarah Lawrence College.

Smith College.

University of Iowa.

University of Texas at Austin.

Wake Forest University.

Wesleyan University.

this universities no need standardized exam to gain admission.

Depending on the course you are going for. If it’s stem courses, they need standardized test

Flaame:
Hello Ubah1,BigFrancis 21,walspring,lagosismyhome,nahum....I am in deep shit,I asked my relations in trumpland to help me pay my sevis via western union but they were all messing up...And my interview is just this wednesday. Pls if i pay it via western tmai,will it reflect on VO screen by wednesday? Or shld i cancel the entire interview? U can hit me up @peterudeagha@gmail.com as soon as possible

Stop asking hit you up via email. I don’t anyone has the time for that. Ask your question or hit them up. As for your question, if they pay today via western union, it will reflect before Wednesday

Flaame:
Okay,how long does it stay before my sevis fee payment reflects for print out once it is paid?

Depends on the payment method used. Western union Normally reflect fast

let me book space

tizentos:
Visa transcript, Aug 10 2018, 7am slot(Lagos).
Approved, no document asked. Everything happened so fast, the conversation lasted for around 4min in addition to the VO spent typing. its just God all along.


I got to the venue around 6.55am, I hastingly joined the queue, did the usual clearance( Please come with your GTB receipt and make sure you did not alter your DS-160 less than 72 hours to your interview date). After clearance, we were directed to the main building, we went through series of checks, they took our biometrics, then I joined the queue of people to be interviewed. The CGI guy then directed me to window 2, the VO is a guy probably in his late 20s or early 30s. The guy and lady that was interviewed before me were denied. Then my turn,


VO: Good morning , how are you?
Me: Morning, am fine and you (no response)
VO: Pass your passport and i20
Me : Passed. (VO types for like a minute)
VO: Where are you going to?
Me:. I’m going to the University of Texas at Austin for my masters in electrical and computer engineering with specialization in integrated circuit and systems.
VO: (makes a funny face) masters? (Doctorate was actually indicated on my i20)
Me: Yes, but it’s PhD bound which means I would be automatically enrolled in their PhD program after my masters.
VO: Okay (smiles). So what’s your research interest and why?
Me: The graduate program of the electrical and computer engineering is divided into 9 different academic tracks, so I would be specializing in integrated circuit and systems (paused, no response from him). Actually people don’t really talk about it. (VO cuts in)
VO: Really, people don’t talk about it?
Me: Yes, compared to software development, AI and ML( VO nods his head). But the thing is, as we produce more software and improve on its capability to run more complex algorithms, we need to produce more hardware and scale it up to execute those tasks. With my experience in embedded systems and software development, I believe it’s the next thing for me to study.
VO: Okay, What’s your research interest he insisted.
Me: Am a masters students, I don’t really have a research interest. (VO still insisted) . Okay, I’m interested in embedded system.
VO: what’s embedded system(he gave a wicked look)
Me: Hmmm(Had a lot definitions, I just went blank for 2s). Well, we see embedded systems around from our smartphones, consumer electronics. For example, these devices have programmable chips in them that can be programmed to perform different task.
VO: (not satisfied, he points under his table). What processor does this computer use, is it an embedded system?
Me: Yeah kind of, it actually uses a microprocessor which are programmed from the factory. Unlike the ones we use for real embedded system project which are programmable. (VO smiles)
VO: Who’s your sponsor.
Me: I actually got a student loan from prodigy finance that covers tuition and living expenses. Also, my cousin will be supporting me with $4k ( I was about bringing out supporting docs thinking he would request for it).
VO: Are you married?
Me: No am single.
VO: Do you have kids?
Me: I said am single, so no kids. (I was like , o boy, no home ties, bad omen)
VO types for like 15 seconds. Then he circles an address on a white paper and said, You will have to pick up your visa at this address, you will receive an email or SMS. He passes my docs and white paper.
Me: Wanted to ask a question, before I came back do my senses, o boy your visa has been approved. Pick race.

Here is my verdict, just be yourself, and be natural. Don’t just be articulate, I saw people that were very articulate but I could detect that their response isn't convincing enough. Let your response make sense. What I mean by that is, let your story add up, we all have a unique story about ourselves, use it to your advantage to answering these personal questions such as why you want to study the course, how you got to know about it and your plan after graduate school. Be sincere in your response as well. In all, God’s grace is paramount and shouldn’t be underestimated.

I really appreciate those that took time to drop their transcripts, it really helped a lot. Thanks to the big guys that always make sure we don't get misinformed. God bless you all.

Congrats... this v.o already made up his mind to approve you from the beginning

Northeastern:


You don't mean it

The initial check or scanning of you passport that is then transmitted to generate you I - 94, the let me see your I - 20, the do you have any meat item, the capturing of the face and then the stamping. All in one minute?

Don't forget that the CBP official would scrutinise your details to make sure you're stamped in appropriately, i.e a timeframe for visitors and D/S for students.

Lol... you should know he meant most people don’t spend much time at POE. Not necessarily one minute

sureb0yy:


Haba! Fear God. Which kind logic is this na? How can you know for certain what someone's intent is? It's not as clear cut as it looks Sir. For what it's worth, he could get admitted into CA and still find his way to TN or wherever else if intent is to immigrate. All the VO had was a suspicion, it was the applicant's job to clear that suspicion and he probably did a bad job at it.

I read the transcript, he needs to do a better job. His brother's life decisions doesn't ban him from ever staying in TN. It'd raise red flags, that's all. It's his duty to explain those red flags. Saying it's a coincidence though is a weak defense.

Haha... But the guy made it obvious that he was immigrating which raised the red flags. Well two of you are still saying the same thing. The guy should address the red flags. Apply to schools in other states and use that for his visa application

Imustreturn:
someone please reply me oooo

Check usnews and see the ranking.

Those who haven’t booked their appointment can use emergency appointment even if you have been denied within last 2months. It works for F1 student visa

Sirtenburg:


bro, we just have to keep trying.. I have been denied USA visa twice and Canada once to the extend my uncle called me a waste but suicide is not an option. there's always a light at the end of the tunnel .

Some have been denied 5times and are still pushing it. Ending ones life is never an option

.

muritalaolaide:
Please help......
I want to reapply and the appointment page is asking me to choose if I have either been interview between 6 month or not. If I choose I have been interviewed,it won't bring out any date for,it will say no date available but if I choose regular, it will bring out date. I kept on refreshing d page and now its saying my maximum limits for d day is over till tomorrow.
And if I pick regular, it was written there that I will be denied for misrepresentation.
My fear is I have only 3days before my receipt number is blocked by d embassy and one day is gone already,please when can I likely do the appointment that I will be able to get a date.

Please gurus help

I experienced same too. You are not the only one but why will your receipt number be blocked. Whats the reason?

Please help analyse my interview. Got denied today

Vo : good morning

Me : good morning sir

Me : how was ur night

Vo: great, thank you

Vo: which school are you going ?


Me: I'm going to study master of science in information technology in Iglobal university located at Leesburg pike, Vienna, Virginia

Vo: what was your last education?

Me: bachelor of science in Computer Science

Vo: what year did you finish undergraduate study?

Me : 2015 ( vo countenance changes and started typing)

Vo: why did you choose this school and how many schools did you apply also how many gave admission?

Me : I applied to 3 schools and the 3 gave admission

Me : I have chosen IGU for some reasons, firstly IGU offers some elective track courses which catches my interest and I know it would be of benefit to my career ( vo cut in..)

Vo: what relationship does the 3 schools has?


Me : (I was confused at first)...OK after when I had concluded on what to study, then I searched using Google to see schools offering this course. The I realised xyz school has information Science and ABC school has information Science, but IGU has information technology which I really wanted

Vo: (continue typing ) who Is sponsoring you?

Me : dad

Vo: what is he into?

Me: he is a building contractor and also has hotels

Vo: are you married?

Me: am engaged

Vo: do you have kids?

Me : yes

Vo: how many kids?

Me: just a kid

Vo: how old?

Me : a year old

Vo: have you traveled out of the country b4?

Me: No, I haven't

Vo: sorry, I'm going to give you blue paper to read why you are not eligible for this now


There was a Dr in front of me that was really drilled by this Vo