₦airaland Forum

Thanks so much for this information. Very helpful. I appreciate it!

BlessedABee:
It took my mom about a month.
She submitted her application 3rd week in June, scheduled her passport drop off for 2nd week in July and was notified to pick up her passport a week after she dropped it off.




M

Hi, I read your response to TWoods and then your question, and it is not incredibly clear what you want to do. My understanding is that you have a curren F1 visa for school A and you plan on deferring admission from Spring to Fall 2024 because of health reasons. However, you are considering School B because of presumably better funding options. My explanation below is based on this understanding.

Because you have deferred your admission in School A to Fall 2024, you will have been unenrolled for greater than 5 months which will mean that if School B offers you admission in Fall 2024, school A will be unable to transfer your SEVIS records (again because it has been more than 5 months since your last enrollment) to school B. School B will generate a new I20 and a new SEVIS ID. This SEVIS ID from School B will obviously be different from the SEVIS ID that is annotated on your current F1 visa which is for School A. If you come to the US to attend School B with the visa that is annotated with school A's SEVIS ID, you will likely have problems at POE because the immigration official will look up your SEVIS records on School B's I20 and when he scans your visa, the SEVIS records for school A will show up instead of School B. Because you have deferred your admission for School A, your SEVIS information for school A will show deferred or even Terminated if you have told your DSO in school A that you won't be resuming at School A anymore in Fall 2024.

Either way, this will cause problems at POE for you and they may not allow you in because of this SEVIS record mismatch in their SEVIS system. If you changed schools within 5 months or less of your last enrollment, you could easily transfer your SEVIS ID to the new school and you won't need to get a new visa because the DSO will just update your SEVIS records and you will maintain your current SEVIS ID. This is considered a transfer which happens all the time when students change schools for any reason - personal reasons, advisor got a new position at a new school and they moved with the advisor, better funding at another university, or they got admission to their first choice school after they had received their visa based on the i20 from their second choice school etc. In these cases, there is no prolonged break in enrollment. After my F1, I did a fellowship on a J1 for a few months at my second choice institution. I was later offered a fellowship in my first choice institution after three months at the second choice institution and the program official of my first choice institution just updated my DS2019 in the SEVIS system to reflect my first choice institution and I maintained the same SEVIS ID.

My explanation above is based on you changing schools from School A to School B. Obviously, if you deferred your admission in School A and return in Fall 2024 to attend the same School A, the above explanation will be moot because you won't require a new visa (you will require a new 120 though) provided that you filed the proper paperwork with your DSO (look up five-month rule for US students online). As I mentioned, they can't do a SEVIS transfer to School B where you retain your SEVIS ID and I20 because you would have been away and unenrolled for more than 5 months. I hope this makes sense.

I realize that this is a long-winded answer but if you want to be doubly sure, I suggest that you reach out to the DSO of school B when you are offered admission. The DSO will obviously know better than I do. Best of luck and I hope everything works out for you!

Rdfactor:
Meaning that if I, indeed, get offer from a new school (different from the school I was meant to attend this spring), I’ll need another visa since SEVIS ID is now different. I transferred my SEVIS to this particular school I was supposed to attend by Spring. If I could get them to transfer the SEVIS to a new school (in case the department isn’t able to retain my funding till Fall), would I still need another visa in this case? I’m clear about the first part where I’ll need another visa to a new school by Fall.

Likewise, since I’m not able to enroll, the school DSO need to do “early authorised withdrawal “ for me so I can be able to come back with ease.

Hi everyone,

I want to renew my mum’s B1/B2 US visa. Her current B1/B2 visa expires soon so she qualifies for IW. I would like to know how long it takes to get an IW date after her application is submitted. Does anyone have any idea based on their own experience? Thanks!

Sorry about your health. I hope you feel better soon!

The first thing is to ensure that your application for deferral is approved. It should not take long. The decision is typically immediate. Once the deferral has been approved, the International Student office will issue a new I20 with corrected dates. The I20 number, school code etc will be the same so your SEVIS record will not change other than dates of enrollment. Since you already have a visa that was issued to you using the old I20 information, the name of the school and all other information on your visa will also remain the same. You can return to the US in Fall 2024 with the updated I20 using the old visa. Make sure that you go with email correspondence between you and your school showing your request for a deferral and approval of your request. Also go with a letter from your physician briefly describing the health condition that kept you away from school till Fall 2024. These documents may come in handy at your POE if you are asked. Folks defer their admission all the time without issues, typically for as much as a year after admission offer.

Your F1 visa is attached to a particular school. If your renewed F1 visa is for the Spring 2024 school, then this should not be a problem even if you defer your admission. You can't use your renewed F1 visa meant for school A to enter the US in order to immediately attend school B if the DSO in school B does not update your SEVIS records because of a SEVIS record mismatch.

Rdfactor:
Here’s the question;

I recently came to Nigeria from the United States to renew my F1 Visa. The visa was renewed on December 1st and I graduated from my Masters program from my old school on December 15th. I was supposed to be resuming in Spring 2024 to a new school that already issued me an i20 for my PhD. However, I can’t travel out of Nigeria at this time to resume my study due to health reasons which will be resolved by January. By that time, I can no longer travel and the i20 will be cancelled as a result.

I have already made steps to defer my admission in the new school so that I can attend by Fall. The question I have is that can I still use my renewed F1 visa to enter the United States with a new i20 given to me by this particular school or another school entirely? Or I’ll need to apply for a new visa using i20 from a new school or from the school that I’ve already transferred my SEVIS into?

Hi!
My two cents:

Since the ECO had an issue with your parents' funds, I suggest that your parents list you and your partner as her sponsors. This is assuming you guys have more money in your account than your parents do in their own account.

Write a cover letter that explains why you are inviting your mum and that addresses the issues raised in her previous refusal. If you are going to sponsor your mum, state that in your cover letter. Include a maternity certificate (MAT B1) in your new application.

State your mum's ties to Nigeria in your cover - letter from her place of employment, her marriage certificate, husband's retirement papers, proof of any business that she might be running, birth certificate of her other kids, documents for properties of land that she might own, her own account/joint account statement etc. You should also include your BRP, house deeds or tenancy agreement, utility bills, your account statement (3-6 months), proof of employment for you and your partner, pay stubs, and your marriage certificate. Ensure to explain any ambiguous deposits or withdrawals in your account if you decide to use your own account statement to sponsor your mum. Same applies to your mum's/joint account statement, especially if she is sponsoring herself.

Good luck with the new application.

lawrenzoh:
Another gentle appeal

Hello guys, please a brother needs your kind suggestion. I do not want to make another mistake or risk another refusal. I humbly solicit your suggestions. For reference, also see this post: https://www.nairaland.com/6969367/general-uk-visa-enquiries-part/557#127286996

Thank you all as you contribute.

You can ask the bank to write an account verification letter for your mum and dad. This is a common service that a lot of banks provide to their clients. I do not know wheat you mean by your mum called her agency but this document is provided directly by a bank and no one else. Also, like someone said earlier, a PAP is your best bet at this point if you are sure that UKVI made an error in their assessment of the bank documents.

HaifaT:
Milito, Thanks a lot for your response.
Can you confirm that a bank could write such a letter ? My mom called her agency and they claimed that the highest proof is the bank statement with the stamp (which have been provided). Moreover, they don't usually do such letters.
We will still try again with them.
Do you have any idea of the fees for such lawyer and procedure ?

Thanks à lot,

Haifa

I apologize in advance if I may have misunderstood your post but it does not sound like you are not married to your boyfriend but have a "marriage certificate" that appears to have been fraudulently obtained by his family members. It is not worth submitting fraudulent documents or misrepresenting yourself for the purpose of obtaining a visa. Folks have been banned for up to 10 years because of issues like this or at the very least, have had subsequent visits undergo way more scrutiny than usual.

Mayqueen2:
Thanks for your contribution. The issue is; because of the 20hrs visa restriction, he has not really been able to work. He believes bringing in dependant will ease the burden.Also, I have tried talking him out of it, but he's not getting convinced.
Through the help of my bf family members I already got marriage certificate and the required amount for POF. I applied for IOM and my appointment is tomorrow.
Everything just looks off to me, and I want to avoid us wasting more money, if it's not going to yield positive result.
That's why I'm asking if there's safer route instead of going with the narrative that we are married, without substantial evidence.

No one can give you a definite answer to this question as each applicant’s circumstance and interview experience varies and can sometimes vary significantly. I know folks who have been given an F2 visa and others who have been denied an F2 visa. Although U.S. consular officers are notoriously known for not checking applicants’ documents, you may want to go with your husband’s current I-20, copy of his F1 visa, proof of current enrollment, transcripts, apartment lease, TA/GA/RA appointment letter, paystub if he has a TA/GA/RA, biweekly stipend if he is on a scholarship/fellowship, your husband’s bank statement, your bank statement, and proof of your marriage. Any other document that you have to prove your home ties is also a plus. Better to have the documents and not need them than to need them and not have them!

How long does your husband have left to complete his program? I ask because if your husband is in an MSc program and has already completed a year, he probably has a year or less left to complete his program (minus OPT) so be prepared to respond if the consular officer asks you why it has taken you at least a year to apply to join your husband and why you want to go now when your husband might have approximately a year left before he completes his program. Good luck!

Prettyuche:
The F1 has been in the US since a year now ( my husband)…. We the F2 ( me and my 3 kids ) have appointment next month
He is doing his MSc. …..I want to know the possibility…..

Hi KeniOaks,

I renewed while I was a student a few years ago so some things may have changed. However, if you plan on renewing in Canada and you have a Nigerian passport (or a passport that requires a Canadian visa for travel), you must start by getting a Canadian visitor visa. This is an easy process. At the time I did it, I completed the form online, paid the Canadian visa fee, and submitted some documents including my bank statement, passport photos, purpose of my visit (i.e. renew my student visa), and a copy of the appointment letter from the US embassy. I was a student on the three occasions that I applied and had between $2500–$3500 in my account. They reviewed my documents and asked me to send my passport along with a return envelope to the Canadian VAC in NY. I believe the location of the VAC depends on your state. The Canadian visa lasts for the entire duration of your passport validity so you can always go to Canada again for a vacation if you want.
The website below has information on how to apply for a US visa in Canada. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on apply

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv

Select the consulate where you want to apply it. I was pressed for time whenever I applied so I just applied to the consulate with the earliest availability – twice in Ottawa, once in Toronto, and once in Halifax. Someone said that Halifax discontinued student visa application but confirm this when you apply. Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver definitely do though.

I found the visa process to be smooth and easy, unlike my experience in Nigeria. The Consular Officers are more polite, light-hearted, and willing to even joke with you and ask you about your course and career trajectory study. However, it is still an interview so be prepared. I went with my form I20, academic transcripts, bank statements, pay stubs for GA/RA, scholarship letters showing funding, enrollment verification letter obtained from my university, student ID, letter from my program director, and driver’s license. Despite all the documents that I went with, they only asked for my form I20 on all the occasions and the interviews were brief. In my opinion, most U.S. residents get their visas renewed, however be prepared. Typically, the rejections I observed were from non-Canadians in Canada who wanted to visit the US. Except things have changed, they will mail your passport to you at an address that you provide when you applied. You also have the option to ask DHL to hold your passport for pickup. I always used the latter option because it was more convenient for me. The entire process takes about 3–4 days whether in Canada or Mexico. I would fly in on Sunday evening, visit the embassy on Monday morning and would get an email from the Consulate on Tuesday afternoon that passport is ready for pickup. DHL would then tell me to come pick it up on Wednesday or Thursday. I would then fly back to the US on Thursday evening.

It also goes without saying that if you have ever been arrested or convicted, make sure to go with the final Court disposition. Some people say if you have ever had a ticket, go with proof that you paid it. I believe you can get these records at the Court.

I renewed once in Mexico. I did not require a visa to Mexico because folks on certain visas (F1, J1, H1, LI etc) could go to Mexico with an unexpired US visa. If you want to go the Mexico route, make sure you go before your visa expires, not after. The process is like Canada. I had my interview at US consulate in Tijuana. I was in San Diego at the time so it was convenient for me.
The website below has information on how to apply for a US visa in Mexico. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on apply

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-mx/niv

Although the chances of a renewal are high and the Consular Officers appear nice (definitely way nicer than in Nigeria), this is still an interview so be prepared. If your visa is unfortunately not approved, you can’t’ come back to the US. Finally, I would suggest Canada as an option because of language and safety concerns in Mexico.
Hope this information helps and good luck. Sorry for the long-winded response!

KeniOaks:
@JohnZak, you mentioned renewing from Canada or Mexico as an international student. Can you explain the process? You said you have done it 4 times.

Direct flight from Lagos to Atlanta. Go through immigration at Atlanta and then take a domestic flight from Atlanta to Orlando. The Atlanta to Orlando flight is a short one, <1.5 hours. Allow 2.5-3.0 hours between arrival in Atlanta and departure to Orlando for going through immigration, picking up your bags at international baggage claim, checking your bags, and going through TSA at the domestic terminal of the Atlanta airport.

Janedoe27:
Hi Everyone, Please I’m looking to book a flight to Orlando Florida and I need an airline that doesn’t require transit visa, with the shortest flight time and the least amount of stopovers. I don’t know if anyone can be of help. Cost is not really a problem.

Since you qualify for Dropbox, you will probably get it by September but nothing is guaranteed and may be cutting it close. There are some folks on here that have waited for close to 3 months from seeking a dropbox date to visa pick-up. You should probably start looking for a dropbox date now before you’re in country. You should have also renewed in Canada or Mexico before coming to Nigeria. Many foreign students do this without any issues. This would have also saved you the dropbox hassle in Nigeria.

Shalomated:
Hello guys, thanks so much for the great conversations here. Very informative.

Please I plan on visiting Nigeria on July 5, 2023 and applying immediately for the dropbox to renew my F1 visa. Please for those who recently applied for the dropbox, Is there a chance of getting a date plus having my visa renewed before Sept 9, 2023?

Hi! You can reapply for an emergency appointment and hope that your request is approved before your school resumes. If they deny your request a second time, you can also ask your school to defer your admission till next Fall because of visa dates that will allow to start classes this Fall are unavailable. Most schools will defer admission at least once. This can allow them issue you another I-20 and you can look for regular visa appointments before next Fall. Good luck!!

Noble2019:
I was just denied expedite request now. Please who can help me out n this visa interview schedule. My sch resumption date is early August, 2023. Can I re-apply for emergency or I should apply for another visa? Or what can I do my fellow Nairalander.

If you are in the US, you do not need to renew an expired F1 visa, provided that you have a valid I20. You will only have to renew if you travel outside the US. You should not give your documents to a family member to submit for you in Nigeria while you are in the US. You will get into a lot of trouble because the visa will show that it was issued in Nigeria but you won't have an arrival/departure record from the US for the period that the visa was issued in Nigeria. There is no need to jeopardize your status in the US. If you want to renew your visa, you can easily renew it in Canada or Mexico. Many foreign students do it all the time. I have personally done it three times when I was a student. It is pretty straightforward and hassle-free provided you have all your documents.

[quote author=BlessedABee post=123328949][/quote]Hemingway:
Hello everyone,

I am currently in the US. I finished my Masters and got a Ph.D. I am now qualified for the interview waiver to renew my expiring visa. My question is, can I give my documents to a family member or friend to drop them off since I don't have to appear for an interview? Coming to Nigeria to drop off my documents is not ideal because I have to attend classes, and it takes two months to get feedback. Can I authorize someone to drop it off and pick it up on my behalf? Any helpful advice will be appreciated 🙌🏾

If you are in Nigeria, you will have to apply for a student visa (F1 visa) at the embassy/consulate. If in the US, you will file a form 1-593, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant status, with USCIS and submit supporting documents. You will a receive a Notice of Action from USCIS stating whether your application has been approved or denied.
This where it may get tricky. If your NOA is approved, your school may still request that you leave the US to apply for an FI visa from an American embassy/consulate and return to the US in F1 status. My school required all international students to be admitted into the US in F1 status except they were seeking asylum. They needed this F1 visa information in order to update each students SEVIS record. For some other schools, the approval NOA will suffice, and you do not need to leave and return to the US in F1 status. You can ask your school if admission in F1 status is mandatory.
If you have to leave and apply for an F1 visa after receiving the NOA approval, there is still a risk you may be denied an F1 visa because the visa officer may perceive that the student visa was your ultimate goal all along and you used the visitor visa to circumvent the system.
USCIS may also deny your I593 application and cancel your visitor visa. If they do not cancel your visitor visa, your decision to change visa status while in the US may adversely affect future US visa applications. In conclusion, yes, you can change your visa status but weigh the pros and cons. Good luck!

Dansakimotors:
Hello House,

Advice needed. How can i change my Visa status from Visiting Visa to Student Visa? Admission already secured and 5yrs Visiting Visa already granted. I look forward to your response, especially from someone that have tread this path b4.

Hi Iyaboys! I have a quick question about the F4 petition. I am about to file for my brother and I just looked at the priority dates (PD) on the latest Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin. The current PD for Nigeria and other chargeable countries is April 2007. I know that F4 usually takes a long time (approx 10 years) but this is showing 16 years. Is this correct or am I missing something from the visa bulletin? Thanks.

@cutelawyer and orekzbaba -- you can travel on a B1/B2 while a GC application is pending. My folks do that all the time. However, sometimes a VO may deny a visa for this same reason. My college roommate from Cameroon who was on a J1 visa went back home to renew his J1 visa and the VO denied his application because he had a pending GC application. His wife won the DV lottery and was processing it in Cameroon. Anyway, he continued with his program remotely for about a year until the DV lottery paperwork was completed and he returned to the US on a GC. My opinion is that while it may not affect some people like my mum, it affected my college roommate. Maybe the different visas (B1/B2 vs J1 and 2yr home requirement) played a role but I do not know. Hope this info helps.

Iyaboys:
Actually you can apply for visiting visa when you have a green card petition pending. I have an F4 petition going...its been ten years, but I have been visiting the US since 2001, iam currently in the US for a visit, so YES you can

post=123065263]If they have filed for green card for you,you cannot apply for USA visa till the filing is approved.I am kinda in the same situation so i opted to try with regular visa.Wait times for that filing is 5 years.Find out from the lawyer that filed for you to get better understanding of the process.

The website says it is always better to apply from your home country but you can apply from outside your home country. I have witnessed instances where the decisions went both ways. My cousin who was on a visit to the UK successfully applied for a B1/B2 visa while in the UK about six years ago. When I was renewing my F1 student visa in Canada the first time, I saw an older Iranian couple visiting their daughter in Canada successfully get a B1/B2 visa. The second time I renewed my student visa, also in Canada, the consular officer refused the BI/B2 visa application of an Indian guy who was on a Canadian visitor visa. He was told to apply from India. I guess the decision is a toss up. Good luck!

Ajalalomo:
US embassy London website says I can. Looking for anyone who has done this before

It is literally the same process as applying from Nigeria. The only difference is that available dates are way earlier in the UK than they are in Nigeria.

meljoe:
Please how to apply for visit visa from the uk please

For employee sponsored jobs, you will have to look for jobs that sponsor H1, L1, or O1 visas. These are all dual intent visas. L1 visas are intracompany transfer visas so it is not likely that this will apply to you. H1 and O1 are specialty occupation visas. For H1 or O1 visas, your company can sponsor you for a GC after a couple of years of employment. There are certain requirements that you must meet to ensure that you are you eligible for these types of visas. See links below. Look through and see if you qualify.

https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations

https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/o-1-visa-individuals-with-extraordinary-ability-or-achievement

The downside of applying for these visas from outside the US is that you will be competing for these jobs with folks who have US degrees and/or are already living in the US. Some companies may consider it a hassle hiring someone who is outside the US when they have tons of similarly qualified people in the US.

The H1b application process can also be immensely difficult to navigate even when one is in the US, let alone outside the US. for example, the company will have to get a labor certification, then send your application to USCIS, then USCIS has to approve it, and then you apply for your visa at the embassy. That is why you don't have many stories of people getting these visas from Nigeria. Despite these challenges, some people have successfully obtained H1b and O1 visas while based in countries outside the US so you might be lucky.

Like everyone here has said in prior posts, google is your friend. Use google to search jobsites like indeed, monster jobs, zip recruiter, etc or professional organizations in your field to look for jobs that you qualify for and that also sponsor one of these visa types. Good luck!

ChocolateWine:
Thanks. I've been doing a couple of googling. Please how do I get employee sponsorship jobs to apply for?

The embassy doesn’t typically ASK to see SPECIFIC docs for NIV visa. They request that applicants CONSIDER bringing certain docs. Some of these are suggested on their website depending on the visa type. It is better to have more docs at the interview and not need them than need them and not have them.

For example, I always sponsor my mum and aunty. The last time my mum applied in-person in 2018, the only question the Consular Officer (CO) asked was about my brother. At the time, my brother had never been to the US so my mum was surprised and told her he is in Nigeria. The CO didn’t ask for other docs. My mum has been to the US before and studied there as well.

I sponsored my aunt in 2019. That was her first visa application. The CO asked my aunty for my invitation letter and my GC. My aunt didn’t have my GC so the CO held her passport and asked her to submit my GC. She submitted it the next day and her visa was approved. This is my experience. It may not necessarily apply to the next person.


quote author=sirgigs post=118344588]


Has the US Embassy started asking to see all these many docs now�?[/quote]

You can include the sponsor’s (your sister and husband) bank statement from the last six months, employment verification letters showing where they work, how long they’ve worked there and their annual income, and a copy of the document describing their current status in the US (US passport, green card, or visa depending on what applies to them), proof of address (recent utility bill). An invitation letter is also important. Your sister can also add her birth certificate. My experience is that parents or elderly folks don’t undergo as much scrutiny as others so as long as they have all the relevant docs or don’t have an adverse immigration history, they should be fine.

mojolajesu:
Hello good people of Nairaland.

My parents interview is coming up next week. my dad is 76years my mum is 66 years of age. Please guys, what are some things you advise they carry along?

Things I think they should take along
Invite letter from my sister and her husband
Marriage Cert...


Things they need to know
Where my sister and her husband lives
where they work
How many children they have
when they got into the US
what are they going to do in the us


Please guys, help me add or remove from the list.

Blessings to you

Since you have a schengen type C visa, you will not require a transit visa. The type C visa trumps the transit visa. Also, it appears you have a GC. Your GC also obviates the need for a transit visa requirement.

lionlee216:
Good evening. I'm heading to UK transiting through Amsterdam cos I'm flying KLM and I understand I need a transit visa.

Also I have a schegen type C visa valid till Novemeber. Can i use the visa to transit through Amsterdam while heading to UK or I'll need to actually apply for a transit visa for that purpose

One other thing, if it is possible, I suggest simplifying the account that you present to the ECO. Preferably, present both accounts and clarify her monthly expenditure as others have said.

esdajo:
Thanks for your input. Yes, I am resident in Europe and I included every single document you had mentioned regarding family ties, proof of income, a copy of my UK visa, bank statements, sponsorship letter and a cover letter. We’re thinking of reapplying and addressing the issue of her expenditure being over and beyond her income as she transfers money into her salary account from the upkeep account so as to use her ATM card to withdraw the monies. The ATM card is actually linked to her salary account which was the only account presented on her part.

Hi, It appears that you live in Germany and your partner lives in Nigeria or at least applied from Nigeria. In your writeup, you state that you will fully finance the trip yet it seems as though the ECO only had access to your partner's bank statement and not yours. Did she include your relationship with her, your bank statement, your pay slips, employment verification letter, a copy of your UK visa, and information that you were the primary sponsor? If not, I think including this information in a new application may be helpful, in addition to her own financial information. From your note, it sounds like the ECO's reservation was related to their perception that your partner spends more than she earns and so can't reasonably sponsor herself in the UK hence the caveat "you are likely to be refused unless the circumstances of your application change." Including your own information may strengthen a new application as it will show that her funding while in the UK will be covered. It is not inconceivable that a family member who lives in Europe or the US sponsors a trip of another immediate family member to Europe/US.

esdajo:
Hi all,

So my family applied for a UK visa for a trip that would be fully financed by myself and here is the refusal letter my partner got this evening:

Dear

Your application for a visit visa to the United Kingdom has been refused.

What this means for you

Any future UK visa applications you make will be considered on their individual merits, however you are likely to be refused unless the circumstances of your application change.
In relation to this decision, there is no right of appeal or right to administrative review.

The reasons for this decision are set out on the next page.

Yours sincerely,




YV UKVS

REASONS FOR REFUSAL NRA v 1.0

You have applied for a visa to visit the UK.
In deciding whether you meet the requirements of Appendix V: of the Immigration Rules for visitors (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor- rules), I have considered:
• your application and any additional relevant information you have provided with it
• your immigration history

The decision
I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the requirements of paragraph(s) 4.2-10 of Appendix V: Immigration Rules for Visitors because:

• You state that you wish to visit the UK for 8 days for tourism.

• You have indicated that you are employed and spend 15,000 NGN (£30.12 at Oanda.com, 21/08/2022) per month.

• In support of your application, you have submitted a personal bank statement in your name from Sterling bank (account ending xxx3340). From this, I note that you regularly spend much more each month than the amount you stated in your application. There is no explanation for this. Therefore, I am not satisfied that you have given a reliable representation of your personal and financial circumstances.

Given the above I am not satisfied that your intentions in wishing to travel to the United Kingdom or that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit. Your application for a visit visa has been refused under paragraphs V4.2 (a) and (c) of the Immigration Rules.


Please I need your input on how best to go about reapplying. I already renewed my UK visa and I currently have a 2-year visitor's visa and we were supposed to go together as a family. Any input would be highly appreciated!

Getting a French immigration lawyer is not a bad idea if you have the resources to get one. However, from what I have observed, immigration lawyers are best suited for immigrant, settlement visas, or long-term work visas. There is no harm trying and this decision is up to you.

The International Student Services of your school may be able to help you with a list of reputable French immigration lawyers that they have worked with. Just be sure to still address all the issues that others have mentioned in your cover letter (i.e. past refusal, explanation, evidence of funds, bank statement that does not show unexpected large deposits, supporting docs etc.). An immigration lawyer can only do so much. The onus still rests on you. It is your visa application, not the immigration lawyer's application.

Slim234:
what do you think about using a french immigration lawyer

My two cents...I suggest you reapply and write a cover letter addressing your past tourist visa refusal, explain the reason behind your choice of your current program, your interest and qualifications that support your interest in the program. I do not know which docs you submitted the first time but include all the docs that folks on this thread have listed. If possible, include your previous degree certificates and NYSC certificates. I am sure you have this but include the admission letter and other documents the school sent to you, and proof that you have paid your tuition fees. Include a list of these docs in your cover letter and provide these supporting docs with your application. Although the reason by the embassy appears vague, address any thing in your application that you think a neutral observer may be thrown off by. There is no harm in submitting more docs than required as the additional docs may clarify any issues.

You can apply as soon as you can especially as your classes don't start until October. There have been instances where schengen visas have been issued soon after a rejection so be hopeful and reapply.

At this point, an immigration lawyer may not be very helpful and may take advantage of your desperation and anxiety to make money off you.

Good luck!!

Slim234:
please can I get an immigration lawyer. Do you know how I can get one

Thanks boss! This information is very helpful. Appreciate the prompt reply. Have a good one and enjoy your vacation in France.

lionlee216:
Oh, 6 months duration! Hopefully, i won't have any reasons to apply for visa moving forward.

I didn't ask for 1 month visa. It was at the discretion of the consulate. I stated my trip is from Sept 9 to 18, I guess hence the 1 month visa. A friend that applied through the Italian embassy got less than 15 days.

My visa Validity starts from Sept 1 and valid till Nov 30th

Hi lionlee216! Congrats on your visa. I am in a similar situation. I am a GC holder who is applying for a Schengen visa through the French embassy from Atlanta. I had two Schengen visas issued by the Swiss consulate in the past and both were of 6 months duration. Did you specifically ask for a 30-day visa from the French embassy or is that what they just issued to you? Did the 30-day period of validity on your visa start from when the visa was issued or your departure date as stated on your visa application?
Thanks

lionlee216:
Visa granted in 7 days, i was given 30days multiple entry. Applied from Chicago, US


passport biodata page
Photocopy of Visas, entry and exit stamps
Business registration
3 months bank statements
Cover letter(though not required)
Hotel reservation
Flight reservation
My recent tax returns
Copy of my green card
Insurance

I recently renewed my passport in Atlanta. I suggest that you first of all select the consulate that you want to apply at and then go on the website and see what days your chosen consulate opens. When I renewed in Atlanta in February, they only attended to customers on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays so I had to select one of those days on the appointment page. Now, according to the website, the Atlanta Consulate is open everyday (Monday through Friday) for passport applicants. You must have an appointment to be seen. They don't accept walk-ins anymore. Read the requirements and make sure you show up at the consulate with all required docs. The process is pretty tedious and stressful so be prepared for it.

africandictator:
Hello everyone how can one get a tourist visa To go to Nigeria from the USA. Before filling my paperwork at the consulates website I was informed before I proceed or make payments I have to first find out what days the consulate opens for appointments because the consulates may not open everyday because of covid. I have called countless times but I don't seem to get an answer and it's quite frustrating. Can anyone help? It's hard for Americans to get a visa to Nigeria because it seems the embassy/consulate isn't functioning well.

You are looking at the correct site. I suggest being patient. Did you submit in Lagos? Based on my observation, Abuja might be slightly faster. This might be because they have just started IW appointments (about 6 weeks ago). My mum submitted on the 14th of April and was issued by 20th of April. Her status changed from Application Received, Administrative Processing, and then to Issued. Some other folks who submitted in Lagos waited for much longer. It is a waiting game. Continue to monitor the tracking website. They will inform you if they require any document(s) from you.

TDH1680:
Good morning, can anyone advise of the interview waiver tracking process. I have been tracking my parents renewal application but the status is stuck on "Application Received". The last updated date, has changed twice since it was submitted but the actual status, hasn't moved from "Received". Can anyone advise? Am I looking in the wrong place?

My mum did not use her last visa which expired in 2020 and she was issued a new visa a few weeks ago. On balance, not using a previous visa should not influence the decision to issue a subsequent visa.

wuki:
This is all a myth that seems to be regurgitated over and over. There’s no obligation on the part of an applicant to use their visa. I read a comment on here maybe a few pages back about someone who hadn’t used their last 2 visas and had no problems renewing. I can also say the same thing for my aunt who just renewed recently. Meanwhile folks who have used their visas religiously and staying no more than 2 weeks at a time still get denied. There are all sorts of reasons for denial but being denied for lack of visa use makes little sense. Anyway just my opinion.

Yes, it is valid until September 30, 2021. More information about MRV fee validity extension is available at the link below

https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Mission%20Nigeria%20is,during%20the%20suspension%20of%20services.

Dhammy4real:
Good day all,
pls my sister applied and paid for us Visa in 2019, and was suppose to go for her interview in 2020, but covid started and she forgot about it, but now she want to apply again, is the previous fee of 2019 still valid or will she pay another Visa fee.

UPDATE!!

Abuja IW

Submitted - 4/14
Administrative processing -- 4/19
Issued -- 4/20

I thought it was a fast turnaround because the Friday (4/15) after submission and Monday (4/18) were both public holidays because of Easter.

Thanks again for the information on this forum. I wish everyone success with their applications.

JohnZak:
Hey guys! I have gotten valuable information from this thread so I figure I will give back. I know some folks had questions about the IW submission process in Abuja. My mum had her IW appointment in Abuja this morning. She submitted her documents at the DHL office and not the Embassy as we initially assumed. She was there for about 90 minutes before she was attended to. They checked her documents and everything was good. I know some on this thread had questions about whether a proxy can submit on behalf of the applicant, especially an older applicant. My mum told me that a woman at DHL this morning asked the same question and the DHL worker said it is not possible. The applicant has to submit in person. I will update when there is more information. Good luck everyone!