₦airaland Forum

Rachie83:
I once asked same question on this thread and LagosNIV said the same thing I said now. She need to renew her passport.

I have checked your previous posts and noticed you were right about LagosNIV's post concerning the six months validity. This was the post in question:

LagosNIV:
Hello salsera -

Your statement is incorrect. To enter the US you must have a valid visa (valid on the date of entry, doesn't matter how much longer it is valid for) and a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. If Rachie83 is planning to travel to the US in November 2017 then the Passport expiring in February 2018 will be a problem. She should renew the passport before traveling. If she has a visa in the passport that expires February 2018 she can bring that passport with her along with her new passport to be allowed entry. Alternatively, she can renew the passport before her interview so that it is all in 1 passport.

The above post of his, which was made in September 21, kind of contradicts what he posted thereafter in November 15. The above post insists one must have six months validity on his passport on entering the US while the latter post says one only needs to have a passport with validity that will cover the intended period of stay. I'll post it here again:

LagosNIV:
Hello Od31 -

All visitors are required to have a passport that is valid for their entire intended period of stay.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Jan/Six-Month%20Club%20Update%2012-5-16.pdf

LagosNIV

I have checked the U.S. Department of State website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html#ExternalPopup) and the website says Nigeria, amongst a few other countries, is exempt from the six month validity rule.

But don't get me wrong, I advocate that one should always renew his passport, if he or ahe can, before embarking on a journey. But if the journey is an emergency and the intended period of stay is within the validity remaining in the passsport then that person should embark on that journey and then proceed to renew the passport on return.

The post by LagosNIV on the need for 6 months validity was in September 21 while the one exempting Nigeria was done in November 15. So I think that of November 15 should supercede that of September 21

Rachie83:
I once asked same question on this thread and LagosNIV said the same thing I said now. She need to renew her passport.

Ok let's wait for the VO's clarification on this.

In the meantime, I recommend you click on the link below to see my view on this and to see the VO's earlier post on this.

https://www.nairaland.com/4116999/usa-visit-visa-part-3/64#63344966

I will also quote the VO's post here too:

LagosNIV:
Hello Od31 -

All visitors are required to have a passport that is valid for their entire intended period of stay.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Jan/Six-Month%20Club%20Update%2012-5-16.pdf

LagosNIV

I also recommend you click on the link he provided

cc: Azeezatdami93

Azeezatdami93:
Pls house i have a question.
I just realized that my passport will be expiring in 5month 2weeks to my intended travelling date.... I have my visa already though. Pls do you all knoe if the airline would take me, or i should try and renew my passport first. Was told express passpt would take a week to be ready in abeokuta. ...
N:B, will be spending just 2weeks in US...
Am i to go ahead for the renewal. Or i can still make it with my current passport status

I think it's best we ask LagosNIV and AbujaNIV for their input as I noticed Rachie83, Seyewest and myself have conflicting views on this.

Finnest22:
Good evening gurus in the house. Pls I have a question to ask; I have applied for a student visa in 2016 but was denied. Now I want to apply for a tourist visa to visit a sister. My question is, will I fill an entirely new DS160 form or will retrieve d one I used during my student visa application in 2016? Thanks for your anticipated responses .

Fill a new DS160 form but use the same profile page you created on ustravelocs.com/ng to book interview appointment

kristinbaby:
Mr. Bachelor. Are you back from your trip?

No, I'm still in the States. Enjoying the smooth wifi

seyewest:
That website is not the official U.S Embassy website and you and the website are both wrong sir.

I think you are wrong sir. I did more search and found out Nigeria is exempt from the Six Month Rule. You are only required to have a passport that is valid for your intended period of stay. So if you intend staying for 1 month, then the CBP guys will verify to see if your passport is valid for that stipulated period and then they will stamp just 1 month. But if your passport is valid beyond 6 months they will only stamp 6 months as that's the maximum stay for a visit visa.

I will post an excerpt of what LagosNIV said in that regard:

LagosNIV:
Hello Od31 -

All visitors are required to have a passport that is valid for their entire intended period of stay.

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Jan/Six-Month%20Club%20Update%2012-5-16.pdf

LagosNIV

I also recommend you click on the link he provided

cc: Cersei

Rachie83:
Your passport must have 6month validity period at the point of entry, if you had read this part 3 thread you would have known.

I read Nigeria is exempt from the six month rule.

See link below:

https://www.immihelp.com/visas/six-months-passport-validity-rule-visitors.html

cc: Cersei

debby516:
Thanks alot. You are a life saver. How can i reach you? Can i send a pm, sir?

Yes you can. But note that I'm not a travel agent. I only provide the little advice I have

debby516:
Please anyone that can help ticket for the following dates

6/7/8 January 2018 (flexible with outbound trip)
28th February/1st March 2018 (inbound trip)
2 adults, 1 infant and 1 child

LOS - IAH

Thanks.

Would have preferred you mentioned the ages of the infant and child. However I presumed infant is less than a year and the child less than 5 years.

So the most affordable rates are those for outbound flights on 7th and 8th January 2018. Inbound flights for 28th February and 1st March 2018 are approximately same. The overall eight most affordable flight schedule are given below:

1. United Airline: LOS - FRA - IAH 25hrs 20mins (Jan 8th) and IAH - ORD - FRA - LOS 20hrs 45mins (Feb 28th) N1,684,627

2. United Airline: LOS - FRA - IAH 25hrs 20mins (Jan 8th) and IAH - ORD - FRA - LOS 20hrs 45mins (Mar 1st) N1,684,627

3. United Airline/Lufthansa: LOS - FRA - IAH 25hrs 20mins (Jan 8th) and IAH - FRA - LOS 18hrs 35mins (Feb 28th) N1,690,006

4. United Airline/Lufthansa: LOS - FRA - IAH 25hrs 20mins (Jan 8th) and IAH - FRA - LOS 18hrs 35mins (Mar 1st) N1,690,006

5. United Airline: LOS - FRA - IAD - IAH 26hrs 58mins (Jan 7th) and IAH - ORD - FRA - LOS 20hrs 45mins (Feb 28th) N1,690,572

6. United Airline: LOS - FRA - IAD - IAH 26hrs 58mins (Jan 7th) and IAH - ORD - FRA - LOS 20hrs 45mins (Mar 1st) N1,690,572

7. Qatar Airline: LOS - DOH - IAH 34hrs 35mins (Jan 7th) and IAH - DOH - LOS 33hrs 15mins (Feb 28th) N1,832,567

8. Qatar Airline: LOS - DOH - IAH 34hrs 35mins (Jan 7th) and IAH - DOH - LOS 33hrs 15mins (Mar 1st) N1,832,567

In summary, avoid outbound flights for the 6th of January as it it could shoot up your cost to 2.6 million. Costs from the 7th is in the neighbourhood of 1.7million. United Airline is the most affordable with an average of 25hrs of voyage time and with stops at Frankfurt. This is followed by Qatar airline which have a longer voyage time of 35 hrs and have a layover at Doha.

Make your choice.

Donaltus:
Please I need flight from Lagos to new York
Date: 28 of December 2017 to January 8 Return ticket
I want airfrance or Turkish airline...I don't want Arab and Africa airline......please I need urgent answer

You could go with the following options:

1. Air Moroc/Turkish Airline with stops at Casablanca (To) and Istanbul (Fro) N501,897

2. Egypt Air/Turkish Airline with stops at Cairo (To) and Istanbul (Fro) N530,924

3. Qatar Airways with stop at Doha N573,736

4. Air Moroc/Etihad Airways with stops at Casablanca (To) and Abu Dhabi (Fro) N607,471

5. Egypt Air with stop at Cairo N620,253

6. Turkish Airline with stop at Istanbul N629,597

7. Egypt Air/Etihad Airways with stops at Cairo (To) and Abu Dhabi (Fro) N636,498

8. KLM/Airfrance with stops at Amsterdam (To) and Paris/Amsterdam (Fro) N663,322

9. Airfrance with stops at Paris (To) and Parus/Amsterdam (Fro) N646,933

10. KLM with stop at Amsterdam N676,007

Hope I didn't end up confusing you

You said you don't like African and Arab airlines (I wonder why). If that be the case then option 6 and then options from 8 till 10 is where you should be looking at.

gbemmy777:
Thanks so much.. really appreciate. please were you provided with hotel for the layover period and how did you go about getting the ticket for the hotel reservation

I didn't make any inquiry on that. I just slept at my boarding gate. Time flew by sef.

gbemmy777:
good day, trust you are enjoying yourself already. please we are also planning to fly with qatar to Houston soon. how was your experience with them. thanks is advance

Sorry, I've been so busy. Just seeing this. Qatar plane and services is very nice. The plane we used from Lagos to Doha was ok. That from Doha to Dallas was Superb!

Their food is ok. But the lay over is 8 hours. It took me a day to get to Dallas from Lagos. It'll take me two days going back!

Took Qatar flight from Lagos (LOS) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW). Of course we had a stop over in Doha (DOH). Got to Dallas around 3pm and met a very long queue.

All passenger, including those on connecting flights, were told to claim their checked-in baggage so that it can be screened by the cbp officers. I pity those who had connecting flights cos they'll have to recheck-in their baggage after clearing with customs and immigration.

I spent close to 1.5hours on the queue. I was a bit nervous as it was my first time visit to the States and I made a change in my destination.....mentioned I was staying in a hotel for two weeks during my visa application/interview but I later decided - after getting the visa - that I was staying with Mr G, a family friend, for one month. Also I had lots of food stuff. A whole travelling bag was filled with food stuff (23kg). I even included two bags of garri (3kg each) in the other travelling bag

We were first made to fill a form electronically. Questions like baggage contents were asked. After filling, a slip was printed out. The print out along with your intl passport is to be presented during the interview. My interview was brief. Here's the transcript:

Me: Good afternoon

CBP: Afternoon. How are you

Me: Fine. *Hands over my passport along with my slip*

CBP: So where are you going?

Me: Dallas. *Then I realised I goofed as I'm already in Dallas, Texas*

Me: Sorry, I'm going to bla bla bla in Dallas, Texas

CBP: How long are you staying?

Me: One month

CBP: Do you have your return ticket with you?

Me: Yes. *Shows him*

CBP: Did you pay for your ticket yourself?

Me: Yes

CBP: So who are you going to see?

Me: Mr G, a family friend

CBP: What's his profession?

Me: *Tells him*

CBP: And what do you do?

Me: *Told him I work with a govt agency in nigeria and I work with an international agency*

CBP: *He then brings out his stamp and stamped my passport (6 months)* Welcome to Dallas, Texas. Enjoy your stay

Me: Thank you

My bag wasn't searched. It was a smooth sail. Mr G. was so elated seeing the loads of foodstuff I brought

Note that I didn't lie. I actually had the intention of staying in a hotel and perhaps visit Mr G. later. So I told the VO that I was going on vacation and that I'll visit Mr. G. I actually planned to stay in the hotel and later see Mr G. briefly but I later changed my mind after he pleaded with me to stay with him and also after I checked the financial implications of staying in the hotel.

doyinwbaby:
thanks legit! so i need a multi-city booking. LOS-AMS-JFK-LOS from jan 2nd to jan 13 to 27th

I think your best bet is Turkish Airline: N958,247.57. The breakdown is as follows:

LOS - AMS Jan 2, 22:40 N223,816.43
AMS - JFK Jan 13, 22:30 N505,513.64
JFK - LOS Jan 27, 13:15 N228,917.50

The total becomes N958,247.57

doyinwbaby:
hey! have you been able to get a flight for schengen state? i need a cheap one o

I wasn't the one who booked. The organisation i consult for booked for me along with my colleagues via a travel agent based in Poland. But I could check out available cheap flights for you. The Travel Agents here can as well. Just send in your itinerary.

Fyorgyn:
This post made me smile yesterday... see as I don become reference point!

I finally got my passport back after almost two weeks. It was not funny waiting... not knowing what went wrong. I really was at my wits end because I had missed a meeting in the US and was on the brink of missing another in a different country.

It really is true what they say... Apply for visas as early as possible because anything can happen!

I did not envisage that I will be asked to schedule an interview after dropbox submission... or that the interview dates will be so far at this time of the year.

Lesson Learnt sha!

Yes o, reading your posts scared me to the bones. This is because, just like yours, my imminent trip is to a different country and is work-related while the US trip is for vacation.

I can't imagine how I'll explain to my employers that I can't go for the session due to my application for a vacation related US Visa. And my trip to the schenghen area had already been paid for, they've even paid me my estacode for the trip! It would've been a disaster. I just thank God I got it. Also thank God you got it too.

And yes, I've learnt my lesson too. Never knew it could take more than 3 working days to get US Visa. It was when I got the white paper and I saw 10 days that I began to worry. I then did specific search here on the forum and saw a few complaints on visa delays. Yours was the one that gave me the most concern. What made matters worse was that you even told the VO about the urgency (I didn't even tell mine) during your interview and yet there was a lag.

So next time, I'll I'll apply for renewal months before the trip. Don't want a repeat of Fyorgyn's Syndrome

kristinbaby:
Ok good, I'm sure your mind is now at rest.

Yes o, my mind is now at rest

Enjoy your trip. Buy something from Europe come ooo .

Lol, hope I'll have the time. Staying only for a week and it's work related and very time demanding. However, my trip to the US is close to a month and is not work related......so maybe na yankee things i go buy

We look forward to your new handle name LegitConjugal. Lol

Amen! Lol

Love the sound of the name

God bless you real good Kristin. Are you based in the States or you a visitor (just like I'm about to become )

kristinbaby:
Hi, it's just 2 working days today, you should get it before Friday. Relax Mr. Bachelor

Don't mind me dear. This is my first.

Tracked my passport this evening and was told it's ready for pickup.

Thanks so much. Lol @Mr. Bachelor

@LagosNIV thanks. Excellent PR I must say.

LagosNIV:
Hello LegitBachelor -

Visas are usually printed and available for pickup within 3 business days. Friday this week is a US holiday so the Embassy and Consulate will be closed. May I ask, was your interview in Abuja or Lagos?

LagosNIV

It's in Lagos.

Does it take longer time in Lagos? My trip to a schenghen area will be this weekend and I need the passport for the trip.

I'm getting worried especially when the case of Fyorgyn comes to mind.

kristinbaby:
Wow what a transcript!!!. Congratulations. Kristinbaby always at your service. Your passport will be ready in three working days. You should get the passport before next week Saturday. They will text you or mail you. You can also track it on their website. Enjoy your trip.

I tracked it and it's still saying passport is at the embassy. I'm getting worried. Is there any hope of it being ready for pickup tomorrow?

blueblood1:
Hi guys,

please, what is the best response to a VO who asks the reason why you are choosing the US to birth??

The best response is to tell the VO the truth. Only you know the truth, nobody else does except you

@Justwise @Disguy, I notice this thread has been moved to the Travel Ads section. Please reconsider your decision for the sake of us who seek information on affordable and appropriate flights.

I know you guys did it because this thread is being championed by Travel Agents. But they don't advertise their services, they simply provide assistance to fellow nairalanders without charging anyone for those services. Besides even non travel agents are active members of this thread as they provide useful information to intending travellers.

Moving this thread to the Travel Ad section has deprived millions of nairalanders who might be needing some info on travel fares easy access to this thread.

Please I'm begging that you move the thread back. I promise to personally lead the vanguard against any adverts on this thread. Any advert will be reported to you guys for appropriate sanctions.

Hoping to get a favorable response.

Regards,
Legitbachelor

Yes, I am ok with the dates. Thank you.

HokageTravels:
Congratulations!!!

Lagos to Dallas, Texas November 26 to Dec 25

Qatar Airways = #627,499

November 23- December 25

Qatar Airways = #609,766

Thank you

Thanks

Actually I will be travelling to a Schenghen State next week and won't be in Lagos till Nov 25th. Thus I need any available cheap flight on Nov 26 preferably but if there are no cheap flights available then the next available date would suffice.

LegitBachelor:
Hi guys. Weldone job.

Please I want to know ìf it's possible to book a flight to the US now and pay immediately after I get my visit visa. Would need the Flight Itinerary for my scheduled visa interview which is in November.

Also I need to know the cheapest airfare from Lagos to Texas to Lagos and the best route.

Looking forward to a response from you guys.

Thanks

Guys I've gotten the visit visa

So my itinerary is now clearer.

So what are the rates of a return ticket to the US. I am going to Dallas, Texas.

Departure Date from Lagos is Nov 26 and Departure Date from the States is Dec 25.

I need the cheapest flight

Regards

LegitBachelor:
Please look into this and give your comments on my chances of getting US visit visa. I know you guys are not the VO that will interview me on the D-day. I just need comments especially on my weak points which I bolded.

I was denied visa last year. Reason being that I don't have have sufficient ties. Then I was single, no kid, work with a govt agency for 4 years, earn over a hundred thousand naira, and no travel history.

Now I seek to apply again. What's changed? The following have changed:

Work History: I still work with the govt agency (5 years) but now also work with an international organisation and I earn over a million naira.

Travel History: I have travelled to Denmark, Germany, Holland, China and India. I also have 1 year valid schengen visa.

I am still single and have no kid. I also remembered I had applied unsuccessfully in US Diversity Lottery Visa several times.

In my previous visa application, I wanted to visit a family friend whom I used as my contact person. But now I intend going on my own on a vacation. Will be staying in a hotel and will probably not visit him. Didn't use him as my contact person in this new application (he's not even aware of my re-application).

So what are my chances?

I've gone for my visa interview. Went with the following documents: 1. My GTB Receipt 2. My Appointment Slip 3. My Confirmation Slip 4. My International Passport 5. My Passport Photo and 6. Documents showing ties to Nigeria

The documents I presumed will provide evidence of my ties include my bank statements, my appointment letter with my workplace and my appointment with an international organisation. Also I attached my hotel booking confirmation. All these I out in a separate file and tagged them evidence of ties to Nigeria

When I got to the venue I only went in with the documents I listed. To make things easy for me and the embassy security guys I left my belt and my money in the car. My appointment was for 6:45am.

All the VOs at the windows this morning were causcasians.......I think. There were lots of refusals. I also noticed the interviews lasted a bit longer than I expected. Its quite sad that one will be engaged on a lengthy interview and yet be denied

I can't remember my window but the lady in front of me was granted visa. Then I was called in:

VO: Good morning
Me: Morning
VO: Can I have your passport please
Me: *Gives him*
VO: So why do you want to go to the United States?
Me: Intend going to Dallas, Texas on vacation (didn't give details). Might also check on Mr G. who's a family friend (he then started typing)
VO: Oh ok, your family friend is based in the States?
Me: Yes he is
VO: Have you travelled outside Nigeria?
Me: Yes. I've been to Denmark, Germany, Holland, China, and India
VO: When did you travel to the Schengen States?
Me: I travelled on dates A, for Denmark, dates B & C for Germany and D for Holland
VO: All in 2017?
Me: Yes
VO: So you travelled twice to Germany this year? (Now facing me)
Me: Yes, I travelled on dates B and C
VO: So where did you travel to in Germany and what did you go to do in Germany?
Me: *This was my strong point as it enabled me explain the work I do for the international organisation which was what took me to Germany. He delved into testing my knowedge on certain areas to know if I was really telling the truth but I was vibrating since its a field I'm good in and passionate about. He asked over 5 questions here . And he kept typing as I talked*
VO: (He then switched from my inernational job to my government job) So what do you guys do at your primary place of work?
Me: We regulate bla bla bla and my department where I work is particularly tasked with bla bla bla
VO: Mention the names of your fellow colleagues at your workplace who go with you to Germany for the assignment with the IInternational organisation.
Me: Mr U, J and I
VO: Are you married?
Me: No
VO: How many times have you travelled.
Me: *Haba I thought I had told you * 6 times to 5 countries
VO: I will be approving you visa. (He then picked up the white form and pointed at the address there). You will be contacted to pick your passport at this address. (He then handed over the white form to me)
Me: Thank you

I then made to go but I realise my passport wasn't with me. I wanted to go back and ask him for it cause it seemed strange to be going home without it ...the last time I went, I got my passport back immediately after the interview. But I then realised that the reason why I wasn't given back my passport is because my visa will be embossed on my passport so they took it to emboss the visa.

As I walked out of the building, I made sure I put a serious face so nobody will ask me how it went but surprisingly a female mopol called me out and asked me with some measure of certainty if I got the visa. I said yes but I had no money on me. Also as I was about leaving the final checkpoint another mopol asked me for money. Now my question is this: How did they know that I had gotten the visa? I'm guessing the guys inside the building gave the guys outside some form of signal .

No document was requested just my passport. Not even my statement of result or appointment letters. I'm so grateful to everyone here. I am so grateful to Kristinbaby who gave me confidence and provided very useful advice. Most of all I'm most grateful to God.

Please I have a question......when will my passport be most likely ready for pickup. I'm travelling next week week Saturday to a schengen state. Hope it will be ready by then o.

kristinbaby:
You are welcome. The VO would also want to know what you were doing in all those countries you travelled to. Get ready to give good reasons. I'm sure if you put confidence in your interview, the visa is yours. Don't be bothered that you are still single, your good job and good income is more than a tie and your travel history is also added advantage. When is your interview?

It's still a bit far. It's a month from now.

kristinbaby:
Your travel history will boost your chance. You are good to go but your sudden skyrocket increase in salary within a year may be a eyebrow. 100k to million? Get ready to defend it.

Thanks so much. You've given me the confidence I need to face my interview. The sudden increase in salary is my additional work with an international organisation where I earn some dollars.

Thanks once again. I will certainly post my transcript here and copy you whether I get the visa or not.

Please look into this and give your comments on my chances of getting US visit visa. I know you guys are not the VO that will interview me on the D-day. I just need comments especially on my weak points which I bolded.

I was denied visa last year. Reason being that I don't have have sufficient ties. Then I was single, no kid, work with a govt agency for 4 years, earn over a hundred thousand naira, and no travel history.

Now I seek to apply again. What's changed? The following have changed:

Work History: I still work with the govt agency (5 years) but now also work with an international organisation and I earn over a million naira.

Travel History: I have travelled to Denmark, Germany, Holland, China and India. I also have 1 year valid schengen visa.

I am still single and have no kid. I also remembered I had applied unsuccessfully in US Diversity Lottery Visa several times.

In my previous visa application, I wanted to visit a family friend whom I used as my contact person. But now I intend going on my own on a vacation. Will be staying in a hotel and will probably not visit him. Didn't use him as my contact person in this new application (he's not even aware of my re-application).

So what are my chances?

Please look into this and give your comments on the chances of getting us visa.

I was denied visa last year. Reason being that I don't have have sufficient ties. Then I was single, no kid, work with a govt agency for 4 years, earn over a hundred thousand naira, and no travel history.

Now I seek to apply again. What's changed? The following have changed:

Work History: I still work with the govt agency (5 years) but now also work with an international organisation and I earn over a million naira.

Travel History: I have travelled to Denmark, Germany, Holland, China and India. I also have 1 year valid schengen visa.

I am still single and a kid. I also remembered I had applied unsuccessfully in US Diversity Lottery Visa several times.

So what are my chances?

Heard Egypt Air treat Nigerians with disrespect.