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Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 7:51pm On Jul 03, 2024

VeeInsider:
Hello, everyone. I'd like to ask. What are the application deadlines at U.S. universities?

Like for example, if I intend applying to schools to resume lectures Spring 2025, when do I start applying and what's the deadline?

Hello,

I've answered this question earlier.

It depends on your school of choice. But applications are accepted as early as July - September and late applications usually end in October/mid November for International applicants.

To see the application window of your intended school, check their website to confirm. All information about application will be there.

1 Like

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 9:37am On Jul 02, 2024*

Castro9371:
For spring session 2025, please what's the earliest possible time to apply for visa? 🙏

Many schools conduct rolling admissions year round. You can apply as soon as the schools allow. Check your intended school(s) to see their admission application timeline.

Some schools accept applications as early as July to give you time to sort out required documentation and attend your visa interview on time.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 10:49pm On Jul 01, 2024*

ultim:
Anyways, my own question is pertaing to passports. Mine will expire in September and i have applied for renewal. But, the 10 year booklet which I applied for is jot available. I have paid SEVIS and ready to apply for visa. Should I use the passport that will expire in September? Can I change the passport (number) when the new passport comes out?

Your SEVIS fee payment is still valid for one year, so your new passport can be out before the next 3-4 months and you can apply. This might also mean looking at Spring 2025 resumption and beyond.

Unfortunately, you cannot change your passport number on your ustraveldocs profile, except you create another account with a different email - that in itself might be a complicated process you may want to avoid.

If you already had an appointment date before the expiration of your passport, it would have been okay to proceed, since you can just combine the two passports (visa stamped in old passport and new passport for airport validity checks). But since that's not the case, I'd suggest you get your new passport handy before proceeding to avoid unwanted stress and hiccups.

1 Like

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 7:13pm On Jul 01, 2024

Ellskc:
Yes I did

Thank you.

It appears there's a wave of Regular Appointment cancellations and Emergency Appointment request denials through July.

Hopefully you can reschedule to a favorable date.

If anyone is able to get EA request approved this period, please do share.

1 Like

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 9:09am On Jul 01, 2024

Ellskc:
Hello everyone
Please I just applied for an emergency visa appointment last night at the Lagos embassy and I was denied today.
My start date is 15th of August and I sent all the necessary documents but I was still denied. Would it be possible for me to apply again or is there something else I can do?

A quick question please :

Did you date and sign your I-20 before submitting for the Emergency Request?

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 7:08am On Jun 30, 2024*

photoberi:
Good day house,

Please I need some clarity about visa appointment schedule modality. I know the questions below are similar, I'd be glad if anyone could please shed some light.

1. After selecting the first date after visa payment, how many more times do I have left to reschedule the appointment?

2. Suppose I selected a date after visa payment, and I rescheduled this date using the regular rescheduling, can I still use Emergency request afterwards?

Thank you so much.

1. You can only reschedule once

2. You have access to both the Emergency Request and Reschedule options whichever you use first, and each can only be used once within a certain period.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 9:28am On Jun 29, 2024

YModulosGodSon:
Good morning everyone and Kudos to those who offer sound advice based on their expertise here!

1. My F-1 visa was denied last week 😔 and I am presently considering making another application. I know it’s a gamble though but deferring till January is also a gamble since January is also exactly 6 months away.

2. I do not have funding but I listed a non-blood relation as a full sponsor with bank statement evidence.

3. Now, I think that was what affected my chances. I now intend to make her a co-sponsor while I enlist myself as a self-sponsor (up to 60%)

4. Is it possible to effect these changes on my I-20 pls? If yes, how long should it take after writing to the school? In light of the fact that I have just two months before September

Thank you 🙏

Hi,

I remember your post some 2 weeks ago about your appointment and your reschedule. Sorry you were denied.

If possible, could you please share your transcript?

To answer your #4, yes it's very possible to effect the changes on your Form I-20. It doesn't take long. Within 3 working days, you should get a response from the school depending on their vetting process or at most, a week (after you must have supplied them with your new bank statement). They'd simply update it and send you a new I-20 with the new resumption date as well.

Also, is the date search group still functional? If yes, kindly revert to my message. I sent you an email for the link.

Thanks

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 9:08pm On Jun 28, 2024

Snakedoctor1:
I have a B2 Visa. Is it advisable to travel with it to the school and sort out F`1 there?

No, it's not advisable.

1 Like

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 5:58pm On Jun 28, 2024

Ellskc:
Hello everyone
Please I just applied for an emergency visa appointment last night at the Lagos embassy and I was denied today.
My start date is 15th of August and I sent all the necessary documents but I was still denied. Would it be possible for me to apply again or is there something else I can do?

Hello,

Unfortunately, Emergency Request can only be used once per MRV fee payment, which implies that you can no longer use the EA option for your current application.

Keep checking the platform for closer dates. Otherwise, you'd have to defer your admission to the next semester. Lagos is still your best option with 3.5 months interview wait time in contrast to Abuja of about 6 months.

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Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 1:38pm On Jun 28, 2024

Delight222:
Thanks for your reply.
I forgot,he has paid for visa fee already,he's trying to create account and look for date.

Can he go ahead with it then defer the admission or he should defer before creating an account.

N/B: The department doesn't have funding,he wants to go as self funded since he has a business.
Will it hold water??
Tuition is 30k,other things living expenses and books made it up to 49k.

Okay. He can proceed with creating his account.

Yes, he should defer and then choose an appointment date that is before the resumption of Spring semester.

If he has the means to fund himself and can show the finance is there, there should be no issue. He'd only need to attend his interview and ace it.

Alternatively, if he would like funding, he can apply to schools that offer funding opportunities.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 12:50pm On Jun 28, 2024

Delight222:
Good day all,please is it still advisable to pay for visa fee and look for date?

My husband got admission for fall 2024 and school resumes 26th August.

No scholarship,No assistantship.

Please I will need an advice on if he should continue,he's above 35 and has a business in financial service.
Total COA 49k

He can pay the visa fee and book an appointment date but considering the interview wait times, unfortunately, he'd have to defer his admission to Spring '25. The next available dates are from November '24.

At best, he can have more time to seek funding. COA of 49k is quite a lot. Some funding will help lower the financial burden on him.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 5:03am On Jun 28, 2024

Rikkywears:
Well, according to the mail due to “Capacity Limitations, but urge to keep an eye on the appointment system for a reschedule”

My concerns now is that this mail is dated back to 11th June and I had no idea cause it was in the spam box.
Now all available dates i am seeing are not favorable at all. From 11th July to November 13, latest i saw now is October something.

Interesting!

Thanks for the information.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 7:16pm On Jun 27, 2024

Rikkywears:
Thank you for prompt response sir

And yes you’re right, i just saw a mail from them in my Spam box.

Thanks

You're welcome.

Did the email state the reason why your appointment was cancelled? Can you please share?

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 5:44pm On Jun 27, 2024

Rikkywears:
Good day House, please someone help me,

I scheduled an appointment for July 11th, and it was confirmed but on login to my profile now I’m seeing no appointments scheduled and the first date I’m seeing now is Nov 13th

Please I don’t know what happened

Thank you

Likely your appointment was cancelled and you're given another window to reschedule to the next available date.

Check your email for the cancellation email.

Otherwise, you can contact the embassy hotline or send them an email.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 4:18pm On Jun 27, 2024

Bigdoo11:
Thanks for your response, but I may lose the GA and the tuition waiver if I defer to spring. Also I have defer 2 times now which is the maximum deferal for my school. This means I will even have to reapply for admission. Has anyone been in my shoes please..this is sooo frustrating

Your concerns are legit and of course, understandable. Unfortunately, just as you can't do anything about a denial, in this situation, I don't know of any other solution. Perhaps someone else might suggest something different but that's as far as I know.

Good luck.

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Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 1:02pm On Jun 27, 2024

Bigdoo11:
Hi all,
My visa application was refused last month due my huge deficit, now I have received tuition wavier and GA position, I want to reapply. My school resumes September which doesn’t give me a lot of time. My question is if I will be able to get a new appointment date since I was recently refused. Will be be able to request for an EA? Any ideas please

There's an unstated rule to wait 6 months in between appointments. If you were refused an F-1 visa within the last 6 months, it may not be possible to get a new date quickly. If you proceed to book an interview date that is before the six months timeline, the appointment will be cancelled and you'll be asked to reschedule.

If you try to book a new appointment on the ustraveldocs website, you'll be asked this same question if you were denied within the last six months. If you choose yes, no appointment dates will be shown to you, except you choose no.

However, what you can do is to defer your admission to Spring 2025 given that the wait times are quite longer now and choose a date that is six months ahead from now. Keep checking the platform, a date will be eventually released for you. By doing so, you would have secured a date on time.

You may decide to try your luck with the Emergency Appointment, there's no guarantee it will be approved, and besides, you'd have to first secure a regular appointment date before even requesting for Emergency Appointment. Follow your instincts but keep the above in mind.

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Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 18 by mayford: 12:45pm On Jun 25, 2024

justwise:
My apologies that this is coming late, as we all know the previous part was derailed by some individuals, i ask you in the name of whichever God you believe in not to derail this one.

Please no more drama here, no:dm/pm me for more info, lets keep this clean and informative.

That said, if there is any info that needs to be added pls share it and i will update the thread to add such info

Thank you

Great! Thank you

2 Likes

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 2:59pm On Jun 15, 2024

habeebtoby:
Please I need help I went to Abuja embassy around March this year and I got denied now I’m trying again but all I’m seeing is no appointment available..I tried changing it to Lagos ..it’s the same thing too ..and my date of resumption is August 22nd..please what can I do ?

If you were denied in the last six months, you may not see any appointment dates. Unstated rule to wait 6 months for your next appointment.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 8:12pm On May 31, 2024

Nomsooooo:
Good day everyone,

So I initially asked this question but I’m not sure I was clear enough , so I’m here again . So I’m a 23 year old I’ll be 24 in December , I graduated from university here in Nigeria with computer science in 2021 and i currently hold an IT role . Fast forward to this year so I applied to a school in Texas for a bachelors in Computer science as well with part scholarship and my Sponsor can very much cover my COA . My interview is coming up in July but my question is will it be a red flag on my path have that my previous bachelors degree was in computer science and I’m going for another bachelors in computer science . Please I would really appreciate every opinion I can get on this . It’s been giving me anxiety lately. Thanks in advance .

Hello,

Unfortunately you may be asked about your previous education. You're better off playing it safe and being honest with your application. You may omit your previous degree in your application thinking you would not be asked about it by the Consul, but eventually get asked and you would have to provide an answer.

The exact question you never expect may be asked of you. Equally, considering your age, the Consuls are trained on several scenarios. The average age for undergraduate entry in this era is between 16-19 or 20 at most. The minority figures fall between 21-22. At 23-25/26, you may be considering graduation.

You'd have to explain your gap years and what you have been doing since you graduated high school. Would you decide to intentionally provide a false answer at that moment? It may sound easy to rehearse what you'd say but behaviour and your body language isn't that easy to predict. You may become jittery at that moment. All these are nuances you should consider before taking in any advice and making a decision.

A Master's degree would have been more appropriate for your cause, but perhaps you have your reasons for choosing to acquire a second Bachelor's in the same course. This same reason(s), you'd have to tell and explain to the Consul on your appointment day if you're asked. Once the facts are established and all checks out, you may be approved. You're rather being truthful and getting approved than dishonest and getting denied. The latter will make it harder for you to get approved in your subsequent applications.

If you're lucky, questions about your previous education may be skipped and you'd have to contend with providing answers to other interview questions. But do your due diligence first.

It's a tricky situation regardless, but do what's best for you. Loads of advice out there, follow the best lead. You know exactly what your instincts tell you on the right thing to do. In the end, the outcome of the interview will depend on the choices you made.

All the best!

3 Likes

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 12:54pm On May 28, 2024

chatmate:
Hello please anyone, is it possible to change from visit visa to study visa within USA. Or would anyone advise that route.

Thanks.

It is possible but highly not advisable. Chances of a successful change of status from B1/B2 to F-1 is very unlikely.

You'd need to defend why you did not seek student visa in your home country and why it's important for you to switch from a tourist to a student, meaning your intentions have changed. You'll need to explain why your intentions changed from being a tourist to being a student!

Lest I forget, you cannot apply for change of status to student within 90 days of entry

For reference:

https://www.uscis.gov/visit-the-united-states/change-my-nonimmigrant-status.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 2:01pm On May 21, 2024

YModulosGodSon:
Thank you very much, sirs mayford and OyoTunjiUSA

My DS-160 has already been submitted. I will have to create a new one. Please I hope it’s possible to create with thesame details as I used for the last first one.

Also, do I have to pay another SEVIS fee for the new I-20 that will be sent pls. In fact, where, specifically, can I expect to spend another money

Finally, I’m assuming that once I fill a new DS-160, I just have to update my profile on the cgi portal with the new Application ID?

Thank you once again, sirs

That's right, you can use the information from your original DS-160. If you still have the previous application ID, you can use it to retrieve your previous details and then update your CGI portal with the new application ID.

And you don't need to pay a new SEVIS fee, so long as it is still valid (up to one year from date of payment).

You're welcome.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 8:17pm On May 20, 2024

YModulosGodSon:
Good afternoon to all Visa experts and USA aspirants in the house

I recently applied for an F-1 visa and got an appointment date for late October meanwhile I’m supposed to resume in September 😢

I was advised to fill an emergency request for expedited visa appointment which I did immediately. Now I have a gotten a ‘denial’ response to the request, meaning that my October appointment stands.

I need expert advice on this situation PLEASE

1. If I proceed for the interview in October for a program that should have resumed in September, I’ll most likely be denied 🙅‍♂️

2. If I were to defer my resumption till January, My I-20 already has the September resumption date and I’m not sure how that would affect the visa decision (even if I get a supporting document to that effect, I’m not even certain of that yet)

3. Any other possibility of getting an earlier date for appointment

Thank you

Hello, you can proceed with the October interview but before then, contact your school to defer your admission till Spring next year and request for a new updated Form I-20 bearing the resumption date for Spring, which is usually granted. Timely attention to this is very important.

Also, update your DS-160 form with the new information especially your resumption date and intended date of arrival. You may have to create a new form.

However, if you still have the reschedule option on your profile, you can keep checking for favorable dates before your Fall resumption. Otherwise, you may just have to resume next year and follow the steps highlighted above. All the best!

1 Like

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 2:52pm On May 18, 2024

naijachic:
Thanks but not sure you understood the question. This person said he only indicated B.A in his school application because the Masters applied for is in languages. But he is wondering if he can include his MBA in his visa application since it will explain the gap in his education from BA till date.

Got it. Nothing wrong with that in this instance.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 5:23pm On May 17, 2024

naijachic:
Please is it advisable to mention a degree on DS-160 (MBA) that was not mentioned during the school application due to its non relevance to the proposed course?

It is never recommended. You can only indicate the course/program to which you were admitted by the school you will attend. False info in/on your application is strongly not advised.

2 Likes

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 12:02pm On May 17, 2024

Blinkkks:
Good day everyone. Please I wanna ask a question. For someone that was denied recently, should I click on previously denied or regular? I wanna reapply and I need a date

Just as you mentioned, "recently denied" a visa, which means previously denied. False information on your application is grounds for another denial. So choose the right option.

2 Likes

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 7:36pm On May 11, 2024

charlfay:
I dont want to go for a Phd because I know how competitive and stressful Phd study is, and I do not have any publications or interest in long term research work, hence why I am choosing to do a second masters. The admission officer in my school of interest advices I evaluate my masters transcript course by course so that I may be able to transfer credits, but I just wanted to hear from anyone here on what is usually obtainable in my case. Also, please would there be a problem at the embassy with the VO if I say I am going for a second masters?

You can follow the advice of the admission officer. You just have to explain/defend with good reason why a second Master's degree is useful and relevant to you, to the Consul.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 12:43pm On May 07, 2024

chimax1:
Is a deficit of 52k for someone going for masters too much? Applicant is sponsored by parents with personal savings of 10k. No form of funding or GA positions yet.

No deficit is too much provided the individual has the means to afford it. It's left to provide financial proof that you or your sponsor can cover it and that you have no immigrant intent and satisfy the requirements to obtain an F-1 visa. There are people who studied at Ivy league schools that successfully passed this stage.

If you're worried about the cost, you can either seek funding and GAs or apply to schools with lower Cost of Attendance including tuition that you are able to afford.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 8:40pm On May 05, 2024

Swaycater:
That's my concern, I don't know if is possible to switch schools over there, I got an admission for an MBA program my interview date slated already,but I want to do this Vocational course instead of the MBA, I'm confused to what my options are right now.

You'd have serious issues transferring to a school for vocational studies if your original entry visa was F-1, except you're looking to change status to M-1 which is a different scenario. You're allowed Academic transfer to Academic, same goes for Vocational. Separate student visa classifications:

Academic: F-1
Vocational/Non-Academic: M-1

You'd have to make up your mind.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 10:27pm On May 02, 2024

Phayn:
Hi there,

I have a question about getting a new I-20 form and sevis id if one decides to attend a different school than the one he originally got admitted to.

He is currently admitted to a US school and has already received an I-20 form with a sevis id number. However, he recently got an offer from another school that he would prefer to attend.

Is it possible to get a new I-20 form with a different sevis id number for the new school? If yes, could you please provide guidance through the process and what needs to be done to make the change between schools?

Thank you for your help thus far! I really appreciate it.

Are you asking on behalf of yourself or someone else?

In any case, simply contact your admission counselor who issued you the previous Form I-20, letting them know of your intention so they can provide you with a transfer release date. They are in the best position to guide you through this process.

You can request the transfer by yourself on the fmjfee website.

Follow the steps outlined in the link below.

https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq

Here's an excerpt from that link:

"I-901 fee transfer requests can now be made directly from www.fmjfee.com. To request a fee transfer from the website, you will need to begin by checking your payment status. Once the information is entered, you will be taken to your I-901 records. If there is a valid fee payment on your record a request transfer button will appear next to the print confirmation button. Once you select this transfer option you will be prompted to enter your new SEVIS ID, School or program code and verify that your personal information is correct. After submitting your request you will be sent an initial email informing you that your transfer request was received and then you will be sent another email either confirming the transfer with instructions to print your new payment confirmation or a denial email explaining why the transfer request could not be processed.

Requests for fee transfers can also be made by mail or e-mailing SEVP. SEVP will consider your request and determine if the fee can be transferred. See the section on the basic rules for transferring fees.

When emailing your request put Fee Transfer in the subject line of your request.

Provide:

Your name
Date of birth
The SEVIS ID number that you originally paid on
The SEVIS ID number you want to transfer the payment to
Explain why the fee needs to be transferred. It will help speed your request if you include a copy of your receipt number. Include information on how to contact you if there are any questions.

SEVP will review your request and determine if the fee can be transferred. If your request is approved, you will receive an email or letter indicating that you can now print your updated I-901 payment confirmation at www.fmjfee.com reflecting the SEVIS ID from your new Form I-20 or DS-2019.

When you apply for any benefit where the I-901 SEVIS fee will be verified, you will need to provide a copy of the updated I-901 fee receipt."

This is as far as I can guide you. Your school's Designated Official (DSO) or Admissions Counselor is in the best position to guide you.

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 8:52pm On May 02, 2024

mayford:
If you have not already done these, then either of two options:

1. Send an email to support@ustraveldocs.com explaining your case

2. Login to your profile and tap the "feedback" button to drop a message explaining your case with any corresponding document(s).

You'll get a response within 24 business hours!

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 8:39pm On May 02, 2024

Klebsiella:
Good evening everyone,

I requested for an emergency appointment last week Thursday (with SEVIS payment receipt and other documents included) and till now, there has been no response.

My program starts next month. Please how do I approach the situation? Thank you all.

Either of two options:

1. Send an email to support@ustraveldocs.com explaining your case

2. Login to your profile and tap the "feedback" button to drop a message explaining your case with any corresponding document(s).

You'll get a response within 24 business hours!

2 Likes

Travel › Re: General USA Student Visa Enquiries-part 17 by mayford: 10:34pm On Apr 29, 2024

ARISTOCRATDAMMY1:
I’ve seen lots of people talking down on MBA on this platform.

What’s the buzz behind this?

It is an erroneous belief that an MBA degree is outdated or irrelevant. What should be considered is the value and quality of education received and from which educational institution.

An online MBA will never compete with a physical hands-on classroom MBA. The difference in fees tells a lot. Let's not even talk about the practicum!

If you choose to advance your career with an MBA degree, by all means do so. Do not be swayed by ill advice. Your duty is to prove you have no immigrant intent and you satisfy the requirements to obtain an F-1 visa!

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