You don’t need a PhD to be eligible for the EB2-NIW. I have friends that obtained theirs with only Master’s. Some of us got ours mid PhD/D.Eng.
MSc and MBA with extensive research findings (you don’t need to have papers published) and field experience will do just fine.

I shared some insights in the thread below.

https://www.nairaland.com/6354180/general-usa-student-visa-enquiries-part/87#100240998

Gerrard59:


From a Nigerian POV, marriage, join the army and EB2-NIW. Fair deal.

Although, the EB2-NIW seems to favour PhD holders. What if one has an MSc and MBA?

Six years to do PhD (even with an MSc) get as e be.

The EB2-NIW is a pathway that I feel Nigerians are sleeping on. I’ve mentioned this in one of the US travel parts before. Indians and the Chinese have been using it for a very long time. Hence the heavy backlog.
It’s the same path that myself and some of my friends used. The link below will provide more context.

https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-second-preference-eb-2

Gerrard59:


I am not seeking the opinions of Indians but Nigerians. How is it hard to understand? I made an analogy to Indians as I bet similar questions have been asked. I even know that the Chinese discuss the same issues on their fora, but why should I be interested in their methods when I am neither Chinese nor Indian? On paper, any sub-Saharan African is better positioned in the road to eventual naturalisation than those Asians, so our ways are not the same.

To be admitted and granted VISA as an F1 student, you have to indicate that you'd be full-time during the course of your study.

Omotola222:



Thanks for the reply

Actually I will be staying in my sponsors place who stays at Maryland also….. but I think it’s better i just indicate that I would be staying in the hostel maybe it would increase the chancing of getting the Admission but knowing quite well I won’t stay.

Question no 2 …. Should i indicate that I would be full time or part time student…. If been a full time student can I work cos I would like to work instead of depending on my Sponsor alone…

Please I would appreciate if you can enlighten me more about this.. Thanks

TitilayoAde:
Brother, can I have your email address please?

Please contact me through the Nairaland 'send E-mail message' feature. Apologies for the late reply.

Systrom:
Most tips here doesn’t really work again as you have depicted them

Which of them don't work?

The emboldened phrase needs a lot of work. It is incomplete and doesn't show that you've done any research. "Data collection and customer database" are technical terms that do not belong in this phrase.

I would start by giving a brief overview of the connection between IT and your business goals. Cite an example of an ongoing research in AI-powered fashion designing and production in one sentence. Then deliver how I intend to leverage on the opportunity to prepare my business for the future of fashion.

Good luck in your next interview.

Tosinmichael11:


Ok

V.O: Good morning, pass me your i20 and passport.
ME: I did.
V.O: Oh you're going to kentucky?
ME: Yes
V.O: what do you do?
ME: I'm a fashion designer
V.O: Do you sew or sell
ME: I sew and sell
V.O: oh great, So why IT
ME: I Want to incorporate it to my business for growth since IT helps business grow through data collection and customer database
V.O: Who's sponsoring
ME: my cousin
V.O: typing....... then reached out for the blue paper with my passport and handed it over

Leave it as it is. If asked to clarify, inform the officer that your parents own the business.

Toriah789:
Hello house, quick question please.

My I-20 sponsor states my parents business name.
I filled my Dad as the person paying for the trip under the Travel section.

I have a reference letter from the bank that states that my parent are the signatories of the account.
Do I need to change it to their business name on the DS160 form?

Musbeni:
Visa approved
8am Lagos usaconsulate
Vo: pass me your passport and I 20
Me: passed
Vo: why are you going to USA
Me: I am going to university of south Carolina to start my PhD in chemistry with concentration in heterogeneous catalysis
Vo: chemistry?
Me: yes
Vo: what will you be working on
Me: MOOH
Vo: who is sponsoring you
Me: I have full funding
Vo: are you traveling with your family
Me: no
Vo: we will be approving your visa

Everything is not more than a minute.

Thanks @meritdee for the mock interview.

Congratulations man and thank God.

Musbeni:
please bro I want you to do mock visa interview with me. Can I DM please

Sure, you can.

Worriedwife:
Good evening guys,
I have taken my time 2 go through the thread so I won’t ask repetitive questions. I commend all the contributors, but I want to know is I can do my Masters in the US with a CGPA of 2.7/5

Yes, you can. Look for schools that offer conditional admission.

You may also want to evaluate your CGPA on a 4-point scale as well.

Gokoyer1401:
hi house,
can you kindly give ideas about Universities/states where a Nigerian can apply to with HND certificate?
Pls guys reply me.
@justwisee @NigPatriot @Predstan @Malone122 @meritdee @fairheart @bukkymbo

Hi Gokoyer,

Google this ---> US universities that accept HND. The first search result has all the information you need.

iire:


Anyone �

Hi Iire,

I would advise you to go through some of the interview transcripts that someone shared with you earlier. There is enough information in the transcripts for embassy preparation. Draft a unique transcript and share it for review. When you are ready for a mock interview, please send me a PM.

abdullahi45:
Good day, Fellow Nairalanders,

I have been passively following this trend.

I would be glad to receive your responses to the below questions regarding F-1 visa application.

I am nearing the completion of a master's degree at a University in South Africa and I intend to resume a doctoral position at an American University in the Fall. My question is, will applying and interviewing for my F-1 visa in South Africa (as opposed to Nigeria) reduce my chances of securing the visa?

Since all my family members are in Nigeria, how can I convince the VO of my home ties (if I am applying from South Africa)?

Also, is it okay to tell the VO that I will resume work in Nigeria or South Africa after my doctoral study?

Is there anything else I need to know?

Thank you for your time and invaluable responses.

@justwise @NigPatriot @Predstan @Malone122 @meritdee @fairheart @bukkymbo

Hi Abdullahi,

Applying and interviewing for F-1 VISA from South Africa will not reduce your chances of securing a VISA. Resuming your Ph.D. immediately after your master's degree shows you're ambitious, but you would have to convince the VO why a US School is the next move in your ambitious journey.

If you maintained a good travel history between Nigeria and South Africa, you need not worry about home ties.

That you would be back in Nigeria or South Africa for work should not be the first thing you'd say when asked what you'll do after your Doctoral program. What if there are specific areas in the US where your research breakthrough would significantly boost their economy? I would start by highlighting the importance of evaluating sectors (around the world) where your research would be useful. Obtain buy-in, and contribute to the improvement of the sector. Tailor your responses around being an ambitious researcher and be consistent.

Goodluck.

MamaJJJ:
Thank you so much for this.
I've been racking my brain on how to go about certain things. I intend to apply for winter program but I am married and I have a baby... he's going to be a year and 3 months by January 2022. A friend told me to apply for F1 Vvisa, and that I might have to leave my child with my mom for a few years. She said it'll be an evidence that I have strong ties to Nigeria and that I might be not be able to cope with the cost of daycare etc. I read of someone here that was rejected Visa because she didnt make adequate preparation about her children's s schooling. I am so worried. I don't want to leave my child and at the same time miss this opportunity.

From my findings, it is better to make arrangements to bring your child along. Leaving your 1-year-old child behind isn't a home tie; it is punishment. Your child needs you.

Hi pals,

This information is for those planning to change status from F1 to GC after or during their study.

* Yes, marriage works but don't do it because of paper. You don't want anyone to make you feel indebted to them for the rest of your life. And most importantly, avoid marriage fraud.

* If you're confident in finding a company to file H1B for you and certain about job security. Go for it!

* The third is a route that many Nigerians with highly sought-after skills aren't taking advantage of. This is the self-petition Employment-Based (2nd preference) National Interest Waiver (EB2-NIW). With an advanced degree (Masters), verifiable work experience (references), the ability to research and spot an area where your skill would add value to the US economy (find a problem and propose a solution), then 10 years GC could be yours. Being an author of published research article(s) in your area of interest is an added advantage but not required.

The additional criteria(critical), which the petitioner would write in the form of a justification letter, are listed below. (AKA, the three prongs)
* The proposed endeavor must have both substantial merit and national(US) importance.
* You are well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor. (You have the skills required)
* It would be beneficial to the United States to waive the requirements of a job offer and thus the labor certification.

Your problem definition and proposed solution = the Proposed Endeavor

More information can be found here ---> https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-second-preference-eb-2

I may have to write and share a detailed process with samples via a dropbox link later. However, anyone who is interested in the third option can find detailed processes and samples online with little research.

I wish everyone success.

dipdat123:
@ fairheart thank you so much for the response. I am very grateful. Please can I answer the question why this school with the below reason:

I applied to 4 universities and I put into consideration some certain factors before picking one. Factors like the Setting of the school, school fees and better relationship with my lecturers. I love rural lifestyle.CMU is situated in rural area. fewer distractions:no excuse for not getting my course work done, very quiet environment,better professional opportunity,Reduced cost of living, easy and cheap to move around. I will be able to know my lecturers properly since it’s a small school with small class size. This will enable me really improve on my studies most especially on my research interest. My lecturers will be more likely to give extra help.

All of these do not show that you have any connection with the school. From all your factors, I'd advice you stick to relationship with your professors.

Go on the research area webpage of your chosen program. Search and pick a research title that you feel you'll be comfortable talking about (Since you've chosen the school at this point, you just gotta pick one even if you fancies none), read the overview for better understanding and reach out to the lead researcher/professor.

Please do some research on the topic before reaching out though. If you are lucky, the prof will reply you with some of the milestones already achieved and a snippet into what they are doing next (you're already having conversation with your prof and you also have key info for your next interview). However, in the case that you didn't receive a response, you just have to hold-on to the information you dug up from your research (the overview, your findings and how you think you can improve the research team) for your next interview.

For your next interview:
* The Research title (Do not pick USArmy or NSA funded research. E get why)
* Know the Professor name
* You have been invited to join the research team
* Summary of
The Research overview
Your findings and how you intend to improve the team when you join them.

I assumed your focus is Cybersecurity. Reason for the italicized in the first bullet.

Be concise and confident during the interview.

P.S. You won't look confident speaking about fabricated info. So please do some research.

opexy89:


I will appreciate your answers pls

The SEVIS fee amount ($350 for F1) can be found here --> https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq

Naira conversion depends on rate.

Here's the link for your I-20 validation and status check --> https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html

Contact @walspring if you need additional help.

LagosismyHome:


Love the name

I thought it was you at first. I was like wait a minute.. lol

Pharmz:


Smile.....bro, how can you inform the school that Mr A is your sponsor and you later go to the consulate to use Mr B as your sponsor. If you are a visa officer...what will be your reaction?

So far Family is entered as your source of funding on your I-20 (which is the case in most schools), you can use a different statement. Just make sure it's genuine.

Sosao:
Thanks
Are you inBaltimore?

Yes I am.

LazyFolk:
PLEASE HELP!
Good evening everyone!
I have a very important question as regards bank statement.
Can one use two separate bank statements? That is, when the one used in applying for graduate school at the initial stage is different from that which is tendered at the embassy?

Yes you can.

Gospelozy:
Please my people I need answers to this

cheaptour:


Since you are going for a conference, go with a letter from the organizer of the conference that indicates that you are attending the conference. The visa type should be tourism since you are going for Educational tour.

* Traveling for the conference won't be a problem

* Start your VISA application right away.

* It's okay to visit schools.

* "Coming fall" semester starts next year August, so you have enough time apply.

Walspring:
To all those who sent me pm I always replied and if you don’t get it in your inbox, kindly check your spam or junk box.

Big man, glad you're still here. A real veteran of the Student Visa Thread.

LagosismyHome:


why used the word " great " university of lagos........... what great about Unilag , lol . For admission to the US , a bsc is a bsc . Just curious why you think Unilag is so great

Lol, you can't blame her. That's what they made them believe.

Funmi098:
please house i have bachelor in botany from great university of lagos. want to pursue my master program in yankee. my question is this, i have 10 months old baby now. is it possible for the embassy to grant me and my son visa? or is it possible for them to grant only me visa? i will appreciate if guyz here can put me through. thanks and God bless all of us in jesus name.

Your family(hubby and kids) is eligible for F2 VISA based on your F1(If granted). It is even advisable to apply with your family. However, you would have to prove that you have financial means to support the family during your stay in the U.S.

adurajoseph:
Hello everyone, Please I would appreciate your opinions on my query.

I plan on doing my master’s in Business Analytics in America or Canada next year and I need some advice on schools or advice in general.

[s]I have not been so good at school as I came out with a second class lower in economics,[/s]

Strike that out cuz you'd be surprised at what you're capable of in a more conducive learning environment. Have you considered MBA with concentration in Data Analytics? This would help broaden your search query as they are similar in course outline. University of Baltimore has an impressive MBA-Data Analytics program but the tuition is on the high side. I paid ~$11,300/semester before I left.

Some schools may request for one or two years professional experience to be eligible for admission into their Business program. I think your business and NYSC experience covers that if well packaged.

Sosao:
I have missed this group so so much!
Thank you all for the advise and encouragement. AP wants to frustrate me but God pass them

Today makes it 2weeks I came to the USA. Time moved so fast I did have much time to really be active here.

If anyone coming to Morgan State University for spring 2020 lemme know.

Success on upcoming interview.

Welcome to Morgan State!

drwrites:
Hello everyone, please i kindly need informed pieces of advice on this my study visa journey.

I just received my I-20 for Fall 2018 admission today and am meant to resume this August 20, 2018...i haven't paid for SEVIS neither have i booked interview appointment date. Should i just defer to the next admission semester or can i still achieve resumption all things being equal?

Hi Drwrites,

I’d suggest you defer the admission to the next admission semester as you have barely 7 calendar days to apply and get travel documents. It is however still possible to apply and be issued a visa within 7 days if you are able to fill out your DS-160 and book interview appointment for this week. (If you’re will to take this risk, it is advisable to call your school and request for a new I-20 with resumption extension though). Good luck with your decision.

justi4jesu:
I was here....

Lol, you still report here. It’s always good to give back to the community.

I was here too.

ProfOjah1234:

Eyan Meritdee.. Boss!!

Bro, I greet you o. �

goldenfresh:


Please I'm still expecting your email.

Thanks

Please check your mail. I slept off.

biikeys:


Just saw you already discussed with akandry.

Yeah

OGreene:
PMed you. JHU bound

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