₦airaland Forum

Danielaz5:
Finally in the US. Left Lagos via Ethiopian Airlines on June 24th got to Addis Ababa then Dublin then Chicago which was my POE then entered a domestic flight to Michigan on July 25th (my final destination).
This thread has been helpful to me even though I joined some weeks ago and to those who have been denied and need help but are too shy please drop your transcript don't let your shyness prevent you from enjoying this calm place. Thanks to major contributors and advisers may God reward you.

NefT:
I finally collect am today.

Dem approve am on saturday 21st July 2018.
Infact i go knack my white lace native with cap ontop am as a typical Yoruba man wey I be; the plan na to dey unique for the entire crowd.
Na so the lady wey do finger print for me just dey smile dey sere me. She wished me the best all the same
Na so the CGI guy almost carry me go d fair in complexion african american lady wey no get joy at all she just dey dash baba blue everywhere. I almost leave the queue but finally he direct me go inner room windows 8.
First girl was almost denied, see drama oh! D guy almost dey cry saying, "dem fit afford am" I was surprised the guy retrieved the blue paper after so much plea. Na so him circle white paper telling the little girl going for undergraduate to send a new bank statement of at least six months tothe consulate. Na so she carryherself comt, she spent over10mintes during the drama.

The next lady enter, na straight baba blue less than a 2 minutes.

Na so i enter smiling a little bit tensed.


VO: Good morning
Me : Good morning,
VO: Where are you going to
Me: I am going to to Uni of Kansas fo my doctorate degree in chem engin
VO: how will you pay
Me: I have an annual rent reduction scholarship and my Uncle will be paying for the rest
VO: why would he want to sponsor
Me: I lived with him for 15years, he has been sponsoring my education, encouraging me togofor a Phd that opportunities that come with it are endless

VO: do you have his statement, what does he do
Me: him retire for NNPC as director, presently dey run farming with properties in in US and UK
VO: peruse d letter head, oh he is an engineer, did not bother looking at main statement.
ME: na engineer him be o
VO: i can see you arecredible studnt, i will be approving your vis, quickly picked white paper, me no hear anything again o
VO: sorry what is keck or something. He was asking about the skul I applied last year
Me: i explained, na so he say make i no worry, see joy! I no know when i raise my hand up, people just dey look me, say wetin dey do this yoruba man.
I got outside, na so i bone face because of the tax collector, the taught I was denied.
Na so village people follow me reach consulate o! I noticed say i was still holding passport and white paper.

I had to spend another 1:15minutes to gain access to the consulate and submit it back due to protocol.

The secret: i had to apply for a PhDsince first denial last year was on the basis of going for another ma sters and the consular told me to go apply for a PhD. Although, i went back with a new i-20 then with a comment saying i have been admitted for a PhD but that i willhave to complete the masters program, the second interview didnt go well as planned, later I pondered on my possible flaws and learnt from all my mistakes vowing not to go with a masters i-20 after the second denial.
Also, my DS160 are all consistent except the school

iceberge:
I was interviewed at the abuja embassy yesterday, 25th of july, by a white lady in window 7. It was a very brief interview. I'm not sure if it lasted up to 2mins and most of the time was spent typing by her. Below is my transcript (so sorry its short, thats just how it happened)

VO: pass me ur passport and I20 pls (i did. she typed for a few seconds-really fast) so why San Diego State?
ME: because Prof Oxxx's research work resonates with me. I am interested in....(VO cuts in)
VO: I see ur assistantship covers the entire cost
ME: Yes. Moreso, i was just recently awarded a University Fellowship...(Cuts in quite excitedly)
VO: By San Diego State?
ME: Yes
VO: What was your masters degree on?
ME: Materials Engineering
VO: I see. I will be approving your visa! (passes white paper)

NB: I am going for a PhD in Engineering Sciences on a fully funded RA and just recently got the prestigious University Graduate Fellowship

VECOH1:
Good evening everyone, pls can someone help me with the number of the Lagos US embassy I can use to speak with one of their agents.
I tried this- +23414406218 but I could not get through to an agent.
Is there an alternative number? or maybe I did not follow the voice prompts well.
Pls it is urgent

Teaser0904:
:02pm On Jul 02

Those Vos are not smiling at all,may God help us all.I was denied but i am going to fire back and it will surely end in praise for me.Amen

Not sharing transcript till i got my visa,we die there. 
Modified

Visa approved last last after i was denied in may3 and june1.Visa was approved on july 20,placed on Ap and i got my stamped passport today.

Transcript loading 1%

Walspring:
I have replied your pm..

Walspring:
For you to get that email for reschedule that means there is public holiday on that day and US embassy wont open so they open 4th August as alternative

ajxii:
Vo: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning (Me not looking at him focused on bringing out my documents)

VO: Why are you going to the US?
Me: I am going to the University of Oklahoma for masters in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. I will be concentrating on Control and Power systems.
Were you interviewed in window 9?

VO: Why this course:
Me: The biggest problem in the Nigerian power sector is Energy tracking and Energy fraud. Disco **stammered here and said** Distributing… **sorry** …distribution company can’t track the amount of energy consumed by their consumer. They …blah blah blah (I lost my train of thought).
Me: I don’t know why am nervous.

VO: Smiles and lean forwards then replies … Calm down, I don’t want you to give a rehearsed answered
Me: No, I am not, I am just trying to articulate my thoughts.

VO: OK Good.. go on
Me: Genco… I mean generating company needs to be paid for energy produced and if the disco can’t track the amount of energy consumed by the consumers then we have a problem with revenue collection. I believe this course would provide me with the right skills to solve this problem. I would be providing automated tracking systems, smarts meter and … (Vo cuts in)[i][/i]

VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: 3

VO: List them?
Me: The University of Oklahoma, University of Tennessee, Tennessee Tech University.

VO: Why OU?
Me: Sincerely, rankings. In terms of Quality of education, research interest and facilities, these schools meet my requirements. OU is ranked above the other rest, I have friends in Oklahoma so settling wouldn’t be an issue and the control in OU is combined with instrumentation, so technically OU provides me with more options.

VO: Are you married?
Me: No

VO: Kids?
Me: No

VO: How would you be funding?
Me: (bringing out my prodigy award letter) I secured a student loan from prodigy finance.

VO: (Reaching for the letter) is the amount stated in the letter?
Me: Yes

VO: What is the interest?
Me: 10.8% per annum

VO: And how will be …. Never mind…I will be approving your visa (circles the white sheet) …
Me: I was confused…did not hear anything…. I heard … 3days and VI. He passes me my I-20 and kept my passport in among other passports. I was confused and stood there waiting for my passport to be returned before I realized oo I might have gotten this Visa.

TheGrandChemist:
Mehn!

Glad you made it.
Congratulations

biikeys:
At a time it used to be along the lines of faculty to student ratio, now it's 'extensive research...'. They know. Some of them even come here and can easily pinpoint you with your 'proposed transcripts' Nothing sounds more genuine than actually thinking deeply about why you are applying to a school and then finding a proper and convincing way to communicate this to the VO.

abike12:
when they ask any question please respond with any available document. so when they asked about the balance of your fees you should've responded with mouth and the sponsorship letter/bank statement of your sponsor. don't wait for them to ask you for the document.

family ties - things like documents of landed property, pictures of your family members, proof of the plantation, etc

mentioning friends as the reason for choosing a school suggests you have ties in the US and may not come back. F1 is still a non immigrant visa and you have to prove intent to return at the completion of your studies.

mayd16:
please how can someone answer why the switch of career from biochemistry to network administration

Ubah1:
We are talking about the black v.o here and not all the V.Os. many V.O will just approve you just by liking the school you are going to. This particular black v.o can ask question as if she is looking for where you will fumble. So don't get me wrong

Ubah1:
Congrats again. Atleast I have seen someone that overcame her. She is good in questions and doing her job well. But we Nigerians don't like that

TheGrandChemist:



Visa approved 3rd of July, 2018. Lagos Consulate.

My interview transcript:

After highlighting from my Camry (LoL. I mean a Uber ride o) at the US embassy, I was motioned to come in for a check by a security officer. After the check was completed, he explained that a phone won't be allowed into the consulate. I had this knowledge even before he said this, but I had to come along with my phone because of the Uber app. Well, I was granted access into the consulate after giving the security officer what he requested for (N1,000 to help secure my phone). Everyone just using the slightest opportunity to hustle in Nigeria.

Well, after progressing through that stage, another check was done on us by some security officers too, to confirm that we are not in possession of the prohibited items mentioned. On completion of that, we were addressed by a female consulate officer and were told to arrange ourselves in two rows; first row was for immigrant visa, and the second row for non-immigrant visa. (while all these transpired, we were still outside the consulate). We were then ushered into the consulate. In the consulate, another security check was done. This time, we were told to unhook our belts and place in a tray. The tray contained our belts and our documents; the trays were taken past a security check machine to check for any suspicious object. When the checks were completed, we retrieved our belts and documents.

We were then ushered into another office for documents verification. When that was completed, we progressed into the next stage, which is the biometrics, where we had to do our fingerprints.

And here comes the next stage, which happens to be the most crucial stage; the interview proper - The Judgement Day (LoL).
The atmosphere was pretty tensed, seeing applicants receiving blue papers made matter even worse. At some point, I was getting scared, but I had to summon courage based on Edo boy wey I be. There was a guy who I even thought would have his visa approved; Lo and behold, he was denied, even after all his elaborate explanation. The guy already has a master's degree, but was going for another master's degree in the USA. There was another man who works with MTN Nigeria as a site engineer, but wanted to go for a master's degree in the USA. The guy did well to answer the questions thrown to him alas, he was still denied. At this point, I was scared to the bones. While I was standing there waiting for my turn I witnessed countless interviews ....And out of those interviews, I only noticed 3 approvals ( one was an elderly woman approved by a white American man at window 2. The other was a lady going for her master's degree approved by a white American woman at window 6. The other was a young man approved by a man at window 4).

Well, I happened to be interviewed by a black American woman ( chubby and darker than the black American woman at window 7) at window 5.

Well, to my interview proper:

The black American woman at window 5 motioned me to step forward. I advanced forward immediately.

VO: Good morning (before I could say good morning, she greeted first).

Me: Good morning, ma'am.

VO: Pass me your passport and I-20.

Me: I passed the requested documents.

VO: How did you hear about this school?

Me: I first read about it on some educational magazines. However, I didn't stop there, I had to do an extensive research on it using websites like usnews.com and thegradcafe (while I was saying usnews.com she joined me in saying 'oh you came accross it using educational websites!', and I responded to her in the affirmative).

VO: How many other schools did you apply to, and name them?

Me: 4 other schools. I was naming them as e dey hot, but she quickly jumped in by saying 'Hold on. Take it slowly'. I started again, and named all the schools while she typed, but this time, I did it slowly as she requested (Georgia State University, Ohio University, Louisiana State University and Oregon State University).

VO: What's your highest qualification?

Me: Bachelor of Science, Chemistry.

VO: When did you graduate?

Me: I graduated February 2012.

VO: So, what have you been doing since then?

Me: I went for a compulsory National Youth Service Scheme. After that I worked in XYZ Table Water Industry for 1 year as a quality control officer/production manager. I then proceeded from there to my current organization where I work as a billing officer.

VO: What is the name of the organization you currently work for?

Me: XYZ Electricity Distribution Company

VO: So, it means that your total work experience doesn't have any connection with your course of study ( She said this with her eyebrows raised and a weird look on her face.)?

Me: I quickly read her body language, and I knew that this woman wan change am for me o. For the first time, I thought to myself "Na so my village people wan take win this war?" . So I quickly responded, "that's not exactly the case ma'am". Like I said, I have worked as a quality control officer at Bamjoh Table Water Industry (While I was still talking, she realised this and quickly corrected herself by saying 'oh, you were once a quality control officer, I see') and this is related to Chemistry in every way.

VO: how did your course of study helped you ... muttering.. muttering....

Me: Ma'am, I didn't get you clearly.

VO: She repeated the question again, but I still didn't hear her clearly.

Me: I'm sorry ma'am, I still didn't get you well.

VO: This time around she then spoke up louder than before, and I heard her correctly. The question was, how did your course of study helped you in your previous work experience?

Me: I responded, 'oh, my course of study Chemistry, has a branch known as Analytical Chemistry. Analytical Chemistry deals with the qualitative and quantitative analysis of compounds, which of course deals with the determination of impurities in substances and as well as pH level when necessary. I was able to use this knowledge to determine the presence of impurities and pH level of water produced prior and after production as a quality control officer at XYZ table water industry.

VO: She nodded her head suggesting she's impressed with my response. She continued by asking another question: Who is paying for your tuition?

Me: I was offered a full tuition waiver, and a graduate assistant position worth BE,000 USD annually.

VO: But I can't see a full tuition waiver on your I-20. I can only see BE,000USD for an on campus job....still muttering some words.

Me: While she was muttering, I was searching for a document showing proof of my full funding in the documents in my possession. She noticed I was trying to reach out for a document, then she responded, 'don't worry, I don't need any other documents from you'. At this time, she realized I got a full tuition waiver after taking a sternly good look at the I-20.

VO: What is your on-campus job about?

Me: It's a graduate assistantship position where I would work as a teaching assistant in the first semester, and then apply for a research assistantship position in the second semester if I choose to.

VO: She nodded her head in affirmative.

VO: What will this degree do for you?

Me: I have a concrete plan, and that is to pick up a lecturing job at my Alma mater on completion of my PhD program come Fall 2023.... I was about adding more points when she interrupted me...

VO: What is the name of your Alma Mater

Me: The university of Benin.... I continued my conversation by adding that I have established a strong connection with a professor in my Alma mater who happened to be my undergraduate supervisor, and he has assured me that I will have a strong edge over other applicants by the time I am done with my PhD at Brigham Young University. I will also love to work as a research consultant for multinational organizations like shell and Chevron while I lecture in the university.

VO: In response to my reply she nodded her head again.

VO: Are you married?

Me: No, I am not married.

VO: Engaged?

Me: Not at all.

VO: Have you traveled out of the country at any time?

Me: No, I have never had any reason to travel out of the country until now.

VO: Then she typed for some seconds, and said those sweet words. I will be approving your visa.... Congratulations... Bla bla bla.
I was trying to get the other things she was saying, but I couldn't get her clearly at this point. I only heard that you will be notified when your passport is ready for pick up. LoL. I think I also heard her say something about keeping my I-20 safe... Bla bla bla. LoL.

I couldn't believe it at first, because the way she was asking me questions looked like she was finding a fault in my application so as to use that to deny me. I almost gave up and was like, 'abeg do your worst, I don tire jare'.

To God be praised. I walked out majestically while still trying to curtail the joy within me. I almost got myself imploded because the joy within me was massive and was ready to come out. LoL



Cheers!!!

femi312:
I believe you are in good shape but I am just skeptical about that printed SOA. However, at this point there is nothing you can do about that now. Explain same way you explained here and hopefully there won't be any problem. Also be ready for why your uncle is sponsoring you and try to emphasize that you will come back to Nigeria to work in the industry/take up a lecturing job

LagosismyHome:
hopefully it goes well.......... phd is no joke so with a bit of prayers you are good to go

precyrich68:
Good evening all,

I am new here and would really love guidance .

I concluded my US visa interview on the 11th of July. I was denied the visa. I got admitted into West Texas A & M university, Texas for Masters in Business Administration for fall 2018. The purpose of my travel is to upgrade my profile and to get practical business knowledge to return home and manage the plantation my family is setting up as a retirement planning for my parents.

I had travelled to Dubai in December 2013 with family in my final year. I have not been able to travel after then because nysc and the jobs i took afterwards.

On refusing me the visa, the consular officer said, 'no enough proof of ties to home country' .

I intend applying again but i don't know how to resolve this ties to home country thing.

some agents advised that i defer the admission and travel to 2 countries minimum , restructure my profile before applying.

will this aid in resolving the issue?? please advise. ...

Kweeen:
PLEASE guys I need your help .. Is it true that having relatives in the u.s affects chances of getting a visa? My mum and elder sister are both in the u.s, they are residents and legal although my sister bears a different surname from mine..someone suggested I say no, I don't have anyone but I will need to fill my mums info in my ds-160? Is there anyway they can check her details and detect its not true ? I dont know if therea a eay they can do
thathould I just mention I have only my mum, or leave both out and say no.. I'm really confused and I need urgent opinions please. I really dont want this to affect me..has anyone admitted that they have relatives over there and it didn't affect them or has anyone successfully left it out that they have a parent there?

NeverSayNever11:
Hello Fam, July 19 just showed up in Lagos...Hurry up

Chidon360:
Since 2015 after my NYSC with them

ghs007:
US embassy Abuja +(234)-9-461-4000
US consulate general Lagos +(234)-1-460-3400

hankMacoy:
Is it advisable to reapply for f-1 visa using i-20 issued after getting student loan? In other words, could the fact that you're financing your study via a US loan hamper your chances b4 the VO on the interview day?

Chidon360:
I have reaplied for visa interview after being denied last month. Now I planned to get a letter from my employer to take along for my second interview incase the V.O ask me what has changed in my situation or whatever, so that I can show him the letter from my employer stating that they need my service after my education in America. Pls can this show a strong home ties?

Please I need an advice or opinion on
this

bombman:
After paying the sevis fee ,can I go ahead and book an expedited appointment or I should wait for it to activated after two business days.

NefT:
Is it possible to cancel my Abuja appointment and secure this date, is this usually allowed? Honestly, I would prefer lagos to save me the stress of travelling down to Abuja.