Whogochuk:
Please guys I want to know the earliest time I can apply for EA. My earliest arrival date on my I-20 is July 15

120 days prior to that date you can apply for an interview. But you won't be allowed entry into the USA within any date more than 30 days to the earliest arrival date. Hope that makes sense.

ritsy02:
Please my programme duration is from August 23, 2022- May 31st, 2024, but my passport will expire in January, 2024 (before my programme ends).

Is this an issue please? Do I need to renew my passport, when I still have almost 2 years validity on it?

It's always advisable to use a passport with at least a 6 - month validity period prior to your interview date.

Ezichi123:
As usual, I walked into the interview hall with the hope and believe that God will change my story the secondtime. I had my first US interview 3 years back on Visiting visa and this time around, I decided to go for F1. I applied for MBA at one private school in USA.
My one year estimation tuition and accommodation is $30,000 with $3000 scholarship from my school and my sponsoring bank statement of $34000.

Vo: good morning
Me : good morning

VO: Which school are you going to?
Me: University of ............

Vo: place your fingers for biometric
Me: Ok

Vo: Who is sponsoring you?
Me: My sponsor

VO: Where is the location of your company,?
Me: Germany

VO: Have you been to Italy?
Me: No, Italy is where our company is registered.

VO: You have travelled to Singapore?
Me: Yes

VO: How long was your stay?
Me: 1 year and 7 months. I have also been to Italy, Sweden

VO: How long have you stayed in Germany?
Me: 5 months

VO: OK

VO: was typing uninterrupted...........
Me: Looking at him with confidence

VO: I AM SORRY TO REJECT YOUR VISA AT TIS TIME. HE ISSUED ME A WHITE PAPER.
ME: THanks and goodbye.


Please, who can advise me on why I was rejected my visa. I have travelled to 6 countries. I was only one that was denied Visa among the number of white people that came for visa.

Though this most certainly won't be the sole reason for your denial, why did you contradict yourself (Look at where i highlighted)

Also what consular office did you use? In Nigeria?

Planner99:
Hello guys,

I need your input on this. I'm sorry, it's going to be a long one, kindly bear with me:

I currently have an active immigration case as my dad filed for me to immigrate into the US. This should come to fruition hopefully in a couple of years.

I've always planned to do a masters in my field as soon as I immigrated but since the pandemic struck and everything slowed down, I feel like I should no longer just sit and wait for that.

I have gotten an admission into a respectable US graduate school of my top choice (still looking for funding) and plan to apply for a student visa.
My plan is to come back to Nigeria for my immigrant visa interview when it reaches my turn, I do not mind that at all. I'm hoping that will happen before my 2-year MSc is over.
I want to get a masters in US specifically because that is where I plan to settle and a US degree will help secure jobs better and faster than degrees from another country

I just don't want to keep my career stagnant because of an unfortunate pandemic causing a lot of backlog for my immigration stuff as I'm in the best phase of my life and career to take this step.

I will like to add that I have previously gotten a B1/B2 visitors visa which I used once all while waiting for the immigrant visa. I had thought then too that they wouldn't grant the visitors visa because of my pending immigration stuff but they did. The visa officer just made sure to remind me not to mess up or overstay because that will negatively affect my immigration case.

Also, I am contemplating applying for a renewal of my visitors visa before applying for the student visa since I qualify for their new 'no interview, drop box' renewal. This is because regardless of whether my student visa is approved or not, I will like to visit my family freely without breaking their rules.

My questions are:
1. What do you guys think my chances of getting the student visa approved are?
2. Should I bother with the renewal of visit visa?
3. If my visit visa is approved and my student visa is refused after, will they cancel my visit visa that was approved?
4. If my visit visa is refused, will that negatively affect my chances of getting the student visa in a few months after?

in answering your question, your chances are up to you, For a US visa application - there is never a level of certainty; the best you can do is be prepared. Something you should note again is that the F1 visa and B1/B2 visa are independent/separate visas - though your information when applying should be coherent for both. So, if your visit visa is approved and your F1 is refused after, they would not cancel your already existing visa (except that has changed)

Your case requires you to be able to set your priority in its best preference that suits you. Firstly, what timeline do you have in pursuing your masters program - you have a good record with regards to your previous travel. if I were you I would apply for a student visa.

yomzy4cool:
relax ur parcel is still with usps , nothing to worry about

Hi please help me confirm the status of this package Ch154152293us.

Sent from US to Nigeria. It's been a month already

tayex1:
Hello Gurus...
I have been following this trend for a long while and I have learned a whole lot silently all thanks to you all.

My case is a little peculiar and I need as much advice as I can get.

I recently got admitted for an MBA program with full tuition for my two years amounting to $92,000 and other fees covered by the school scholarship. I was also given a graduate assistantship slot. The living costs will be covered personally as I have enough saved for that.

However, I have a pending immigration petition in place by my folks.

How do I convince a V.O that I am returning? I sincerely intend to regardless of my petition as I have two startups that are doing well and the essence of the MBA is to have global knowledge of how things can be applied here.

Hi Tayex,
So a pending immigration petition already shows immigrant intent, clearly! Well it can be overcome.

Firstly, depends on the VO who interviews you. Sometimes they don't want to hear anything as soon as they see you already have a 1-130 application running concurrently.

So if you have a VO that's willing to listen. Try as much as possible to emphasize on your intent as a genuine student. How can you do this, elaborate on your scholarship - if you had an excellent GPA sell it out. Put out your best. And make sure you have strong ties to Nigeria.

Secondly dissociate your application from all that has to do with your family in the states. Any reason your giving should have to do with your career growth/progression and your imminent plans to return to your home country after studies.

Nothing is insurmountable as long as there is a strategy in place.

I wish you the very best. And you shall share your testimony.

Nanthediverse:
This is the level I'm now. Do I need to accept the 28th jouly and then apply for emergency appointment because my school resume 24th of this month. Someone should help

Don't fret! If this is your first time of seeking emergency. Pick any date and apply for emergency, (put up strong reasons). Your emergency appointment will most likely be approved. But before then try to apply for a letter of extension from your school. Aim for sometime in February.
I wish you the best.

Oluh:
Hey guys. I’m having my interview next week in abuja. Any advice on what to do different? Anyone feels talking really fast and making enough points clear or talking calm or slowly make them believe you’re confident.

Any advice on dressing and looks too?

Everything just seems somehow right now, Make God help us.

Frankly, there's no manual to this. Talking fast or slow - just make sure you're articulate (concise and clear). Eye contact is what psychologists use alot in detecting truths or lies. So maintain that while talking.

On dressing, wear whatever you're comfortable on. You aim is the white paper. Isn't it?

Oluh:
Please I need you guys to advice me on this. I just got a graduate assistantship in a school I applied to last year and I have an interview for another school in abuja next week which I was only offered a scholarship of 18k which was splitted into 9k each for the 2years. I’m confused on what to do.

Congrats on your GA. I'll advice you reply the mail and yes defer that admission for fall. But for your incoming interview at Abuja you have nothing to lose. You can attend it, if given the visa you can go ahead to the school and then switch to the school that offered you GA during the fall semester. If denied visa,. You can always pay another MRV and apply for new visa using the school they offered you the GA. (Sometime late April/ early May). So it's no fuss to bang your head over the wall about.

Nanthediverse:
Please anyone willing to help me fill out DS160 and do the visa application for me. Please contact me directly 08135229619 also my WhatsApp

I don't know why you'll need anyone to help you fill out your DS160. Your interview questions will surely come out that document. So why not fill it yourself and maybe get assistance from someone to help you look through and spot likely red flags.

Going this route of publicly seeking someone to fill your DS160 will draw you towards agents and that doesn't always end well.

Afesdiddy:
Hello guys

Have been going through this thread for some years, and I think it's time for me to start the process, can any one help me on the procedures, I do be very happy


Thanks

You've been going through the thread for years. You should be the one helping people with procedure by now.

Samuel5555:
My today Visa transcript:
Status: denied
3rd Attempt
Abuja:bald headed guy
Major: Masters Mechanical Engineering
$8000 plus Instate tuition waiver
Vo pass me your documents. Have you travel out of Nigeria before?
Me: No I have not had any reason to do so
Vo: where do you work?
Me: I work as a technical Maintenance personal with zenith Bank PLC and we are into day to day maintenance of power plant and configuration of point of sale machine. Now a new department has been set up which is to provide solution to mechanical complex problem and upon the completion of this program I intend to come back to take up a material role in this new department.
Vo you where denied before what's has changed?
Me: last tym I was going to university of Arkansas at Little Rock and now i am Going to Lamar University and because of the dean's scholarship of 8k$ and an Instate tuition waiver that was given to me my dad will be d one to sponsor me and I was equally able to save 3k$ for this program.
Vo : brought out blue paper

Please someone should help me out what might have gone wrong. Possibly the best answer to what's has changed.

Sorry for the denial. Those you've mentioned are significant changes. But how we can assist you is you can post the transcript to your two previous denials. That way some revelations can be made known.

Fawaz12345:
Hello guys I’m planning to apply for America student visa but I’m scared I’ll get denied because my sister is a pr and my brother is also studying there on visa.
What do you think?
And it’s a community college I’m applying too
Or should I just apply to a normal university and change to community colllege when I get there.
I don’t know how America visa works

Yes you show stronger tie to the US than your home country, but this is surmountable. But try as much as possible to put your best foot out first - prove to the VO your genuiness as a student. This can be demonstrated by getting Graduate assistantship / merit scholarships that covers majority or all of your school expenses, getting admission from a top ranked university, pursuing a research based course that has relevance both in your home and foreign country. Etc.

And in your application try to focus very little if not at all on your relatives in the US.

Fall applications have begun for most schools, and priority funding from most schools have December/January 15th as deadline. you may also note that most VOs have a negative bias towards Community colleges. So you might want to consider that too.

ATANDA2007:
i was refused visa in Abuja on wednesday, 8th December, 2021. When can i reapply?

Anytime you feel convenient, but always have it at the back of your mind that you should try to "fix" what made the VO feel unsure of in your last interview.
So what changed? Gotten better funding? Got More Confident? Changed school? Changed sponsor? Got more documental evidence? These are just few of many reasons/why's to reapply.

Shoot your shot. Atimes VOs even make errors in their decision. They get overwhelmed, they don't pay attention, they conclude before hand etc. So reapplying is an option.

Gabriel1010:
I have been an anonymous reader right here on nairaland since 2020. It would be a big crime if i got my visa approved and didn’t post it here because I virtually learnt everything I need to know right here.

First attempt
VISA APPROVED: Abuja 9:15, 17th December 2021.

Course of study: MSC industrial technology ,California state university fresno.
School cost: 28k
Graduate assistantship: Nil
VO: bald white guy


I was asked only 4 questions (suprised because i got like 20 questions on my transcript)
Me: Good morning
VO: nothing
Me: Good morning
Vo: pass me your I20 and passport ( I was like damn, how will one who refused to reply me approve this visa God)
VO: Why are you going to USA

Me: I’m going for my graduate studies in industrial technology at csu fresno

VO: Where do you work

Me: jubaili agrotec, they sell and produce quality agricultural products such as pesticides herbicides ( I just said and the rest because everything i have prepared for disappeared at that moment)

VO: Who is going to be paying your deficits?
Me: my dad, he is a saturation technician with chevron nigeria limited

VO: chevron Nigeria limited?

Me: Yes( I was expecting him to ask for proof of funds, but he refused and i learnt here that you don’t force documents on them)

VO: have you been outside the country recently ( can’t remember the exact words)
Me : NO

VO: you’d picking up your passport in three days time.
Me: Happy holidays and you look Good
He finally smiled at me after declining our culture of Good morning.



I congratulate myself and everyone who got their visas approved today and to those that got denied, i hope you are not giving up because thats not even an option…YOU GOT THIS.

Pray and cry out to your lord God because thats the only way , and try as much as possible to dress well( i mean what you are comfortable with and can afford) appearance will make you sell anything to them. I tried and got myself the most expensive shirt i could get since that’s what they will be seeing.

Trust me you can’t be as shy as i am, i dont look straight into people’s eyes when talking…I’d rather be looking away to avoid eye contact, Dressing well gave me the confidence i needed to reply the vo even though my voice was a bit shaky.
Thank y’all for taking your time to read this ❤️Love And light �

God bless you and be with you in your next phase.

Fall2021:
I will share my testimony on this thread... I have that firm belief...

God answered your prayers. Congratulations.

adesbaba:



Sir,hope applying with a master's degree for another masters won't show the VO that such person is desperate to leave

not at all, be ready to give a cogent reason as to why a second masters is imminent.

macron:
I got denied again today and honestly I don’t know what the problem is.

Vo : You’re going for a masters in Management sciences and quantitative methods:

Me: It’s actually Data Analytics but that’s how my school represents it on the sevis record

Vo: What will this degree do for you

Me: I have an offer to become a junior financial analyst at so and so company. I’ve worked there for 3 years and getting this degree will help me to become an analyst at the risk and investment supervision department.

Vo: what’s your highest academic qualifications

Me I have a bachelors in Chemical Engineering and I did a student exchange program in Industrial engineering as well and that’s where i learnt how to to analytics for engineering design

Vo: who will be paying for your trip

Me: My uncle, he’s an optometrist at so so hospital

Vo: you have any relative in the us

Me: yes my brother, he’s currently on opt

Vo: He went there on F1 as well

Me: yes

Vo: who paid for his education

Me: My dad paid until his final year when he got sick and my uncle paid the rest

Vo: so you went to Michigan on J1 and You’re going to Texas on F1

Me: Yes

Vo: what does your brother do?

Me: he’s a software engineer at so and so

V: i’m sorry you do not qualify for blah blah at this time

From this transcript, There's something about your brother's stay that's unconvincing to the VOs. Next time, if given the opportunity, chip it in on your brother's intent to returning back to the country. and I hope he isn't also in Texas - which is your intended city of study?

According to the US consul visa vetting, there's something called "Family history". A VO can deny a person if a relative of that individual has shown immigrant intent on an NIV visa. This isnt a fair criteria but it is surreal.

adesbaba:



Hello Nigpatriot

Please for someone that has 3.3/5.0 BSc and 4.3/5.0 Msc... both in Accounting...can such person still apply for MSc Finance with scholarship/funding ...or it has to be PhD....



Thanks

The grades are good. you can definitely get scholarship for another masters. in this case your SOP has to be used to properly sell yourself.

macsilver:
Thanks to those assisting to supply answers. God bless you!

I graduated with a second class lower distinction (2.6) in English, and had my masters in the same course. I wish to go study same course for PhD but from what I’ve read here, it seems like the requirements are way beyond my grades. Any help?

Also, do you think it’s necessary (for me) to write the English test of proficiency?
My question may seem funny but e get why. Please help. Thank you!

A PhD in that field of yours is viable, but has its limitations. What was your masters grade? Did you work on a thesis?. Sometimes your most recent grades are what schools use to judge and grade your mental uprightness. At this point, you should be taking any probable exam that can embellish your profile.

mojolajesu:
typooo… sorry my boss.

Dec 1st is my interview

Oh that's really close. Shoot me a mail. I'm kind of busy now. But hopefully we can have a session.
All the best.

mojolajesu:
thank you @Nig Parrot.

I have done this already and would just want a human look.

Parrot

When's your interview?

mojolajesu:
Please how can I reach out to @lagosismyhome:

I need a mock please. Is there any watsapp group?

Start with your mirror. If you can convince yourself. Trust me you can convince anyone. Let me know how it goes. I can be of help much later.

Marufahh:
So guys i’m new here and i got my visa denied on 9th of November in abuja .i was denied by a white male vo
Here is my transcript
Me:good morning
Vo:no reply
Vo:pass me your passport(he just took out my i20 n opened it)
V0:have you travelled before
Me:yes,I travelled to saudi arabia for pilgrimage
Vo: what the name of your school(I didn’t hear what he said at first ,then he repeated himself)
Me:wayne country community college
Vo:what course are you going for
Me:pharmacy (he wasn’t really looking at me,he was just typing on the computer )
Vo:why did you choose this course

Me: I shoose pharmacy because when i was young I promise my dad when he was serious that I would study pharmacy .....and so on
Vo:who would be sponsoring you
Me:my mum would be my sole sponsor
Vo:what deos your mum do
Me:shes a civil engineering,she has her own contruction n housing estate company (i was wanted show him documents,he just cut me off with hand and said i dont need see any document,he had this expression on his face and at this moment i was getting scared because what they say about the “dont give Vo” and how they act)
Vo:what is your highest degree
Me:i just finish my secondary school
Vo:when
Me:December 2020
Vo:December 2020?
Me:yes
Vo:what have you been doing since then
Me:i have been attending my A level class(hes still typing on the computer)
Vo: still typing
Me:i was just praying because that is when i saw only blue paper in front of him not even a single white paper ).
V0:will you return to nigeria(not still looking at me)
Me:yes I would,i plan to have my own pharmacy n help people when i get (this isn’t what I practiced tho but i was nervous,so i just saud what came to my mind
Vo:he typed for like 3 secs n then gave me the blue paper

I really dont know what i did wrong ,because i tried my best to be calm .also that day many people were rejected,i want you guys to advice me on what i did wrong before i reapply.All the transcript i have been reading are all masters students n i feel im the youngest here but i dont mind any kind of advice before my next interview

The bolded part, I really got lost there. You promised your dad? Anyway I'm sure you know the lapses to work on. You need to work more on your confidence - since you're a genuine student, then this shouldn't be hard.

BECskills:
Boss,

Your response are valid 100%.

My question is:

1. If your i-20 reads personal funds and the loan only got approved after you've submitted your DS-160 form would it appropriate to mention that you have a student loan?

Regards

Most definitely, be sure to state that and go with documented proof to back up your oral presentation.

All the best.

mojolajesu:
Hi guys I need a little help, please.

I am on the verge of applying for my F1. I have acquired a loan worth $50k which I already made plans to pay the company back when I get to the US.

I am hoping that the VO will not ask me what are my plans for payback.

SHould in case he does, do you have any idea on how to put it so as not to reveal that I would be staying back eventually.

Also, how is it best to answer "do you have siblings in the US" when you have them? should you say yes or deny it?

Hi,
You've taken a good step by already obtaining a loan prior to your interview, trust me the VO would be impressed by that. Your plan in paying back should be embedded in what your plan to do when you're back. If this degree is actually worth it then the the Return on investment (ROI) should get you way more than this supposed loan. Look out for the very best companies in this your field here in Nigeria, and importantly tie a position which you'll come back to take. Loans can spread up to 20 years, 50 years and even a lifetime before they are completely paid off. The VO knows this, even most US citizens rack up students loans that even last their lifetime. Just have a plan of payback, based on the role this new degree would give you here in Nigeria. Don't just 'hope" not to be asked, that's you leaving your life to chance.

On the question of, If you have siblings in the USA. People have lied about it and gotten away with it. Doesn't mean your case would be similar. It's always advisable to be transparent. You just have to know what they're doing there, what state they're in and in most cases they might ask how they got there. Especially if it's an immediate relative.

All the best.
May the odds favor you.

stone2x:


Boss, make u no vex..Many thanks for you very kind response. I really appreciate.

You welcome

sorsor:


Thanks alot for the response,
while going through peoples transcripts I see things like ''your funding is this and your deficit is this who will pay for your deficit'' please what does it mean?

What's your total cost of attendance? Check the tuition rates of your course from the school website. The funding letter should come along with your admission letter. Or most times it comes independently. You ought to know this by now, if you're a genuine student. You can't go for an interview with this naivety.

stone2x:


@NigPatriot, @Samuel321 and tmann626, I appreciate your kind response. Please, see what is available when I logged in to CGI site and started filing out before I saw appointment dates for next year and was lost when I didn't see the tab for emergency appointment.
.am sorry for not getting what you advised me.

You want to spoonfed, but it's fine.
Click on "continue" then you'll see a calendar showing dates. Select anyone you find convenient, after doing this. You'll check the left hand side of the icons and see "emergency request"then proceed and do the needful. I'm sorry but if you still don't get it, I have no other explanation to give you.

sorsor:
Hi guys I am new here and would like to know the next step to take after one has gotten admission to go study for a masters program in US

Get your i20.(mail your school, it can be gotten via mail no longer post.)
Pay your Sevis fee (350 dollars).
Pay your visa fee (160 dollars) 67,200
Pick a date. (Go for Emergency)
Attend your interview.
If positive, secure your tickets, and then welcome to America.

Nwannediutor:
I have an issue with people who go for interviews and then they don't come back to post their transcript. A few weeks later you see them back here asking one question or the other.

For example, someone here is complaining of his/her visa status being on administrative processing for a while and asking if there is any solution. Meanwhile, a cursory look at the profile shows that he/she didn't share his/her transcript after the interview.

The reason why this place is such a huge resource for 'study in USA' information is that people are sacrificing their time to voluntarily post and share their experiences and knowledge on this platform to help others.

It is totally unfair to always come here to seek information and then run away without coming back to drop feedback or transcript.

Let's do better please

I've spoken about this, I guess it's human nature. People are naturally takers than givers. Which is why I place alot of value on those who act otherwise.