₦airaland Forum

Hello House,

Please help me out. I need advice for my sister

Can a Ph.D Student in the USA come back to Nigeria to renew his visa via face to face interview and apply together with the family.

The family has been denied two times for F2 and the Ph.D student visa(2years visa) will be expiring in the next few months

Please guys I need your advice

BETHANY2024:
Good afternoon Forum,

If the US Consulate in Lagos or US Embassy in Abuja opens the portal for student visa appointments for late November 2023 and December 2023, please, spread the news and inform members of this forum as we will be grateful to book.

I don't know why I keep on checking with a new visa fee paid after my first refusal on July 31, 2023 and I got a new Form I-20 with a much bigger scholarship and with my personal funding, seems sufficient for my next interview.

But the problem now is that anything I check now, it keeps saying ''no appointments available now''
I heard that the US Consulate in Lagos usually open up dates for Students and so if any of member of this house see dates, open, letting other members looking for dates to book and letting others like me know will be great.

Thank you all
Bethy

Appointment date is available in Lagos now. December is available self but only for first timer. Previously denied dates is Nov 2024 in Lagos. Abuja January 2025 for Previously denied

welf99:
The VO can see from the F2-I20 how you intend to cover the $22k, without the proof the I20 documents won't be issued in the first place. It means the money to survive is secured already , if asked during the interview about how you intend to cover expenses, all you need do is demonstrate how you will cover expenses during your stay in the USA i.e you will offer to show evidence you have the money secured in your account , savings, and also show other sources of income available to the family, like if you have assets or additional family support and your own funds too. Mention your spouse has full funding and accommodation for 1yr is secured.

Thanks you so much. They will follow the direction

welf99:
I think the problem is that F2 is a dependent visa tied to the duration of her spouse study. It is not a short visit visa ..that is why the VO asked how long you are staying. You should have said you are staying for the duration of your spouse study to give him emotional support and to keep the family together having giving birth after he left...you know something emotional. F2 visa was created for dependent and you qualified for it, no point lying about the true intentions having secured the F2-I20. All the things you said about coming back after 4wks is unnecessary, you make it look like you applied for B1/B2. So stay on your F2 and reapply . But if you truly wants to return after 4weeks request for invitation from your husband and apply for B1/B2. Honestly you don't need that stress , your best option if F2 , put yourself together , and reapply

Thanks alot. I appreciate your response. The cost of dependent is 22k but the husband is fully funded. I think the VO is thinking how can they survive since dependents are ineligible to work.

Guru in the house.

Please can I get appointments date for B1/B2 this year or early next year


Please I need your info

Guru in the house, please help me judge this transcript. My sister attended yesterday
4F2:

Abuja Embassy

Me: Good morning
Vo:Where are you going?
Me: I am going to university of Massachusetts to visit my husband currently doing his PhD under the supervision of Professor Sam. Additionally, my last baby was born when my husband already left for his studies in the US.
HmVo: How long you want to stay
Me: 4week. I will be resuming back to my work on 28th because I will be facilitating a training and I will also be attending my father burial on 7th of Feb.
Vo: tell your husband to invite if he want you to come
Next:Blue paper. Doesn't allow me to talk

Please guru in the house your advice is highly needed. She is thinking maybe B1/B2 is the best

whitewizardry:
I am currently in the US, and i realized i haven't shared my transcript. Find below, it would inspire someone to not give up!

Visa approved

4th Attempt (2F1s, 1B1/B2)
Abuja
July 2022.
PhD Construction engineering
Fully funded
COA: 25,000 dollars
Funding: 30,000 dollars.

Fringe VO dark hair

**I dressed very casual, 4th attempt isn't your mate na, �. I just needed a miracle.

VO: good morning pass me your documents.
VO: have you travelled to the US before?
Me: No ma I haven't. (My legs started shaking because she had denied like 4 people before me)

VO: where do you work?
Me: I currently work as a research assistant at my alma mater where I graduated as the best in my department, and my CGPA is one that hasn't been attained in the department in the past 5 years. My roles include; statistical data analysis in the field of construction engineering, conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis of data using SPSS, python, and R programming language. I also assist undergraduate students with their research papers and assignments, I attend conferences and produce technical reports from these events. I also assist undergraduate students with laboratory work and testing such as slump tests, Nondestructive tests, and abrasion testing. I help to source for data for proposed publications, I also assist in reviewing literature of proposed publications. (I said all of these word-for-word, while staring her in her eyes. While saying all of these, she was looking at what I filled in on my Ds160 - the work description, to see if it actually rhymes).

She started typing for like forever.
Then she asks;
VO: what will you do when you return back:
Me: I will be returning to my alma mater where I currently work as a RA to take on the role of a senior lecturer - I had an incredible CGPA and the faculty members are really certain that I will be an asset to the department when I return back. On the long run I will be starting up a first of it's kind consultancy firm that will focus on safety in construction. Currently, from my master's thesis, I analyzed that in Nigeria about 900 construction workers die as a result of poor safety measures. I would be...(she was nodding - seemed impressed at this point, then she cuts)

VO: would you be taking a study leave?

Me: yes, I would be.

VO: is it paid or unpaid?
Me: it's paid but I would be only paid about 50% throughout my 5 years.

VO: I see that All your family are in the US? (Omo my mind was like �). - (at this point she looked straight into my eyes, if not that I was prepared, I would probably have stammered or just gotten lost)
Me: I said No I have a lot of my family members here in Nigeria inclusive of my dad, brothers and sisters, although my mum is a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR), while my other siblings are on OPT, who will be returning to Nigeria soon. As for me, my sole intent for travelling is to go for study, after which I would return to Nigeria, because Nigeria needs me more than the US, and this skill I would be getting from this PhD is very vital. I have a strong ambition to become a full-time professor before the age of 40, and to publish high quality research content that will improve the current state of things in the construction industry here in Nigeria. (She smiled, and typed back into her system)

VO: have you been to any other country outside Nigeria?

Me: No.

VO: Are you married?
Me: No.

VO: Any Kids
Me: Not anytime soon, I am really focused on my career in academia (she laughs).

Then she touched the blue papers (my mind almost cut, but I was ready for any outcome, as I felt I had been astute and sincere enough) then she moved the blue papers to the other side and reached out for the sought-after white paper and said the golden words congratulations. I just fell down on the ground, everyone was laughing like who's this village boy ��.

Vo put her hand on her chin and was just shaking her head while smiling. I picked up my white paper was almost in tears while giving God praises. - people must have been so shocked to see my reactions. But i couldn't hold my emotions;

This is my 4th attempt, and I had the odds against me, because I have been denied severally even without the VO checking my i20. Once they see that I have my family members in the US they already assume that I have immigrant intent and instantly deny me.

One thing I'll advise people, is to be truthful with their DS160 (especially what you filled on your first DS160, please be consistent with it), I declared the family members I had in the US. In all the DS160 i filled. (Even when people kept telling me, to lie about that - the chances they have the information about them in their system is high), so just come out plain and truthful. And defend yourself as to why your intent is genuine.

Let your story make sense. VOs are human, especially when you have a VO who's ready to listen to you. Please don't give one-word replies. That's too dangerous.

Maintain eye contact with the VO, and watch the body language of the VO.

While you're waiting for your interview, please listen to the questions the VO is asking other people - there is a high chance it's the same questions you'll be asked.

Speak boldly, don't be shy about whether anyone is watching you or not, your purpose there is the white paper so please stay focused - and shout if you can. Confidence is an underrated skill in this journey.

If you can get funding, please do. Funding plus adequate preparation works magic. (Less questions, you'll be more confident). Most of the people they approved today had at least some level of funding ( even if it was 20%)
Write standardized tests and cold email professors. The chance of being denied when you have full funding is very slim because VOs know you have a low tendency to abscond when you get to the US.

Lastly, delay is not denial, I knew that I really needed to study in the US, so I made up my mind that it had to be the USA or nothing - call it desperation, but I call it ambition.

Appreciation to all the several groups (mocks, prayer groups, date groups) I was in - we shall all win. Although, i was scared to do mocks because I knew my story didn't resonate with that of others. So, I just listened, and asked questions from people who had experience in this Visa Journey.

Thanks to @Geraldine from Active Participant group she's amongst the reasons I got a date in July ��. She kept re-adding me to the date group even the admin kept removing me �. That admin guy, if i catch him ehn .

Also, Major thanks and gratitude to @NigPatriot on nairaland, i believe he is a cheat code in this visa thing . That guy should be a visa officer. He's too damn smart. I reached out to him and he helped me for free without charging a dime; in answering questions which were troubling me with regards my visa application and also provided clarity for me in this application process. I wish every applicant success in their upcoming interviews.

Congratulations......
Please what do you filled in your DS 160 form for who is sponsoring your trip? Am fully funded going for PhD. My interview is next two weeks. Please help

Dollarwoman:
Please can i get the link for the whatsapp group?

Please join me with lagos date search

Plannie22:
Is this Abuja or Lagos?

Check if you can get date in Lagos. Lagos released over 100 slots for 13th July today.

please add me to Lagos date search

08145049532

Please add me to LAGOS DATE SEARCH. 08145049532

Sleepyb:
Hello everyone, please I need help. I’ve been following the posts here and it has guided me in no small way in my application.

I applied for emergency appointment yesterday as my program start date is 31st of July, and lectures start on 15th of August.

However, I received a mail now stating that my emergency appointment was denied. I don’t know what to do, because the original date I got is March 2023. Please help. My center is Abuja.

Not only you. I applied for emergency two days ago. This was denied today too. Class start date next month...

cuttingedge:
Thank you! Got my date around March or April. Regular Date.

u

Thanks you

cuttingedge:
Transcript
Visa Approved ☑️
Abuja

Got there some minutes to 7. After all the checks...was waiting...Omo see as green paper dey fly even with people who were fluent especially the lady in window 8... suddenly window 11 called next applicant...na so I wan stand up o na him security man say make I chill for one elderly couple. Immediately window 10 called next applicant please.
Stepped up.
VO at window...pretty white lady.

VO: Pass me your Documents please.
Me: Aiit
VO: I see you are going to Southern Illinois University Carbondale for a PhD in Political Science.
Me: Yes
VO: what will you be coming back to do?
Me: I'll be coming back to pick up a lecturing job at XYZ... University
VO: Do you have any dependant traveling with you?
Me: "Blurts out without thinking" No
VO: Types for a while...Ok... I'll be approving your visa... hands me white paper...this will tell you how to pick up your passport...

I no hear shi shi again... literally floated out of the building...
A big thank you to @UmmZayd for the preparation...transcripts and time taken to make corrections.

Congratulations. How did you get get your appointment date. Through EA or Regular. Getting appointment date is difficult.
ppAm also going for PhD (Fully funded including housing and meal scholarship)

[quote author=obajoey post=114294276][/quote]@obajoey.... I prefer Abuja

Abuja

Greetings House,

Please can I request for EA now. earliest date August 7, Class start date September 6

Please I need your advice


Thanks

pharrel1539:
Please when is the 60 days due date for one to apply for expedient appointment from my i-20 it has two dates start of class 22nd August and earliest admission date 22nd July. Please experienced colleagues which of these two dates will I use to count.

Thanks for your information. I think the earliest date of admission but am not too sure

MountainTop34:
Pls I’d want to be added to the Abuja group page, I’m yet to get a date, I’ve sent a mail to you, thank you

Please add me too for Abuja: 08145049532

[quote author=Deeyo09 post=113362331]Denied
Lagos Consulate
VO-(The lady beside the one with white headset)
31/05/2022
COA - 39,908
Total funds available is 42,064
BREAKDOWN:
GA WAIVER - 20,064
On Campus employment - 10,000
Deficit - 9,500

V.O - What will an Msc in Information technology do for you ?
Me - It is my career goal to be a CIO sometime in future, having studied computer science and worked as a software dev for over 4 years, this degree will help me learn theoretical and hands on experience in other aspects such as IT management, Network security, Data Analytics, Data Management. *I'm not sure I said any thing extra here, I was really expecting her to ask me more questions*
V.O - Who is paying for the deficit ?
Me - I will be doing that with some personal funds that I have saved up. I will also be getting monthly stipend from my department
V.O - Yeeea, I can see that
V.O - How much do you earn ?
Me - About 500k monthly
Then she handed me the blue paper, and said thanks for coming.

She only asked me 3 questions, I don't know what the problem was, is it a problem to use personal funds ?


Sorry about that. you really tried but you shouldn't have mentioned "about" the statement means alot to them. Your salary is a reasonable amount. I think you need to try Abuja. Best of luck

Laids:
Good evening house,

I finally got an appointment after my expedite appointment request 2 days ago and my interview date is June 15(2 weeks to go ) in Abuja. I need someone who I can practice mock questions with please. I don't want to mess this up. Anyone interested in joining me should kindly respond to my message.

I also need advice on the nice VOs to look out for.

When is your school earliest date of resumption? mine is August 7 can I apply for EA now

Please I need appointment date for the U.S interview at Abuja. please add me 08145049532

congratulations

Please I need an advice for my sister


She got admitted to the PhD program America international college with full funding including housing and meal scholarship

what are the chances of getting the Visa? Hope the college is not a red flag

For2ne:
I have been admitted to the university of Alabama and kent state university phd computer science programs for fall 2022 but none of them have offered me funding. Please can anyone advise me on how to go about securing funding from these schools?

Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

You don't need to panic. contact your potential advisor about that.

Please I need advice

Have been admitted for PhD program fully funded + graduate housing and meal scholarship.

-How can I get appointment date. Getting date is difficult.
- it's advisable to go with dependent (s)

Please I need advice

I got PhD offer with full funding (Graduate Assistantship) and Housing & Meal scholarship. I would like to go with my family (wife&two daughter). what is the chance of getting the Visa, any ideas?

Oluh:
You deserve more boss. Full funding should be your goal sir, people with lesser profile had funding, please don’t settle for this.

I really appreciate. I will not

learner007:
This is difficult to say, but I will anyway. With your profile, you deserve more than just a meal ticket and a place to stay. You are deserving of an assistantship, which usually includes a full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend. All of this is already a low-paying offer (as a PhD student). Accepting this implies settling for less. If I were you, I would reapply to a better institution that is serious about business and recognizes my value. 33 publications no be beans. Peace!

Thanks for your advice. I will do the needful. Kind regards

Opemz:
Congratulations

please I need advice


Have been admitted for PhD program without fellowship but housing and meal scholarship for two years was attached

can I proceed to the embassy for interview? what is the hope of getting the visa. GRE score 325/340. Quant:168, verbal:157. I have 33 peer reviewed publications.

[quote author=Opemz post=110249062][/quote]Congratulations

[quote author=pavoda post=110245951]Hi Nairalanders,

Been following this page, it's been indeed helpful for my B1/B2 visa interview, which held last friday. I have an issue, which I wish to know if anyone has encountered.

I was given a white paper, after my visa interview which i attended as a family with my Mum. The VO informed us that our application had been approved and we should expect to pick up the passport in abuja in a few days.

Subsequently i received an email with a notice to collect my mums Passport at DHL but did not get any notice email for mine.I decide to check the visa status of both mine and mum. Her visa status is ISSUED but mine says Administrative Processing, Last updated a day after the successful interview.

This is not my first US visa, but its the first time i have encountered this issue. Please, what does this mean? Does it mean the decision has changed from the Interview, Do I still have a chance? Or is it a denial?

For the interview, the transcript is as follows:

VO: Good morning and please pass me your passport .

Me/Mum: Good morning (Hands over docs).

VO: Takes Biometrics for Both of Us.

VO: I can see you are The Mum.

Mum: Yes sir.

VO: She is your Mum
Me: Yes Please,

VO: Where do you work
Me/Mum: I am a Civil Servant At the Central Bank, I work at The Bureau of Public Enterprise

VO: Do you have other children

Mum: Yes sir.I have 3 other children all in school. 2 in the USA and 1 in High School.

VO: what are you going to do in USA
Me: I intend to travel in the summer for a short holiday and to visit my 2 kids in the process.

VO: Begins typing for a few minutes (nodes, brings out a white paper ) your visa application is good to go and has been approved. We will send you a mail inq couple of days when to pick up your passport when visa is issued.

Me/Mum: Thank you sir.

[/quote

congratulations