₦airaland Forum

sharwama:
I'm not sure how to respond to this, I am just not sure. Like I am just so so not sure.

You humor is out of this world....
Extra-ordinarily comical

sharwama:
FOR THE ONES WHO GOT DENIED
It's a beautiful Sunday, the start of a brand new week and the last day in June 2019. We had lots of visa approvals this month and reasons to be grateful. Sadly, we equally had denials and now I am concerned about the latter.
So this one's for all who got denied recently, contemplating and probably getting ready to refire, this one's for all the ones wondering why the VO didn't give them a chance to speak, to explain, this one's for all who forgot a particular document and got sent away, this one's for the ones who froze at the sight of the VO, became blank and couldn't utter meaningful sentences, this one's for all those wondering if they can make it in the next attempt, this one's for all those who have cried their eyes out and no longer have tears to shed, for the ones who have screamed so hard and have lost their voices, this one's for the ones who have been snatched by the piercing claws of depression, who have been pulled into the darkness and their lungs gasping for air that isn't forthcoming, this one's for all those wondering what exactly went wrong, this one's for the ones questioning God and wondering why He let this happen, I mean where is God when bad things like visa denials happen!
Breathe. Please, just breathe for me. I see you, I hear you and I can't imagine what you have been through especially because you have poured yourself into the entire process, but I do know these:
The fire of rejection wasn't lit to burn you, it was meant to purify and fortify you, to get rid of parts you thought you needed but never really did, to increase your hunger for greatness, to push you to do better and BE better, to question your intentions, how badly do you want this? Why do you want this?
I strongly believe that in life there are a lot of doors that are shut to us, and if we truly want in, we have to be consistently brave enough to keep knocking and be sure we are knocking the right way, the right time and on the right doors.
If you truly want this, if you are genuine, if you are truly worthy, if you believe you deserve this visa, then you really are and you really do . You will not go down without a fight, the entire universe is waiting for the manifestation of your gifts, waiting to see you rise from the ashes and give the loudest roar. This is your moment, take it. The glory of the latter shall be greater than the former.
May the force be with you!

Please your post are always long but informative.
I mostly skim.Please try to go with brevity and concision most times.That's how most Americans talk.Unfortunately, nah English colonize us.
I appreciate your humor....

BenAzie:
No I did not.

1st attempt: Applied and Computational Math @SJU
2nd attempt: Applied Math @IUP

Ok, correct.
Re-fire!

BenAzie:
Mhen you are very on point: Slim woman. @Window 6 (2nd attempt) and One white guy @Window 6 (1st attempt). I will not only avoid her in my next interview, I will avoid Window 6. I guess I can opt not to be interviewed by her if by coincidence I am called up to that window again since she has denied me before. I think I heard/read that a visa officer aren't suppose to interview an applicant twice.

Yeah strong point. Research should be it, not necessarily funding. I think funding wasn't what she wanted to hear.

Many thanks.
What other question do you think will probably be asked separate from the norm, being my 3rd interview?

Did you change course?

Johnolukolade:
How can a VO deny your friend twice?

He didn't know he has right to tell the VO to be interviewed by another.The VO herself apparently didn't know she interviewed him before from what he said ...It was a quick decision.VO interviewed him in 2016.
He thought the VO should know and tell him if he would like to be interviewed by another.

BenAzie:
Thanks guys for this platform. Almost frustrated now.
As it stands, I have GTA Position covering my tuition with monthly stipend and my uncle pays the rest.

I am in between decision whether or not to make my 3rd application. Be detailed with your thoughts/suggestions please, whether harshly or kindly provided it passes your message.

Brief:
1st application.
I first applied using SJU Spring 2019 and got denied. Here, no funding, my uncle (different surname) had a functional statement of account that I used. I think I was denied here because as part of my sponsor, I put a friend in the US (medical doctor for that matter) which weakened my ties to Nigeria (as I was told later on though)

2nd application.
Just 2days ago another denial. I answered all questions well as I often got responsive nodding of the Window 6 woman until I was asked why I changed schools from SJU (as in my previous application) to IUP (in my new application). I never expected that and all I could say was IUP gave a me a GTA as against no funding from SJU. Someone suggested to me to have talked about research and my concentration like that.

3rd application.
Do you think I should apply again?
If yes, what possible questions should I expect for a third time application?

Many thanks. Help me please, help!!!

NB: all interviews were in Abuja.

Reappply Again.
Which of the windows interview you when you went for Spring2019?

The slim woman in Window6 like travelling experience.Like you have a B1/B2 VISA with no overstaying your time in the US.He denied a friend of mine twice just by looking at his passport in both cases.Also denied a friend with GA worth $42k.
I think research could have been better for a change of school..Did you change course?

segunbolawole:
Once again... Thanks a lot to everyone here and to everyone that consoled my destiny ... That moment when u take to sarcasm and blaspheming to avert heart break and depression but with the way you all here responded, when I blow I go throw party for everyone on this forum to be present maybe December. I swear I love you all here.

And please remember me in ur prayers for forgiveness. I blasphamed . I agree I was lazy to take the GRE which would have increased my chances.

Finally can we reduce the noise about funding so VOs won't attack it. Maybe create another group cause truth is, they are reading this page. They didn't ask anyone for SOA meaning they have advanced their checks.

Make unah think am o. Nobody before me in the embassy was asked for SOA, I don't know after me.

Embassy's Nose in everywhere

Did you see that USMissionNGRA online
I saw that yesterday.So they are reading the thread.

Erhuns67:
School : Idaho State University
Course : Master in Mechanical Engineering
Date of interview: 26th June, 2019.
Lagos consulate :Visa Approved.
Scholarship: 65% waiver of tuition($16292)
GRE:311
I will encourage those with good Gre score and GPA to apply to this school cause Non-Resident Tuition Waiver is guaranteed.

When I am less busy, i will update my transcript.

thanks @sharwama for transcript review.

Congratulations...

Is your deficit $16,292 after 65% tuition waiver,right?
Do they waive application fee?

CptCharlesVane:
Wasn't adequately/sufficiently prepared ... I was unable to put forward a strong case ... Semantics. Emphasis on 'it's my fault not the VO' even when we know that VO sometimes is on a short fuse. How it is said too matters (to which extent, I wouldn't know...most of what I'm saying is just general interview tips)

Personally, I think anyone that doesn't fill the DS form themselves is not serious at all. How can a prospective graduate student pay an agent to fill information about themselves? And this may be apparent to the VO but not the applicant and the others waiting in line. So what the VO sees is different; what the next person in line observes is "everybody before me got coloured paper, even people with funding".

You never really know those on interview day who did or did not fill their DS-160 form or whatever themselves, or accurately so there are rarely any near identical profiles. The interview is just one part, the form goes way before you appear for the interview and I believe many denials are predetermined and the interview is just formality, except the person convinces otherwise.

Nobody should tell anyone what to say in the real sense, a lot of what is on here should serve as guidance. The applicant should know best why they want to go to the US and present their case as best they can and prove home ties because it is a non-immigrant visa.

A case in point here was a person who because he reads many cases here of people applying to more than two universities, misrepresented himself by claiming he applied to other schools when the truth was he applied to just one, and as fate would have it, mentioned that Columbia didn't require standardized exams from him. Imagine standing in front of the VO who has the internet and a computer to verify such outlandish statements. Dude didn't even consider that the interviewer could be an alumnus of the program and university the person is lying about. Or maybe have interviewed a number of students going for that same program at the university.

If you applied to one school only, then convince the VO why you applied to only one school. There are numerous reasons why and if you really want to apply to more than one school, would it be because of the visa interview or because you actually want to study at those other schools?

A lot of people can stand liars, but the ones they despise the most are the ones who lie directly at their faces. Lying is misrepresentation and only makes things more complicated and the visa more elusive.

Ok,got ya point.It is clear that desperation could be what is causing most denials....

CptCharlesVane:
Show that you accept responsibility for your shortcomings, even though many times the decisions are largely subjective. When asked say: "I am better prepared to present my case as I was unconvincing the last time" (Yes, take the blame like Akon and don't say it's the VO who didn't give you a chance)

In my opinion , you didn't own up with your response about admission into a university in Nigeria. You should've been upfront saying "I was slightly below the cut-off for admission and didn't qualify for an admission ..." Saying quotas, although true, appears to absolve yourself from your responsibility in the outcome. Don't blame JAMB or the system or anyone at interviews.

At interviews, you turn negatives to positives in interviews, so to follow up a response like that above, say something like: "... so it made me doubly determined to secure a scholarship at a much better and equipped university in the US" (which you did btw)

You should anticipate such questions when there are gaps in education and employment history. A typical question is "What have you been doing since xxxx?" Also, let what you say be consistent with what was filled on the DS form. I noticed after submitting, you no longer have access to the information on the form, so print the review before submitting and practice answers for specific questions.

There are general questions and there are specific questions tailored to each individual according to your profile. Use yours to raise questions and provide answers that you'll be confident about. For example, if you responded on the form that you have family or relative in the US, anticipate questions such as: "how long have they been in US?"... etc for something like this you shoud have at least 5 possible questions

It's never easy being on the spot but the good thing is that the more you practice the more confident you become.

Best of luck with your next interview

On the response to what change:'I am better prepared to prepare my case as I was unconvincing the last time'

What of if the VO then ask:'You were not prepared and you want to go and spend thousands of dollars for a degree?

I saw someone that was denied I think yesterday that said exactly the same thing....infact,he/she was denied immediately.The transcript was on this thread I can't remember the moniker though!

Beekorly:
Hi guys, my visa was approved around 9:50am today at Abuja.


After I had replied the VO's greeting and request for passport and I-20, these followed:

VO:- Why Tufts?

My response :- Tufts is a highly prestigious university and its CS department offers ML research specialization which is of interest to me.

VO:- Where did you have your bachelor's degree?
My response:- Here in Nigeria at Bleep university.

VO:- What will you do after your program?
My response :- I would return to Nigeria to pick up a lecturing job at my Alma mater.

VO:- Your visa has been approved.
My response :- Thanks
VO:- You're welcome.


All thanks to God.

Thanks for reviewing my mock transcript @Brown2Green and @Bracelum.

Congrats dear!

Passion2009:
A friend of mine with a similar profile was denied today right in my presence.... I don't think it's as predictable as you and Twoods projected it. It's not automatic.

Let the person share his/her transcript here.Or you can PM me the transcript if you want it one on one.

Passion2009:
Visa was approved this morning in Lagos. Big thanks to this forum.

Transcript.


VO: Next person, come forward(he had just denied the person in front of me and I was trying to get my mood in order).


Me: Good morning. Hands over passport and I-20.


VO: When did you graduate from your university in Nigeria?

Me : 2019

VO: What did you study?

VO: International Affairs and Global Politics

V0: Have you ever been to the U.S before?

Me: Yes.

VO: Who is sponsoring your education?

Me: I have a scholarship offer from the University of P and my mentor will cover the remaining deficits.

VO: Reaches out for a white paper and that was it!


I cannot rule out the place of God in this interview. I barely spoke for 30seconds and I did not even use any of the 'punchlines' I had rehearsed. Almost everyone that comes to the embassy has a reason to travel alongside supporting documents. It all now boils down to how convincing these reasons are and how well you are capable of avoiding loopholes when presenting your case. For instance, a woman I saw in the interview room was queried by the VO for spending over 10weeks during her last visit to the U.S and the woman responded that she had malaria. The VO exclaimed and he was like "MALARIA, IN AMERICA? I knew that was certainly a pink paper and it was no brainer. I think being confident, calm, honest and not appearing too desperate also plays a crucial role. And I think: some VOs are more lenient than others. Finally, It appears there is a conscious plan to reduce the number of Nigerians that come to the U.S through all visa types. A vast majority of the people I saw at the embassy were denied and it is all down to the faults of fellow Nigerians who abuse their visiting/student visas and the idiots who engage in internet fraud. Our leaders and we the citizens have also failed to make our country a place worthy to be called home.

Thank you nairalanders and good luck to everyone. Remember, put God first and get him involved.

Honestly,I have to go with position of Twoods here.
I am a realist.Yes ,I have strong believe in God but also I know I have to do my part.However,I wouldn't attribute your approval to God.You probably have a clean slate on your traveling record and also with scholarships so this is a strong profile to be approved.I know a lady that has similar profile that the VO said shoo shoo..you are taking too much I have approved.
Look,if you go to the embassy 20times you will approved so I am the least inspired with your transcripts.
Yes we got to thank our maker but personally I think we over do it .I have to say God does work wonders but certainly this is outa context.Congrats on the approval.

Hello peeps,

Is the transaction reference on the VISA fee receipt the same as the MRV receipt number?

Brown2Green:
My advice for you...

Go through this thread from page one and count the numbers of denials second Bsc has so far...

Did you check Indian transcript thread.
They get VISA easy.
All this second degree nah naija wahala to japa.
If we get clean slate things would have been totally different.

Brown2Green:
My advice for you...

Go through this thread from page one and count the numbers of denials second Bsc has so far...

Not much but I have seen.It is just naija wahala..

Brown2Green:
.


The reason of denial has Nothing to do with SOA.
The VO has denied him since the point he mentioned going for a second Bsc.

Honestly,no one can say what goes on in the mind of the VO .However,body language can tell.The person being interviewed will know better when the countenance of the VO changes.I have seen people going for a second degree on this thread get VISA.
Though they are few.What of if he is going for a second degree in IVY league on full ride?So,nothing is impossible.Getting a VISA was not as difficult as it was 20years ago.It is just where we found ourselves...
Canada that find it difficult to give naija people in naija VISA is dashing naija resident in Germany and the likes five years tourist visa ....

Olumuyiwalasode:
i really think you should be going for a Masters degree , not another BSc, and you mentioned passion and choice as a reason for going for another degree, i really don't think that's convincing at all....don't give up, try and go for a MSc and prepare better

I had a similar experience.The point he gave may not be excellent but are fair enough.He could have just talk about passion and personalize it with a short story.
Jobs should have been left out...it is okay to say it offers more opportunities!
However,the reason I see for the denial is not this response but the SOA.The calculations the VO they make shows he wasn't convince about something and he mentioned co-sponsored whereas he has only one SOA.If he has both it may have changed the complexion.
I told the VO co-sponsored last year and she gave me a funny 'family is struggling financially look'.
Another could have approved though!

Being trying to work on the picture on DS-160 always getting different grammar after upload.Please if you have idea on how to work on the picture please assist.
Holla back please.Thanks

Olumuyiwalasode:
Bro, what is the deficit? this shows a current balance of about 5m , or what is the balance on the statement?

Current balance=Opening Balance+Net Cash flow
Opening Balance is N28m
Closing balance is N28m+N5m=N33m

Time2win:
Unless you are using father or mother this time. Changing to another uncle isn't advisable. Ask him if he can provide another of his Statement of account for you

Yeap,you right.

Time2win:
Looking at the bolded, something in your statement of account triggered the refusal. You need to examine it well. If possible get a new Statement of account and refire.

Considering that.
But a statement of account from same person is better.
Changing sponsors can be a red flag

fairheart:
If you are sure, get another MRV receipt and go back. Remember the example of a student I shared earlier. Wish you the best!

I remember.Infact,I know the person transcript well.
When she was denied in Lag,went to Abuja and I think was approved a third time or thereabouts around February I guess.Going to APSU.

Time2win:
You need to check lump deposit over a small period of time, they frown at it most times.

There where huge withdrawals,huge deposits,small withdrawals and small deposit and bank charges.
I didn't really check the period but it was for Six months,Jan to June.
No be my account jare.

segunbolawole:
Torh.... So, that strikes out Time2win's conclusion. So, what could be the issue with the SOA? cause I must say, I I feel that was the stumbling block, but I maybe Uncle/Aunty sponsor, or Credit and Debit Flow being close, and she presumed it is fund used for his business.... I'm just saying o...

It is a personal account.
Business account is different it can't bear the name of the person.Though they were transactions in it but is unrelated to his business.More like Normal ATM withdrawal, deposit,buying PMS and the likes

Time2win:
If this is the opening balance, my analysis earlier is wrong. You have sufficient funds in the account.

I just chatted him now seff.He said the current balance is now over N40m...lol
Oil money...

AspiringPHD:
You have to add the opening balance to the difference between the total credit and total debit to get the current balance on the account.

Mehn you are correct .I learn this today. Thanks.

AspiringPHD:
You have to add the opening balance to the difference between the total credit and total debit to get the current balance on the account.

Mehn you are correct .I learn this today. Thanks.

Just like in cash flow diagram.
The intial cost is left untouched...
Other cash flows are on top of it.

segunbolawole:
What is the opening balance of the statement of account? Before you go and ask AO, check that.

Opening Balance is:N28,980,013.85

Samuelpluto:
something smells fishy in the statement. softwork lag I presume!!!

Nope,I confirmed the balance through someone working in the fund transfer department.
I will have him speak with the AO on this.

fairheart:
You get on the paper what is in the banking system based on available balance. What is the statement current balance?

The statement current balance is N33,941,657.44
Infact,I used it to request my i-20 in April and the available balance was correct when I checked that time on this.
I will have him speak with the AO to check this.

Time2win:
For the details you posted above, you have N4,961,644 as balance and it clearly shows you don't have enough money in the account.

I will look this up and correct immediately..