₦airaland Forum

Duisburg:
Hello, bosses.

I have deferred my admit to spring. Just to be sure, can I use the statements of account that is printed in June for my interview in October?

An SOA printed in October will suffice June is far.

Friedpotato:
Hey guys, with a first bank domiciliary account, can I withdraw in the US with their card?

Thanks.

Ask from your Account Manager.

MelaninGemstone:
Hey guys,

My visa was Denied in May, now I wanna reapply, do I have to fill another DS-160?

Or I should go straight and schedule a visa appointment?

You will need to fill a new DS-160 & use the Confirmation number to schedule another appointment.

Pamelayoung:
Please I need help with interview preparations

If you have an interview date & you think you need my help you can PM. Otherwise, no need.

Sobafemi:
Please if one chooses to defer to spring (with the consent of the School and advisor) after getting visa approval for fall, would one need to get another visa again? since the i20 would change for spring?

Doesn't matter. The VISA is two years and covers it. However, you can only enter the US within the earliest admission date on your i-20.

Mimienny:
Good morning everyone,
I am new here. Please i need your advise. My company move to California last year, this year my boss wants me to supervise a project physical by September. Please which visa type is best for me to apply for and how early can i get an interview date. Thanks

It looks like your stay in Cali is temporary. You will need an L VISA since you are working for the same company. You should have worked continuously for 3 years.

ChiefDaddy1:
Hello house please can I still apply to schools in US or all apps are closed. I just want to start this journey...I'm stressed already and tired but little hints to take note would be appreciated from anyone. Going for a masters but had a masters before tho.

Spring2022 is more realistic & you should start now. Most Spring apps close in Oct. Some schools app for Spring will close this month. Also as you prepare for Spring2022 put fall2022 in the picture.

Kennykayy:
If one wants to change school in the us after getting visa and getting scholarship to another school, please how possible is it? Will I need to attend a semester before allowed to change school? Or do I notify the international office to transfer my sevis record ?

You transfer when you get to the international office of the school you got your visa with.

Hallelujahvoice:
VISA APPROVED!
F1 (Fall 2021)
Abuja
July 2021
COA: 32K
First attempt
No GA or TA
Lasted not more than 2 minutes
Long post, short transcript


Little background...
It was a battle getting an interview date.
When I first booked, the earliest date was 2 months later than my school's resumption. Had to book anyway and requested for an expedited interview.
This was approved after 2 hours, thankfully.

Even after the Approval, there were no closer dates available. I did an email and got the usual response "...Please be advised that the availability of slots is at the sole discretion of the US Embassy."

God was still working.
After a few days, I checked and saw a date few days after my resumption date. I was happy knowing we're getting somewhere even if we were not there yet.

At this point, I felt I had exhausted all options. I was considering switching to Lagos (thank God I didn't). I didn't lose hope. I was working with faith.

Next thing, I saw someone make a post here in the afternoon about open dates in June ending and first week of July.
I hurriedly logged in to my account. Lo and behold, I could see those dates and quickly rescheduled to a more suitable and earlier date.

Guess what? In the middle of rejoicing and celebrating, I got 3 texts messages in 3 hours from a +1 number tagged 'US Visa Collection' on Truecaller. It read:
Your B1/B2 visa appointment at the US Embassy has been cancelled. Please check your email for more details.
Checked my email and saw the same mail from an address that had a semblance with the official email the Embassy uses for correspondence.

Oh boy! I hurriedly logged in to my dashboard and saw my appointment was still "scheduled". No shaking.

Mind you, I applied for an F1 not B1/B2.
Mischief makers at work.


Next was to prepare for my interview proper.
Through prayers and fasting, I prepared. Reached out to few people to join in prayers and prep. me. I had friends review my transcript and I had several video mock interview sessions.
S/O to Uche, @kemlaughs (for the several zoom mock sessions), Ekong, Mag. for y'alls commitment.

Long story short...
Arrived Abuja few days before to get used to the environment (lodged at Xcence Guest House by Emeka Anyaoku Street, Garki Abuja). 'Twas affordable and #500 away (bolt) from the Embassy and Close to a pharmacy/supermarket and big and affordable restaurant (Ojuelegba).

The big day came... arrived 2 hours before time. Of course I met with the mandem: "Bros staple your passport", "You don print this and that? You go come back meet us oo"... thanks to those that shared their experience and the guidance from Uche and @kemlaughs, I came prepared with necessary documents and didn't pay attention to them.

While waiting, I spoke in tongues, sang songs of praise and worship. It boosted my confidence.
Next we were asked to queue up at the gate, searched by the security then ushered into the Embassy.

After few minutes, those for 7:00am were called up to queue. The Embassy staff arranged our Int'l passport, signed I-20, passport photograph and DS-160 confirmation page accordingly.
Next we went through another round of check (airport standard) before we went to the next part of the building.

There, we queued up and went along with the documents sorted out (int'l passport, signed i-20, passport photograph and DS-160 confirmation page). We went to the interviewing section twice.
First was the final scan/verification of our documents, next was for the interview proper.

In there, it felt like it was judgement day
People rejoicing (I saw a man legit screaming "Jesus loves me" very expressively while the guy walking next to him was really disappointed and sad).
Mixed feelings, tension building up but I had to maintain beauty
Thankfully, the security started singing Obinasom by Mercy Chinwo and I joined in. It boosted my faith in God for a great outcome.

I kept declaring "My case is different".

In my very before, people were approved and denied.
Please, don't lose focus or let any of what you see mess up your psych. Don't even try to profile any VO.
Que sera sera...what will be will be.


Interview proper:
After exchanging pleasantries and biometric verification:
VO: I see you're going to Ohio University.
Me: Yes, that's right.

VO:Why Ohio University?
VO: What is your concentration?
VO: Who will be sponsoring your education?


VO: I will be approving your Visa (while handing me the white paper). And she talked about the covid protocol and all.

It felt like a dream. Had to shake myself to confirm this was real.


I return all the glory to God for doing what only Him could do...for taking the glory.
Big S/O to Uche for encouraging me right from the start in 2018/2019 till date. For reviewing my transcript and guiding me every step of the way. God bless you.
Big S/O to @kemlaughs for preparing me... gave me a lotta tips and prayer points and encouraged me to always stand in front of the mirror. Thanks for the mock-up sessions
S/O to Ekong and Mag.

Remember, the heart of a king (in this case, the VOs) is like the rivers of waters which God directs and He orders them to go whichever way He pleases.

Prepare and pray.
Trust God.
Celebrate grace.
#mytestimony

Congrats but doest it means you just kept quiet while the VO asked those questions. This is indeed a miracle. Best transcripts I have seen in 7 years.

Vahn:
Hello everyone.

I uploaded 5 documents but only 2 are showing after I submitted as attached within the email.

I also mistakenly used 7th instead of 8th(august) as my start of program

I’m so scared, what can i do please?

Except you applied for emergency through the CGI portal & attach documents. Note that for phishing reasons the embassy doesnt open emails with documents attached.

Pace6:
DM sent...

Thank you.

Responded

Pace6:
Bro please can I DM you? I really need help

Go ahead.

Siraj20:
Hello all,

Please what exactly is the deficit you all refer to?
Is it deficit of the 1st year payment or deficit for both years. Talking about masters programme here.

My statement of financial support has cost for only a year and that is what my statement + my sponsor's statement is proving.

Do I need to explain how to cover the cost for the 2nd year of my Msc?

Someone pls explain to me. God bless us all and all the best ������

Deficit talked about is for a year. Your statement of financial support should more than cover a year ( almost twice). Doesn't need to cover both years. There are adjustment in total cost of attendance based on changes in minimum wages and other economic factors in the state you are going to so next year cost may slightly change.

Also,the embassy looks soft on SOA now because I have seen very few transcripts that the VO request to check the SOA but you should ensure you can prove that your sponsor has the financial capacity to cover your total cost with good and legit SOA. Best!

Shanid:
Please ,..tuition is $30,000 for a year...
Bal is 9.3m
Total credit is 229m
Total debit is 227m
Is this account good enough to present at the embassy for a 2 year graduate program in the USA....ASKING FOR A FRIEND?

Not good enough. $30k is equivalent to N12.6m. N9.3m falls short of that. However the account has good inflow and outflow.

Damite2ky:
Visa Approved this morning.
Abuja Embassy.

Transcript later.


I'm grateful to God and this forum
Profile;
Abuja
Deficit $26k
Lawyer, working as In-house counsel with an IT company.
4 years working experience.
Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
Fall 2021

Greeted and passed my i20 and passport through the opening.


V.O: Have you interviewed with the US embassy before?

Me: No

I did biometrics thereafter.

V.O: I see you're going to the Eastern Illinois University for your Master of Business Administration.

Me: That’s correct.

V.O: Why this school?

Me: I chose EIU for 2 reasons.
Reason no 1, EIU's MBA programme offers students the opportunity to participate and engage in Capstone projects of the school which students can leverage as graduate experience.

Reason 2, during my Skype call with Dr. xxxxxxx, the xxxxxxxx of Graduate Business Studies, I was informed that EIU offers the opportunity to enroll in Graduate Certificate Programs such as Business Analytics alongside the MBA programme without extending the duration of my MBA programme or my stay in the US.

I see this as an advantage to get a competitive edge in my career, and this informed my decision to pick EIU.


V:O: why did you decide to go for MBA?

Me: This course fits nicely into my immediate plan of taking up senior management role at my current company and my long-term plan of becoming a seasoned business and strategy consultant.

My long-term goal of being a business and strategy consultant was further reaffirmed by the Covid-19 global pandemic of 2020.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that many essential businesses are more vulnerable more than others due to their lack of relevant management principles and their inability to adjust to changes brought about by unpredictable financial situations.

So, in addition with my legal experience, I expect that the knowledge garnered from the MBA programme will equip me with relevant skillset in the areas *VO cuts in* That’s fine.

V:O: what did you say your Company do again?
Me: Information Technology

VO: Who is paying for this?

Me: My Mum is my sponsor. She is a business woman, She owns two retail stores in Lagos and two in Oyo State, also she has access to funds from my late father's estate.


VO: Your visa is approved. *hands me the white paper*, keep your I-20..... * at this point, I was just nodding, I barely heard a word she said, next thing I heard was “to avoid being turned back at the port of entry”

No document was requested for except the ones I supplied (Passport, I-20, SEVIS Receipt)

Thank you all for the invaluable tips. God bless.

You spoke well. Congrats.

Femotech123:
Please my friend want to pay my sevis fee on my behalf he is in the state already but the WU cashier said he couldn’t see the company name /code on the system please what should I do. I need the receipt to upload so I can request for emergency appointment in Lagos. Please what can I do. Thanks in advance

Did you generate a coupon for your friend via fmjfee to use it.

[quote author=Drilly50 post=103635497][/quote]Go ahead.

Samuel5555:
Please do they make reference to your previous denial for November last yr?

It is claimed that VO looks at individual VISA categories separately with your current interview it is better to ensure your previous history tally. I mean B1/B2 if you are currently going for B1/B2 or F1/F2 if you are currently going for F1/F2. it is better to ensure your history tally in all categories so they make reference to histories. For security reasons there are some things I can't share here so let's leave it like that. Best!

Greenman2020:
Visa interview transcript
Profile
School: MSU
Program: PhD Sociology
Scholarship: Full funding + Teaching Assistantship
Deficit: 3k
GRE: YES
TOEFL: Nil
Bsc in Sociology (Federal University)
Highest Educational level: Msc, Criminology (Federal University)
Undergraduate Gpa: 3.44/4.0
Msc Gpa: 3.2/4.0

No of F1 Attempts at the US embassy (3), denied in 2019 for Masters in Criminology with zero funding at West Texas A&M University. Denied again last year November with full funding in the same school for which my visa was approved today. (I posted my last denial transcript here. You can click on my profile to read it, if you like - of course.
Status: APPROVED
Abuja Embassy July 12th 2021

My interview lasted about 3 minutes. Here we go:

Massive palls of grey and black clouds hovered above the beautiful city of Abuja, a clear indication that Rain was warming up in the sidelines of the heavens, as I hopped into the waiting Bolt taxi which I had ordered a while ago. It was my first time in Abuja, I should say. As we drove from my lodge to the embassy, I admired the smoothness of the broad roads, how it gleamed in the distance, how it reminds me of the head of Papa Ajasco of Wale Adenuga production, and the many towering, foggy and greeny hills which rose like the back of an elephant from different corners of the city.

I arrived the premises of the embassy around 6.40am but we were not allowed in until it was about past seven. As expected, there was an heavy presence of people I would, I beg your pardon, call "embassy rats", those people who try to sell you water while you are in the midst of an ocean. Those who would say, Bros you go need passport o. Bros make we staple your form. Bros this. Bros that. But I ignored them all, except for a woman, I would later find her name to be Rose, who volunteered to take custody of my phone at zero cost. I rewarded her handsomely later, anyways.

Once the order came that we could proceed into the interview venue, I joined other applicants, mostly students, into the interview venue. We waited for a long time before a Nigerian man came into the waiting lobby to begin what seemed to me as a confirmation of appointments and documents. To save the reader's time, I went through other protocols before my turn to meet the VO, to meet with destiny eventually came. The place was window 8 and sitted there was a pretty, young, and stern-looking white lady who was just dishing out rejections like Akara.


VO: Good morning

Me: Good morning ma


VO: Pass me your i-20 and passport then place your hands on the scanner for the biometric capture.

Me: Okay ma. (I passed the documents to her and placed my hands on the scanner)

VO: I see that you're going for your doctorate in Sociology at MSU

ME: That's correct.

VO: Tell me about the research you plan to conduct

Me: My research is in the area of cybercrime and access to economic opportunities. Precisely, under the supervision of Prof XYZ I will be investigating the correlation between access to economic opportunities and youth involvement in cybercrime.
VO: Okay. Alright (kept typing into the system). Is your research going to focus on Nigeria?

ME: (VO give me through pass, I no gock am) Yes. Nigeria has had several issues with cybercrime in recent times. My research will be focused on Nigeria.

VO: Tell me about your plans after your studies

Me: I plan to return to Nigeria to take up a full-time lecturing job. I've always wanted to become a professor of Sociology. I also plan to publish academic papers that would interrogate and proffer solutions to the challenges of Cybercrime in Nigeria.

VO: Okay. So you plan to become an academic?

Me: Yes.

VO: Okay. I will be approving your visa. (Hands me the white paper and begin to talk about Covid-19 protocols bla bla bla. My ear don already block like ghetto soakaway. Lol

Me: Collects white paper with thanksgiving in my heart and left smiling.

NB: Take your case to God in prayers even if you're an atheist. The issuance of visa at the embassy, in my opinion, is 30% hardwork and 70% grace, if you like call it luck. However, this is not a liberty to relax. Work hard and also pray hard. I will advise whoever is attending the interview to be straightforward with answers. Only say what you are asked to minimize the risk of saying things that might potentially be used against you by the VO. Also try as much as possible to make your responses unique.

SPECIAL APPRECIATION
I am grateful to my friend Seun in the US who helped me throughout this visa application process. I am also thankful to my friend Babs who never gave up on me. Of course, I also thank all the beautiful people here whose transcripts and inputs have helped me tremendously. Big shout out to Fairheart who gave his expert opinion on my last rejection and encouraged me to apply again. To those who are still dreaming, don't give up. Cheers!

Congrats. Is this Mississippi State University or Michigan State University or Montclair State University or , Missouri State University ?

limosodiq:
I greet you all, and thanks for the good work that you have done on this thread. I want to apply for a PhD in the US with TA or GA, an i have targeted some schools. But I'd like to know if GRE or TOEFL scores should be on ground before emailing potential supervisors or I can tell them I intend to register for the tests after their assurances l.

No need to be on ground but while you contact them know that individual professors also like to see tests scores to assess students for RA( Quant and AW mostly) for numerate courses and Speaking for on TOEFL for TA. So, you should do those standardized test and attach a copy of the results report to the email you are sending to them. If you have a good course works like a first class it helps a lot.

Drilly50:
Hello good people of this great platform. Please I need your help on my issue
Please I got my 1-20 in June but the available date I got is December 30 and I am already trying to defer the admission to spring . But the problem is at the time I started the admission I had about 11 months on passport to expiration, the date my passport will expire is January 22/ 2022. Please my interview date is December 30/ 2021. Please do I get a new passport now and does the appointments date and all my other information , the admission Sevis fee ,visa fee please hope everything hasn’t gone with the wind. Please experienced people should please help me.

It looks like you actually prefer to do your interview for Spring intake. Yes get a new passport. You should have at least 6months on it on the day of interview. If you reschedule appointment dates will change so you will need to print another appointment letter.
Otherwise, you dn't. Your admission letter will need to be for Spring admission and your i-20 too ( the duration on it refers to the admission cycle), SEVIS ID doesn't change since it is the same school and if you have paid SEVIS fee it is valid for a year. VISA fee is also valid for a year. Nothing has gone in the wind cos you are on course. Best!!

Mccarthyal:
Hello.
Pls I’m confused about something I have done. My i20 says the duration for my course is 2021 to 2023 but under estimated average costs, it says 9 months. I have just submitted the ds160 form and I put 9 months there but I want to know if this is right. And if it’s not, can I fill a new form with same details except the duration? I haven’t paid the mrv fees yet. Kindly advise please. Thank you.

Please, is cost the same as duration?Sorry,if I am blunt. If you need me to lecture you on i-20 let me know...lol Just kidding ! You dnt need to contact me because I prefer to respond to easier and non-personal issues here.

The average cost is 9months because you are going to be on 3months break before the fall session resumes. The duration of your program ( 2021-2023) is 2 years or 24months so that is what you should put on your DS-160. Try correct that on your DS-160. Best!

ABIODUNDE:
Good evening house, pls I need your advise.

I want to apply for MSc in public health, apart from GRE, is TOEFL compulsory incase they ask at the embassy.

Secondly have applied five times for conference and visiting respectively at US embassy, all denied. Despite all my refusal can I still apply for student visa for my MSc.

Thank you

Sure but you should have records of your previous information. You can take both test scores but funding in public health is limited. Best!

bukhety:
Bsc. Public Relations and Advertising. It's a mass communication course. Graduated 2011 with 4.2gpa

Ok. To get a full ride scholarships you will need to do lots of research since it is not STEM. Start now. Good-luck!

Samongo:
Pls kindly assist, I need answers and opinions on this;

1) Pls can I use a Micro finance bank account statement for my sponsor for visa processing?

2) Just got my I-20 some days ago and trying to pay my sevis, pls can I get an expedite interview in Lagos as my resumption date is 20th of August?

1. Sure but it must be a good and legit SOA.

2. You can go ahead to pay your SEVIS fee. I am not sure of Lagos now but I believe Abuja is still giving expedited slots. So best bet is Abuja.

bukhety:
I have a question about f2 visa. How much should a sponsor have in his/her account that would convince the VO for 3 children and a spouse.

I intend looking for full scholarship. Planning for fall 2022.

Also, is there any type of scholarship that covers dependants?

Thanks in advance.

The amount depends on how much is the deficits in the school you applied to.

Yeap some schools offer scholarships that cover dependent but they are few and far in between.

What is your under-graduate degree?

Themaths:
Guys please o, I need opinions

If you have someone or somewhere you can stay in the US book a closer date in July to reduce air fare. You may also arrange for housing before you touch base so that you will have somewhere to stay when you book a close date. However, their may be personal reasons why you want to travel in August. Best!

didogzy:
Please guys, I applied for an Emergency appointment and was denied but the emergency appointment link is still showing on my portal. Can I reapply for EA?

You can go ahead

jpseason:
Trust me , nobody understands my decision more than me , I should have left since my second year but I struggled so much which wasn’t paying off and I was literally wasting my time . Major reason, I was uninterested from the start , terrible course , forced to do it by my former sch .

It’s not late for me . That’s why I want to do this right now and go . I’m sick and tired and it’s getting to me

Oh! Good-luck....

Duisburg:
BSc Physics. I didn't have WES evaluation and I didn't write any test.

Based on your profile I will advise you do a WES ,a TOEFL( key for fall2022) and may be a GRE( since some schools make it optional). With your current profile you can get admits but funding can be difficult since your course work performance is not strong ( your GPA is not stellar) & you dnt have Ms. I dnt know if you have research experience though or strong professional experience in your field! Since you are planning on spring try work on your profile to apply to decent schools but note that funding is limited in spring.

ebbie9ja:
Yes.

You may go ahead. If you dnt get a favorable date write to your department about spring 2022 if they can keep the funded offer & you come in Spring2022. Best!

ebbie9ja:
It is program start date. Start of Class is 11th.

You can try Abuja since it looks they are opening slots in July for emergency. Is this your first attempt?