₦airaland Forum

Charles61:
Please guru, what's the probability of someone with this profile getting visa.

Age: 30year plus
Qualifications: HND Mechanical engineering
Year of graduation : 2012
NYSC : 2013-2014
Work experience: logistics 2015 - 2016
Manufacturing and production 2016-2020
I planned to apply to college for associates degree in mechanical engineering.

My questions. is applying to college and associates degree reasonable both from your perspective and to the VO.

Please I need your contribution please.

Associate degree? Heck NOPE! Try do a WES evaluation of your OND and HND and use it to apply to schools that accepts WES. WES converts it to a grade in US Standard.
Also, take the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS or Duolingo. Your years of Professional Experience should be a plus to your profile but it looks like industrial engineering should fit your profile.

omokennyoguns20:
Hello house, If you were denied a visa and you want to reapply immediately, can you still use the same passport photograph?

Sure

simpul:
Good evening house, I was refused at the Lagos embassy on Thursday below is my transcript. Please I need advice on how I could link my current job with my MPA because I noticed that was the reason the VO denied me although he(VO) only approved two person from 8am till around 11am when I was on queue he was just busy dishing out green paper like Christmas gift. I mean the VO in the middle,he looks like an Indian American those there that day can attest to this.

VO- Good morning, how are you?
Me- I'm fine, Hope you are doing fine?
VO-Yeah, i'm doing great.
VO- I can see you are going to the university of North texas denton for your master degree.
Me-Yes Sir.
VO-Where do you work currently.
Me-I worked with ****** as an administrative officer, as an administrative officer I'm responsible for assessing the documents presented by customer who wants to access loan facility also, I run credit check for customer to ascertain their credit worthiness,
VO- How does public administration relates with your current job?
Me- Sensing that he noticed i work with a financial institution, I quickly said the courses i will be taking in public administration will equip and expose me to advance skills needed to take up a managerial role in administrative department.
VO- You seems not to understand what i said, i mean how does public administration relates with your current job
Me-The course.....
VO- *on a low tone* he asked,who will be paying for your tuition?
Me-My maternal uncle Mr ***,He is the CEO of *** consultant nigeria limited,it is an architectural firm that deals on designing building structures
VO. I'm sorry you are not qualified for this visa at this time. This paper will explain why.

i notice that the VO lost interest right from the first question, the preceding questions were asked just for formality, I watched his countenance as i talk, he looked uninterested.

NB: This is my third attempt and I want to reapply again. So I want the experienced in the house to help me with suggestions. Thank you all.

An alignment of your intended course with your Professional Experience is key. Try get some Scholarships/ GA next time.

Charles61:
Please guru am new here and I need help with the full meaning of
COA
DEFICIT

Secondly, please when is the right time to apply for universities in usa

Thank you so much

COA: Cost of Attendance
Deficit: it can be what remains from your cost of attendance when the scholarship amount is removed from it. Or it may be your COA if you have no scholarships.

Schrodinger1:
Thanks Man. Lagos is not funny without funding. I was expecting the VO to ask me to use the next window because he had refused me in the past but he didn't.


Yes ma!

He definitely will see it on his records & didn't ask. You rode your luck well.

Schrodinger1:
Long Post

Over the past weeks, I have been more than delighted seeing a 100% visa approvals from all those that I was privileged to have been engaged with in their F1 Visa mock exercise albeit some did not come here to share their transcripts. It was fascinating to have spent those times with you. Congratulations guys! More wins await you all.

In addition, I personally derived this somewhat, naturally induced self-confidence and the can-do-spirit with the news of your successes, that despite my 2 previous refusals at the Lagos Consulate, I knew I had what it takes to change the narrative at my third consecutive appointment in Lagos with the Almighty by my side.

NOTE: I am not God that gives visa approvals neither am I a professional VO that has worked at the embassy before. I only try to directly impact your preparation positively if I happen to have the chance to prepare with you.



Having arrived at the embassy at exactly 6:55am, I immediately joined the queue that was moving into the screening hall. After the checks, we waited in this hall for about 2hrs before entering the main interview hall were biometrics and finger capturing were done at around 8:25am. Two VO's on duty, a Black American lady in window 2 and a White American Man in window 5. The white man was dishing out pink paper with little remorse. I quickly observed that I was interviewed by him in December 2019, my second refusal. Partially, I started blaming myself for not going to Abuja while still in the queue. My wish was to be interviewed by the Black Lady which didn't come true. A vast majority of those unfunded didn't get approval in his window, window 5. You hardly spend 2mins in his window. The moment he sees you're funded and heading for probably a research focused program, he'd approve your visa. Most often than not, he doesn't ask beyond the same 3 questions if you have been fully funded. The other Lady would delay and eventually refuse an application. Generally, they were far more refusals than otherwise.

The Full Transcript!

VO: Good morning, pass me I-20 and passport.

Me: Good morning sir. This is it. (He immediately glanced on the financial section of my I-20 and started typing)

VO: what is your study plan and where are you going?

Me: I am going to study for my Masters program in Electrical Engineering at Colorado State University. I will be focusing on my research area in Radar Communications Systems and Networks. I will be taking a minimum of 9 credits of Thesis and 21 credits of regular course work spread within 4 semesters in 2years. I will be wrapping up my studies with a final oral examination. My courses are Satellite Communications, Information Theory, Digital Signal Pro... ( VO: Don't tell me about your courses, I don't need it).

VO: What is your plan after study?

Me: I will return home to work as a researcher with NigComSat or the Nigerian Communications Commission, were I hope to be involved the collaboration between NCC and SpaceX in the deployment of starlink satellite Internet services, a project that is likely to commence in 2023 and would end in 2027. In the long term, I would take up a lecturing role in my alma mater, this degree is a step towards achieving that, as well as setting up my own research institute here in Nigeria.

VO: I'll be approving your visa and brings out the white paper.... I said thank you with a huge smile/laughter on my face but covered with facemask. I heard other stuffs but could not comprehend... My body was already in motion. I think the long queue behind me reacted and cheered to my reaction... My sign of relief was more than glaring...

PS: My delivery was not smooth even though as I was 100% confident. The fact that I had cough, and was stressed (didn't sleep all through), tired, hungry as well as my poor history there could have been the reasons.

After 3 experiences in the same embassy, I would advise you to use the Abuja Embassy if you do not have any form of Funding or if you've been refused once in Lagos. It helps psychologically. The drilling in Lagos is Massive and I feel you have a slightly better chance in Abuja. I think Lagos has more applicants than Abuja, if this is correct, then it makes sense to use the latter. However, you can do it anywhere just like I did.

Big thank you to Horlahsunbo225, best plug for mock.

In all you do, Do Not Quit This Hustle. Listen to Burna Boy's song "Level Up" in the Twice as Tall Album if you feel like quitting.

Congrats. However, you have an option not to be Interviewed by the VO since he Interviewed you before. True, Lagos demand lots of psychology. A friend once shared an experience in fall 2017 that 30 people were denied in front of him before he got his approval. He almost pissed in his pants before it got to his turn.

Steph1738aye:
What is so wrong with sharing the name of school you’re accepted into after getting your visa approved? I don’t know if it’s a Nigerian mentality but it’s entirely icky. I remember going through Nairaland and seeing a post by someone here saying that she doesn’t understand why so many Nigerians will apply to one school. Just imagine that thought. I agree that there may be “lazy” people that will reach out to you for assistance on application or whatnot but you can choose to help or tell them to do their research. Isn’t this platform made to assist one another? One person’s light doesn’t stop your own light from shining.

Sure and you also choose who you wish to give your time. Actually their is no school to hide because they are all just one search away on Google.

IvannahG:
Hello all, please can anyone help with answering this?

Check all the transcripts this fall. Did you see one Transcripsts that the VO ask did you do the GRE? They know some Schools waived it due to covid that's why they are not asking. Except you mentioned it to the VO that you did the GRE.

James241:
Hello everyone,

Please i need info on any cheap hotel that's close to the embassy (abuja).

Optimal hotel like 8k per night. N400 Uber to the embassy.

ishow:
Just curious, what is wrong with getting schools with good funding from Nairaland? I would argue exploring all 16 parts of this thread either for interview transcript or finding good schools is also a form of research and due diligence.

Someone from here called me few days back to give him Schools to apply. I told him you have to put in the time to do that yourself and learn. If I have to do it for you it doesn't come free. The truth is I put in lots of time to research about Universities not just in the US but also Aussie, Canada, UK and Germany. I started reading this Student VISA thread from 2015. I read compilations of all the transcripts. It wasn't easy putting in lots of time but it is worth it. Today, I can view someone profile & tell what are the probable school he/she can apply.

adeyusuf2000:
Chai, she was denied today after the following transcripts as at 7am this morning :

VO: Which school are you going to?

She: I am going to xyz college.

VO: What course are you going to study?

She: am going to study Health Science.

Typing...... Gave out blue paper. Tell her to reapply.

Could it be that the late Sevis that she just paid yesterday or what? Please help

Not so much to learn on this transcripsts to know what could have wrong. If you need help try post a more detailed transcripsts of what happened and also post the school name cos that can be an issue. What did the person study in UG? Is the person working in this field? The sponsor is Uncle/Dad/Aunty of Mum?What is the person deficit or does the person has a full ride? How old is the person?

Mandorland:
Hello. Pls how can I register for GRE in PortHarcourt, Rivers State? How much is the exam and what will it entail for me to start... Is it sure that if I pass I can use it to get funding abroad? Please do not air me....when can I write the exam..like what period..I cannot find any relatable info online

I know Jephthah International school is a good centre for the GRE and TOEFL in PH Kindly confirm if they are still doing the tests their.

Ehizy007:
I wish you all the best.

Thank you & best wishes too..

Elnon:
You study at ETSU?...applied there and still waiting for their response...lets connect pls

Oh! I applied to ETSU 3 years ago so I know some things about them. Besides, I know lots of schools in Tennessee because it is also a popular destination for international students. ETSU,MTSU & APSU are more popular among Nigerians. Other schools are Vanderbilt, UTC,TTU,UTK and the likes....

Ehizy007:
You do not have your SEVIS ID written on your DS-160 and Visa Appointment page. Don't mislead people.

Please kindly read between the lines before you respond next time. If you dnt understand what you are reading you can ask for clarification.
When you are scheduling interviews on the appointment portal you put in your SEVIS ID. However, once you have scheduled you can't see it again. It can only be accessed on the back end by calling CGI. Except you want to book for another interview.Also, your SEVIS ID will also be written as you complete the school information section on the DS-160. So, both should tally.

sirengrnoah:
Thank you for your timely response. Yeah now I get. I was worried maybe hes talking about the black vertical lines (barcode). Both numbers under the barcodes are actually the same but those lines are not. I guess Im still good.

Oh! Great. Glad it helps.

sirengrnoah:
Please I dont understand this barcode difference issue. Can you clarify.

You will see the barcode on the DS-160 confirmation page and on the VISA Interview appointment page. Below the Barcode you will see the DS-160 confirmation number. This number must be same both on the DS-160 confirmation page and on the appointment page. Otherwise, you will not be Interviewed.Also,your SEVIS ID on the appointment page should be same as that on the DS-160.

tracker01:
Alhamdulilahi for Everything �..
VISA Approved at 9:30am
June 4th. #Abuja

Deficit: $38,017
COA: $49,017
funding $11k
No document was asked from me.

VO: Good morning, pass me your i20, passport and Sevis-reciept.
Me: Good morning and thank you for seeing me and I pass what she asked for.
Me: Please ma I stutter
VO: No problem
VO: I see you are going for master’s degree in xyz.
Me: Yes ma'am
VO: which other schools did you apply to?
Me: I also applied to Steven institute of technology and Howard university.
VO: what will this course do for you?
Me: This degree would enable me to work as a lecturer and research scientist in the chemistry department of Bleep university when I return back to Nigeria after my graduation. Also, I plan to pursue a career in Analytical Chemist and chemistry will be a great foundational course to me. I plan to become a Renowned consultant in Analytical chemist in the future.(I stutter all through here)
VO: what area do you want to specialized( she type without looking at me for 40 seconds)
Me: Analytical Chemist
VO: Who is paying for this Deficit?
Me: I have a partial tuition scholarship from my department and my Dad will be paying the balance of the Deficit.
VO: What does your Dad do?
Me: He is a Renowned Real Estate Valuer and Consultant that deals in selling, buying and leasing of lands, Apartment shops and houses. Also, he owns a factory that supplies juice and yoghurt to five Northern states in Nigeria( she didn't hear me clearly )
VO: you mean estate valuer
Me: I said yes
She type type type and say that Golden words, I just collect the white paper and work out the building before she will change her mind��

I really want to thankGod for everything, it could only by his Mercy, Grace and Favour�
@Fairheart thanks for the coaching, prayer and your consistence ginger..
Also my sincere appreciation goes to @⁨Pepe USA⁩ @Solaojo-oreoluwa, @beejay, @Martins@Gbede @⁨Scholar Olamide Acer⁩ they all contribute to the success of today.
This group has been helpful from the beginning (preparation and mock) to the end.
I am so grateful to everyone here and I pray we all achieve goals in pursue of Greater things in life.

Congrats Acers

kinkymax:
Pls how soon can someone reapply for visa interview if denied. Can someone reapply immediately after paying a new MRV...thanks

Yes but after taking a deep reflection on what could have caused the reject.

Funding,Red-flag school, no course/ Professional alignment, confidence,poor delivery of points,No home ties etc should be analysed.

katily2:
Please guys, could guys advise me about sending my transcript from my I want to have a copy apart from the student copy.
I don't know the one uni-assist usually request for and I want to apply to schools in the US
The person I sent, my school is asking her where do I want to transfer it to.

So where is the right place I can transfer it to in other to have access to it whenever I needed it to apply to schools?

uni-assist is for DE not US ooo. US Schools regard Transcripsts sent directly from your school as Official. Also, get the address from the international admissions office of the US school you are sending it to so that it will be sent to that address.

fdecisive:
I'm not helping others if I say it here, sincerely. Besides, you won't be able to defend it effectively at your visa interview.
Someone who good at online research, can get the university by searching for the course at 4icu.org. . That's all I can say.

My broda it is very difficult for you to tell me a top school I don't know in the US,Germany,Canada,the UK and Australia. Nah hustling cause am oooo. I am actually experienced in this stuff. I don tail for here small ���. I should be attending an IVY league or a public Ivy in the US as I finalize on my choice of school.

TWoods:
I think he already made indelible marks by showing others how it is done... it is up to them to either put in the work or sit here asking for names of universities to copy.

True.No doubt the write up was inspiring and I believe others can take a cue by doing their home work!

Samuel5555:
Can someone respond to my question please!
How long does it take to reapply for another Visa after the first denial?

Anytime. You can get a reject today and schedule another interview today for another date. However, it is not really about scheduling Interview but more about fixing what went wrong in your previous Interview. When you fix this you can then schedule another interview. You should take a deep reflection!

fdecisive:
Date: 1st June 2021
Status: Approved
Funding: Full Ride

Since last week, I have been watching boxing legend Mohammed Ali and his fights with Frazier and Foreman. So today when I was inside the consulate, I began to get a bit nervous. So I began to warm up (subtly though) just like Ali does, from left to right... . Watch him on YouTube, you'd love it.

While on the queue, I saw several cases being adjudicated. There was a guy who couldn't string two or three sentences without a serious grammatical mistake, he didn't sound like someone who passed English at all. On top of the fact that he was telling obvious lies. But he was speaking forcefully, and in the end, his visa was approved, to everyone's surprise. There was a guy who was practically fidgeting, didn't know where he had worked just a couple of years ago, couldn't say what the degree will do for him. But his visa was approved. In my mind... See grace. There were others who seemingly said everything right, and were calm and confident too, but were still denied. Fear God.
It got to my turn.

VO(Caucasian): Good afternoon
Me: Good afternoon sir.

VO: So tell me, what are you going to do?
Me: I'm going to the university of xxxx to gain knowledge and conduct a research with Dr xxxx and Prof xxxx, on how government policy on internally displaced persons, refugee, and migrants are formed; this study will lead to a masters degree in International Studies, and prepare me to take up a role as Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at xxxx, where I currently work. (I stopped, and VO was still typing and looking through my i-20).

VO: (He kept mute for about 20 seconds. He was checking my I-20 all the while I was speaking and kept typing even after I stopped.) Suddenly, he heaved a sigh, opened his mouth, and said... Alright, I will be giving you this document, and approving your visa. We got a lot of folks in queue and I can see you got a full ride, so let's not waste much time.
So here's your i-20, you can pick up your passport from Monday next week at DHL office, VI... Have a wonderful trip to America.

Me: Already smiling. Thank you so much. Have a nice day!
The whole process took just over a minute.

First of all, I want to appreciate the Almighty God for this. I return all the glory to God. I will share part of my story below to motivate and inspire someone out there. You can make it, if you will try!

As of August last year, I had no clue and no plan to study abroad. I had different plans for my career, which included doing a Masters at UNILAG . That same August, a friend of mine John (not his real name) who won a commonwealth scholarship to the UK visited me. He had travelled to Lagos in order to process his tuberculosis tests at Ikeja. He shared his story with me and challenged me to apply for Chevening, Commonwealth, and any other scholarships I could find, adding that I had exceptional experiences that will make me stand out. I was inspired because this was a guy who grew up with me in Warri, walked the same streets with me, attended the same fellowship (FECA), he was even my junior throughout our days at UNIBEN, and here was he going to UK on a fully-funded Scholarship. I believed I could do it too. I decided to give my applications my best shot. As God would have it, we were working remotely at my workplace, so I could devote a lot of attention to research online. I made up my mind to apply for UK Chevening and Swedish Institute Scholarship (NOT USA - I did not think I could afford their numerous standardized tests, and other fees, etc). The USA was out of it for me.

From late August to November last year, day after day, night after night, I did meticulous research. I got vital help from John and others too. I tried to string a coherent story from a pretty diverse career story spanning journalism, news broadcasting, community development, refugee support, humanitarian aid, corporate communications, etc. I wanted to develop a solid personal statement from my experiences that will always be convincing.
After sleepless nights, and managing my applications with my full-time job, I got admitted to 6 UK schools (Universities of East Anglia, Leicester, Bournemouth, Lancaster, Westminster, & Cardiff). I applied for the Chevening Scholarship. I got favoured by God, and was shortlisted for an interview. Last April I did my interview at the British Consulate, Lagos. It was successful, as the panellists shared their feedback with me that I I was outstanding. I'm confident I will be shortlisted for the award when names will be released this month.

But this is how my US story began. In early February, another younger one of mine from my NCCF (NYSC), with whom I had chatted around Christmas last year, reached out to me. He told me that he was now in the US studying, and told me I could actually apply to schools for PhD and get funding too. I never knew - ignorance ain't good. I immediately modified my personal statement, adjusted my references, and started conducting another massive research on US schools that had my course, and was going to waive the application fee, GRE, TOEFL, etc. I wasn't into these standardized English tests, as my English was excellent as far as I was concerned. But to get the schools that were waiving these was a real work... Night upon night I searched patiently. I was lucky to stumble upon my current school, and applied. I requested that the application fee should be waived, and they did. In fact, at some point it looked as if they were appealing to me to send in my application, after reading my personal statement. Two weeks after applying, I got admitted with full graduate assistantship, health insurance, return flight ticket, tuition and fees waiver. I couldn't believe it! I danced and danced that night, praising God, and I'm sure others in my flat must have heard my loud screams, and tonguings too .

I share all these to inspire someone. I am not from a privileged background. Life has been hard several times. I fought my way through undergraduate studies Uniben. It was hard, but God helped me.
Pick yourself up! Don't give up on your dreams to be the best you can be. Always demand the best from yourself. Set the bar high, and aim for it. Wipe the sweat off your face, and persevere. People will misunderstand you, underrate you, discourage you, and even frustrate you, but by the help God, be determined to press on. You will prevail.
One day, I know I will do my PhD at a prestigious school as Harvard. I believe it's possible and I'm going to put in the "hard and difficult work" it will take, by the grace of God.

Above all, have a God-given vision to improve human life, your community, and your society. God will always back those who are called according to his purpose. You will never lose energy as your vision will energize you to keep going.

I wish everyone reading this success in their endeavours. God bless you.

This is inspiring. Feel free to make more indelible marks by stating the name of the university. That could inspire more!

morpheux:
Hello guys,

I need help with financial docs to process my i20, I have scholarship but I still don’t know why my school is asking for docs to release the i20. Anybody to the rescue ?!

It means you have some deficits to cover after the scholarships. The International Student office of your school will provide detailed information on that. You will need evidence of financial support to cover those deficits. Best!

Yikes12:
Good morning guys ! When I wanted to start this visa processing my agent told me that I can't apply for F1 visa cause my age is above 20 . So he said I should get another Birth Certificate and I should use the new age to get my passport . I got my first passport and 2002 was written there as my DOB and I was born in 1998 cause I have this age on all my documents... Have been given admission with scholarship but am wondering if there might be any issues on my interview day ....cause the vo might ask 4 my age ...I posses two DOB now . 1998 is on my i20 while 2002 on my passport ... Am confused pls help me guys [color=#000000][/color]

I heard yesterday that VOs are now asking DOB. I believe this is one of the reasons & I also believe it is due to the approval rates of F1 VISAs now over B1/B2. Please, kindly correct this anomaly before your interview. You are dealing with a country with a very effective information management system.

Criskay:
The sponsors name was not written there..it was only written as Anty..

Then it means you can use any of your aunties. Use the one with same surname.

Olamiplenty007:
Got admission last year with scholarship(East Tennessee State University) but couldnt mk apptmt due to covid , reapplied and got admission again with scholarship same schl (eng tech).

my apptmt is in 3 weeks here in lagos and i need help pushing this through , also want to know if scholarship makes approval less stressful .

PLEASE HELP!!!!

Scholarships is good but doesn't guarantee approval even if you have a full ride. What you should do is to prepare well for your interview.Yes, to prepare demands lots of time but it is invaluable. If you believe in God pray and be hopeful.

Dopekidd:
Hello guys, I want to apply for the coming spring session. My international passport expires April 2022, will I be able to go to the embassy without renewing my passport?

If you have at least six months on it on the date of your interview no need. Otherwise, renew it.

Criskay:
Does your university provide the VO the name of your sponsors as it is in your bank statement.

Depends on the school. If your sponsor name is written on your i-20 then the VO will see it. I know ETSU does that.

plexxyus:
Hello people,

Thank you all for the good job that you are doing here. I recently joined the conversation last year and the volume of information and help I have gotten is enormous. Thank you.

I am in a tight situation here. I am going for my MS in Mech Engr and I have my visa interview already scheduled for Monday, 05/31/2021. However, my dept reached out to me on Thursday last week offering me a GA position in the department - someone else previously awarded had cancelled. However this is coming quite late and I reached out to my International Student Office on Friday to revise my I20 but I haven't heard back from them and it might be too late already, since my interview is tomorrow at Lagos. My GA offer letter from my department comes with full tuition waiver plus $21,000 salary for 1 year employment, leaving me with about $3k deficit. My mother will sponsor the remaining deficit.

Is it advisable to go with my GA offer letter to my interview as proof of my GA funding? Has anyone been in this situation before?

Thank you in advance.

If you are going for fall Why the rush? You can reschedule for another date if you book in Lagos cos I noticed dates are being opened more in Lagos while you ask your International Admissions office to process an updated i-20. My offer was actually improved with more excess funds and I requested for an updated digital copy.

Denizsmart:
Not same surname and doesn't live in Houston

Ok.