₦airaland Forum

slimmy2005:
Bro, men I just read your story now. See, there are lots of scammers on here, who would upload cute pics faking being rich, lying about Howard and Yale. Imagine a lady who is online 24/7 claiming she's been here and has that luxury of time.

I don't even have the time to keep up with 3 square meal or cut my hair. Each time I punch my calc to see the amount I'll make with 80hrs a week the motivation grows. it took me several attempt to remember my nairaland password.

Becareful with folks here.

Boss! Thanks for the tip. As regards that matter, I've long forgotten about it! Gunther felt It just had to come out at that point because apparently, I wasn't the only one she/he was asking to send money!
Funny thing is I never knew she had a cute picture uploaded, I don't have enough time to look out for those minute details.
The only reason I PM'ed was solely on the offer of USD, and that was because she had posted about successfully selling to some users on here!

Mekurexx:
Hello guys, I got 2 Questions I need answers to pls:
1) If one gets two admission and decides on one, is it necessary to email school B that you have picked school A and wont be attending theirs?
2) I have also noticed most folks in the US ask about GTB, Stanbic etc ATM rates, is it that y'all dont have a US bank account or its not ''student-friendly''? or having a Nigerian account, funds are easier to access when sent from Nigeria? Need answers pls!

The reason you hear them asking mostly of GTB and Stanbic ATM rates is because of the new CBN bank policy that directs all banks to restrict use of their ATMs abroad. most banks have stopped their ATM cards from working overseas, but only GTB and Stanbic are yet to comply fully with the directives so their cards still work for Naija students to be able to pull their funds from Nigeria.
The other banks now insist that any traveler who wants to use their Nigerian bank issued cards should open a dollar account and procure a dollar denominated card to use overseas. A few other bank cards may still work but these 2 are the only ones I'm sure of for now.
That said, yes some Yankee students still receive money from home or need to take money from their Naija accounts to pay for items or fees for friends and relatives.

#modified

gunther8:
Plausea na because of you and your screenshot I still dey awake o

Gunther I sent you a mail just now. Reply

OluDare01:
So na you dey toast our Angela

Please let's address the salient points in the discourse. I made no accusations against anyone! I merely presented the facts of the matter

Good people, I know this is a faceless forum but I believe in the truth that people can be nice and help other people they meet on a forum like this, since we all became united by a single pursuit. Since joining this forum I've met and helped a few members on here in person and they can attest to my identity CC kimoraW. Gave my number to priceless200 and have been helping, So that someone would want to sell USD at a slightly lower rate to help didn't sound alien to me in the first place.
Now to clear the air, my Name is Chibuzo. I will make the full length mails I've ever sent this lady available, so all of you can judge on the accusation of "Love notes"
When I was asked to transfer money to someone's account first before I could receive my USD, that didn't go down well. So I did my due diligence! I wrote gunther6 asking if he had any problems when he dealt with her in June. After his response, I just backtracked, and didn't respond to her mails anymore.
Note that I live in Abuja where she also claims to have been "Gwarimpa" and I asked 3 times that we should meet but all 3 attempts were declined.
Today, I offered to release the money first to her. My only condition was that she should send me to one of her trusted friends or relatives, I would go with a very good friend of mine who is in the Nigerian Army as a witness that I released such funds to an individual on her request. And she said NO that she isn't comfortable with that.
I have long decided to keep my Naira. She should keep her USD

Please good people I believe now is a good time to rally together as a support group and decide if this is a typical case of misunderstood intentions or a scam.
I learned some Nairalanders benefitted from last months offer? Please where are they? Can one person who dealt with her successfully come up and tell us his experience, with screenshots please!!!!
My two-pence

[quote author=Triggeredsam post=47244193]plause where are you....and where are u and where are u....soooo sombody is going to that burial ground ehhhh, state of emergency has been declared due to the recent flooding ....... i just sent u a pm pls reply immidiatly a breath has come in me.i was already heading to alabama
my infor thus is from[ quote author=Triggeredsam]

I live in Abuja. I've replied your PM. With your mouth you call forth your own Destiny oh! If you say it's a burial ground for you, na for only you. Its a place of opportunity for me, I received a full graduate scholarship, a Research Assistanship with a monthly salary of over $3k. Those things you're seeing there ought not to disturb you. I've seen them before, you don't have any business with that. Your business is to study hard, maintain a high GPA, get that certificate and fly off to a better state.

akagson:
My interview was last week Friday. This yeye public holidays throughout this week will mean I won't pick up my passport this week. My tracking says my passport is still with the US Embassy. Which way na!

The DHL collection office in Abuja allows individuals to collect their passports by proxy!
This means that if you have somewhere important to be, or need to travel back, you can have a friend or relative collect your passport for you and send it across to you.

Triggeredsam:
Has any body heard of West Virginia before in this forum.... more to talk of Marshall university, am going there to study but at least won't on be doing some odd job outside campus, I stalked the Facebook page of African student organization of the Marshall university as adviced but umunna no body wan talk to me, that place na burial grand Why no body they talk of there...

Abeg without Grant, cos am going in with pathways to msc, 4months costing 13kusd how man go take cover up, fear dey blow my yansh even if the visa is granted...
Advice pls my cpga isn't that cool (2.98) no sat or gre or GMAT or any exam, how do I Change to a more city-tionalized area if -change- dey dea haahahah

Bros I'm going to West Virginia University, for my PhD. I don't understand why you're fidgeting, yes WV is not a very rich state, and it's predominantly white, and has been tagged racist, however, WVU has a lot of Nigerian students studying there and they have assured me that there's no overt racism against them. The State is not the poorest in the US!! Get you data from credible sources. The advantage is that cost of living is lower so your rent and stuff would be more on the lower side, (I've seen rentals 1BD 1Bath going for $400-$500/month.

Walspring:
Nope...

Just observing as usual

But Oga Walspring! I hope this Observation will not be detrimental for a nairalander who first shares his problem here and gets to meet a VO that has already observed the post here and knows his entire story (the "original" story before he received packaging from the professors here)
This one is giving me concern oh!

Mma800:
Hello everyone, I am really lucky to have encountered a platform like Nairaland. I have learnt alot here as regards to US Visa Interview questions. Also, needful to say, the sense of humor of the house is really amazing...I always get cracked up reading through threads.Kudos!

Meanwhile, I got an admission offer for fall 2016 from the University of South Florida for a Masters in Public health. Currently filling My DS-160 form and really do not know what to fill as a Primary Occupation. I graduated 2013, and finished Nysc in july 2015 and i'm currently unemployed till date.

Please help!

Thanks.

Your Primary occupation simply asks what your role/function in your present (or last) job is/was.
Filling unemployed in your Ds-160 doesn't give a good impression about you to the VO. Have you not done any work at all since NYSC?

stunner1404:
Please i need advice , I would be going to the embassy on the 12th. Got admitted to Southern illinois university for master in Agribusiness Economics. I had my bsc in june 2013, served from march 2014 to april 2015 and since then i have been working with my aunt. It isn't a paid job that comes with monthly salary but other benefits. I am wondering if that would not cause a problem,my aunt that i am with is my sponsor as well. Moreso I used her name as my guardian while filling the sponsorship for for the school but the bank statement is in her company name. Please i need advice from gurus on her . Thanks in anticipation

First, the question about how much you earn on your current Job is a simple one. If you get paid in Comissions with each completed transaction, simply calculate how much (on the average) you get every month from that. That becomes your monthly pay.
To your Second Question, Most VO's are not interested in your bank Statement, they rarely have time to look at them. It is still very advisable to have them handy. When Presenting account statements bearing a company's name, you should also take the CAC registration forms showing the names of the director(s), which I guess should be your Aunt? And a Letter of Sponsorship, on her company's letterhead stationery, stating your relationship to her, and How she plans to pay for your education in the USA

seek4yemi1:
I need an advise from you guys, I applied to two schools which am waiting for reply from them, one of the school told me I am exempted from taking an English test just because my Bachelor Degree was taught in English,while the second school told me I will take their own English test when I arrive, Is it mandatory to present an English test at the Embassy when applying for visa.

It's Normal for some Universities to waive the English Proficiency requirement for peculiar students. However, having standardized test results my increase your chances of securing assistantship or funding. Secondly, some VO's may never ask about that, go back a few pages and read the transcripts other students have posted, sometimes, the VO may want to see test scores, and being able to present competitive scores may favor you in that situation.

luzbrillante:
Hi House.. please is there anyone here that was interviewed in Abuja and also anyone yet to be interviewed in Abj? Kindly reply pls

Interviewed in Abj, whats up?

Very smart move bro!
The problem is that by Monday, the exchange may change to another value based on the new CBN policy and market rate.
I'll go to the bank first thing Monday morning and pray I get the same rate.
Thanks for sharing.

sofadj:
I was at UBA yesterday to do the transfer of funds from my account to school's account via Flywire
So I filled the Form A yesterday and added my documents

Me: Have you made any transfer to Flywire before
Bank: Yes, I have done a couple of them.
Me:How long will it take for my transfer to get approved and get sent
Bank: She smiled as if to say that's a Jamb question
Me: I know it depends on several factors but what is the average duration
Bank : I can't say exactly but it wouldn't take time anymore as the long scrutiny wouldnt be needed anymore. The CBN has removed the restriction of Dollar transfer. Hence no more official rate
Me: (Cuts in sharply) Does that mean I wont get this funds transferred at official rate of 199NGN
Bank : Yes it means the rate is subject to forces of demand and supply
Me: (Sounding dissapointed) In that case there may not be need for this again
Bank: Relax I will check the current rate for you
She then typed some things on her system and said : the current rate is 199NGN
Me: Is there any form of rationing done based on the demand for dollars
Bank: In the past ..Yes. But now... No as the restrcitions has been removed. If you have your money you get the amount of dollars you requested for.
She then scanned my documents and sent to Head Office.
Bank: You will get the debit alert once it's complete, but I have already generated the code for you at 199NGN.




I contacted the school made them know I had ordered some amount actually much more than my tuition to be transferred into my Student Account via Flywire to be used for Tuition,Living Expenses, Books and Insurance. I then asked how the credit balance will be refunded.
Here is their response:




cc: Purplesummer, DareFadi, Mekurrex, Holudarey, Oludare01, Fizzile

KimoraW:
Here's my APPROVAL transcript
I was getting so nervous when I went in. Had to keep stirring up my faith and reminding God of His words to me. Finally called to window 7.

Me: Good morning sir
VO: Good morning. Can I have your passport and I-20 (handed them over). I can see you are going to Emory university. What will you be studying?
Me: I will be doing a Masters in Public health with a major in International health.
VO: That's a very good school for that course.
Me: Yes it is
VO: I see you're already a doctor.
Me: I am
VO: Did you take the GRE?
Me: Yes I did
VO: Can I see your scores? (handed it to him) Wow. You have impressive scores, congratulations.
Me: Thank you sir
VO: And I can see you applied to some top schools here
Me: Yes. I want a very good education
VO: (laughs) So what made you choose Emory?
Me: During the course of my research, I discovered that Emory has the best global health department in the country. The SPH is involved in a lot of projects that are making waves worldwide. The research interests of the school are targeted mainly towards Infectious diseases control and this is an area I am particularly interested in.
VO: (cuts in) Who will be paying for your studies?
Me: My parents are my sponsors.
VO: What do they do?
Me: They run a company that is involved in handling building contracts and real estate management. They also own a hotel in PH.
VO: Ok. How many rooms are in the hotel
Me: It contains 35 rooms
VO was typing, typing, typing while I was praying in my heart.. lol
VO: OK. Everything seems to be in order. I will be granting your visa. Pick up your passport.... Make sure you travel before your start date... You will need to carry your I-20....
Me: (nodding like agama) Thank you sir. Thank you sir. Thank you sir (collected my white paper)

No documents asked upon all my preparation. No mention of previous interview.

ALL GLORY BE TO GOD, MY HEAVENLY FATHER WHO LOOKS OUT FOR ME ALWAYS. HALLELUYAH.

God is faithful jare! He answered. God did it for you to prove that it's never by might or by preparation. It's his Mercy and Grace that makes the difference.

OluDare01:
Naira has been devalued and the second tier market(black market) has been abolished
We would know the exchange rate on monday. meanwhile it is expected that speculators will stop playing their games and rate will settle around 300(my opinion)
Yes the devaluation is the official policy pls transmit to the forum.
Don't rush to aboki yet wait till monday... meanwhile it has dropped from 370 this morning to around 330 on the street right now.

Na the lecture wey I receive from gunther6 be this o.

Naira was not devalued, Implicitly, the Naira may Decline vs the USD within the first few weeks, but as Inflow begins to match or Exceed outflow, the Demand/Supply forces will shape a new, lower exchange rate.

Bottomline; CBN continues to be the major source for USD to the Foreign Exchange Primary dealers, the rate at which CBN sells to them will determine the rate they sell at the Inter-Bank Market. The inter-bank rate will now be the official rate of the Dollar.

The Black-Market will still exist to supply to the 41- Items Classified as Not Valid for foreign exchange
The Inter-bank market is not allowed to sell to BDC.
All the other allowed transactions as previously approved by the CBN (form A, PTA etc, must be backed by documentation) can be done at the Inter-bank market.

please review these Giudeline released by the CBN today to understand the new policy

https://www.cbn.gov.ng/Out/2016/CCD/Final%20Guidelines%20for%20FX%20Primary%20Dealers%20FXPD15th%20June%2020161%2035pm.pdf

https://www.cbn.gov.ng/Out/2016/CCD/Revised%20Guidelines%20for%20Flexible%20Exchange%20Rate%20MarketJune%202016%20v1.pdf

dickoflife:
lols... ogbeni na play na. dem no dey follow u play? i dey were i dey down origin. dis exchange rate no bother me. what will be will be. last last we go trek go change the dollar for cameroon.

Can we do that? Omo I go like join this trek cos e beneficial. No be like people wet trek rubbish trek for Buhari

dickoflife:
Sorry no westie in nigeria. Send the money to someone in the us or go to cotonou.

There's a service in Abuja called Geeva, that's where I was directed to, I have their number,
They will charge you $250 though, or its equivalent in Naira N85,000

DareFadi:
That i assure you was not said by a VO.... Never, that pepper and salt added

Please attend an EducationUSA General Visa Orientation coming very soon to your neighborhood. The V.O's come and speak to students face to face during those events, and you can ask them any question.
I won't comment on this issue again.

Enjoy.

Mayflowa:
This guy is not a typical graduate student. He is on a Yale management program. So suit can't act in negative to him rather it will pose him as a young executive. There are are casual fitting suit. Wear it with no ties

Well, if that's what he is Comfortable and confident in, by all means.

PTA hunt, Episode 1

So I went early this morning to wakanow office to book my flight to Washington in July. Successfully done, I went with booking in hand to go apply for PTA at the bank, (since the FG said its our inalienable human right to get $4000 every quarter at N197 to the $ if we are traveling and have proof.
I entered the banks in this Order

1. Diamond Bank, Their response was rather rude; we don't give PTA
2. Zenith Bank; No it's been suspended
3. GTB ; No
4. UBA. ; NO we have stopped issuing PTA to travelers
5. Standard Chartered (yes, you have to hold an account with the bank first, then apply well ahead of time, the list is very long and they issue like 3 or 4 every week. Can only be collected at their H.O in Lagos.
6. Sterling Bank; suspended till further Advisement
7. Stanbic IBTC. Yes, they still issue, you need to have an account, you must have a return ticket to apply.
8. Ecobank; Yes. You must have an account and must have operated it for up to 6 months to be Eligible, the maximum they give is $2000 per person per quarter. If you speak to a manager, they might waive the return ticket requirement for you, if you have evidence that you're a student on a long study program
9. Skye Bank; yes they would still give, but the manager said they have not had dollars to give for a very long time.
10. Fidelity Bank; No, they suspended it pending when the new policy is described
11. Access bank; No it's been suspended.
12. Jaiz Bank; yes, you need to have an account with them and have operated it for 6 months
13. Heritage Bank; No it's been suspended
14. Unity Bank; yes, you need to have operated their account for 6 months to qualify
15. Keystone Bank ; No, it's been suspended.

I couldn't enter Union Bank and FBN to hear their stand on the issue.

So if you bank with any of the banks that still offer PTA to their customers, go and get your $4000, if you have your visa and have booked your flight.
Please allocate like $500 for me to purchase when you get it oh! For passing on the info.

DareFadi:
No i definitely don't agree with that... in the US the dress code for MBA Is very corporate

In may my family who went wore a very sharp suit was given and only asked why the sxhool

It's not a contest oh! Everyone has their own experiences. Applicants should best sieve through the myriad of advice on here and adapt which best suits their situation.

Jchi9876:
who told you the bank pays in dollars?? Or you meant dorm account?? They still have to wait till it gets to their turn to pull the money out.

You no hear say even FG they find $$$

I want the money in My Domiciliarry Account. I can use it from my dollar card when I enter the U.S

Please my people, if anyone has Family members or friends who occasionally send money down to them here in Naija via Western Union. I'd love to buy those dollars from them rather than allow The bank rip you off by giving you a meager 197 to the $ and then turn around and sell it to other customers for 360. I will pay you a very fair rate in cash here and you can ask your relative to send the Dollars straight into My Domiciliarry account at GTbank.

I went on the Hunt for Banks that still issue PTA in all of Abuja today.
I'm still exhausted from driving all around the entire town, when I get some rest I'll post the results. Tell you which banks are still giving to their Customers and what the criteria is. I entered over 18 banks.

DareFadi:
just go through the transcripts on the various parts here and develop some response (u be fine if u sell urself well ) and dress smartly. Give them some nice suit

All the people who wore suits on my Interview date were denied oh. The secret is to dress well, like a typical graduate student would dress in the U.S, (Tip from EducationUSA visa Orientation) Heard this one from a VO directly. Me I just went wearing a pair of Chinos and a H&C shirt.

Angelapinkytoes:
Please guys,I got so many mails and I only offered 4,500dollars only. Am only giving out to 2people on here who mailed me first on Saturday. The first guy offered me 300naira for 2500 and the other person got it for 290naira for 2000dollars. The rest who mailed me,accept my apologies I can't share myself in bits. But I will do something bigger early next month that's when I book my British airways flight. Thank you y'all for understanding.

Please put me on top of the List for next month. I'm going to need 4000 if you can spare up to that. Pls send me a text let's talk. Biko.

imperiouxx:
Cheers! https://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/party/party0016.gif

Ah Mr Imperiouxx! Thanks! Where have you been? My interview was Saturday oh!
Like you rightly pointed out, I didn't have any problems at all. Thanks for setting my mind at ease.
I Posted my Transcript on Saturday.

hardeydhoying:
Oh! Sorry, I've sold the Neteller fund already.

You can try buying from etradexchange.net .

Best of luck

Thanks for the info,
Have you used this service before? Can you attest to its authenticity?
Do you have any idea what exchange rate they offer?

Angelapinkytoes:
replied your PM

Thanks, I've replied you, Kindly send me your number while replying my mail please.
Thank you

hardeydhoying:
Pls House, can someone give me few names of trusted Exchanger with good reputation?
I have got some Neteller fund $$ to sell.

Hardeydhoying.

Hi, I just stumbled on your post.
I am looking to travel next month for studies and need to fund my Dom account so I can use them when I get to the US.
If you are going to give a good rate, I can transfer cash to your Naira Account and have you credit my Neteller.

I would appreciate if anyone can give me clues as to how to send money to The US without paying this crazy exchange rate, I want to transfer the money I want to travel with to my sister in the US but the exchange rates the banks are offering are cutthroat!
Any ideas people?