₦airaland Forum

Ebi1:
please who knows about the cov 19 restrictions for flying to the US? do you have to be fully vacd or will a negative test be enough?

While prepping to travel to the US, do take note of this section on the CDC website and specifics concerning visa classes as regards COVID 19 vaccination requirements.

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/order-safe-travel/technical-instructions.html#anchor_1635183102468

As at April 14th 2022 (and for the next 90 days), only those with B1 or B2 visas need to be fully vaccinated to travel to the US (from Nigeria). Take note, Nigeria can be removed from the list of exempted countries (limited COVID 19 vaccination coverage) anytime.

Great, let's plan together abeg. Sent an email

johnjones243:
Yes, I will be going.

mhizzcherry:
Great, let's plan together abeg. Sent an email

I just replied your email

Hello all,
Please I need some guidance. I have been seeking for a PhD admission in the US for the past two years but I have been unsuccessful. I am considering going for another master's degree, as it is easier to secure such admission. My question is,if I include my master's degree in my application, will it pose a red flag in my ability to get the admission or study visa?

philonyx:
Hello all,
Please I need some guidance. I have been seeking for a PhD admission in the US for the past two years but I have been unsuccessful. I am considering going for another master's degree, as it is easier to secure such admission. My question is,if I include my master's degree in my application, will it pose a red flag in my ability to get the admission or study visa?

But there re many schools for PhD naw.How come you find it hard to get admitted into one.Whats your field, maybe someone will help you find one you can easily get admitted into.

My husband works remotely from Nigeria for a company based in New York, US. (His job is fully remote and he can actually work from anywhere).
He is also my sponsor.

I am applying for a visa and want to apply for my husband and child as F2 dependents so he can support me with the baby for a period of time.

My question is, since F2 dependents are not supposed to be working, how will he convince the VO that he won’t work in the US since he can actually work from anywhere?

What should he mention and what shouldn’t he?

Hi Gent2nice, congratulations on your Visa approval.
I have a question, please.
you said you only put your sister in your ds-160, and I'm in a similar situation having a co-sponsor who is not a relative.
my question is if your I-20 showed that your friend will also co-sponsor you?

Gent2nice:
First Attempt: (expedited appointment) Tuesday, Aug 31, 2021
Lagos Consulate
Status: Approved, later...denied (Program start date was Aug 30, 2021 had extension till Sept 6. Went with the letter but didn't present it because it was not asked for)

Around 10am, I met with the VO, a very black lady in her 50s (VO Valerie).



VO: Good morning

She collected i20 and passport, started typing, looking carefully.


Said to us please wait while she typed on.

Finally
VO: tell me why you are going to study this course and why this University. And she gave us a full attention

Me:
I spoke about how I have good background in Deaf Education field, my first degree in special education (hearing impairment focus), my masters degree in Deaf Education. I have taken leadership position in Nigerian Deaf community which I have used all to contribute towards Development of Deaf Education. I mentioned that I am Education Officer under ministry of education. (At this point I realized I have blown myself enough and needed to proceed to the relationship with the current which I intended to do, I wondered if she wouldn't have started wondering if I understood her question) so I continued
I want to study this course because I want to acquire adequate knowledge, experience and build up my skill in research, advocacy and innovation as a tool for contributing to the development of Deaf Education in Nigeria.

I chose Gallaudet University because it is the only University all over the world promoting bilingual and bicultural education, known for its excellence in teaching pedagogy, where Deaf students from all over the world find a sense of belonging , the needed learning resources, supportive faculty, student and staff. It will help me to achieve my aim (I stopped there, I momentarily lost what to continue with but immediately realized it was worth ending there)

Then she *signed* thank you while I blushed. She typed briefly.

VO: You said you work under ministry, tell me what exactly you do there.
Me: I have been an education officer under ministry of education since (my thought was to continue explaining the duties I carry out at different stations I've worked)

VO: cuts, Ok, since 2014?
Me: responded positive (she typed)

VO: I can see that you have school scholarship that covers $26k+, tell me how you will pay the deficit of $23k+.

Me: I will be co-sponsored by my sister and my friend. My sister is Mrs xyz, she works as accountant under KPMG, abroad , she also has landed and rented properties back here in Nigeria. My friend is Mr abc, he works as , Tennessee.

VO: Have you traveled out of Nigeria before?
Me: No, because I've not had a reason to.

VO: Where do you say your sister works?
Me: she works as accountant in audit region at KPMG,

VO: Typed... Do you have any document to prove that your sister works at KPMG?

Me: Yes. (Reached for my file and brought out document her employment letter, Bank statement and Sponsorship affidavit filled because I stapled the three together)

VO: Looked thoroughly and calmly . Typed, then put up her hand to get a white paper, took my I-20 and placed it where I should pick it and said Be careful about covid-19...


Three days after I got called to send an update i20 because I attended the interview postdated. I sent documents required within the hour... And later rejected.

In my Ds160, I noticed minor error and corrected the error.
Also when I was explaining under yes to previously denied, I added that I have convincing and compelling socioeconomic ties. I stated that I have a permanent and pensionable appointment as... And also I talked about my achievements in community service in Nigeria etc then ended that I am a credible Student . ( I practicalized FAIRHEART theory, lol, because I went back to read this Nairaland page from page 1, lol).

I got date through surge appointment after so much stress trying to get date.
I did more prep and talked to some mock VOs (Carter, Francess and Jake who i met on GraithF1 visa whatsapp group ) who expressed concern about a friend as sponsor and was advised to find a way around it.
Note, sister was my major sponsor covering 85% of the deficit and it's her detail I input into Ds 160.


Second attempt
Wed 24th, November, 2021 (surge appointment, 7am)
Lagos Consulate
Status: Approved
Vo was a black lady, probably in her 30s, at extreme window.



Interview proper around 8.35am , can't say..by 8.55am, I was out!

Vo: Good morning
Me: good morning

Vo: where are you going to?
Me: I am going to Gallaudet University, Washington, DC to pursue a doctorate degree in CSEDL which is under SEVIS category of Education/ Teaching

Vo: What do you do?
Me: I work as Education officer under ministry of and my current post is at Federal Education... -----state where I ensure quality service delivery at schools through monitoring,and inspection of school, curriculum and pedagogy. Also I provide recommendations and reports for the Education of children with disabilities, also I supervise the library service of the department (*she fixed her eyes to the computer reading my job section to ensure it is a match)

Vo: You have scholarship of $26000+ and your sister is sponsoring you. What does your sister do?
Me: she works as accountant at KPMG , and she also has rented and land properties in Nigeria. She has been supporting me in my undergraduate when I was best faculty student.

Vo: how much does she earn?
Me: about $45000 annually

Vo: do you have any document to show me regarding your sister's job?

Me: nodded, searched and gave her recent appointment letter dated Nov 23rd, together with her recent bonus letter.

Vo: went through it.

Vo: there is Mr abc here who is covering the deficit, who is he to you?
Me: He is someone that has known me before I became Deaf and after I became Deaf and who knows about my academic and community achievements despite been Deaf and he is willing to support me.

Vo: How long have you known him?
Me: I have known him since , before I became deaf and after I became Deaf and he knows about my academic achievement and community contributions.

Vo: When did your sister started working at
Me: 2019

Vo: when did she arrived
Me: 2018

Vo: when did Mr abc leave for the US?
Me: was saying 2016/17 (not sure, though my disposition indicated I wasn't sure I was unruffled. It was as if I was answering to a normal conversation)

VO: When last did you see him?
Me: since..., ha I can't remember, since... (my mien was truly like trying to recollect something while having an informal conversation)
Vo then helped me add that ok since a long time.

Me: yes a long time.

Vo: has he ever come to Nigeria since he left?
Me: Noooo, but his wife and children have visited when they came for burial of his in-law.
Vo: asked about his job
Me: said it


vo: when did you start working under ministry of ?
Me: 20**, I was first posted to Federal bla bla bla (one of the federal unity colleges), where I taught chemistry to students.. and ... and ....

Vo: ok

Vo: where is Mr abc in the US?
Me: Tennessee


Vo: Do you have any family or friends in the US?
Me: Family? Family? (I wanna be sure what interpreter signed, because the 'friend' looked dicey to me) Nooooooo


Vo: Where will you be staying in the US
Me: On campus. The school encourages her international student to reside on campus so as to learn culture (deaf culture)...

Vo: brought white paper.. I will be approving your visa.

Me: thank you ma. God bless you ma.

Exit

(Visa issued next business day)



PS: At both my first and second interview, I was very confident and even more relaxed or settled at the second..hmmm. I said more than I wrote to the first question in my first interview because I recall I hinted about my proposed thesis interest too.

Visa interview is exam, take it as one! Let your profile be rich. Bank on the areas where you are loaded, academic? Career experience/achievement? Community contribution/volunteer experience? Financial capacity? Travel experience etc. And wherever ur application gives you fear (weak), find your way around it.

Note that VOs are not doing giveaway with visa approvals and they are there doing their job while they also have their own constraints too. The onus lies on you to do your part and do it well. Seek help, study and practice. Before my first interview too, I had my transcript vetted by friends schooling abroad too and I started following Nairaland page two months prior the interview.

If anyone has a denial, especially after a meaningful interview, look inward to see what you can do better, study, seek help, take advices and do your best. Don't just get angry at the VO.

Ensure you have a copy of your DS 160 which you must review over and over as interview approaches and if you see anything to change, kindly retrieve and fill another one latest before 72hours to your interview (I made that mistake with my first interview)

The God factor still remain a sure factor, trust Him too and honour him.

I'm very grateful to everyone who has helped me on this journey, some of whom I have mentioned earlier. I wish everyone the very best.

UmmZayd:
Document to attach for EA
BioData of international passport
DS160 confirmation
Visa receipt
I-20
SEVIS receipt
If there's still space, admission letter. Then state clearly why you need that EA. Like be explicit

Hi, please I sent you an email. Kindly respond

Pls who can help me pay my Sevis fee?

Does anyone know UBA dollar rate as of last week?

Hello house I am new here, plz can anyone recommend any university or college still accepting and waiving application fees for fall 2022.

Chubbyface:
Hello house I am new here, plz can anyone recommend any university or college still accepting and waiving application fees for fall 2022.

you could start here https://www.google.com/

University of saint Thomas Houston. I got my master of liberal arts degree from the school and recently got admitted into a PhD program. It’s a catholic school so it might not be like other schools in the US. They teach morals and social justice in the curriculum… I didn’t pay an application fee to apply… maybe it depends on the program… I don’t know…

Chubbyface:
Hello house I am new here, plz can anyone recommend any university or college still accepting and waiving application fees for fall 2022.

krcboy:
you could start here https://www.google.com/

Just Epic

I’m in almost the same predicament. Just that my husband has a bar and restaurant in Cotonou… I still don’t know how he’d say it if asked. Our main sponsor is my dad…

jbryan54:
My husband works remotely from Nigeria for a company based in New York, US. (His job is fully remote and he can actually work from anywhere).
He is also my sponsor.

I am applying for a visa and want to apply for my husband and child as F2 dependents so he can support me with the baby for a period of time.

My question is, since F2 dependents are not supposed to be working, how will he convince the VO that he won’t work in the US since he can actually work from anywhere?

What should he mention and what shouldn’t he?

Miletuss:
Good morning please I’m just about to start my own journey but I’m still confused on how to input my waec result, which option best suits that or how do I input it?

Hi.
To understand you clearly, are you going for Undergraduate or post graduate studies?

Please, what is the best way to migrate to united state

krcboy:
you could start here https://www.google.com/

Lol I am not daft now, ofcoz I have been doing my own research, I just needed more ideas.

Hello all!

Who is going to University of Nevada Las Vegas?

Lets connect!

Hello all!

Who is going to University of Nevada Las Vegas?


Lets connect!

Good day
Please I need assistance on filling my Ds-160 form. On my I-20 my cousin is my sponsor but I also got partial sponsorship from my employer. Should I include both on the Ds-160 or just what is on the I-20

Me2022:
Hi, please I sent you an email. Kindly respond

Please can you help me out

haleemrahman490:
Please, what is the best way to migrate to united state

Try the study route (especially Masters program) or the work route. What skills do you posses? Surf the web for job offers and apply if you feel you have the requirements. Even informal jobs like caregiver, crane operator, etc. It all comes down to chance and luck.
But then again, if your question was misunderstood by me, and what you implied was actually the best transportation type to get to the US, then it's by air (flight) my brother.
Abeg, do not go via ship.

Don1145:
Hello all!

Who is going to University of Nevada Las Vegas?


Lets connect!

Lucky guys
Hope some of your comrades will be able to stay way from the clubs and casinos. If they gamble with their tuition, we will read the news on front page of NL.
" Nigerian students arrested at Vegas Casino for trying to evade debts settlement after long night of gambling "
But God forbid tho...#joke

Hello gurus in the house, please I want to know how to present my case to the VO concerning my sponsorship because I chose myself as my sponsor.

Hello gurus in the house, please I want to know how to present my case to the VO concerning my sponsorship because I chose myself as my sponsor,with no form of funding from the school.

mhizzcherry:
Anyone going to Miami University Oxford Ohio this fall?

I am, for spring though

the vo will ask what type of job do you do and you know you cant work while on f1

Kingnonny:
Hello gurus in the house, please I want to know how to present my case to the VO concerning my sponsorship because I chose myself as my sponsor,with no form of funding from the school.

krcboy:
community colleges and ESL programs are frowned at by i.e (sus) to the VO. your interview will be harder . I will send you a yt link bro.

Please I will need the link too cos I got admission into Diablo valley college San Francisco’s and my resumption is this August but I haven’t gotten a date

haleemrahman490:
Please, what is the best way to migrate to united state

you are in the easiest way to migrate to any country.

Shazybetty:
Please I will need the link too cos I got admission into Diablo valley college San Francisco’s and my resumption is this August but I haven’t gotten a date

email me

Walspring, Thank you for the swift payment of my sevis fee. I contacted him Friday and I got my confirmation of payment on Monday. He's legit guys!!


Please can how can I contact him? I’m new here and I would like to pay my Sevis fee. I don’t know how to go about it.[/quote]