₦airaland Forum

Hello everyone. Please I started filling my DS-160 and used the confirmation number to book my visa appointment. Now I am trying to complete the DS-160 form and obtain the confirmation page but I am unable to retrieve my application as it keeps on saying “surname does not match”.
I have been trying to call the US embassy to no avail.
Please does anyone have any idea what I can do?

OyoTunjiUSA:
🤠

1. Profile update is not available on AVITS as at this moment. If you have filled another DS-160 , just print the confirmation and take both old and new confirmation print-outs along on the day of your VISA appointment.

🙏

Hello bro.
Good evening.
Have been trying to pick an appointment date despite seeing available days in October, November, December, February and March but when I select, I am always told slot already booked

emmaodet:
Hello bro.
Good evening.
Have been trying to pick an appointment date despite seeing available days in October, November, December, February and March but when I select, I am always told slot already booked

🤠

1. I know few people who are experiencing the same state, especially, Lagos applicants. In my little research, the scenario is caused by the AVITS system glitches, in which they are constantly trying to rectify. You just have to keep trying by, calling the help-desk, restarting your computer, logging in and logging out, etc.

🙏

Kakajewel:
Hello everyone. Please I started filling my DS-160 and used the confirmation number to book my visa appointment. Now I am trying to complete the DS-160 form and obtain the confirmation page but I am unable to retrieve my application as it keeps on saying “surname does not match”.
I have been trying to call the US embassy to no avail.
Please does anyone have any idea what I can do?

🤠

1. DS-160 expires after 30 - days, and you won't be able to retrieve it, that is if you have saved it for future continuation.

2. Fill another DS-160 and use the new confirmation printout to raise a ticket on AVITS, perhaps, they may auto-update from their end, in order for you to print out another appointment letter, which will indicate the new ds-160 number. Even, if this does not work, you do not have a choice than to fill another DS-160.

PS: You may still try to retrieve the previous DS-160, if you are certain that it is not up to 30- days that you have saved it. Perhaps, you have forgotten the retrieval info.

🙏

Zterez:
Please has anyone faced this issue? What do I do.

Did my Visa interview on 13th September and it was approved. I have waited for mail for collection of passport.. none has come. I checked the OIS on 26th September. Said passport was ready for collection, booked an appointment and went there and they said they did not have my passport.
Since then it is showing passport not ready for collection on their site, no email too.
What do I do?

Wow, have you resolved the issue?

My people, Are Passport pickups still happening at DHL VI?

Good evening everyone.
Thank you oga OyoTunjiUSA and other gurus for always rendering help.
I went for B1/B2 interview for the first time and was successful. I'm not for IW. This was 12 days ago (excluding public holiday). The VO gave me a white paper and told me I will be sent an email indicating how to collect my visa. I have not received any email.
I have gone through posts on collection of passports, but honestly, I didn't understand how to go about it either through AVITS or OIS
Please help me with step to step procedures.
Thanks in anticipation.

Sinecera89:
Good evening everyone.
Thank you oga OyoTunjiUSA and other gurus for always rendering help.
I went for B1/B2 interview for the first time and was successful. I'm not for IW. This was 12 days ago (excluding public holiday). The VO gave me a white paper and told me I will be sent an email indicating how to collect my visa. I have not received any email.
I have gone through posts on collection of passports, but honestly, I didn't understand how to go about it either through AVITS or OIS
Please help me with step to step procedures.
Thanks in anticipation.

Congratulations, monitor the progress on this link https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx by (filling your details) till your visa status is updated to "Issued"

Once issued, go to OIS site, login and schedule appointment. it would first take you to a page to validate your passport. link here https://apt.oisservices.com/pickup-service/pick.

Once you enter your passport number, it would indicate if your passport has been delivered to OIS for pick-up. Once the system indicate it is avalable for pick-up, you would need to schedule appointment then go pick up your passport.

hi,
please do you know how pick up can be done via proxy from the OIS office

olasubomy:
Congratulations, monitor the progress on this link https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx by (filling your details) till your visa status is updated to "Issued"

Once issued, go to OIS site, login and schedule appointment. it would first take you to a page to validate your passport. link here https://apt.oisservices.com/pickup-service/pick.

Once you enter your passport number, it would indicate if your passport has been delivered to OIS for pick-up. Once the system indicate it is avalable for pick-up, you would need to schedule appointment then go pick up your passport.

J3nifer:
I know right? It was so strange to me but thank you tho! This has happened to you or someone you know before?

A teenager not adult. That's why I'm surprised cos your prints are already in the system. Just be ready for interview sha.

[Thank you very much for your prompt reply. My visa is already issued and the location of pick up is Abuja while I indicated Benin City. Is it possible to redirect my passport to Benin City? How can I do it? I sincerely appreciate your response.quote author=olasubomy post=132331463]

Congratulations, monitor the progress on this link https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx by (filling your details) till your visa status is updated to "Issued"

Once issued, go to OIS site, login and schedule appointment. it would first take you to a page to validate your passport. link here https://apt.oisservices.com/pickup-service/pick.

Once you enter your passport number, it would indicate if your passport has been delivered to OIS for pick-up. Once the system indicate it is avalable for pick-up, you would need to schedule appointment then go pick up your passport.[/quote]

harleybee:

Hi,
Same issue with me for my dad
I raised a ticket to write about the issue from the new profile. I then had a chat with one of their ?agent/staff also from the new website a day later. I was told it would be resolved later that day which was now 48hrs after a I raised the ticket. I checked today and saw they had resolved it but told me to wait for another 48hrs to get an email about my new profile.
You do not need to pay another fee. I was told my previous fee is still valid and should be able to proceed with appointment booking after 48hrs. This is likely going to be till Monday then.

So you should raise a ticket and let them know your issue.
Hope this helps

Hello... Please, can you tell me how you eventually chat with their staff/agent?.. cuz it seems I have the same issue with you and I had created a ticket on the new portal and still no response from them 😢... Please kindly enlighten me on how to chat with their agent to hasten things up.. abeg

yomifola:
Hello... Please, can you tell me how you eventually chat with their staff/agent?.. cuz it seems I have the same issue with you and I had created a ticket on the new portal and still no response from them 😢... Please kindly enlighten me on how to chat with their agent to hasten things up.. abeg

This may sound discouraging, but what they'll tell you is to create ticket and exercise patience for the issue to be resolved.

To chat, you can click the chat feature on the front page of that main website 👇🏽 , not that pop up Avit page for booking appointments.

https://www.usvisaappt.com/visa/country?country=NG

Sinecera89:
Good evening everyone.
Thank you oga OyoTunjiUSA and other gurus for always rendering help.
I went for B1/B2 interview for the first time and was successful. I'm not for IW. This was 12 days ago (excluding public holiday). The VO gave me a white paper and told me I will be sent an email indicating how to collect my visa. I have not received any email.
I have gone through posts on collection of passports, but honestly, I didn't understand how to go about it either through AVITS or OIS
Please help me with step to step procedures.
Thanks in anticipation.

🤠

1. You were able to go through Nairaland directives on B1/B2 VISA application process , and got your VISA success at the 1st attempt.

* But you are not able to grasp the VISA collection explanations ? Okay, wait for the collection e-mail. The embassy will notify you.

🙏

Hi
I just walked in and they attended to me. I never got an email from them either so I went in myself and my passport was there

customised87:
Hello Jenifer, did you have to book an appointment to pick up your passport at OIS or did you just walk in and they attended to you?

I applied for non immigrant visa

Venekconsultt:
Sounds like an IV. Sorry to ask did you apply for immigrant visa?

Good day everyone, I’m seeking clarification on the process of inviting family members to my graduation ceremony. So far, I have secured the invitation letter, obtained my enrollment verification letter, and plan to pay for the visa fees this week. Could you please advise on any additional documents I need to provide? I already have proof of funds, the letter of invitation, the enrollment letter, and the flight itinerary. Are there any other essential documents or steps I should be aware of to ensure a smooth invitation process for my family members? Thank you

Please good morning everyone. I want to ask this question.

Will the new DS160 filled be updated at the embassy or how does it works.

Anyone who went for interview recently should please shed more light for us. Or anyone with useful information

Thanks

Hi
I believe it will be beneficial for you to take both old and new to the interview.

damkanlinsin:
Please good morning everyone. I want to ask this question.

Will the new DS160 filled be updated at the embassy or how does it works.

Anyone who went for interview recently should please shed more light for us. Or anyone with useful information

Thanks

J3nifer:
Hi
I believe it will be beneficial for you to take both old and new to the interview.

Yes I’m going with the two. But my previous place of visit is Florida which was last year but this next I want to go on a cruise ship from new York. I don’t want it mixed up that why I’m asking if it’s been updated at the embassy. If anyone who went recently can answer that will be great. Thanks

It is sad that since I made the payment on September 20th, I have been unable to schedule an appointment. I have been calling every day. I think the people on the phone have received too many of these kinds of issues that they just say it is an IT issue. How is it even fair that some people have these kinds of issues and it is still pending? A whole USA the hub of tech? Thats disappointing

Do you all advise we go to their physical office? because call every day and raising a ticket is not resolving this issue. Please if u r experiencing this say ..........................i

Did you make payment via electronic bank transfer?

dexydidi:
It is sad that since I made the payment on September 20th, I have been unable to schedule an appointment. I have been calling every day. I think the people on the phone have received too many of these kinds of issues that they just say it is an IT issue. How is it even fair that some people have these kinds of issues and it is still pending? A whole USA the hub of tech? Thats disappointing

Do you all advise we go to their physical office? because call every day and raising a ticket is not resolving this issue. Please if u r experiencing this say ..........................i

Lawal1555:
Good day everyone, I’m seeking clarification on the process of inviting family members to my graduation ceremony. So far, I have secured the invitation letter, obtained my enrollment verification letter, and plan to pay for the visa fees this week. Could you please advise on any additional documents I need to provide? I already have proof of funds, the letter of invitation, the enrollment letter, and the flight itinerary. Are there any other essential documents or steps I should be aware of to ensure a smooth invitation process for my family members? Thank you

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1. Your father, mother or any member of your nuclear family (representing your parents) or everyone together, have the official right to attend your international student's convocation ceremony.

2. Other member (s) (extended family, sponsor, best friend, etc), outside your nuclear family may attend , but provided that such person (s) 's attendance is of utmost importance, and there was no one available again other than the person.

3. Any one from group ONE, will have a hard job to do in convincing the consular of their return, while anyone from group TWO will do the hardest job in convincing the consular.

4. Many Chinese, Indian and African families have used the opportunity of convocation ceremony to stay behind in America, hence, the USA embassy prefers the invitation letter to come from the school (endorsed), and officially list the name of the attendee. The recent trend is that ' If your school is not a public school, or reputable private institution , and your program of study is not a full time, then no one may also be able to attend your graduation ceremony.

PS: Prove of ties, prove of funds, and the attendee's reputation (DS-160), as well as communication skills to convince the consulars of their return should be the major focus.

🙏

Hello everyone,

First, I want to thank you all for your valuable contributions to this forum.

I’m hoping for some advice on behalf of a friend who is in a unique situation. She completed her MSc at San Diego State University in June this year and was immediately admitted to a PhD program at the same university, which she just started. Since her F-1 visa expired in July 2024, she applied for a renewal through the Interview Waiver (IW) process. However, she did this by proxy—she sent all the required documents, including her passport, to her dad in Nigeria, who submitted the application via DHL on June 12, 2024, on her behalf.

Two weeks later, she tracked her application and saw that it had been refused. She expected to receive a 221g letter from the US Embassy with further instructions, but after waiting for 9 weeks, she still hadn’t heard anything. On Monday, October 6, 2024, she applied to withdraw her passport as she needed it urgently. However, the embassy responded with an email scheduling her for an interview on Thursday, October 10, 2024—just two days away. The problem is that she can’t leave the U.S. because her passport is still with the US Embassy in Lagos.

If anyone has advice on what she can do or how she should proceed, it would be greatly appreciated.

Yes I did

deouf25:
Did you make payment via electronic bank transfer?

Did you get any response from tickets raised?

dexydidi:
Yes I did

deouf25:
Did you get any response from tickets raised?

I paid through bank transfer also and yet no response on the ticket since last week

NorthernshoreTS:
Hello everyone,

First, I want to thank you all for your valuable contributions to this forum.

I’m hoping for some advice on behalf of a friend who is in a unique situation. She completed her MSc at San Diego State University in June this year and was immediately admitted to a PhD program at the same university, which she just started. Since her F-1 visa expired in July 2024, she applied for a renewal through the Interview Waiver (IW) process. However, she did this by proxy—she sent all the required documents, including her passport, to her dad in Nigeria, who submitted the application via DHL on June 12, 2024, on her behalf.

Two weeks later, she tracked her application and saw that it had been refused. She expected to receive a 221g letter from the US Embassy with further instructions, but after waiting for 9 weeks, she still hadn’t heard anything. On Monday, October 6, 2024, she applied to withdraw her passport as she needed it urgently. However, the embassy responded with an email scheduling her for an interview on Thursday, October 10, 2024—just two days away. The problem is that she can’t leave the U.S. because her passport is still with the US Embassy in Lagos.

If anyone has advice on what she can do or how she should proceed, it would be greatly appreciated.

🤠

* She is not in a unique situation, she is in a dicey situation.

* She has done something sneaky, and has been caught. * If her studentship story is real, then she does not actually need a renewal, all she need is another Form I-20 , SEVIS transfer , etc which can be handled by her DSO.

1. When she submitted her IW, the USA embassy quickly denied her VISA application because, she has committed material fraud. Yes , they discovered travel anomalies and tampering of passport, b/cos there was no entry stamp or her passport contained fake entry stamp.

2. While the USA consular officers are wondering how the passport ended up in their hands without the holder entering Nigeria, all of a sudden, someone or the owner applied to withdraw her passport. Now, tell me ,how do you expect a whole USA embassy to release such a passport ? Hence, the embassy decision to give her a VIP appointment in order to come and drink coffee tea with Jeera biscuits, while answering few questions come Oct 10th, 2024.

PS: I won't be able to give any concrete solution (s) here. Perhaps, i will need the genuine truths (Wisdom is profitable to direction). But hopefully, other experienced Nairalanders can give their opinions.

PS: If she failed to honour the court (USA embassy), they will report her to her school and have her studentship terminated. Thus; becoming illegal in the USA.

🙏

Boss OyoTunjiUSA

This is the best answer I've seen you give anybody on this forum. Good answer and full of wisdom and lessons.

I keep wondering and I think you work for the USA embassy in Nigeria.

Bless!

OyoTunjiUSA:
🤠

* She is not in a unique situation, she is in a dicey situation.

* She has done something sneaky, and has been caught. * If her studentship story is real, then she does not actually need a renewal, all she need is another Form I-20 , SEVIS transfer , etc which can be handled by her DSO.

1. When she submitted her IW, the USA embassy quickly denied her VISA application because, she has committed material fraud. Yes , they discovered travel anomalies and tampering of passport, b/cos there was no entry stamp or her passport contained fake entry stamp.

2. While the USA consular officers are wondering how the passport ended up in their hands without the holder entering Nigeria, all of a sudden, someone or the owner applied to withdraw her passport. Now, tell me ,how do you expect the whole USA embassy to release such a passport ? Hence, the embassy decision to give her a VIP appointment in order to come drink coffee tea and Jeera biscuits, while answering few questions come Oct 10th, 2024.

PS: I won't be able to give any concrete solution (s) here. Perhaps, i will need the genuine truths (Wisdom is profitable to direction). But hopefully, other experienced Nairalanders can give their opinions.

PS: If she failed to honour the court (USA embassy), they will report her to her school and have her studentship terminated. Thus; becoming illegal in the USA.

🙏

sanyaolurilwan:
Boss OyoTunjiUSA

This is the best answer I've seen you give anybody on this forum. Good answer and full of wisdom and lessons.

I keep wondering and I think you work for the USA embassy in Nigeria.

Bless!

Hey 🤠

@sanyaolurilwan

1. It's my pleasure. Thank you.

Best Wishes 🙏

OyoTunjiUSA:
🤠

1. Contact the USA embassy only if 60 days have passed after you have submitted the requested document (s). If it is not up to 60 days that you have submitted the required documents, the embassy won't reply your query.

PS: No action is needed on your part while administrative process is on going. Once your submitted documents is verified, your visa will be issued.

🙏

Please how can one book a new appointment to submit the requested additional documents incase of 221g refusal since the old site isn't working again?

It was rejected in August and since then, I haven't been able to book to go submit the document.

Thank you