₦airaland Forum

amazinghands:
Hello Everyone,

My mother was recently denied a visiting visa due to a lack of strong home ties. She is over 60 years old and has never traveled outside the country. I am currently a permanent resident and stated in the application that I would be sponsoring her trip. She is a businesswoman who runs a wholesale flour business. However, during her interview, she mentioned that they did not ask to see any of her supporting documents.

How can we better demonstrate her strong ties to home in her next application?

The embassy consulars rarely request to see documents unless the situation calls for it. Is there anything you can do? Unfortunately, no. It’s best to wait and try again later. Currently, many individuals over 60 are overstaying their visas, so officers are no longer offering any leniency to the elderly.

amazinghands:
Hello Everyone,

My mother was recently denied a visiting visa due to a lack of strong home ties. She is over 60 years old and has never traveled outside the country. I am currently a permanent resident and stated in the application that I would be sponsoring her trip. She is a businesswoman who runs a wholesale flour business. However, during her interview, she mentioned that they did not ask to see any of her supporting documents.

How can we better demonstrate her strong ties to home in her next application?

In addition to what Debbie said; the fact that you’re a permanent resident sponsoring her trip makes the case more complicated. Put yourself in the visa officers shoes. If I was a visa officer I would think she’s going there to start looking for a way to join you and your permanent residency.

The best way to approach this again will be to make her application independent of you. She should state that she’s going for vacation and maybe to see you and a couple friends. The fact that you’re a permanent resident should not even be brought up. But now that she’s denied, it will be in the record against next time.

DScorp:
Yes, from Case Last Update 11th April to Case Last update 5th June. Approved. I have a friend that submitted april 15th and her Case Last updated was 4th June. However, yet to be approved.

Hello, please has your visa been issued?

This is not correct, permanent residents invite their parents without issues. Your mum was denied for some other reason, and not because you stated that you are a permanent resident.

In addition to what Debbie said; the fact that you’re a permanent resident sponsoring her trip makes the case more complicated. Put yourself in the visa officers shoes. If I was a visa officer I would think she’s going there to start looking for a way to join you and your permanent residency.

The best way to approach this again will be to make her application independent of you. She should state that she’s going for vacation and maybe to see you and a couple friends. The fact that you’re a permanent resident should not even be brought up. But now that she’s denied, it will be in the record against next time.[/quote]

I was able to get a Lagos date for March 2026, I plan to reschedule if I see an earlier appointment date.

NotsonewMary:
Hi, is the standard processing for IW now “Refused” status right after “Application Received”?. My mum’s status was updated to “Refused” on the 14th. The status message further read that the refusal status might be for administrative processing, which means the case could later be adjudicated after the administrative processing is completed (I guess that’s what happened with @Dixoxoxo’s case who was later approved without being interviewed).

Of the cases you know of that were updated on the 14th, do you know anyone whose IW status was updated to “approved” or “issued”?. Thanks!

did they eventually call your mum for interview or they approved your her visa

amazinghands:
Hello Everyone,

My mother was recently denied a visiting visa due to a lack of strong home ties. She is over 60 years old and has never traveled outside the country. I am currently a permanent resident and stated in the application that I would be sponsoring her trip. She is a businesswoman who runs a wholesale flour business. However, during her interview, she mentioned that they did not ask to see any of her supporting documents.

How can we better demonstrate her strong ties to home in her next application?

Hello.
All the answers you have gotten so far are indirectly correct but Deborah is near the consular minds.

Senior citizens in certain ages going to America are believed to have few medical issues, difficult to control by their children , might want to stay longer with grand kids etc thus given them the natural inclinations to over-stay.

Nevertheless, they still have more visa success rates behind F1 visa applicants but some circumstances like yours as a PR might give the consular the impression that you have every capability to retain your mum with you upon arrival.

**** The solution is for Mama to prove good ties to Nigeria eg ongoing activities, other children's, businesses, pension money she is expecting or receiving, and nationalism towards Nigeria. You will depict most of these things in her ds-160 and she will communicate the rest verbally to the visa officer. 👍

Please I need help and quick response on this. I applied for B1/B2 non- immigrant visa in June 11, 2023 to attend July yearly conference in the US in the same year but the nearest date I could get for the visa appointment at the US embassy was June 25, 2025 and I accepted without any attempt to reschedule the appointment because I believed I can attend the programme any year I wish. Now I am preparing for the appointment. My question is do I need to fill another DS 160 form because of the space in time?

Thank you in anticipation for your quick response.

Hi,

Definitely fill a new form.

While the purpose of visit remains same, information such as your arrival date has changed. Also, confirm the contact details of the conference organisers and conference location and update if necessary. It's also possible and likely your income and other circumstances have changed. Your updated form should reflect this.

Finally, use a passport photo that is less than 6 months old.

All the best with your application!

Oloyemeta:
Please I need help and quick response on this. I applied for B1/B2 non- immigrant visa in June 11, 2023 to attend July yearly conference in the US in the same year but the nearest date I could get for the visa appointment at the US embassy was June 25, 2025 and I accepted without any attempt to reschedule the appointment because I believed I can attend the programme any year I wish. Now I am preparing for the appointment. My question is do I need to fill another DS 160 form because of the space in time?

Thank you in anticipation for your quick response.

VisaZest:
Hi,

Definitely fill a new form.

While the purpose of visit remains same, information such as your arrival date has changed. Also, confirm the contact details of the conference organisers and conference location and update if necessary. It's also possible and likely your income and other circumstances have changed. Your updated form should reflect this.

Finally, use a passport photo that is less than 6 months old.

All the best with your application!

Thank you for your quick response. Please does filling the knew form come with another payment? Just curious though. Also, can you guide me on how to fill the form? Because the old one was filled by the assistance of an agent which I don't know his whereabouts again. However, I have all my login details for the new usvisappt but I just need a little guide. Thank you.

Hi,

You are simply updating your records with them, they don't require a new payment.

Just to clarify- does the AVITS page you have show the appointment coming up soon? If yes, then you have no issues.

Follow these steps:
1. Visit https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ to fill a new DS 160
2. Log into AVITs and create a support ticket to update your profile. Attach the confirmation page of the new DS 160 to your support ticket.
3. The support team will update it for you.

Note that you need about 3 working days for the change to reflect.

As for filling a new DS 160, if you have all the information you used in the past form, it makes things easy for you. Just replicate the form and update relevant details.

All the best with your application!

Oloyemeta:
Thank you for your quick response. Please does filling the knew form come with another payment? Just curious though. Also, can you guide me on how to fill the form? Because the old one was filled by the assistance of an agent which I don't know his whereabouts again. However, I have all my login details for the new usvisappt but I just need a little guide. Thank you.

VisaZest:
Hi,

You are simply updating your records with them, they don't require a new payment.

Just to clarify- does the AVITS page you have show the appointment coming up soon? If yes, then you have no issues.

Follow these steps:
1. Visit https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ to fill a new DS 160
2. Log into AVITs and create a support ticket to update your profile. Attach the confirmation page of the new DS 160 to your support ticket.
3. The support team will update it for you.

Note that you need about 3 working days for the change to reflect.

As for filling a new DS 160, if you have all the information you used in the past form, it makes things easy for you. Just replicate the form and update relevant details.

All the best with your application!

I really appreciate this info and guidance thank you so much.

What's the parking situation like at the Lagos embassy like and how does one access it?

BruceXavier:
What's the parking situation like at the Lagos embassy like and how does one access it?

**"

It's been long i was there with a personal ride but be expected to pay up to 2k for a packing lot. Every packing situation would be auto navigating as you would see people of your status with those ticket boys directive. Do not place any attractive gadgets ie phones, laptops, money etc in a visible position inside your car and be certain to wind up totally. Though your car is saved when you have paid the land owners 😊

Guys, does anyone have a WhatsApp group for B1/B2 visa? Especially interview date monitoring

What happens when the Trump's administration places travel ban on Nigeria?

All the visa appointments will be cancelled or every interview ends in automatic denial?

MrMagnetic:
What happens when the Trump's administration places travel ban on Nigeria?

All the visa appointments will be cancelled or every interview ends in automatic denial?

Hello Magnet.
To start with, Nigeria is not part of the list of the countries on travel ban/watch-list so all U.S visa applications are still going normal as B4.

** To answer your question, if a travel ban is placed on Nigeria then all visa applications to USA would be placed on absolute/ extreme scrutinity. B4 this time , some targeted politicians or extremists would have been placed on total travel ban which means that they cannot even near the U.S. embassy.

** As for other citizens , you cannot tell me that all Nigerians are extremists or bad politicians, so in that respects visa processing activities would continue for students, those going for business , medicals or immigrant visas etc . It is impossible for all the citizens of a country to be affected by a travel ban. The U.S embassy only wants to sieve out the evil perpetrators . 👍

There is date for March 2026 Lagos as at this morning.

@Efe,

In case you have not seen this;
https://punchng.com/just-in-nigeria-among-countries-facing-possible-new-us-travel-ban/

IMO, nothing is impossible, but some things are unlikely.

Not impossible that we all get indiscriminately and absolutely banned, however unlikely. I believe if a ban is implemented, issued visas will be valid and all pending visa cases will automatically be denied. Just an opinion sha.

All in all, we need to start fixing Nigeria.

Efetobore1980:
Hello Magnet.
To start with, Nigeria is not part of the list of the countries on travel ban/watch-list so all U.S visa applications are still going normal as B4.

** To answer your question, if a travel ban is placed on Nigeria then all visa applications to USA would be placed on absolute/ extreme scrutinity. B4 this time , some targeted politicians or extremists would have been placed on total travel ban which means that they cannot even near the U.S. embassy.

** As for other citizens , you cannot tell me that all Nigerians are extremists or bad politicians, so in that respects visa processing activities would continue for students, those going for business , medicals or immigrant visas etc . It is impossible for all the citizens of a country to be affected by a travel ban. The U.S embassy only wants to sieve out the evil perpetrators . 👍

AdisaMighty:
@Efe,

In case you have not seen this;
https://punchng.com/just-in-nigeria-among-countries-facing-possible-new-us-travel-ban/

IMO, nothing is impossible, but some things are unlikely.

Not impossible that we all get indiscriminately and absolutely banned, however unlikely. I believe if a ban is implemented, issued visas will be valid and all pending visa cases will automatically be denied. Just an opinion sha.

All in all, we need to start fixing Nigeria.

Hello Mighty.

I actually have not read that Punch or national news but the last one I read on the US official gazette did not include Nigeria . Although President Trump is still speculating and i don't think he has any faint reason to include Nigeria .

Thank you for the update sir. 👍

I have paid my visa fee last week Thursday and today is the fourth day. I have not been able to verify my payment, and hence not able to book appointment . I transferred the fee from my uba account to the first bank account details that I saw on the USAVITS portal. Who can explain this or someone has experienced this. Even the support service is not given me good feedback

Any WhatsApp link where people give live updates about available interview dates? Please share. Thanks

Also, can I still change a date on Avitis if I already chose a date, and how?

Fabuloski:
Also, can I still change a date on Avitis if I already chose a date, and how?

I figured it out, thanks. Still in need of the WhatsApp group though

This is a recent development and the new countries listed have 60days to align. It is well!

Efetobore1980:
Hello Mighty.

I have not read that Punch or national news but the last one I read on the US official gazette did not include Nigeria . Although President Trump is still speculating and i don't think he has any faint reason to include Nigeria .

Thank you for the update sir. 👍

Teju2014:
This is a recent development and the new countries listed have 60days to align. It is well!

Very correct and current. I watched it on Arise TV this morning.
Let’s hope they do what’s expected of them in 60 days and hope for the best.

DScorp:
Yes, from Case Last Update 11th April to Case Last update 5th June. Approved. I have a friend that submitted april 15th and her Case Last updated was 4th June. However, yet to be approved.

Was your friends case approved or refused

Hello,

I submitted my visa waiver in Lagos and got a 221g appt for September but now am
Seeing abuja as lots of slots for next month July . Can I select it and attend it or do I need to fill in a new ds-160 form?

Hope it won’t be an issue if I select and attend abuja interview ?

As anyone had similar experience?

People that got refused have any of you received ur 221g email or it’s just plain refused
Thank you

Sirnigeria3000:
Hello,

I submitted my visa waiver in Lagos and got a 221g appt for September but now am
Seeing abuja as lots of slots for next month July . Can I select it and attend it or do I need to fill in a new ds-160 form?

Hope it won’t be an issue if I select and attend abuja interview ?

As anyone had similar experience?

People that got refused have any of you received ur 221g email or it’s just plain refused
Thank you

seems tricky because its 221g but it might be worth the risk if you have urgent travel plans because the worst that will happen is that they will send you back to select september date in lagos

Not an urgent travel to be honest . Thanks for the heads up.

Did anyone who got refused get there your 221g appt ? And what was the date

Sirnigeria3000:
Did anyone who got refused get there your 221g appt ? And what was the date

i did, got my own today, first available date is sep 4, but I have urgent travel plans so i'm considering the july 8 abuja date but I am making enquiries first