₦airaland Forum

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Urgent answer needed:

Please what is the correct answer from the question, "Who is funding your trip?" on DS 160.

I am in funding with a little deficit which I am filling from my personal funds.

ultim:
Urgent answer needed:

Please what is the correct answer from the question, "Who is funding your trip?" on DS 160.

I am in funding with a little deficit which I am filling from my personal funds.

Choose 'self'

Kharleed:
Did you finally get the birth certificate issue resolved?

See this reddit post for the same issue. Looks like they accepted this guy's attestation + sworn affidavit

https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/comments/1gf5z64/comment/lxlwhhu/?context=3

We finally got it solved. Thank you for your contribution.

Anyone gotten an emergency request approved recently?

It's been over a week I created mine.
I can't find it any where in the portal, no email whatsoever either.

Good day everyone, can my father help me go tho first bank to pay my visa fee??

Tuesday morning, 08/07/2025, I went to the U.S. consulate in Lagos, Nigeria for my visa interview. There were a lot of people getting rejected. The visa officer was a white male in his 30,s. Below is the interview transcript.

VO: pass me your Passport and i-20 VO: How many Universities did you apply to?

Me: I applied to Only Webster University, St. Louis

VO: When did you graduate? Me: 2021

VO: What’s your past degree course? Me: BSC Political Science

VO: Have you traveled abroad before?

Me: No reason to VO: How would you be funding your studies ? Me: From my Personal Savings from my Business VO: what’s your Business?

Me: I have a Luxury Clothing Brand VO: I am sorry you are not qualified for this Visa

If anyone has any advice or tips for the interview, I would really appreciate your help!

Statement by Nigeria on US visa policy changes

FG Never see anything 🤣🤣🤣, make them just dey play.

email template of requesting for emergency date?

U.S. Embassy Abuja
Plot 1075, Diplomatic Drive
Central Business District
Abuja, Nigeria
Dear Embassy staff,
My name is ......... I've been admitted into university................for my bachelor's degree in.............
My class start date is......... but I have........... as my appointment date. Am expecting to be in the US 30 days before my class start date.
I kindly request for the consideration of an emergency appointment so as to enable me to attend my interview and prepare for my studies.

Thanks for your time and attention.
I patiently wait for your response

Efetobore1980:
Hello Dolls.
I think pre-approval for f1 visa applicant is cancellable . Cancel it and start all over from the beginning. Remember to date sign your I-20 before you upload it . Also be certain that you have filled and submitted your ds 160 completely. I also think that all prospective international f1 visa applicant should indicate yes on DS-160 regarding their travel plans. 👍

Hello Efe, Hello everyone,

Thank you for your continuous help. After lots of back and forth, I got a mail from the embassy that my pre approval has been approved.

However, as advised here, I had cancelled the appointment and started all over. They are now asking me to log into the cancelled appointment, and provided the ID. I do not know how to do that as I am logged in with the same mail.

Please, I need all the help I can get to move forward with to access the login and move forward with this. Thank you.

Explorerx:
Tuesday morning, 08/07/2025, I went to the U.S. consulate in Lagos, Nigeria for my visa interview. There were a lot of people getting rejected. The visa officer was a white male in his 30,s. Below is the interview transcript.

VO: pass me your Passport and i-20 VO: How many Universities did you apply to?

Me: I applied to Only Webster University, St. Louis

VO: When did you graduate? Me: 2021

VO: What’s your past degree course? Me: BSC Political Science

VO: Have you traveled abroad before?

Me: No reason to VO: How would you be funding your studies ? Me: From my Personal Savings from my Business VO: what’s your Business?

Me: I have a Luxury Clothing Brand VO: I am sorry you are not qualified for this Visa

If anyone has any advice or tips for the interview, I would really appreciate your help!

■■
How can you receive a genuine and honest application guidelines with this clueless narative ? Nobody knows single tips on your profile.

Even, The U.S consular as wiser as they are also rely absolutely on your DS-160 information in order to envision interview questionnaire. So how can someone who is not a magician give you genuine tips ? 👋

Efetobore1980:
■■
How can you receive a genuine and honest application guidelines with this your clueless narative ? Nobody knows single tips on your profile.

The U.S consular as wiser as they are also rely absolutely on your DS-160 information in order to interview you. So how can someone who is not a magician give you genuine tips ? 👋

hahhaa

Ashleydolls:
Hello Efe, Hello everyone,

Thank you for your continuous help. After lots of back and forth, I got a mail from the embassy that my pre approval has been approved.

However, as advised here, I had cancelled the appointment and started all over. They are now asking me to log into the cancelled appointment, and provided the ID. I do not know how to do that as I am logged in with the same mail.

Please, I need all the help I can get to move forward with to access the login and move forward with this. Thank you.

■■
Screenshot the copy of your email where they asked you to login to the canceled appointment for Nairalanders to see. 👋

Raph14:
Good day everyone, I’m new here and I need your help.

I recently had my U.S. visa refused under Section 214(b), and I’m currently planning to reapply. I’ve already deferred my admission to Spring 2026 so I can properly address any concerns that may have led to the refusal.

A bit about my background:

I hold a National Diploma in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

I have over 10 years of professional experience working as a System Administrator and IT Support Specialist.

In 2024, I launched my own Cybersecurity and IT startup, which is registered with CAC.

The main reason I’m pursuing a Master’s degree now is because I believe I need advanced knowledge in Cybersecurity to properly scale and lead my company towards the vision I have for it.

I’m single by personal choice and in my early 40s.

My visa interview experience:
I arrived at the embassy around 6:00 a.m. for my 7:00 a.m. appointment. People scheduled for 6:30 and 6:45 a.m. were already being called in, and eventually, those of us with 7:00 a.m. slots were also let in around 6:45.

After the security checks and administrative processing, I joined the queue for the visa interview. It was a tense atmosphere — one of the officers at Window 3, a young man likely in his early 30s, seemed very strict and was issuing a lot of refusals. I was really hoping not to end up at his window.

Thankfully, I was directed to a female officer, who had just interviewed and approved a woman who needed an interpreter. However, before me, I also saw her issue several refusals.

When it was finally my turn, the interview felt rushed. I tried to present my case clearly, but I wasn’t asked many follow-up questions. In the end, I was handed a blue refusal sheet under 214(b).

Transcript:
F-1 Visa Refused.
Attempt: First time
Interview date: June 30, 2025
Interview Time: 7:00am
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
GWU.
MSc in Cybersecurity.

Me: Good morning, officer.

VO: Good morning.

Me: How are you doing, Ma?

VO: Pass me your passport.

I placed my passport and I-20 in the tray. She scanned my passport.

VO: You were refused a Canadian visa in 2024?
Me: No, ma, in 2023 and 2024, I was refused a Canada Visa. The refusal was due to insufficient funds, as noted in the IRCC letters. However, my financial situation has since improved. I now have a merit scholarship from GW, and I’m on paid study leave from my current employer.

VO: I see you’re going to GW for a Master’s in Cybersecurity.

Me: Yes, ma’am. I’m going for my master’s in Cybersecurity to gain global exposure, and this course will equip me with advanced skills in cybersecurity—both technical and strategic, so I can better protect digital assets, respond to threats, and lead cybersecurity projects. Once I am done with the program, I plan to return to my current employer to take on senior roles.

NB: The reason I didn’t stop at simply answering “Yes” was because I had observed her while she interviewed others. She rarely asked more than three questions, and by the third, she usually seemed to have made up her mind. That’s why I decided to include information about my ties to home, just in case she didn’t ask any follow-up questions.

VO: Who is funding your education?

Me: Thank you for that question, officer. I received a merit scholarship from GWU covering my tuition—$xxxx, "My deficit is $25,000 after the scholarship". I have personal savings XX amount and study leave salary from current employer of xx amount to cover my living expenses, books and health.

At this point, she interrupted with “OK” and she stood up, moved away briefly like someone that want to stretch her body, and returned. I offered to show my bank statement, study leave approval from employer and scholarship documents, but she said it wasn’t necessary.

As I attempted to continue, she said, “Thank you for applying for a U.S. visa,” and initially picked up a white sheet, but then switched to the blue refusal sheet and said, “I’m refusing your visa. The blue sheet explains all the details.”


The whole experience was emotionally draining — watching people get denied one after the other while waiting for your turn is not easy.

I agree that it can be an emotionally draining experience. You blurred out your savings so I can't tell if you can cover your expenses. The deficit is also high. The reason for the denial is in the notes - so you know your circumstances better than anyone.

Well, you have the option of applying again.
You can study the course online in many US universities.
You can try another country for your study.
You can also try other visa routes to the US if your intention is to migrate.
I wish you the very best.

Timshin:
How can that even work on F1 visas. It means after three months, we renew and pay more money.

All visas to the US are solely to present yourself at the point of entry, at which admission would be determined by the CBP officer. That said, there is something called an I-94 document for every registered traveler to the US. This document contains the REAL status of your stay in the US.

Student petitions/visas usually reflect a " D/S", or "duration of studies," on the applicants' I-94 status once granted. which means you can stay till the end of your studies.

The validity of the visa only affects the period of travel, NOT the period of stay, which is determined by the I-94. your visa could expire, and your stay in the US would still be valid depending on your i-94 status

The only issue is that once you begin your studies, it would be very inconvenient to have to travel outside the US because you will then need another visa to re-enter each time you leave.

Either way, it's a very inconvenient policy for Nigerian travelers. Those that have it worse are visitors, tourists, and business travelers whose I-94 is automatically tied to the visa duration and cannot, for any reason, stay beyond the 3-month limit.

Thank you for this insightful analysis.

snoopy:
All visas to the US are solely to present yourself at the point of entry, at which admission would be determined by the CBP officer. That said, there is something called an I-94 document for every registered traveler to the US. This document contains the REAL status of your stay in the US.

Student petitions/visas usually reflect a " D/S", or "duration of studies," on the applicants' I-94 status once granted. which means you can stay till the end of your studies.

The validity of the visa only affects the period of travel, NOT the period of stay, which is determined by the I-94. your visa could expire, and your stay in the US would still be valid depending on your i-94 status

The only issue is that once you begin your studies, it would be very inconvenient to have to travel outside the US because you will then need another visa to re-enter each time you leave.

Either way, it's a very inconvenient policy for Nigerian travelers. Those that have it worse are visitors, tourists, and business travelers whose I-94 is automatically tied to the visa duration and cannot, for any reason, stay beyond the 3-month limit.

Efetobore1980:
■■
Screenshot the copy of your email where they asked you to login to the canceled appointment for Nairalanders to see. 👋

Here.

Ashleydolls:
Here.

■■
I personally advised you to send an email to the U.S embassy and copy AVITS in which you acknowledged the directive. How come you went to open another AVITS profile ?

Go back to your old profile and navigate pending appointment. If you feel like you are not getting it at all pls look for a close person to assist you. 👍

[quote author=Efetobore1980 post=136044227]Thank you for the clarification.

Efetobore1980:
■■
I personally advised you to send an email to the U.S embassy and copy AVITS in which you acknowledged the directive. How come you went to open another AVITS profile ?

Go back to your old profile and navigate pending appointment. If you feel like you are not getting it at all pls look for a close person to assist you. 👍

You asked that I cancelled that appointment. Please go through the thread.

A new ATVIS profile wasn’t opened. I cancelled the appointment, raised a ticket to make my concern and that was the response.

The mail you earlier advised I send didn’t get any attention as I didn’t get response even till now, and it is on that basis you suggested cancellation of the appointment to start afresh.

The profile like I earlier mentioned is still the same and not a new one.

If anyone knows the way out of this, please help.

@efetobore1980; @everyone

Please advise. I have applied for emergency appointment but yet to pay my SEVIS Fee. Is it advisable to proceed to pay now or should I wait till the application for expedited request is granted.

Thank you

P.S. Is it usual that there is no indication of the application permanently reflected on the AVITS portal. Please note I got a notice of submission but that was all.

Ashleydolls:
You asked that I cancelled that appointment. Please go through the thread.

A new ATVIS profile wasn’t opened. I cancelled the appointment, raised a ticket to make my concern and that was the response.

The mail you earlier advised I send didn’t get any attention as I didn’t get response even till now, and it is on that basis you suggested cancellation of the appointment to start afresh.

The profile like I earlier mentioned is still the same and not a new one.

If anyone knows the way out of this, please help.

■■
The mail I asked you to send is the official recommendation, or did you send it to my office email address?

Don't turn yourself into an ingrate by attacking me when you have failed to do the needful. The email copy you attached to Nairaland is edited so stop trolling yourself.

■ Nobody is going to tell you diffrent thing other than my recommendation because it's official recommendation. Stop causing confusion for yourself. 👋

Pacesetter2:
@efetobore1980; @everyone

Please advise. I have applied for emergency appointment but yet to pay my SEVIS Fee. Is it advisable to proceed to pay now or should I wait till the application for expedited request is granted.

Thank you

P.S. Is it usual that there is no indication of the application permanently reflected on the AVITS portal. Please note I got a notice of submission but that was all.

■■
No one will advice you to not pay SEVIS fee. The validity period is 1-year. Go and pay it while you are hoping for your expedite appointment approval.

■ Embassy may omit approval notification or it can be caused by a system glitch, but approval email is usually sent. The best way is to keep clicking on " Reschedule ", twice in a day after 24 - 48hrs of request. 👍

Ashleydolls:
You asked that I cancelled that appointment. Please go through the thread.

A new ATVIS profile wasn’t opened. I cancelled the appointment, raised a ticket to make my concern and that was the response.

The mail you earlier advised I send didn’t get any attention as I didn’t get response even till now, and it is on that basis you suggested cancellation of the appointment to start afresh.

The profile like I earlier mentioned is still the same and not a new one.

If anyone knows the way out of this, please help.

Ashley send me an email.

Efetobore1980:
■■
No one will advice you to not pay SEVIS fee. The validity period is 1-year. Go and pay it while you are hoping for your expedite appointment approval.

■ Embassy may omit approval notification or it can be caused by a system glitch, but approval email is usually sent. The best way is to keep clicking on " Reschedule ", twice in a day after 24/48hrs or request. 👍

Many thanks for your response.

Good day, sir. Thank you for your input and advice; it's well appreciated. COA = $62,132, Scholarship = $37,132, deficit = $25,000 covered by personal savings.

studyless123:
I agree that it can be an emotionally draining experience. You blurred out your savings so I can't tell if you can cover your expenses. The deficit is also high. The reason for the denial is in the notes - so you know your circumstances better than anyone.

Well, you have the option of applying again.
You can study the course online in many US universities.
You can try another country for your study.
You can also try other visa routes to the US if your intention is to migrate.
I wish you the very best.

kamsy101:
Ashley send me an email.

Thank you.

Efetobore1980:
■■
The mail I asked you to send is the official recommendation, or did you send it to my office email address?

Don't turn yourself into an ingrate by attacking me when you have failed to do the needful. The email copy you attached to Nairaland is edited so stop trolling yourself.

■ Nobody is going to tell you diffrent thing other than my recommendation because it's official recommendation. Stop causing confusion for yourself. 👋

lol. You really do not know what you are saying or you are failing to read through all that was sent.

Your recommendation led to error and you’re talking about trolling and not doing the needful? When I did all you suggested every step of the way.

Simply say you cannot advise on this going forward as you are not sure of the next step. There is no shame in that, after all, you were only trying to help out, nothing more.

Email I shared was edited? Even after I told you what I shared was their response to a ticket I raised after they didn’t respond to the mail you asked that I sent.

Sit this one out, you know nothing on how to go about it. There is no shame in saying it is beyond you. Stop trolling yourself.