₦airaland Forum

Efetobore1980:
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It will be illogical to say all F1 visa applicants will end with AP. If this reasoning is put in operation then all F1 visa applicant must arrive late to school, their f1 visa processing will take longer and there will be lot of backlogs in which there will be a gap-year which the
U.S embassies will not take in F1 visa applications in order to clear the awaiting APs..

Ipso facto, I don't want to believe that 40% of Nigerians are on Nairaland , therefore we should not be judging an individual applicant experience as a specimen for all applicants in Nigerian .

The majority of AP I have personally seen are for Phds and their AP is not because of Social Media verification. Few of the BSC and Msc I have seen were those who listed social medias but did not open their privacy settings to PUBLIC. Those who indicated social medias and open their privacy settings in the beginning of their applications does not necessarily have to be place on AP except for other background checks.

In summary: AP is not compulsory for all F1 visa applicants. I have seen few applicants who did not list social medias. Social media verification is done in few minutes by Computer (automatic or Artificial Intelligence method) and you will only be placed on compulsory AP if the computer red-alert you.

PS: This is my personal research so far from related applicant experiences, reliable sources information and my common sense. IT IS NOT OFFICIAL. 👍

Tashi95:
This is completely wrong. All F1 Visa applicant will be placed on AP- Since the new social media check rule.. I was on a group chat with over 300 F1 applicants PHD, Bachelors, Masters, all on AP.

The approval timeline is what is different. They have backlogs, but so far Lagos embassy has been more proactive, with people getting approved in 24 to 48 hours after being placed on AP. Abuja is the opposite. I've been on AP since June and I had my interview in Abuja.

Poormanpikin:
Which is faster or better between Pay4Me and Western Union? Asking for a friend.

Efetobore1980:
Its not completely wrong. Are you a staff at the U.S embassy? I have seen more than 6 F1 visa applicants with straight forward visa stampings who came out of interview with visa collection slips. I will never buy the idea coming from any group chats because many of them come out being deceived with misconceptions.

You and I are not working at the embassy so don't come out and say completely wrong without any official evidences.

U. S embassy never write it anywhere that all F1 visa applicants will be placed on compulsory Administrative Processing. Even if all your group members were placed on 221g your numbers is not even up to a pinch of the whole population. Pls don't turn general thinking into a rule.

Attached is the origin of Social Media Vetting. President Trump is focusing on the Ivy League Schools (especially Harvard University) before they eventually compulsory it to all US institutions. 👍

Oluwaseun2025:
It's interesting how you try to use your logic to explain everything even when the current reality is far off from what you're saying. It's the truth that everyone is now being placed on AP in Nigeria. The current reality is that you're either refused under 221(g) or denied under 214(b). The only thing is that the length of time it takes for those placed on AP to get approved differs.

Efetobore1980:
WU wins in both faster and better. Pay4Me is just coming up and building reputation. 👍

gracefoundmme:
I used pay4me and it’s fast. You can also try Vesti.

Except you know someone over there that can pay for you. Not someone you randomly meet online ooo so you don’t get scammed o.

Naijadentist2bx:
Hii , I need some advice on my F1 visa renewal situation.

I started my undergrad in the U.S. in 2024, majoring in Health Sciences (Nursing concentration with a Dental minor). I’ve completed 3 semesters with a 3.69 GPA and earned both President’s List and Dean’s List honors.

I first got my visa from another ECOWAS country since my dad was a diplomat there. But this year, I applied for the first time in Nigeria and was denied. I later tried in another West African country where slots were available but was refused again.

Looking back, I take responsibility because I didn’t present my case well. At the first renewal interview, the questions felt more like a first-time applicant interview rather than one for a continuing student, and they seemed very focused on my uncle in the U.S. and I now realize I could have answered them much better. At the time, my dad had passed and my mum had just become my main sponsor, so my financial presentation looked disorganized.

Now things are clearer:
• I have my mum’s full financial documents and tuition receipts.
• My I-94 travel history shows I always returned to Nigeria whenever school wasn’t in session (I even had 4 months left on my visa when it was canceled).
• My school is allowing me to take classes online this semester and will be issuing me a new I-20 with remarks they believe will support me for my next interview.

Questions:
1. Has anyone here been approved after multiple refusals?
2. Should I reapply soon with these stronger documents or wait longer?
3. Do you think I’ll have any luck getting an appointment in Abuja for Spring 2026 or Fall 2026?
4. Any advice on structuring DS-160 and interview answers so I come across more clearly?

Thanks, any guidance would really help 🙏

Naijadentist2bx:
Hii , I need some advice on my F1 visa renewal situation.

I started my undergrad in the U.S. in 2024, majoring in Health Sciences (Nursing concentration with a Dental minor). I’ve completed 3 semesters with a 3.69 GPA and earned both President’s List and Dean’s List honors.

I first got my visa from another ECOWAS country since my dad was a diplomat there. But this year, I applied for the first time in Nigeria and was denied. I later tried in another West African country where slots were available but was refused again.

Looking back, I take responsibility because I didn’t present my case well. At the first renewal interview, the questions felt more like a first-time applicant interview rather than one for a continuing student, and they seemed very focused on my uncle in the U.S. and I now realize I could have answered them much better. At the time, my dad had passed and my mum had just become my main sponsor, so my financial presentation looked disorganized.

Now things are clearer:
• I have my mum’s full financial documents and tuition receipts.
• My I-94 travel history shows I always returned to Nigeria whenever school wasn’t in session (I even had 4 months left on my visa when it was canceled).
• My school is allowing me to take classes online this semester and will be issuing me a new I-20 with remarks they believe will support me for my next interview.

Questions:
1. Has anyone here been approved after multiple refusals?
2. Should I reapply soon with these stronger documents or wait longer?
3. Do you think I’ll have any luck getting an appointment in Abuja for Spring 2026 or Fall 2026?
4. Any advice on structuring DS-160 and interview answers so I come across more clearly?

Thanks, any guidance would really help 🙏

Naijadentist2bx:
[b]I came here to share my experience and get help, not to have someone make disrespectful assumptions about my late father. My dad passed away during the school year, and I chose to renew my visa in the summer because I wanted to be with my family during breaks rather than staying back.

I live in Nigeria when school isn’t in session and I’ve always returned home consistently. I haven’t broken a single rule or regulation on my F1, and I have a letter from my DSO confirming that I’ve maintained proper status.

Your write up is not only inaccurate but also incredibly disrespectful. For context, I got into my university with straight A’s in my IGCSEs and a 1350 SAT score at just 14–15 years old. I also have a genuine passion for dentistry, which was clear to the VO who first issued my visa.

It was my first time applying in Nigeria, and the atmosphere was completely different. The process felt rushed and impersonal, and the questions I was asked like “have you been to the U.S.” and “what other schools did you apply to” showed the VO hadn’t even read my DS-160. I was even the one who asked what the refusal meant for my still-valid visa , and that’s when the VO canceled it. At my next interview in another country, the officer was much more understanding and encouraged me to try again in Nigeria.

I’ve admitted I could have prepared better had I known how different Nigerian interviews are, but don’t twist my words into baseless theories or try to rewrite my story.
Thank you very much.

[/b]

Otelsmyg:
Hello everyone,

If a particular consular officer have denied one of visa previously, and the person reapplies again and the person happens to see himself before the same consular officer that denied him, can the person decline to be interviewed by the same consular officer and request to be interviewed by another consular officer that hasn't interviewed him previously?

NB: I have been denied by the 2 males at Lagos Consulate in August 2023 and June 2025.

Efetobore1980:
No one is rewriting your story. You should not have come public asking for advice. You must expect different opinions on public forum. Stop deceiving yourself . You will soon appreciate the honest response.

snoopy:
You can give advice without being disrespectful. He is right. your response sounded insensitive. He lost his father! The best you could do was offer your advice while condoling. Not make blanket statements/assumptions that his late father used his office for untoward practices without having the facts of the matter. This further response shows an obvious lack of emotional intelligence.

Otelsmyg:
Hello everyone,

If a particular consular officer have denied one of visa previously, and the person reapplies again and the person happens to see himself before the same consular officer that denied him, can the person decline to be interviewed by the same consular officer and request to be interviewed by another consular officer that hasn't interviewed him previously?

NB: I have been denied by the 2 males at Lagos Consulate in August 2023 and June 2025.

Naijadentist2bx:
I understand that people will have different opinions, but I think it’s important those opinions are shared respectfully. Bringing up my late father in such a way was unnecessary and hurtful, especially since he was not involved in anything of that nature. I also worked very hard to earn my admission and initial visa, so it’s unfair to dismiss that. A diplomat in one country cannot influence the approval of a visa to another, that’s common knowledge. I’d appreciate if responses could stick to the facts I shared rather than assumptions.

Naijadentist2bx:
Thank you for your response. When my visa was canceled, the officer just used a red pen to write “canceled” with the date, so I’m fairly certain it was without prejudice.

Honestly, I might just look into transferring to a school that accepts my credits and finishing my degree elsewhere because the stress has been a lot. I don’t believe there’s any adverse information against me or my family, though of course I can never be 100% sure.

I personally think my first denial came down more to how the interview went. I was caught off guard, my answers weren’t strong, and I lacked confidence. That may have left some notes on my profile that worked against me. I can’t recall every detail word-for-word, so I don’t want to write a bad transcript, but I truly feel it was my performance at the interview rather than my actual situation that led to the refusals.

zichien:
I apologize for the prior inconsiderate responses from the group. I have sent you a PM so we can talk and I can advise you.
-I am worried that the consular offices are worried about your financial status with your dad's passing. As we know the typical Nigerian family story of riches to rags with the passing of the primary bread winner. I know that is not the case for you. But just wondering if that may play into the factor.
-And as you said for your first renewal you went unprepared, as at the time of your 1st interview, your dad's status meant you werent subjected to rigorous questions that a typical Naija US visa applicant is used to, and are well prepared for.. so I can imagine the visa officer feeling like you are not prepared. And one rejection, makes it easier for the 2nd renewal to be rejected, meaning that you would need to be more proactive for the 3rd process.
-I am happy to talk with you, via text, email, etc just to get a sense of how I can help, and can ask others I know who were refused their renewals, but ultimately were successful the steps they went through.
-Also FYI i have heard its easier to renew via canada and you dont necessarily have to come to the US
-Just so you know that all hope is not lost, there's been a rash of folks being denied renewal or being stuck in Nigeria after traveling for visa renewal . This has been going on even before this current administration.

kimpoyo13:
The consulate discourages applicants from emailing for updates until 60 days. I'm on 54 days now.