₦airaland Forum

Hi everyone,

I will appreciate some advise regarding my mums application. She is 65. We submitted the DS form October 2024 and have an appointment for March 2026. Her purpose of visiting is to see her son and new grandchildren x 2. She has been to the UK and also Canada ( got back from Canada a week ago ) so has a decent travel history.

My mum is hard of hearing and struggles with the "oyinbo" accent. Her recent hearing tests shows she needs hearing aids and we are in the process of getting one. I think she may struggle with the interview alone and wondered if one of her children ( me ) may accompany her to the interview?. I am not applying for a visa and solely there to support her.

My second question is , i am looking to bring her appointment forward to later this year ( before the end of 2025 ). If i am successful, would i need to do anything in terms of her application form ?

Thank you all for your anticipated help.

Thank you for your response.

1) How will i go about letting them know she needs this support i.e. me or my sibling accompanying her? Do i just show up with her at the consulate? or do i need to apply somewhere as an accompanying child? i am not resident in Nigeria but will be home when she will be attending her appointment. Will that pose an issue or maybe my sibling who is resident and lives in Nigeria accompany her? Neither of us would be applying for a visa.

2) Regarding her DS160 - after filling a new one , does she take with her to her appointment or she has to update it on her AVITS portal? Out of interest, how long is the validity of a DS160 form?

Thanks a lot.

Efetobore1980:
■

In order word, Mama needs interpreter or an accompanying family member, but I will recommend the latter (you) because embassy interpreter most times might not represent applicant's messages accurately.

Her DS-160 is outdated or has expired, hence you have to fill a new one with her current information, passport photo, and travel itinerary.

■¤¤ As per the accompanying child, you must equip yourself with stronger ties to Nigeria.

Taal17:
Submit your form, try to print the form of possible so you know what you filled.

Based on others I'd say don't use a USD card some people have not had success with it. Might be better to go 1st bank and pay.

ok sir, I have already printed the form out. So when I submit the next place to go to is Avit right?

Are they currently issuing 3 month B2 visa now as the US said?Any one who got B2 visa recently?It used to be 2 years

TheEnforcer:
Are they currently issuing 3 month B2 visa now as the US said?Any one who got B2 visa recently?It used to be 2 years

Its been changed to 3 months single entry for awhile now

Endoscope:
Thank you for your response.

1) How will i go about letting them know she needs this support i.e. me or my sibling accompanying her? Do i just show up with her at the consulate? or do i need to apply somewhere as an accompanying child? i am not resident in Nigeria but will be home when she will be attending her appointment. Will that pose an issue or maybe my sibling who is resident and lives in Nigeria accompany her? Neither of us would be applying for a visa.

2) Regarding her DS160 - after filling a new one , does she take with her to her appointment or she has to update it on her AVITS portal? Out of interest, how long is the validity of a DS160 form?

Thanks a lot.

To be honest, if nothing has changed from the time you initially submitted ds 160 then no need to fill another.

You or sibling can go with her, when you get there you'll know if you can enter.

Embassy has interpreters so someone would be there if she asks for one during the interview.

There is nothing like accompanying child cos you're are all adults.

Kossyfelicia:
ok sir, I have already printed the form out. So when I submit the next place to go to is Avit right?

You can register on Avits, though you need to have paid before you can book appointment.

Taal17:
You can register on Avits, though you need to have paid before you can book appointment.

ok sir. If you can enlighten me on how to book appointment using Avit step by step guide I will highly appreciate sir 🙏 so sorry for disturbing you. Thanks

IvoryT:
Hello, share your visa interview transcript if you don't mind. Thanks

Sorry, I haven't had time to come on here.

V.O: Hi, so what's your purpose for wanting to travel to the United States?
Me: For my annual vacation
V.O: Where in the United States would you be travelling to?
Me: New York
V.O: Why New York?
Me: Oh because New York has some good tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square...
V.O.: Have you travelled before?
Me: Yes I have, I've been to the UK twice, 2023 and 2024.. and then this year to Barbados.
V.O: Do you have friends in the UK?
Me: Yes I do
V.O: What do you do for work?
Me: I'm a banker, I work with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
V.O: Would you be travelling alone?
Me: Yes.
V.O: why?
Me: Oh I'll be travelling alone because my wife would be busy with work and our new born.
V.O: Oh You have kids?
Me: Yes
V.O: How many?
Me: Just one, our daughter.
V.O: Are you looking at having more?
Me: Oh yes we do.

He then went on to type for like 30secs and then goes: "I'm sorry you do not qualify for a visa at this blah blah blah"

Inside my mind I was like Oga give me my passport make I dey go house abeg

Kossyfelicia:
ok sir. If you can enlighten me on how to book appointment using Avit step by step guide I will highly appreciate sir 🙏 so sorry for disturbing you. Thanks

Anyone who can share steps with her please?
@Ashirioluwa

Machini:
Sorry, I haven't had time to come on here.

V.O: Hi, so what's your purpose for wanting to travel to the United States?
Me: For my annual vacation
V.O: Where in the United States would you be travelling to?
Me: New York
V.O: Why New York?
Me: Oh because New York has some good tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square...
V.O.: Have you travelled before?
Me: Yes I have, I've been to the UK twice, 2023 and 2024.. and then this year to Barbados.
V.O: Do you have friends in the UK?
Me: Yes I do
V.O: What do you do for work?
Me: I'm a banker, I work with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
V.O: Would you be travelling alone?
Me: Yes.
V.O: why?
Me: Oh I'll be travelling alone because my wife would be busy with work and our new born.
V.O: Oh You have kids?
Me: Yes
V.O: How many?
Me: Just one, our daughter.
V.O: Are you looking at having more?
Me: Oh yes we do.

He then went on to type for like 30secs and then goes: "I'm sorry you do not qualify for a visa at this blah blah blah"

Inside my mind I was like Oga give me my passport make I dey go house abeg

Sorry to hear about your refusal


But to me the only reasons why I felt it might have been refused was because

You said annual vacation and you already traveled to Barbados this year
And you're planning on traveling again let's say December. ..


And you just had a new born (let's say few months old )and you're planning on traveling again

sorry to hear about your refusal.

The US has a very high regard for family institution and the VO possibly couldnt process how you'ld be going on a "vacation" all by yourself, without your wife and kid. OR, why you are going on a vacation at all when you are supposed to be with your wife (who really isn't supposed to be "busy" working after just giving birth) and her new born. You were able to provide adequate ties to home country but the motive wasnt established because, too many open ends.

Machini:
Sorry, I haven't had time to come on here.

V.O: Hi, so what's your purpose for wanting to travel to the United States?
Me: For my annual vacation
V.O: Where in the United States would you be travelling to?
Me: New York
V.O: Why New York?
Me: Oh because New York has some good tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square...
V.O.: Have you travelled before?
Me: Yes I have, I've been to the UK twice, 2023 and 2024.. and then this year to Barbados.
V.O: Do you have friends in the UK?
Me: Yes I do
V.O: What do you do for work?
Me: I'm a banker, I work with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
V.O: Would you be travelling alone?
Me: Yes.
V.O: why?
Me: Oh I'll be travelling alone because my wife would be busy with work and our new born.
V.O: Oh You have kids?
Me: Yes
V.O: How many?
Me: Just one, our daughter.
V.O: Are you looking at having more?
Me: Oh yes we do.

He then went on to type for like 30secs and then goes: "I'm sorry you do not qualify for a visa at this blah blah blah"

Inside my mind I was like Oga give me my passport make I dey go house abeg

realone1917:
Good evening guys, I'm traveling from Lagos - London - New York. Through British Airways.
I will have layover at Heathrow, Do I need to get transit visa to enter Heathrow? Or I'm going to get it at Heathrow?

you don't need a transit visa

Machini:
Sorry, I haven't had time to come on here.

V.O: Hi, so what's your purpose for wanting to travel to the United States?
Me: For my annual vacation
V.O: Where in the United States would you be travelling to?
Me: New York
V.O: Why New York?
Me: Oh because New York has some good tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square...
V.O.: Have you travelled before?
Me: Yes I have, I've been to the UK twice, 2023 and 2024.. and then this year to Barbados.
V.O: Do you have friends in the UK?
Me: Yes I do
V.O: What do you do for work?
Me: I'm a banker, I work with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
V.O: Would you be travelling alone?
Me: Yes.
V.O: why?
Me: Oh I'll be travelling alone because my wife would be busy with work and our new born.
V.O: Oh You have kids?
Me: Yes
V.O: How many?
Me: Just one, our daughter.
V.O: Are you looking at having more?
Me: Oh yes we do.

He then went on to type for like 30secs and then goes: "I'm sorry you do not qualify for a visa at this blah blah blah"

Inside my mind I was like Oga give me my passport make I dey go house abeg

I’ll add my two cents without prejudice to what others have commented. I wish to state you did nothing wrong at all. A different visa officer or probably an interview in a different US embassy would have gotten you the visa, forget about all these analysts pontificating about what went wrong without having the full picture.
I speak from experience. Peace.

Machini:
Sorry, I haven't had time to come on here.

V.O: Hi, so what's your purpose for wanting to travel to the United States?
Me: For my annual vacation
V.O: Where in the United States would you be travelling to?
Me: New York
V.O: Why New York?
Me: Oh because New York has some good tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square...
V.O.: Have you travelled before?
Me: Yes I have, I've been to the UK twice, 2023 and 2024.. and then this year to Barbados.
V.O: Do you have friends in the UK?
Me: Yes I do
V.O: What do you do for work?
Me: I'm a banker, I work with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
V.O: Would you be travelling alone?
Me: Yes.
V.O: why?
Me: Oh I'll be travelling alone because my wife would be busy with work and our new born.
V.O: Oh You have kids?
Me: Yes
V.O: How many?
Me: Just one, our daughter.
V.O: Are you looking at having more?
Me: Oh yes we do.

He then went on to type for like 30secs and then goes: "I'm sorry you do not qualify for a visa at this blah blah blah"

Inside my mind I was like Oga give me my passport make I dey go house abeg

I was almost certain that you were going to get it!

Its well.

We need to learn to answer questions directed at us and not add to it until the interviewer asks for more information.

Machini:
Sorry, I haven't had time to come on here.

V.O: Hi, so what's your purpose for wanting to travel to the United States?
Me: For my annual vacation
V.O: Where in the United States would you be travelling to?
Me: New York
V.O: Why New York?
Me: Oh because New York has some good tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square...
V.O.: Have you travelled before?
Me: Yes I have, I've been to the UK twice, 2023 and 2024.. and then this year to Barbados.
V.O: Do you have friends in the UK?
Me: Yes I do
V.O: What do you do for work?
Me: I'm a banker, I work with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
V.O: Would you be travelling alone?
Me: Yes.
V.O: why?
Me: Oh I'll be travelling alone because my wife would be busy with work and our new born.
V.O: Oh You have kids?
Me: Yes
V.O: How many?
Me: Just one, our daughter.
V.O: Are you looking at having more?
Me: Oh yes we do.

He then went on to type for like 30secs and then goes: "I'm sorry you do not qualify for a visa at this blah blah blah"

Inside my mind I was like Oga give me my passport make I dey go house abeg

Don’t mind all these analysts, the only problem you had was being a Nigerian. You would have gotten the visa if you were from another country even Benin or Ghana.

Machini:
Sorry, I haven't had time to come on here.

V.O: Hi, so what's your purpose for wanting to travel to the United States?
Me: For my annual vacation
V.O: Where in the United States would you be travelling to?
Me: New York
V.O: Why New York?
Me: Oh because New York has some good tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square...
V.O.: Have you travelled before?
Me: Yes I have, I've been to the UK twice, 2023 and 2024.. and then this year to Barbados.
V.O: Do you have friends in the UK?
Me: Yes I do
V.O: What do you do for work?
Me: I'm a banker, I work with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
V.O: Would you be travelling alone?
Me: Yes.
V.O: why?
Me: Oh I'll be travelling alone because my wife would be busy with work and our new born.
V.O: Oh You have kids?
Me: Yes
V.O: How many?
Me: Just one, our daughter.
V.O: Are you looking at having more?
Me: Oh yes we do.

He then went on to type for like 30secs and then goes: "I'm sorry you do not qualify for a visa at this blah blah blah"

Inside my mind I was like Oga give me my passport make I dey go house abeg

You did nothing wrong. The visa officer did not want to approve the visa for reasons best known to him or her.

I suggest you reapply whenever you are in the mood.

THUNDER4real:
Don’t mind all these analysts, the only problem you had was being a Nigerian. You would have gotten the visa if you were from another country even Benin or Ghana.

Well you're very right
But you need to understand that it's not always the VOs fault but the situation and economy of our country

If we have a better economy
They won't receive as much applications they receive daily


But all the best to those who have their interviews coming up
Good luck and congratulations in advance 🦅

Endoscope:
Hi everyone,

I will appreciate some advise regarding my mums application. She is 65. We submitted the DS form October 2024 and have an appointment for March 2026. Her purpose of visiting is to see her son and new grandchildren x 2. She has been to the UK and also Canada ( got back from Canada a week ago ) so has a decent travel history.

My mum is hard of hearing and struggles with the "oyinbo" accent. Her recent hearing tests shows she needs hearing aids and we are in the process of getting one. I think she may struggle with the interview alone and wondered if one of her children ( me ) may accompany her to the interview?. I am not applying for a visa and solely there to support her.

My second question is , i am looking to bring her appointment forward to later this year ( before the end of 2025 ). If i am successful, would i need to do anything in terms of her application form ?

Thank you all for your anticipated help.

I doubt they will let you go in with her for the interview since the embassy has translators whose jobs are to assist non-native English speakers and people who have trouble hearing the American accent.

If you are able to reschedule her interview, all you have to do is print out the new appointment date.

Appointment rescheduling does not affect the application you already submitted.

Machini:
Sorry, I haven't had time to come on here.

V.O: Hi, so what's your purpose for wanting to travel to the United States?
Me: For my annual vacation
V.O: Where in the United States would you be travelling to?
Me: New York
V.O: Why New York?
Me: Oh because New York has some good tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square...
V.O.: Have you travelled before?
Me: Yes I have, I've been to the UK twice, 2023 and 2024.. and then this year to Barbados.
V.O: Do you have friends in the UK?
Me: Yes I do
V.O: What do you do for work?
Me: I'm a banker, I work with Guaranty Trust Bank as a Relationship Manager.
V.O: Would you be travelling alone?
Me: Yes.
V.O: why?
Me: Oh I'll be travelling alone because my wife would be busy with work and our new born.
V.O: Oh You have kids?
Me: Yes
V.O: How many?
Me: Just one, our daughter.
V.O: Are you looking at having more?
Me: Oh yes we do.

He then went on to type for like 30secs and then goes: "I'm sorry you do not qualify for a visa at this blah blah blah"

Inside my mind I was like Oga give me my passport make I dey go house abeg

You did really well with you interview and your profile is sound enough. The VO based his/her decision on emotion and prejudice. If you still have your UK visa, go to the Uk and enjoy yourself. Find time to travel together with your family to other countries, after then you can apply to the US again. Keep you heads up

America001:
I’ll add my two cents without prejudice to what others have commented. I wish to state you did nothing wrong at all. A different visa officer or probably an interview in a different US embassy would have gotten you the visa, forget about all these analysts pontificating about what went wrong without having the full picture.
I speak from experience. Peace.

Of course! I pay no mind to them.
Thanks.

Machini:
Of course! I pay no mind to them.
Thanks.

Everything previous posters told you is based on experience. You might not be successful if you don't make the necessary adjustments like they advised you. It is rare to see someone taking two holidays in a year without his family. Na automatic red flag. Also something about bankers have been said in the previous threads. Either part 2 or 3. I wish the old timers will comment and point out the errors in your application.

Hello everyone,
Please do we have someone here whose visa has been recently approved to attend a conference as a non presenter? Please feel free to reach out. Thank you!

flourishing247:
Everything previous posters told you is based on experience. You might not be successful if you don't make the necessary adjustments like they advised you. It is rare to see someone taking two holidays in a year without his family. Na automatic red flag. Also something about bankers have been said in the previous threads. Either part 2 or 3. I wish the old timers will comment and point out the errors in your application.

Thanks so much for your input. I appreciate.

Well, to address some of the things you raised:

It was never my intention to travel again this year. In my application, I stated I would be travelling in June 2026. Also, my trip this year to Barbados was with my wife, before she gave birth of course.

I appreciate the corrections and all, but there's no denying the fact that the system is prejudiced!

Once again, thanks.

I'll also like to know what was said in the previous threads about bankers.. we dey carry customers money run?? 🤣

Machini:
Thanks so much for your input. I appreciate.

Well, to address some of the things you raised:

It was never my intention to travel again this year. In my application, I stated I would be travelling in June 2026. Also, my trip this year to Barbados was with my wife, before she gave birth of course.

I appreciate the corrections and all, but there's no denying the fact that the system is prejudiced!

Once again, thanks.

I'll also like to know what was said in the previous threads about bankers.. we dey carry customers money run?? 🤣

Ohhh you should have rescheduled if that was the case
They only issue 3 months single entry visas for non immigrants
And I don't think there's anything the consular could have done .

flourishing247:
Everything previous posters told you is based on experience. You might not be successful if you don't make the necessary adjustments like they advised you. It is rare to see someone taking two holidays in a year without his family. Na automatic red flag. Also something about bankers have been said in the previous threads. Either part 2 or 3. I wish the old timers will comment and point out the errors in your application.

It is not rare nor odd for anyone to take 2 holidays within a year without their family. My clients do it regularly. They just wanted to deny him the visa based on reasons best known to them.

Hello friends. I have my visa interview appointment next week,but my planned event and travel date is October 2026. Please what's the advice due to the current 3 months single entry policy, should I reschedule or will they likely give the visa in view. I need your candid advice based on recent developments. Thanks in anticipation

Hello Sir. Thanks a lot for your kind and prompt feedback. I honestly thought about it along same line.
I was wondering if they can give the visa ahead.

Really going to reschedule. Thanks again.

Efetobore1980:
■


If you happen to encounter a lenient consular officer , you might be place on 221g and ask you to reschedule your appointment towards the approaching period of the event.

A hard-line consular will very likely deny your visa outrightly based on bad-timing and ask you to reapply.

If you are going for the event genuinely it is better you reschedule your appointment to a future date (ie August/Sept , 2026). Otherwise you can fill another DS-160, make Accomodation arrangement towards December 2025 and tell the consular you re going on Xmas vacation.