Akaraiwe:
@ajalaonifaaji

Your story tempts me to share mine. Walahi, I wont
talk.....After the recession maybe I will talk.

@Akaraiwe you gonna wait till after recession to share your vac experience?? That's kinda odd...Venezuela are currently in their 3rd year of recession, God knows how long Nigeria's own gonna last....we might have to wait till forever to hear your story.

ajalaonifaaji:


@Akaraiwe you gonna wait till after recession to share your vac experience?? That's kinda odd...Venezuela are currently in their 3rd year of recession, God knows how long Nigeria's own gonna last....we might have to wait till forever to hear your story.

...And when there is life, there's hope in abundance!

seyewest:
@ajalaonifaaji @2n2k Although they don't stamp out when you leave the U.S I know they will scan your passport on exit which is not really different from manual stamping. @ajalaonifaaji that means that we should expect CRonaldo Junior in 9 months... Oshey

Thanks for clarifying, my mind is at peace now, I thought it was a peculiar problem... Buh now I know that's how they roll. Scanning and stamping I believe are two different things. All Intl airports have travelled through have scanned my passport, even Nigeria immigration scans it when you are existing as well as when you arrive, I think its an International immigration protocol.

As for the CR junior, I don't know where you got that from...heheheheh, you no like Nani Jr or Queresma Jr....lol...Baba tried his possible best not to sow seeds abroad, just to check the fertility of the land....that's all!

ifeoluwasegun:


...And when there is life, there's hope in abundance!

That's the spirit bro. Adiye ti oku shi ma ja'gbado....let's hope they don't finish sharing the agbado at the top...the adiye might be left with no other option.

2n2k:


Even Nigeria scans on arrival and exit . I am yet to see any country that doesn't scan. That is why the world immigration body insist on machine readable passports - MRP.

However linking immigration system with airline system is peculiar to few countries like US and UK. France still does manual stamping in addition to scanning.

@2n2k Thanks for sharing, I think am safe now. All countries scan passports to check the authenticity of the travel ID but some countries do not stamp at all....I know of Isreal... They just issue you a slip on arrival....no stamp what so ever, even on departure.

@

ajalaonifaaj. Your vac experience was great. Will be visiting Atlanta GA and Brooklyn NY in November. If the Airbnb you used is in Brooklyn area, will like to have the contact. Thank

ajalaonifaaji:
Good Morning y'all, I agree with LadyGuinivere & Seyewest regarding quoting long posts, it really ain't necessary and makes a page unnecessary long.

I arrived yesterday evening and I just realized that I wasn't stamped out at JFK. Although I sent a mail to the US embassy this morning to that regard to avoid stories that touch in the future. No reply yet. (I was pretty high when I was returning and didn't take cognizance of the outward screening process.)

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html;jsessionid=PvnBXy6bJxW1q50jvPrjmkPQLLFPsJNQR9JGhvFmpM9NNThcVxVG!1320736313

Consent, submit, fill the form and get/view your US travel history. For all and sundry, just ensure it's yours you are getting oh when using the link. If not, Na you come sabi oh

Been a nice read from you so far, great. Lots of prowess put in there! Thumbs up

seyewest:
You told them you're going for conference I believe you should do that no matter what.

@seyewest I was meant to travel for a conference then but cos I had a miscarriage I just cudnt go. As I said, it will expire next year February left for me, I wont even bother myself abt it but my husband keep saying it wont be right to av it and not use it. As it is, I really dont av anyone to stay with in Orlando that was the reason I asked the question. Thanks

ekpotek:
@

ajalaonifaaj. Your vac experience was great. Will be visiting Atlanta GA and Brooklyn NY in November. If the Airbnb you used is in Brooklyn area, will like to have the contact. Thank

Thanks bro. The residence is somewhere around Queens, NY. You can sign up on the site and check up hosts in Brooklyn... Am quite sure you will see a lot.

ekpotek:
@

ajalaonifaaj. Your vac experience was great. Will be visiting Atlanta GA and Brooklyn NY in November. If the Airbnb you used is in Brooklyn area, will like to have the contact. Thank

Hope you are aware that sisi Portuguese has gone back home too, abi? Brazilian spec might just be available when you are around too. Try your luck!

Kbanti:
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, "and moans in Spanish...haaaa guy u bad gannnnnn"

Smart eyes bro, smart eyes. Clear vision (4k things)!

OmoBendel24:


https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.html;jsessionid=PvnBXy6bJxW1q50jvPrjmkPQLLFPsJNQR9JGhvFmpM9NNThcVxVG!1320736313

Consent, submit, fill the form and get/view your US travel history. For all and sundry, just ensure it's yours you are getting oh when using the link. If not, Na you come sabi oh

Been a nice read from you so far, great. Lots of prowess put in there! Thumbs up

Thanks for this info. I will follow it up. Thumps up to you too OmoBendel....Bendel That name strikes a cord...can't seem to figure out where or how right now.

OmoBendel24:


Hope you are aware that sisi Portuguese has gone back home too, abi? Brazilian spec might just be available when you are around too. Try your luck!

Just kuku kill me with laughter na....heheheheh.... This almost broke my ribs. Anyways, she's still in New York till first week in October. I still can't stop laughing hard at your post. He should try his luck?? Na 9jabet? Hehehe

OmoBendel24:


Smart eyes bro, smart eyes. Clear vision (4k things)!

Una two na the same the same thing...heheh...na so so bad bad things una dey see here....spoilt children... Heheh

ajalaonifaaji:


Just kuku kill me with laughter na....heheheheh.... This almost broke my ribs. Anyways, she's still in New York till first week in October. I still can't stop laughing hard at your post. He should try his luck?? Na 9jabet? Hehehe

Lolz! You dey mind Ekpotek? Na other parts of US and conferences we dey hear from am before oh. Suddenly, suddenly, Brooklyn don dey enter, air b'n'b don dey interest am. Haba?! Think am Na. Hian!

Wait oh. In essence you no sabi Bendel, ba? Issorai, kontunu sir, no shakes! A whole "area"? Kai! I know 'Ibeju' along one Lagos/Ibadan express I think. Kikikikikikiiii

OmoBendel24:


Lolz! You dey mind Ekpotek? Na other parts of US and conferences we dey hear from am before oh. Suddenly, suddenly, Brooklyn don dey enter, air b'n'b don dey interest am. Haba?! Think am Na. Hian!

Wait oh. In essence you no sabi Bendel, ba? Issorai, kontunu sir, no shakes! A whole "area"? Kai! I know 'Ibeju' along one Lagos/Ibadan express I think. Kikikikikikiiii

Gbam! I got it now....The now defunct Bendel from Delta state I guess....I just couldn't place the name...my memory never booth wella. By the way, its 'Ijebu' and not 'Ibeju'..lol.

Hehehe...Leave Ekpotek alone oo...let him flex oo...maybe na woman management conference baba won go attend...you no sabi...lol

ajalaonifaaji:


Thanks bro. The residence is somewhere around Queens, NY. You can sign up on the site and check up hosts in Brooklyn... Am quite sure you will see a lot.

Sure I am also on Airbnb. Just like the hospitality of your Kenyan host. Thanks anyway.

OmoBendel24:


Lolz! You dey mind Ekpotek? Na other parts of US and conferences we dey hear from am before oh. Suddenly, suddenly, Brooklyn don dey enter, air b'n'b don dey interest am. Haba?! Think am Na. Hian!

Wait oh. In essence you no sabi Bendel, ba? Issorai, kontunu sir, no shakes! A whole "area"? Kai! I know 'Ibeju' along one Lagos/Ibadan express I think. Kikikikikikiiii

FYI, my conference is in Atlanta. Visiting Brooklyn NY afterward with wifey for medical appointment. So it's impossible to for with wifey to harbour such thoughts. Anyway thanks for the laughs.

Good morning Lady G and my fellow nairalanders! Please is it advisable to carry sm food items like melon seed and dried fish when embarking on my trip? I don't know whether it will be an issue @ d Chicago POE cos my purpose of traveling is to attend a conferenc and will be staying in a Hotel. Thanks.

OmoBendel24:


Hope you are aware that sisi Portuguese has gone back home too, abi? Brazilian spec might just be available when you are around too. Try your luck!

Laugh out Load. Portuguese ko, Spainish ni! Just going to Brooklyn for an appointment after Atlanta conference and would prefer to stay in Airbnb than a hotel. That's why I asked.

mizbee:
@seyewest I was meant to travel for a conference then but cos I had a miscarriage I just cudnt go. As I said, it will expire next year February left for me, I wont even bother myself abt it but my husband keep saying it wont be right to av it and not use it. As it is, I really dont av anyone to stay with in Orlando that was the reason I asked the question. Thanks

Read fredricko's reply.
Sometimes plans change. Sometyms destinations change. Is you visa still valid? If yes then all you need is a purpose of travel. And reasonable answers to any questions the cbp asks.
Sorry about the MC

jayoy:
Good morning Lady G and my fellow nairalanders! Please is it advisable to carry sm food items like melon seed and dried fish when embarking on my trip? I don't know whether it will be an issue @ d Chicago POE cos my purpose of traveling is to attend a conferenc and will be staying in a Hotel. Thanks.

Are you planing to cook or what? Or is it a gift? Sure you can but the melon must be grind and not carried as seeds. Dried fish is also okay if it's well dried. Be aware that your baggage could be inspected after POE. 2 years ago, my baggage was sniffed out by a cute ting dog at Atlanta POE. I had in my bag dried scent leaves (for making pepper soup) for my host. It was confisticated. However they did allow my grind melon to enter America. All the best.

mizbee:
@seyewest I was meant to travel for a conference then but cos I had a miscarriage I just cudnt go. As I said, it will expire next year February left for me, I wont even bother myself abt it but my husband keep saying it wont be right to av it and not use it. As it is, I really dont av anyone to stay with in Orlando that was the reason I asked the question. Thanks

If your visa is B1/B2 you can go for a vacation before its expire. Secondly you don't necessarily need to go to Orlando. Your visa is just a permit for you to appear at the POE. Getting into America is Strickly at the discretion of the officer at POE. The CBP officer at POE will see from his computer that you are not coming for a conference and would want to know the purpose of your visit and maybe why you did not attend your conference for which the visa was issued. Your travel history will count here. Just tell him the truth and you will be okay.

ekpotek:

If your visa is B1/B2 you can go for a vacation before its expire. Secondly you don't necessarily need to go to Orlando. Your visa is just a permit for you to appear at the POE. Getting into America is Strickly at the discretion of the officer at POE. The CBP officer at POE will see from his computer that you are not coming for a conference and would want to know the purpose of your visit and maybe why you did not attend your conference for which the visa was issued. Your travel history will count here. Just tell him the truth and you will be okay.

Thanks so much @ekpotek and @LadyGuinivere.

ekpotek:


Laugh out Load. Portuguese ko, Spainish ni! Just going to Brooklyn for an appointment after Atlanta conference and would prefer to stay in Airbnb than a hotel. That's why I asked.

Lolz! Just a good laugh I wanted to have, got it. Great guyz! Regards

Which date in October is interview day in Lagos/Abuja? kindly tell,thanks

jayoy:
Good morning Lady G and my fellow nairalanders! Please is it advisable to carry sm food items like melon seed and dried fish when embarking on my trip? I don't know whether it will be an issue @ d Chicago POE cos my purpose of traveling is to attend a conferenc and will be staying in a Hotel. Thanks.

It only make sense if your hotel has kitchenette or you're staying in an apartment otherwise how do you explain to CBP where those food items will be prepared if such question arises?

I just returned from a two weeks training. I travelled with grind melon, pepper, crayfish , ogbono, dried and smoked fish.

I was very confident carrying the aforementioned food items because my hotel room was equipped with a standard kitchenette.

mizbee:
@seyewest I was meant to travel for a conference then but cos I had a miscarriage I just cudnt go. As I said, it will expire next year February left for me, I wont even bother myself abt it but my husband keep saying it wont be right to av it and not use it. As it is, I really dont av anyone to stay with in Orlando that was the reason I asked the question. Thanks

I'm deeply sorry about the MC. Your husband is right and you have a good reason for not traveling to U.S when you're suppose to go. Get the medical report and explain why you couldn't go when you travel to the U.S. Safe journey and please we will be waiting for your POE experience.

07:15 am appointment today..

Lagos

May God bless that wonderful, patient and cool VO in window 1 this morning. She was understanding and gave me chance to prove myself despite my initial misfire..

Few got approved and few got denied. One lady was even genuflecting to the vo in window 5...I knew that lady no go get visa...I was right. The man bounced her straaaight.

It's well o..

Edited:

TS please!!

OgaTheTop2:
9:15 am appointment today..

Lagos

May God bless that wonderful, patient and cool VO in window 1 this morning. She was understanding and gave me chance to prove myself despite my initial misfire..

Few got approved and few got denied. One lady was even genuflecting to the vo in window 5...I knew that lady no go get visa...I was right. The man bounced her straaaight.

It's well o..

we need the transcript please

Goodmorning everyone. I finally have a transcript to share. It'll be long because I want to be as detailed as possible, please bear with me.

My interview was for 10am, left home at 6am to avoid stories that touch the heart. No traffic, got to VI around 7:30 and then wahala started. I just couldn't seem to locate the embassy. Lol I was just going up and down. Eventually got to Walter carrignton at 8:30. Na so I decided to sit in the car as per 'I'm too early jare'. Anyhow, when it was 9:15 sharp, I turned off my phone and took only my documents with me.

Everyone had told me (and I knew that much from this thread) not to pay those hustlers along the road any attention. So I ignored all their 'sister stapler is free o, sister is your picture 5 by 5' etc. The walk was a long one because I didn't use the embassy car park gan gan. Security told me my picture was too big and I should go snap another one. I said no they will manage it like that. Oh boy! See the long queue!!! Eventually got to the front of the line for them to check my documents and sign jagajaga on my papers. The guy started laughing at my passport photograph. Saying 'na wa o. This one na portrait now. You wan hang am for wall?' Lol I sha said okay I will go and resize it outside but please give me something so I won't have to queue again. He did.

Eventually, they called us in after sitting outside for a while. This was like 11am already. I was starting to fret, because everyone around me had interview for 11, 10:45 etc. I was just saying 'Omo 53,600 cannot waste o you will interview me today'. Fast forward to the interview hall. Goodness! Everyone and their mama really wants to leave Nigeria, even if it's for a holiday. Seeeeeee the crowd! Choi. One long queue to check your documents, join another long queue for fingerprints.

Soon I was in front, and could hear people's interviews. While I know there's a lot of luck and God's grace involved in getting a Visa, some of us really shoot ourselves in the foot. I mean, how do they ask what your purpose in the US is and you say 'To spread the gospel'? Come on Ma.
One babe that wore a suit was just making everyone laugh. She was so confident, even with her obviously rehearsed answers but oh, she was so confident. She even defined Botany for us. Lmao. She got her Visa. The VO that interviewed her was one white lady maybe in her late 30s with blond hair. So nice. She refused some, but she gave everyone a fair chance.

Now to my interview. Middle-aged white woman at window 2 (Do they all stand for the interview too?)
Me: Goodmorning.
VO: Goodmorning.
Me: *Coughs into my elbow*
VO: Sorry, sorry.
VO: So where are you going?
Me: (*in my mind I'm like America now, before nko*) New York.
VO: So the hotel you reserved is for how many days?
Me: (thinking ehen...you want to whyne me a I? You think say na agent fill my form?) Hotel?? I'm not staying at a hotel. I'm staying with my Aunt and her family.
VO: Oh okay. So what do you do?
Me: I'm a Medical Doctor with ****
VO: So what kind of Doctor are you?
Me: (I didn't get what she meant) Excuse me?
VO: I mean what's your specialty?
Me: Oh. I haven't decided, I'm still undergoing my housemanship so I basically rotate through all major departments.
VO: Okay so which are you in now?
Me: Internal medicine.
VO: What next?
Me: Surgery.
VO: When will you be done with the whole program
Me: March.
VO: Are you married?
Me: *smiles and raise my left hand* Engaged to be June of 2017 (this is true o, I no wear fake ring o. Ehen)
VO: (she no congratulate me. Lmao) Okay. So why is your first trip to the US?
Me: (reaching for my old passport but still talking) Oh no. I've been to Ghana (told her when and why) and also Dubai (told her when and with whom)
VO: Okay. Pick up your visa after 3 business days.


And that's all folks. My interview was 3weeks after I filled the form, and I've read over a hundred transcripts since then.
Thank you all so much.
Special thanks to Seyewest, my cousin was able to fix the barcode issue.


Tl;dr version: I went to the interview and I got the visa.