₦airaland Forum

I was at the embassy today, I saw people Granted, that I was even telling them that I tap into their Testimony, who else saw that small Dada boy that came alone, he was Granted, I saw Lots of people granted, and saw higher % denied including me, Everything went well until he found an ESL on my i-20, Me that I was even over prepared, In fact I was still reading what I jotted inside the hall !! To let them know I'm prepared, Indeed he saw that fact, But the ESL bleeped me up!!! ESL is English is a Second Language.

Rate of refusals has always been high any day, anytime. Nobody has ever gone to the embassy here in Nigeria and say white paper was flying around.

I was interviewed by the guy at window 21...I wasn’t as coherent as this

Good morning
Vo: what course are you going to do?
Ans: chemical Engineering

Vo: where are you going?
Ans: I’m going to Rutgers University New Jersey
Vo: what other schools did you apply to?
Ans: Stevens NJIT and I didn’t finish application to Umich
Vo: Where is Stevens located?
Ans: New Jersey
Vo: why Rutgers?
Ans: Rutgers was a prime choice compared to the schools I applied to and At Rutgers I have the opportunity to be part of a Chemical Engr community that consists of renowned faculty conducting leading edge research in Pharmaceutical Engr vo cuts and said you’ll be doing Pharmaceutical Engr I said yes
Vo: you did Chemical Engr in Unilag
Ans: yes sir
Vo: when did you finish
Ans: 2016
Vo: who is sponsoring you
Ans: my dad and I got a loan of 25k from Prodigy
Vo: what does your dad do
Ans: he runs an estate surveying and valuation firm
Vo: do you have his statement, pass it, do you know how xxxx million came in 4 days ago
Ans: no sir I don’t, I printed the statement 4 days ago
Vo: single or married
Ans single
Vo; how many kids
Ans: none
Vo: you were in the US 3 years ago for what
Ans: for vacation, Christmas holiday
Your Visa has been approved


I arrived there around 5:30 and my appointment was for 8:45, I have been to the place a couple of times, so I know the terrain, I sat and waited till 7:30 before joining the queue. I had prayed to God so I was a bit confident but when I got into the interview room I was even more confident ( in my mind this place hasn’t changed much from 3 years ago) so I was ready to face any of the vo’s..I smiled all through basically God came through for me....I wish people success stories like mine IJN

oraclemania:
I was at the embassy today, I saw people Granted, that I was even telling them that I tap into their Testimony, who else saw that small Dada boy that came alone, he was Granted, I saw Lots of people granted, and saw higher % denied including me, Everything went well until he found an ESL on my i-20

what is ESL

Thanks to @cosxzbay he was really instrumental....I was a silent reader but I got a thing or two from peoples transcripts, so Thank you everyone

You were interviewed by the guy that uses Earpiece, The only main Question you were asked was why the school!!! I tap into your testimony

mroluyemo:
I was interviewed by the guy at window 21...I wasn’t as coherent as this

Good morning
Vo: what course are you going to do?
Ans: chemical Engineering

Vo: where are you going?
Ans: I’m going to Rutgers University New Jersey
Vo: what other schools did you apply to?
Ans: Stevens NJIT and I didn’t finish application to Umich
Vo: Where is Stevens located?
Ans: New Jersey
Vo: why Rutgers?
Ans: Rutgers was a prime choice compared to the schools I applied to and At Rutgers I have the opportunity to be part of a Chemical Engr community that consists of renowned faculty conducting leading edge research in Pharmaceutical Engr vo cuts and said you’ll be doing Pharmaceutical Engr I said yes
Vo: you did Chemical Engr in Unilag
Ans: yes sir
Vo: when did you finish
Ans: 2016
Vo: who is sponsoring you
Ans: my dad and I got a loan of 25k from Prodigy
Vo: what does your dad do
Ans: he runs an estate surveying and valuation firm
Vo: do you have his statement, pass it, do you know how xxxx million came in 4 days ago
Ans: no sir I don’t, I printed the statement 4 days ago
Vo: single or married
Ans single
Vo; how many kids
Ans: none
Vo: you were in the US 3 years ago for what
Ans: for vacation, Christmas holiday
Your Visa has been approved


I arrived there around 5:30 and my appointment was for 8:45, I have been to the place a couple of times, so I know the terrain, I sat and waited till 7:30 before joining the queue. I had prayed to God so I was a bit confident but when I got into the interview room I was even more confident ( in my mind this place hasn’t changed much from 3 years ago) so I was ready to face any of the vo’s..I smiled all through basically God came through for me....I wish people success stories like mine IJN

English is Second Language

Smartconcept1:
what is ESL

Any response to this guys?

jelmusboy:
Morning people of God.

Which one is preferable to use as funding source for visa interview.

Treasury bill document or Company's statement of account?
Kindly advise as I need to know the best to go with

ExpressBooking:
I was denied today at Lagos. Transcript goes thus;

Me: Good morning
VO: (didn't reply) Asks for passport and i-20
Me: Passed on requested docs
VO: Why M-1 visa
Me: Its vocational training (Aircraft Pilot)
VO: What do you do?
Me: Am the managing director xyz firm and we do business
VO: What do you sell?
Me: Office and Home furnitures we import and clear too
VO: Cuts in...Why study aircraft pilot now?
Me: I don't have sponsorship and program is quite expensive, so it took me time to be financially prepared for this since I am financing myself
VO:What do you want to do with the training?
Me: I want to work as an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot)
VO: You import cars too?
Me: I used to but business wasn't favourable so I quit
VO: Reaches for and hands me a blue paper and you know the rest.


Note: I went for B1/B2 Last year June and was denied. then I wrote car importation and sales as major business. I waited for one year before enrolling for a flight training school so that this car dealer thing won't pop up, but it still did. I guess that reason for denial. I am going to wait for a month and try again. My Pilot program starts on October 1st

You sound like a professional quitter, that's what came to the VO's mind. You'll quit your current business again when things go a little down, and likely quit your prospective study when you land in US. Nothing personal, just an observation that you should look into.

oraclemania:
English is Second Language

English AS second language.

After two denials, finally got approved by Window 21 today. Thanks to everyone who took out time to respond to my enquiries. This is one of the finest communities on the internet.

My advice to anyone who has been denied in the past:

1. Never give up. Just think of each obstacle as a temporary setback.
2. My average GPA and extra year didn't stop me from getting a partial scholarship - took GRE and TOEFL though.
3. Pay close attention to your financial documentation
4. Don't try to be 'too' perfect. "Too many lies spoils the soup". Not having to lie would probably give you peace of mind to sound confident.
5. F1 interview is just a conversation really. Don't cram stuff. No VO wants to interview a 'robot'.
6. I think there are no rules to this thing, work hard towards what you want and just leave luck to heaven.

Guys please apart from coming back to a job, what are the things we can mention to show strong home ties ?

Plea

NefT:
But i could remember last year when i was denied twice. I noticed that the only adjustment made was in the start of class just to accommodate all delays When my school sent me a second I-20 in August for my second interview. The program start was never changed.

What date is on that i20 that you use to get your approval

seeakeem:
I was at the embassy today and will soon post my transcript. Majority of applicants were students but from what I saw the rejection rate was more than 90%. I too was among.

What could be responsible for this and is it always like this around this time as someone told me it has been like this for sometime now.

Please let those who did their interview today endeavor to post their transcripts. Especially if you have your visa approved.

I went to for F1 visa over 10 years ago and back then the rejection rate was high. On my day it was only a handful of approval

It my conclusion that visa has always had a high rejection rate for whatever reason...some due to students preparedness some due to other factors. Regardless of what the reasons are . I don't recall a time were f1 was given easily

SacredMustang:
bro please I sent you a PM. Please kindly help me respond. Thanks.

I responded to your mail bro..

AusterHeights:
After two denials, finally got approved by Window 21 today. Thanks to everyone who took out time to respond to my enquiries. This is one of the finest communities on the internet.

My advice to anyone who has been denied in the past:

1. Never give up. Just think of each obstacle as a temporary setback.
2. My average GPA and extra year didn't stop me from getting a partial scholarship - took GRE and TOEFL though.
3. Pay close attention to your financial documentation
4. Don't try to be 'too' perfect. "Too many lies spoils the soup". Not having to lie would probably give you peace of mind to sound confident.
5. F1 interview is just a conversation really. Don't cram stuff. No VO wants to interview a 'robot'.
6. I think there are no rules to this thing, work hard towards what you want and just leave luck to heaven.

Congrat bro. Kindly share your transcript. I will appreciate you can share your GPA, GRE and TOEFL score, publication and experience.

LagosismyHome:
What date is on that i20 that you use to get your approval

8th of August as start date and 20th as start of class. I believe unforseen circumstances like delay in visa and flight schedule make skuls to adjust start of class. What do ido now?

jelmusboy:
The truth is that the rate of refusal is just too MUCH. Maybe US consular have the belief that those applying late for visa are attending low tier universities.

Rate of refusal from July up till today is just crazy compared to what we have in May and June for Fall 2018.

If you are a genuine student, get your transcript together and refire. Try to know why you are refused and work on it.

Let be real with ourselves. Nigerians caused all these trash, we miss use every opportunities. Imagine ppl coming to America on F1 visa and moving to Canada to claim asylum with less than a month old visa, don’t forget canada and America shares information and their is record for everything. It’s so sad they’re making things difficult for the genue students.

Brethren please I really need your help the owner of this result wants to study medicine or nursing, can this result get her full scholarship?

WAEC RESULT
English C4
Mathematics A1
Biology B2
Chemistry C4
Physics B2
Economics B3
Computer A1
Civic education A1
Catering craft practice A1


SAT SCORE 1140
TOEFL 90
IELTS 7


I don't mind few schools to apply to .. Thanks

Please she's just 16 years old and its for undergraduate.

My advice to all students yet to go for their interview, always try to use your strong areas at your advantage, try to talk about your strong areas when asked any question so the consular officer would concentrate more on that area. If you have funding, say it when asked why you choose the school. If you took standardized tests and scored well, say it. Quit talking about class rank, research interest etc because the consular officers have heard this reasons a lot. Make your reasons more unique and you will get your visa. Take my advice, it worked for me, it worked for people before me, and it will work for people after me.

Imustreturn:
Brethren please I really need your help the owner of this result wants to study medicine or nursing, can this result get her full scholarship?

WAEC RESULT
English C4
Mathematics A1
Biology B2
Chemistry C4
Physics B2
Economics B3
Computer A1
Civic education A1
Catering craft practice A1


SAT SCORE 1140
TOEFL 90
IELTS 7


I don't mind few schools to apply to .. Thanks

Try take the SAT again and you will stand a great chance.

Imustreturn:
Brethren please I really need your help the owner of this result wants to study medicine or nursing, can this result get her full scholarship?

WAEC RESULT
English C4
Mathematics A1
Biology B2
Chemistry C4
Physics B2
Economics B3
Computer A1
Civic education A1
Catering craft practice A1


SAT SCORE 1140
TOEFL 90
IELTS 7


I don't mind few schools to apply to .. Thanks

Try take the SAT again, score higher, and you'll stand a great chance.

NefT:
8th of August as start date and 20th as start of class. I believe unforseen circumstances like delay in visa and flight schedule make skuls to adjust start of class. What do ido now?

Let me rephrase ... at P.O.E it one date that matter not multiple dates. what date is on your i20. Check your i20

Whatever that date is. You need to be on the US ON or before that date . If you can't then check of the school can give you an extension document to use at POE

ghs007:
Try take the SAT again, score higher, and you'll stand a great chance.

woow.. Like what should be the score for a better Chance?

Hushee:
My first interview (5/12/2017)

Vo: Good Morning, can I have ur passport and i20?

Me: Good Morning Sir (I handed them over to him)

Vo: What are you going to study

Me: Agriculture

Vo: At where

Me: Stephen F Austin state university

Vo: Why Agriculture?

Me: The Federal Government is trying to diversify the economy from the oil sector into other sector and number one on the list is the Agricultural sector, so there is no better time to be a part of this drive than now.

Vo: okay, what will you do with the degree?

Me: I plan to take up a lecturing job at my alma mata, the federal university of agriculture Abeokuta.

Vo: Have u travelled before?

Me: No

Vo: Are you married?

Me: No

Vo: And kids

Me: No

Vo: ok, What will u do after your program?

Me: I will return back to Nigeria and take up a lecturing job at the federal university of agriculture Abeokuta and I will also consult for the federal and state governments through Agricultural research institute such as IITA(international instute of tropical agriculture) and national animal production research institute.

Vo: OK, who will pay?

Me: I have an out of state tuition waiver and my mother will pay for the rest

Vo: What does she do?

Me: she's a very successful business woman, she's into major distribution of dangote products, mix and bake flour, and she also sells rice and oil in large quantities.

Note: He typed all through and when he finally looked at me, he said "unfortunately you are not qualified to receive a visa right now.

Me: Could you please tell me the reason Sir

Vo: The blue paper will explain to you

Me: Alright thank you sir

Vo: OK

Second interview (27/12/2017)

Almost the same with the first, the only difference was that the same guy that did my biometric interviewed me and he was nice until he looked shocked at something he saw on his screen. He also asked if i was married and i said no, he later asked "what of traditional marriage"?, I said no. He then said he couldn't approve me at that time, I asked him to tell me why but he said he's not allowed to do that. I just said thank you and I left.

My third and last interview (3/08/2018)

I decided to change my interview location to Abuja since there will be no time for me to travel to Lagos.

I got to the embassy by 10:07 for an appointment of 10:15

The embassy nearly empty right from the gate and we were like 10 on the queue, I was the last person.
While on the queue, the aged woman was interviewing a Nun who couldn't communicate well in English and after she called an interpreter to help her out, she told the Nun that she wouldn't approve cos if she approved her how will she be able to teach the American Children. But she later changed her mind when the Sister started replying her in English, the woman was too nice so I prayed to be interviewed by her but unfortunately I was called to window 8. I was interviewed by a white lady in her late twenties.

Vo- pass me your documents

Me- OK, good morning Ma'am (no reply)

Vo- Why Stephen F Austin State University

Me- Apart from the fact that I was given an Out of state tuition waiver, the opportunity to work with professor Joey Bray who is a top researcher in the field of poultry science played a major role in my decision. I also spoke with some current students who told me about the structure of the program and tge internship opportunities available at the school, this internship period will provide me with the necessary skills I need when I come back to Nigeria to establish my own farm.
Then she typed for about 15secs

Vo- What did you study at the university?

Me- B.Agric Animal Nutrition

Vo-Who is paying?

Me- My mother and I also got an out of state tuition waiver

Vo- ok

She then typed for like 10secs and gave me the pink paper, and said those terrible words. I was shocked as she barely asked any question.

Me- But why, this is my third time. Why not tell me what is wrong?

Vo- the paper will explain it to you, I've made my decision.

Na so I shake my head and take my L in peace before those security go come disgrace me out.

Thanks to everyone that have been supportive all these years, for your advice and encouragements especially the entire God's own scholar crew, lagosismyhome, walspring, texrem, and others that I can't remember. It's just unfortunate that it ended this way.

Moments like this makes you wonder if God really has a hand in this visa thing but I believe he has some bigger plans for me.

My advice to future applicants:

1. If you have a low gp, evaluate your transcript before you start your application (if I had done this earlier, I would have been in the US before Trump became president cos back then, they approve almost everyone with any form of tuition waiver)

2. Write GRE/GMAT/SAT and TOEFL/IELTS as early as possible and dont write it only when one school ask you to write it, you might rush your preparation and this might affect your score.

3. If you want to increase your chance of approval, don't go to the embassy unless you have full funding(scholarship, Assistantship, or fellowship) or loan. This will increase your chance by at least 80%.

God bless us all.

what is fellowship?

Predstan:
Anyone Going to Georgia southern university. I just got admitted into MSc electrical/Electronic system program for spring 2019 but it does not come with any form of assistantship or scholarship although the admission letter States that if any form of assistantship or financial aid is involved, a separate letter will be sent. I got this decision yesterday but I just want to know if the school does offer their assistantship after admission offer or I have to push on to faculties to see if there is any research assistantship position available.

And for the experienced, do you think assistantship positions are available for spring entry? Can I defer the admission to fall 19 and look forward to any form of financial aid or assistantship.
Thanks

Any Georgia southern student in the house?

Hushee:
Wow! Congrats bro, this is awesome.

Thanks. Been a while I saw you on my BBM. Hope all is well?

I spoke with the guys at the ethiopian airline office located at the MMIA. they said we will not be needing any transit visa. Moreso, I have seen on this thread guys who travelled with same airline, they also confirm that we will not require a transit visa. I can send you the number of the guys at the MMIA if its ok by you...just that I dont know how PM works here

NefT:
Infact i got different conflicting answers. Wikipedia says Nigerians and some other 16nations will mostly third world countries. I had to put a call to the customer care line of Ireland embassy, the lady that picked it said i won't be needing a needing a transit visa after confirming from another source at their embassy in Abuja. I asked her if she was 100% sure and she told me to send a mail to the embassy myself. I did and the white woman said i will be needing it because ET airlines are strict about this requirement at Adis Ababa during Check in. She even call me offering to assist if I can send all documents to Abuja. That led me to cancel my initial flight scheduled for 6th of August.

Below is the email correspondence


To whom it may concern:

I am travelling to the United States of America for my doctorate degree via Ethiopia Airline‎. Hope do not need an Ireland Visa since I will be on transit(45 minutes Service stop) via Dublin Ireland?




Dear Sir/Madam

If you are a Nigerian citizen you will be required to obtain a transit visa for that travel plan.

Please see details below relating to the Visa Application process:
 
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Irish%20Visa%20Information  
 
Applications are initially made online:
 
https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx
 
Once the application is made online, you may forward the application form, passport, and supporting documents to:
 
Visa Office
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
Department of Justice and Equality
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
 
E-mail: visamail@justice.ie
 
Once the online application is completed you will be instructed where to forward your application.
 
This office only accepts applications from persons resident in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.
 
Best Regards,
 
Visa Office
Embassy of Ireland
Abuja



 
I just called a customer care line here in Lagos and I was told there won't be a need for a transit visa. I do not know ‎which of these statements to take as concrete. I have already booked this flight already and do not want to cancel it. 
The flight itinerary is Lagos to Adis Ababa Ethiopia, Ethiopia to Dublin (45 minutes Service stop not a long layover at all)‎.
What do I do now since visa processing takes time and the flight is already schedule for 6th August. If you insist I get a Visa before travelling, how long does typically take? Note I have a valid US student visa ‎issued recently July 24 for the purpose of my journey for the Fall semestre starting August 20th.
Please kindly assist.
I have tried calling Abuja embassy all to no avail. Can you provide me with a valid phone number to clarify all my doubt?
Regards,



Dear Sir/Madam

I can confirm definitively that you will require a transit visa. I have checked with my colleagues in Dublin Airport who have confirmed that this is the situation. The other information you received from a customer care line in Lagos is incorrect. My colleague in Dublin Airport has also advised that if you do not obtain a visa in advance that you run the risk of not being allowed to board in Addis Ababa as Ethiopian Emigration Officers are very strict on this issue.

Do you have a number I can contact you on to discuss ?

Visa Office
ABUJA