₦airaland Forum

onibooro:
Hello all,

Since I came here to learn more about the experience, I think it is only fair that I also share mine for others to benefit from. Thank you to all the contributors.

So, I had my interview today for a B1/B2 visa at the Lagos Consulate. I was applying with my kids (7 and 4). My wife already had the same B1/B2 visa. The appointment was for 9.30am and we got there at 8.45am. There was quite a crowd at the embassy today. The timeslot we had selected was for 12.30, but the appointment confirmation changed the time to 9.30am, same day.

And when we've gone and experienced the order, we should come back to Nigeria and insist our leaders provide us with the same, while at the same time, be good citizens.

Funny you didn't mention by God's grace in your write up or quote a Bible/Koran page to justify why you should be issued a visa (God's grace is always needed but always remember that it is at his mercy).
I like the way you write and I like how you used your strong point to change the narration to your advantage.
Apart from the fact that you have a lot going for you... you still take the pain to explain in detail the necessary info you want to convey to the V.O... it will be hard for them to refuse you and I wish you all the best, truly knowledge learned is never a waste.

buzitins:
Experienced travelers please, what could make someone that has been travelling to US and also who has British visa turned back at second screening MMIA Not even US port of entry. A woman was refused bording Delta Airline to Atlantic last week. The Airline claimed they received a call from US immigration not to allow her fly. Am just curious

Google it, she's not the only one.

seyewest:
You're not searching for ticket the right way... Multi city shouldn't be more than N400k

Mr. I have given my itinerary, you can kindly assist me the right way.
A 3 weeks duration is ok in August:

ABV-LAX, JFK-ABV.

strangest:
Please advise, I submitted DS160 without uploading picture, hoping that I can be allowed to come with the picture on the interview date as stated on the website... only for me to try to book appointment and got this...

Effective immediately, visa applicants who do not upload their photos when submitting their DS-160 visa application will be turned away and advised to complete their application by uploading a proper photo. This will usually require the rescheduling of their appointment. The process for uploading photos is easy and is thoroughly explained in our on-line application. Avoid disappointment and delay—upload your photo as part of your visa application!




How do I go about solving this issue... Please someone advise... thanks

When is your interview date?

angeland:
My Sisters are US citizens. They have been in US since 1988, my mother is has a temporary residence, but am 53yrs old, working, I have properties in Nigeria, so it not as if am that young and besides don't you think am too old to be filling for Immigration visa by my mother?

How did they get into the US, and how did they gain status (this time around, your mum particularly)? Did she get in on a non-immigrant visa, stay back in the US on a visit there, got filed for and had her residence regularized?

Ess:
Leaving from Abuja:
Arrive Las Vegas/Los Angeles and depart New York back to Abuja.
All in August.

Which airline did you get?

hnmmmmmm

seyewest:
hnmmmmmm

Don't hmmmm me o.
I dey wait for my 400k ticket biko.

Ess:
Don't hmmmm me o.
I dey wait for my 400k ticket biko.

What you can get is N465K

seyewest:
What you can get is N465K

Not bad...can I see the schedule pls?

Please the earliest date I can get is when I have a conference for April.

Please help.

onibooro:
Hello all,

Since I came here to learn more about the experience, I think it is only fair that I also share mine for others to benefit from. Thank you to all the contributors.

Wow, awesome! I enjoyed myself reading this.... Thanks bruv. Surely, congratulations is in order.

Hello, my visa application got approved on Jan 14, 2019 and I struggled with the idea of sharing my experience. Then I thought, this will help someone.
I do not disregard the place of favour and God going before me; however, I was also prepared.

Background: I’ve had 2 babies in America using 2 different visas. Both times visitors visas.
Time: 2016 and 2018

Note: This application was a renewal to enable me go on holiday in April. I received the 221g form asking me to come to the embassy for an interview.

V.O: Good morning ( she greeted me 1st)
Me: Good morning
V.O: where are you traveling to in the US?
Me: Miami, I’m going on holiday with my husband.
V.O: what was your purpose of travel the last time you were in the US?
Me: I travelled to birth my daughter. She was born in Florida state.
V.O: How much did the experience cost?
Me:.....$$
V.O: Did you pay all your bills?
Me: Yes, I did.
V.O: Do you have your receipts?
Me: Yes, I do. Would you like to see them?
V.O: (stretching out her hands) hand them over.
V.O: looking through my properly arranged and itemized documents with bills and receipts and all correspondence. I was very intentional about this. I highlighted and colour coded all important information.
V.O: Something happened at the point of entry on your last travel to the US, tell me about it.
Me: Explained..... ( I had an issue around declaring excess cash, I thought it was $10,000 per person, I didn’t know it was per family, and the POE officer made it such an issue. Thank God for his supervisor who declined his request to deport us)
V.O: so how much was involved?
Me: $abc
V.O: so what did you use all that money for?
Me: I paid all my bills.
V.O: looked through the documents again and crosschecking against the mentioned amount.
V.O: and the rest of he funds?
Me: I shopped for my family.
V.O: what does your husband do?
Me: He works as an ........with company .......He has been there for 14years.
V.O: what do you do for a living?
Me: I work with ?? as a .....
V.O: okay thank you. Your Visa has been approved. It will be ready in 3 days.
Me: okay, thanks.

Has anyone here gone to use using A1 or A2 visa package ?...
Or gotten visa without interview with just finger print

Hello.

Is your cousin there legally? If he isn't, i would advise you do not put his name on your DS 160.

Drlag:
Somebody should please respond to these questions abeg. Thanks

Pls nairalanders, I need your advise.
I had applied to the US for visit visa last year but was denied. In my application, I was going for vacation/ sight seeing on my own...no invitation letter.
This year, my cousin who entered the US through masters programme, later got married and stayed back is willing to invite me. So my questions are??

1. Does US questions the mode of entering the by the person inviting the applicant even though he/ she now lives there legally
2. Should I still maintain my initial plan of visiting without INVITE or get the invite from my cousin as this will reduce financial expectation from me

Thanks.

Congratulations. Lovely one.

I tell you. Those boys at the parking lot almost got me. they said they were turning people with black and white print out back, and that i had to print out my confirmation and appointment letter in colour.
When they told me the price, i said they should not bother. i will go in like that.

And it all went well.

onibooro:
Hello all,

Since I came here to learn more about the experience, I think it is only fair that I also share mine for others to benefit from. Thank you to all the contributors.

So, I had my interview today for a B1/B2 visa at the Lagos Consulate. I was applying with my kids (7 and 4). My wife already had the same B1/B2 visa. The appointment was for 9.30am and we got there at 8.45am. There was quite a crowd at the embassy today. The timeslot we had selected was for 12.30, but the appointment confirmation changed the time to 9.30am, same day.

We were swiped a couple of times and then told to join the queue. And that's when the disorganisation began. There were two queues and the officials said we could join either of them. It turned out that only one of them was in use. So people that came long after we did were going in while the officials kept saying we could stay on the non-moving queue. So we changed queues. At the top of the queue, we came across a very rude official who clearly thought the applicants were a burden, giving snide comments and being generally nasty.

We got into the processing area where we were yet again swiped and then joined another slow-moving queue at around 9.22am. We eventually came to a lady that checked our names against a list and placed a sticker on the passports. We joined a third queue where a barcode sticker was printed and also pasted on the passports. When this was done, we were finally able to sit down. It was almost 10.00am by this time and the kids were getting a little cranky.

Eventually, the same rude official ushered us to join yet another queue from which we walked across the street into the Consulate. Here, we had to remove belts, wristwatches and keys and go through metal detectors. When this was done we walked into the processing area. We passed by a number of people coming out with downcast faces. First queue inside was the intake to scan the barcode on the DS160 invitation letter, next queue was for the fingerprints (kids did not have their fingerprints collected) and finally to meet the Consular.

I was ushered to a window and the man in front was being interviewed. I have to say I was disappointed in his responses and I wasn't surprised that his visa was denied. He had said he was in Napoli on vacation over three different years and when he was asked what he did while there, he responded 'we were driving around, going here and there...'

Anyway, filled with confidence but a little bit of trepidation, I stepped to the window with the kids

VO: Can I have your passports
VO: Why are you going to America?
Me: We want to go on vacation to Orlando, to take the kids to Disney World and Universal Studios, and I would love to see New York afterwards.
VO: Will your wife be joining you on your trip?
Me: Yes, but she was in the US last year on business so she already has a visa
VO: Where did your wife go to in the US?
Me: New York and Boston
VO: I see you have been to France, UAE... When did you go to France? (I had filled this in my application)
Me: 2016
VO: What did you go to do there?
Me: I work with nnn and we had sold some equipment to yyy, so I went with them to demo and get trained on the equipment
VO: How much do you make in a month working for nnn?
Me: All in, fffffff (naira) but the net is between gggggg and hhhhhh (The deductions vary on my salary)
VO: How long have you worked with nnn?
Me: In May, it will become 11 years
VO: I see you were also in (ME country). What did you go to do there? (also filled in my form)
Me: I am currently working there on transfer from nnn
VO: Have you ever travelled with your family on vacation?
Me: Yes. With her (pointing to my daughter) to the UK and UAE, and with him (pointing to my son) to the UAE alone.
VO: When did you go the UK?
Me: My wife studied in the UK so I went with her (pointing to my daughter) in 2012 and 2013.

The visa officer typed a bit, put our passports on the pile of passports on his desk, brought out the white form from a drawer, circled the DHL collection center and said: Your visa has been approved. You can collect your passports in a couple of days at your preferred location in Victoria Island.

Me: Is that all? (after I had collected the form)
VO: Yes, thank you.

And then I could finally take my son who had been holding in his weewee to the bathroom, and then to drink some water from the drinking fountain at the back. It was after 11 when we got out.


General Points
1. I printed all my documents in black and white because my coloured ink was finished. This was not a problem
2. It had been said that passport photographs were required. No one asked for this. I would advise you still take this with you.
3. I took along the GTBank payment confirmation but no one looked at it. I would advise you take this too just in case...
4. Car keys were allowed. I had thought this would be a problem. Of course, phones weren't allowed. Some people dropped their phones at the sentry post outside where there were some policemen hanging around. I don't know if they paid for this or how much was paid.
5. While waiting on the queue, a lady had her driver bring her bathroom slippers to her on the queue and she changed from her heels into the slippers. She went in with the slippers and when I came out and saw her, she had the white paper meaning she got the visa. So while your appearance matters, comfort should be more important because you will be there for a while and standing for most of the time.
6. Speak clearly and audibly. If you have an affected accent, it is more than likely the VO won't even hear what you are saying.
7. I had printed mine and my wife's bank statements and my payslips (all in greyscale), but no one asked for them. These, in addition to the ones I mentioned earlier were all the documents I took with me.
8. The appointment times were not respected. A man in from of me said his interview was for 8.05! Time was already after 9 at this point.
9. I had bounded three passports together for myself (current and previous two). At the intake queue, the lady that attended to us removed the oldest and handed it back to me, probably because it was too bulky.
10. By the time we were done, the crowd had considerably thinned out. This means they processed almost everyone within three hours. This was around a hundred applicants that I estimated.

I hope this has helped. Wishing you all luck in your applications. Remember to avoid using agents and always tell the truth. Also do a honest self-analysis about your chances. Depending on miracles for instance, means you most probably won't get the visa.

And when we've gone and experienced the order, we should come back to Nigeria and insist our leaders provide us with the same, while at the same time, be good citizens.

Ess:
Not bad...can I see the schedule pls?

You will have to change your schedule to late September.

seyewest:
You're not searching for ticket the right way... Multi city shouldn't be more than N400k

seyewest:
You will have to change your schedule to late September.

Well I know of September rates before you condemned me of not doing it right. I want August and specified it clearly because of kid's holiday...
Anyways I'm not a novice in this game, just wanted to see how far you can get.
Thanks anyways for your efforts, and pls next time don't just condemn people of not doing it right without crosschecking.

Regards.

onibooro:
Hello all,

Since I came here to learn more about the experience, I think it is only fair that I also share mine for others to benefit from. Thank you to all the contributors.

So, I had my interview today for a B1/B2 visa at the Lagos Consulate. I was applying with my kids (7 and 4). My wife already had the same B1/B2 visa. The appointment was for 9.30am and we got there at 8.45am. There was quite a crowd at the embassy today. The timeslot we had selected was for 12.30, but the appointment confirmation changed the time to 9.30am, same day.

We were swiped a couple of times and then told to join the queue. And that's when the disorganisation began. There were two queues and the officials said we could join either of them. It turned out that only one of them was in use. So people that came long after we did were going in while the officials kept saying we could stay on the non-moving queue. So we changed queues.

This is actually one of the best transcripts I have read on here.. very cool, calm and collected...

Congrats! Enjoy your trip.

Ess:
Well I know of September rates before you condemned me of not doing it right. I want August and specified it clearly because of kid's holiday...
Anyways I'm not a novice in this game, just wanted to see how far you can get.
Thanks anyways for your efforts, and pls next time don't just condemn people of not doing it right without crosschecking.

Regards.

Apologies. No vex, you know Seye is one of the best no strings attached helper around here, Relax! August tickets are never price friendly compared to others, that's peak period proper. You really don't have to be in a hurry if I can advise, don't even panic buy at all, keep searching, there's no way you won't get that ticket in the next few weeks (late March/early April tops) with less than half a million Naira. If you are a desperate searcher like me, you can even squeeze in a LAX-JFK/LGA leg sef at a fair price still or do that leg altogether early on Southwest (free baggage allowance of 23kg * 2 on a US local flight is a plus methinks) if your travel dates becomes exactly known to you soon.

Yes, but he got there through masters and later got married and he is working there legally now. Please does the way one enter US matters and what effect does it have on applicant

Hello.
Is your cousin there legally? If he isn't, i would advise you do not put his name on your DS 160.[/quote]

Please I heard that international passport is scarce due to this election. How true is this please

Hi everyone,
I'd be going for my visa in 2 weeks.
It's a B-1 visa for a conference, I ask questions here and surprisingly, I don't get valid answer as people tend to hoard knowledge somehow.
I been able to go on YouTube and found few things, but same same, I want to know another thing..
When I am being asked questions, is it wise to present my documents as proof to the V. O? I read some place you do not present it. Kindly advise..

Did any1 receive mail rescheduling their visa appointment here?reason being "election".

seyewest:
When is your interview date?

5th of next march... please advise... I have already done a new ds160.... should I cancel the appointment and start a fresh one? please advise me, thanks

Ess:
Well I know of September rates before you condemned me of not doing it right. I want August and specified it clearly because of kid's holiday...
Anyways I'm not a novice in this game, just wanted to see how far you can get.
Thanks anyways for your efforts, and pls next time don't just condemn people of not doing it right without crosschecking.

Regards.

I booked something like that for N455K during the weekend... I'm sorry if you feel offended, such will never repeat itself again.

OmoBendel24:
Apologies. No vex, you know Seye is one of the best no strings attached helper around here, Relax! August tickets are never price friendly compared to others, that's peak period proper. You really don't have to be in a hurry if I can advise, don't even panic buy at all, keep searching, there's no way you won't get that ticket in the next few weeks (late March/early April tops) with less than half a million Naira. If you are a desperate searcher like me, you can even squeeze in a LAX-JFK/LGA leg sef at a fair price still or do that leg altogether early on Southwest (free baggage allowance of 23kg * 2 on a US local flight is a plus methinks) if your travel dates becomes exactly known to you soon.

You know my plan was for her to do return ticket Abuja to Jfk and American or Southwest for intra American waka... I actually got N405K on Egypt but will not suggest that to her, anyway no wahala...

strangest:
5th of next march... please advise... I have already done a new ds160.... should I cancel the appointment and start a fresh one? please advise me, thanks

Fill another form asap and change your DS160 form number on your profile page...

gimakon:
Hi everyone,
I'd be going for my visa in 2 weeks.
It's a B-1 visa for a conference, I ask questions here and surprisingly, I don't get valid answer as people tend to hoard knowledge somehow.
I been able to go on YouTube and found few things, but same same, I want to know another thing..
When I am being asked questions, is it wise to present my documents as proof to the V. O? I read some place you do not present it. Kindly advise..

No one is hoarding knowledge... Everything you needed is inside the forum.

Ess:
Its same thing I'm getting with sky scanner and travel start.
I'm just tired with tickets nearly 600k!

I like to do multi-city booking whenever Im going to the US because of the distance between states, arrive in the west side and depart via east side.

Try to move up your trip a little. Like July and see how it goes

you could suggest to the VO if he/she wants to see documents.

gimakon:
Hi everyone,
I'd be going for my visa in 2 weeks.
It's a B-1 visa for a conference, I ask questions here and surprisingly, I don't get valid answer as people tend to hoard knowledge somehow.
I been able to go on YouTube and found few things, but same same, I want to know another thing..
When I am being asked questions, is it wise to present my documents as proof to the V. O? I read some place you do not present it. Kindly advise..

ozymes:
you could suggest to the VO if he/she wants to see documents.

No offence, you seen someone who got his visa that way? Just asking.

gimakon:
No offence, you seen someone who got his visa that way? Just asking.

lolzzzz.... 80% of V.O will not check any document except you've birthed or had medical care in U.S (also for student visa).