₦airaland Forum

Just to add to zerocool's comments ...

Note that the excerpt from the consulate was on all visa categories and I think, if at all travel experience were to matter, it would be for visiting and other visa categories but not student.

They issue F1 visas as long as they are convinced in their own world that the applicant is a genuine student.

spikes C: Thanks man, really appreciate it. Seriously, the BS and B.Eng wahala in Nigeria is making me look for B.ENG ONLY.

Whether B.Eng, B.Tech or BSc in Engr, except nominally, there's absolutely no difference, even in Nigeria.

About looking for what to do here, you will be doing yourself a disfavor by looking for the degree names or name of programs only. The important thing to do is to look at the courses being offered and current active research areas in the department.

How well these match your career aspirations should now be an index, among others, on your scale of school/program preference.

zerocool: Just one question, so everyone can be informed.... from the time you were first denied (plus the 3 consecutive denials), till the day you eventually got it.. How long did it take?

So what would you say abt someone with absolutely no travel experience who went to the embassy four times within a span of three months and is presently in the US??

Now I have a lot of friends with similar testimonies.

Uzodynmah: It was at the Lagos Consulate, Interview was for 8:30. After all the checks, i was interviewed by the white guy with cold blue eyes in window 7. He was basically regretting most students (maybe he didn't think them genuine) and visit visa applicants too (most didn’t look genuine), but was giving old people who were equally going on visiting too.
Me: Good morning (with a grin)
VO: Hello good morning, could you please pass you documents?
i passed them
VO: so what are you going to the US for?
ME: I'm to study for a masters degree in Technology Management at UB.
Vo: So where's UB?
ME: Bridgeport CT.
VO: How many schools did you apply to?
Me: 3 schools (UM, UA and UB)
VO: why did you pick UB?
ME: I picked UB, majorly for two reasons. First because the core curriculum of this program is in line with my career and academic aspirations, I have interests in Information Systems engineering and how human and computer interaction can foster self learning. And secondly because I’m interested in the works of Professor Neal.............. He is an associate professor in this department and worked closely with Professor Sugata Mintra who pioneered and has been running the hole in the wall initiative in India for the last 13 years. Which is similar to what the organization I work with intends to carry out in Nigerian with funding from the DFID. So for me it would be a mind blowing experience tom study under him.
VO: So what will this degree do for you considering you don't have a science background and what will you do upon return?
ME: it will qualify be for a senior position upon my return, which is what a graduate degree from America can do. Plus studying under Prof Lewis, whose works are quite similar to what my organization intend to carry out in Nigeria in partnership with Murtala Mohammed Foundation and approved funding from DFID, will for me be one of the most impacting times of my career.
VO: Did you take any qualifying exams?
ME: Yes, hands him my GRE
VO: Was it a prerequisite for admission?
ME: NO
VO: Who will be sponsoring this trip?
ME: why Mom
VO: What does your mom do?
Me: She’s a principal Consultant at the federal ministry of ...................................
VO: do u have proof of financial support
ME: Yes pls, passes him my Mom’s acc balance.
After he scrutinizes it.
So (calls my Name) you have proven to be that you will study and return to Nigeria. You should pick up your visa in Lekki on Thursday. Your I20 and sevis will be returned to you at the visa pickup office. Have a great time studying and enjoy CT.
ME: Thank You Mister.
That's it people. Above all i prayed and fasted about it fervently. then i believed in faith according to Matt. 21:22. there's nothing impossible with God people.

After I read the first few lines of your testimony, I knew you got the visa. This shows you really prepared for the interview cos u just dey give the vo "dapada" (back-to-sender), as he blow you one, you dey blow am back with 5!

A big thumbs up to you and Congratulations!!

Wheeeew!

Where do I start from? It's like I have so much to respond to since I've been lurking around as usual but will only say this much.

I seem to understand everyone's opinion on the STEM, going back home issues, etc., and agree with all of them to a large extent.

One thing I've learned and I've always advised anyone coming down here is "HAVE A PLAN" (with its contingencies). Of course, "TO EACH HIS/HER OWN".

Another thing I've learned about America is that there is a system that works but you have to make the system work for YOU. How to achieve this is a function of so many things (STEM, Phd, marriage, return home, etc)including luck which I really don't rely on anyway. (I already assume God is a constant factor).

I don't doubt anyone who claims (s)he will return home neither do I criticise those who decide to stay back. I just assume that's what the person has worked out to be the "best" for him/her based on (s)he knows at that moment. (plus, unless it has been made so, I don't think it should be much of my business).

When I was about to wed a few months before my visa interview, I heard a lot of things that should've discouraged me but right now, with my precious little daughter, all I know is that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life! I would make that choice over and over again if I had the chance.

Just to note that as for me, on whether staying here or going back home, I think I share the same thinking with Kpolli. "Na anywhere belle face!" (but I've a serious bias for here of course).

DISCLAIMER
Anywhere does not include Afghanistan, Yemen and the likes.

phateemah73: @successgrace, can i just print out the reply of the mail i sent to them to the embassy because the letter may not reach here before my interview date if i should tell them to send it with all this holiday or the embassy don't need any letter. pls i need ur advice

Just as snazzygirl said, you may ask them to scan the extension letter written on a letterheaded paper, that I'm sure is sufficient.

Also just to let u know that even email printouts have worked very well for all the people I know, so I think you'll be just fine.

dmoney104: My f1 interview went like this , my appointment was 9:30 I got dere 6:00.
My number was called @ counter 4 or 5 but it was a guy wit blue shirt sha...and my number was A207..
Me : good after sir
Vo : no responds, was busy typing
Vo : why are you going to the Us
Me: To study
Vo : what major
Me : teaching english to speakers of other. Languages(tesol)
Vo : which school did you got your 1st degree
Me: uniport, BA in English
Vo: did you take Gre or toel exams for this degree
Me : no sir because my deree does not require it 4 my admission
Vo: sori @ dis point ur visa !la bla. Bla....
Me: ok sir pls wen can I reapply
Vo: anytime you feel like...my school is (VIU) pls I need ur suggestions towaRds disexperinece..

Dmoney, sorry for the denial but pls listen to the voice of the elders and stop being the knife and wound!

bigfrancis21: Lolol. HƠ̴̴̴̴͡w does mentioning Arizona do the job? Ι̥s̶̲̥̅̊ the place quite uninhabitable Fø̲̣̣я̅ Nigerians that they wouldn't wanna stay behind after their study? Lolol

Arizona has the most stringent immigration laws. I think the police even has the right to stop you only just to question/investigate your immigration status.


Imperiouxx thanks for yesterday's call will give a feedback as soon as am done.

dammy1102: @obusco4lyfe

NO............
Credit Card is not allowed for most countries, Nigeria Inclusive, so even if you try to make payments online it will tell you straight up that it's not allowed.

i usually make payment via western union quick transfer with all the I-20 details. it takes approximately 3-5 business days or less to have the receipt available online at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/dhs/loadSearchPage.do

Anyone with a detailed info on the bold text should please help asap.

Awaiting your call imperiouxx, thanks!

A quote from 7:59am On Nov 11

athlone: please house a friend of mine want to know how he can get his F-2 visa,his wife just left for the US a month ago and he wish to visit her by december...what documents does he need please?

A quote from 8:23pm On Nov 11

Square65: I hope his wife declared she is married to him on her ds160? Otherwise it might be difficult but not impossible.

Tell your friend to ask his wife to get him his i20(they might need proof of additional finances determined by the school, shdnt be more than $3k extra or so), with copies of her own i20, visa page, i94, proof of enrollment(registration), phone records, etc.

He might also need to go with their wedding certificate. Just like other interviews, he might not be asked to show most of these documents but its better to over-prepare.

Another quote from 11:38am on Dec 15

athlone: please a friend is going for an F-2 interview on thursday.....please what documents and possible questions should he expect from the V.O...his wife is in the US with the F-1 visa,hes just going for a visit for 3 weeks.
Thanks.

??

ronakoks: If he's goin for 3 weeks visit, i think he should simply apply for a B1/B2 category. From my own little understanding, F2 is for F1 dependants... which means he intends to stay with her as a dependant in the US until she completes her study.
But if he's just goin for a 3weeks visit to see her. Its best he applies for a visitors visa. Cos thats wat VO will ask him... Why are u applying for F2 when you are only goin to stay for 3weeks. Except he's goin to apply as a dependant. which means he intends to stay with her as a dependant in the US until she completes her studies in the US.

I might have to disagree with you a little on this one. I think he should go for F2, on the condition that his wife declared him as her husband on her ds160 when she applied. With this, I think he stands at least an equal chance (if not more) of getting is visa approved than applying for B1/B2.

I am of the opinion that the vo would wonder why he's applying for B1/B2, if he's qualified to apply for F-2 (just a thought).

And not to say that with F2, he would be able stay or visit anytime for as long as his wife's status is "active" in the US. Renewal is almost automatically approved when requested.

I would only advise him to apply for B1/B2, if and only if his wife didn't declare him as her husband on her visa application. Even with this, he would not state his purpose of travel as going to visit his wife.

ronakoks: thanks,

I made up my mind that even if the vo denies me again... let it be that i put in my best and express my self totally.. so i was very prepared for for the interveiwe.. i took out tyme to read through almost every interveiwe experience on this thread and noticed the parttern of most successful applicants. You have to give the VO an idea of what u stand to benefit from the program and how you will make use of it. I generally refrained from "I will comeback to nigeria" [/b]statement. Its a smelling lie... and the VO know it. Rather I tried to give the VO an Idea of the kind of organization i want to work and what kinda work i will be able to do with my degre (A Clear and sensible career goal). In this case i made mention of some reputable Research Institutions in NIgeria. That way I'm indireclty or subconsciously inferring some intent of returning to Nigeria after my studies in a subtle manner. This one is slightly more believable.

Also i want to say that i picked a little brain from webstrademus's interveiwe experience and i modified it to suit my case.

Mamacita007: You didnt say that you will come back to Nigeria, but [b]it was inferred in your response to the vo when you said that "i will be able to take on technical positions in research institutions like the Institute of Human virology Nigeria or the Nigerian Institute of Medical research or similar organizations and agencies" so its the same thing. As long as you mentioned Nigeria in your goals, thats all they want to hear.

I think what ronakoks meant was that one shouldn't say that statement directly, rather, one should make the vo deduce it him/herself from your goals.

Congrats again, ronakoks!

ronakoks: Helio house,

Just got my f1 approved about 30 mins ago...

I'm so excited.
Ill be shearin my experience saoon I'm on myb way home.. I can't type to well on my BB touch.. So I will post my experiece wen I geet in front of my laptop

Not surprised at all, cos u did so well even in your first interview. Wondered why u were denied ...
Anyway Congrats bro!

@imperiouxx, Eeyaa, I am not in TX anymore. Hope to visit early nxt yr anyway.

airroseice: I thank you @Snazzygirl, I've sent a request to the school (Virginia Internation University) for a GRE waiver. I hope to hear back from them before the day ends. Your tips will not be forgotten you bet. I'll control the nervousness. God bless you.

Virginia International University . . .

Like you have been well advised, go prepared to defend this school. Wish you nothing but the best!

emmanuelkim: PLEASE I NEED SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM

I was at Abuja for my interview, I Meet the lady on counter 8, and she greeted me and say pass me your doc, which i did, she just took my Gt receipt and my ds-160 number, then she started to type, what i heard next was shocking, *Mr kim you have not pay your SEVIS Fee, i ask her how, she say it is not showing on their website, the next thing i see, is that she just bring a white slip, but this is not 214b denial, it read


Dear Kim
tocontinue with your non-immigrant visa application, you will need to provide additional documemntation. providing this document is optional, but we cannot complete your case without it, if you wish to proceed, please return to the consular section with this letter and all requested document Monday through thursday, within six months of the date above.

she went further to tick this option

An 1-901 or other evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee. for more info on SEVIS fees and paymenmt, go to www. fmjfee.com


House what does this mean? because when i went back i check at the SEVIS website and i see my detail on it that i have paid the money, so how come she did not see it?

When i ask her what to do, she say i should go and pay the SEVIS Fee and come back with that white slip she gave to me, i ask her if i am going to book another appointment and pay for Visa application fees, she said no, i just come with the white slip,

THE CONSULAR OFFICERS IN ABUJA ARE NEW PEOPLE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE THAT I SAW IN JULY


HOUSE WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

95% of these cases end up in visas and I've not even heard of the other 5%. I had a somewhat similar experience.

Yes, of course they will! even if it's just for a visit (we all know it won't be 'just a visit'). and if they ask when? (they shouldn't anyway) tell them - anytime after you have settled down and that you are still planning although nothing has been chiseled in stone yet.

Trust me, if u say your family isnt joining you, they would start wondering if you are a family man at all . . . that's how I see it anyway.

Yvete: [quote author=ollyboy1]A very big thank you. Am a married male. If am asked if my family would be joining me,what should be my response? Thank you.

dejik2002: Hello everyone. I am new on this thread but it's been very useful to me. I would be going for my interview next week. But I av a little challenge with my gre scores. I wrote the exam in nov 7 but for some reason that I don't understand ets said the exam was cancelled and I don't have access to my scores online. Please what do I do if I am asked to present the scores though I have my toefl scores. Please advise

If I may ask how did you pay for the GRE registration? I asked because the most likely cause of this situation is that your payment was declined after you wrote the exam. If this is actually your case (which you can easily find out) you need to make a VALID payment equal to the current GRE registration fee and your scores will be released immediately.

I know this cause I have helped a couple of friends in similar situation. Good luck.

I guess what Kpolli meant by intending immigrant was someone who just wanted to "immigrate" to the US by any means possible, with absolutely no intention of studying, and, some people really do sound like that here on this thread.

odowetalu: haba!!! why nah cant you just help out? my school is houston community college.....please help out

Like, seriously? ? ?

talk2D: @odewetalu
... Clear throat

How did you apply to ur sch sir/ma?
Your sch should hav a website and if not, they MUST have a phone no.
Don't be a robot, learn.
Even bad behaviours are learnt.
Google na my second brain.
Type in the name of ur school...what u type is what u see.

Nowadays, e be like say na my first . . .

odowetalu: ma interview is coming and i dont know @@#$%!! about my school

Wonders shall never end!

You can pay ME to tell YOU about YOUR school . . .

[quote author=sagaa]Dear fellow Nairalanders, der is a part in the DS-160 form which asks "Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa"? let me xplain my case..
I have once been a victim of circumstance when i applied for F-1 visa wif my Naija "P" which had a resident permit on it cos i was living in GHANA then in 2003(but now expired and now changed to an e- passport 2012) for my undergrad studies @the US embassy in GHANA(Accra) and was involved in/accused of presenting a forged WAEC result/certificate...hence i was denied. So,i came bak 2 naija in 2004,had my BSc in one of the UNIVERSITIES,graduated 2008,served NYSC,have 3yrs working exp.in d oil and gas sector,and i hv just been issued my I-20 for MSc. for d Spring semester 2013. Of cuz i nw have a new E-passport and nw bak to d main Question-"Have you ever been refused a U.S. Visa"? pls house wat wud be my response to the bolded question above? shud i say 'NO' cos i had my interview in GHANA in 2003 and dat the passport is nw expired and changed to an e-Passport or tell the truth(YES)and explain on the interview day when asked by presenting the Original WAEC Certificate ..and even if i want to tell the truth, do i need to explain all that transpired on the space provided in the DS-160 form.. I wud be having my interview in LAGOS nxt month..i took d GRE,TOEFL,good statement of account.. etc. I am worried it might have an effect on the outcome of my visa interview nxt month.. i donno.. pls reply ASAP ..housemates..
N.B- I took the Biometrics(finger-print)then at the US Embassy in GHANA 2003.[/quuote]

You have only one answer option to that question and it's a yes. Like someone has already advised, tell them the copy of your statement of result which you presented did not convince the vo of its authenticity.

Also, try go with your original waec certificate if you have it. All the best.

webstradamus: +1

Y'all can actually lookup your zip code on the NIPOST website here: http://www.nigeriapostcodes.com

Please tell them again ...

Kpolli et al ...

All of you are right, kind of.

While, strictly, 234xxx is NOT a postal/code, courier/mailing services understand it when one uses the country+state code in its place, so yes one could say it's "widely" accepted.

And, yes, Nigeria does actually have ACTUAL post/zip codes (see link below)! It's just surprising that they are never used!! One's mail would even have a higher chance of getting delivered if the 234 version is used. This somewhat contributes to the inefficiency of our mailing system.

http://www.nigeriapostcodes.com/views/

athlone: please house a friend of mine want to know how he can get his F-2 visa,his wife just left for the US a month ago and he wish to visit her by december...what documents does he need please?

I hope his wife declared she is married to him on her ds160? Otherwise it might be difficult but not impossible.

Tell your friend to ask his wife to get him his i20(they might need proof of additional finances determined by the school, shdnt be more than $3k extra or so), with copies of her own i20, visa page, i94, proof of enrollment(registration), phone records, etc.

He might also need to go with their wedding certificate. Just like other interviews, he might not be asked to show most of these documents but its better to over-prepare.

obusco4lyfe: dt question belongs to google nd google only

Not entirely true, he might use some advise here

imperiouxx: If she is actually banned, then it is a ban to life. Not else, this is America!

Don't think so imperiouxx, there are different levels of bans depending on how long one over stays.

dnpasion: Please my fellow Nairalanders, What is the difference between DS-160 Application ID and DS-160 Confirmation Number? The reason why i'm asking this is because i want to Schedule Appointment and i have not fill my DS-160. So please i need your response. thanks

kpolli: You kidding right?? How wud u schedule without filling DS-160?

Very much possible. Your application ID ends up being your confirmation number, and, even if it's not you can always change the confirmation number submitted on your interview appointment details. Go ahead.

Anthonymighty: Thanks imperiouxx. I emailed my IA and she even said she is not 100% sure if it will remain the same or change. She asked me to wait until i get the new i-20 to be sure before i proceed on anything. And

Your IA must be inefficient or simply lazy. All he/she has to do is to pull up your SEVIS record and email the necessary details.

A lot of schools I know even email I-20 details (SEVIS ID, Sch code, etc) on request (or even without requesting) before mailing the document itself.

Or thinking of it again, your IA may know the new SEVIS ID but may not really know what the SEVIS ID of the old I-20 was. If you have not done so already, ask him/her to provide you the SEVIS ID of your new I-20 so you can do the comparison yourself.

If it's not urgent, do as he/she has advised.

rman: Very few nairalanders are intelligent.

I'm implore those mad at the writer to read the article again, without emotional sentiments, and give the proper response.

Tushe!

The conflict of opinions here is very much understandable. Almost everyone's comment here makes sense (with an exception of just a few) but the one that really got to me was how the boys were murdered. It was not even until today I learned of their innocence which has really worsened my grief. I am really ashamed to have anything in common with those set of living creatures that ordered, masterminded, observed, (not helplessly watched), made the video (yes), of the killings.

Now, there just might seem to be a justification for those who still call us savages ...

I hear o ...

According to the presidential nominee Mitt Romney, the U.S. economy can be faster restored by a policy of strategic immigration.

Mitt Romney's policy of strategic immigration will focus on providing more U.S. work visas for holders of advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and math from other nations. It proposes that highly educated immigrants can assist in creating new services and products in the U.S. The platform encourages foreign students graduating from an American university with an advanced degree in math, science, technology or engineering to live in the U.S. and contribute to economic prosperity and job creation.

"As in past generations," the platform notes, "we should encourage the world's innovators and inventors to create our common future and their permanent homes in the U.S."

The platform objects to illegal immigration in the U.S. It warns that the presence of millions of unidentified persons in this country is a risk to the safety and the sovereignty of the U.S.

"We are grateful to the thousands of new immigrants, many of them not yet citizens, who are serving in the Armed Forces. Their patriotism should encourage us all to embrace the newcomers legally among us, assist their journey to full citizenship, and help their communities avoid isolation from the mainstream of society" the platform states.

If you are interested in Visas to the USA, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the United States of America.

@djunit, you don't have to force your impression about life in Yankee on everyone. That you faced (are facing) some kind of problems does not mean others must (have) face(d) it. You are not in a position to say all those saying "Yankee is sweet" have families here. There's a whole lot of different possible (legal) situations for different students. Also to note that people have different thresholds of suffering, two people in the same situation can have one very comfortable in it and the other feeling it's unbearable.

As everyone has rightly pointed out, (including yourself), you don't expect to come to Yankee and get everything on a platter of gold. you must play your part well by coming prepared. Since this is already established please let us leave it at that.

As for ME, I will NEVER discourage people who want to come to Yankee with a genuine purpose (especially study). In fact, I encourage them, explaining to them what it takes, in order for them to weigh the pains vs the rewards thereafter so they come prepared.

In the end, I come to a conclusion that, whether you want to come here and stay or go back home/somewhere else after your study, it is always a worthwhile venture.