Oluwanifemi96:
Good day everyone, please is having a close relative in the US going to have a negative effect on visa decision?
I have an older sister in the US, who is married and has a kid, and I intend to stay with her throughout my time in the US.
Please I would like to know.

It may. The VO will probably see that you have a sister in the US and your school is in the same city too and see it as an intent to go and live with her rather than studying.

My advice would be to go with a school that is in a different state from your sister. Then as long as your sister is in status and hasn't violated any visa rules, you'll be fine and it shouldn't have a negative effect on your visa decision.

Fairheart Eniolakiite solihp walspring friedpotato muleriders cocao predstan emeritusseun futuresenator geewin69
please come and share one or two things here, let's get this thread going
How is the temperature at your location now?

I am in Wichita, Kansas. I have been in the US for almost a month now. It's been hectic but I have been adjusting well to everything except for some of the fruits and the chicken lol. Some of those things taste very different here but you begin to get used to them with time.

Lectures have been mostly online, assignments and lab works are a lot. Grad studies are very time consuming.

Also it can get very cold here in the Midwest. As at last week it was -23celcius at some point

Spanishmilf:
This thread is about Life in the US for Immigrants

I discovered there is a gap in the research community of families living in the US unlike other countries (UK and Germany) though there are numerous thread on visa applications and survival tips for students .

It is an avenue for people that have emigrated to United State (with or without their families) to share their experiences to help future applicants.

Kindly share your personal experiences and comments on:

* Your visa application experience /adjustment status experience


* Travelling experience (airlines and airport to use)

* What are the immigration rules to follow?

* Immigrants and Non-immigrant visas

* Can you open a bank account while still in Nigeria and what bank has the best customer service and plan)

* Which State/suburb did you settle in and why?

* Public Transportation Vs Driving in the US

* Driving in US? How long can you use your Naija driving license before you get a license?

* Where you live and why you like it or don't like it? Tips on choosing the right neighborhood.(Internet plans, electricity company to use, setting up a house)

*Renting Vs Mortgage (pitfalls to avoid when choosing mortgage)

* Using a credit card (things to avoid)

* Childcare for kids below 5 (cost and how do you go about choosing a minder)

* Business Tips you can do both over there and abroad

* How do you send money home (without much loss)


* Tips on raising kids in a western environment as an African

* What culture shock have you experienced?

* Tips on how to cloth and cope with the cold weather

* Nigerian restaurants and market in your location

* How much does your family survive on in a month?

* Developing Nigeria from Abroad (How to go about it)

* Nigeria Community in Newyork


* Fun things to do grin

* And any other ...



Cc justwise, DisGuy, lionlee16,Franknetter, drenimarcus

Nice thread. Been searching for something like this because the ones for Canada, Australia, UK and Germany are very much active

Jolek15:
Please guys which one should I fill?

f1 is non immigrant visa

GODofFire:
Hi House, I recently paid for the US student VISA, but yet to start my DS-160 application. I don't have my Sevis number yet either. I'd like to save an early spot for interview. Can I go ahead to book a date? Is it possible to update DS-160 confirmation number and Sevis number after booking an appointment?

see this post

Stevenssen:
It doesn't really matter. He can do either first. He can pay the visa fee, book an appointment and fill his ds form later. The important thing to know is that you must complete the form, submit it and put the form number on your cgi appointment page and you should do these before 72 hours to your interview

Malone122:
ii am so sorry to disturb you sir
I have been denied twice USA and once Canadian visa going for my undergrad
So I really can’t afford to mess it up now I’m planning to try again
It’s really hurtful being denied

Sir I have three options
1)Missouri state university
2) St. Cloud State University.
3)southwest Minnesota state university

which is better you advice I use ??
God bless you for your time

They are all good options, especially 1 and 2. Go with the one that gave you funding or the one with the lowest deficit.
Also know that age can be a factor for undergrad. E.g someone that is 25 years has slim chances of getting visa for undergrad compared to someone that is below 20.

Malone122:
sir please which is preferable between minot state university and southwest Minnesota state university??
For a bachelors degree

Southwest Minnesota state would be my choice out of the two. Bigger school and higher ranked

DRiches:
Hello house, please can someone direct me to US immigrant visa thread?

Thanks, I would appreciate it

I don't know if there is such a thread. Like 'life as a Canadian immigrant' or the ones for Australia or UK. Does anyone know of any American one?

Malone122:
good morning sir please how do you see Southeast state Missouri university and Missouri State University?

both are okay. hope you applied to schools in other states too

drjustice17:
.


OK thanks. Is the site different from us embassy site. Pls help me with the site. Just write it out for me.

cgifederal dot secure dot force dot com

omofolajomi:
Good Morning Great People,

I would like everyone to help me go over my proposed transcript as i prepare for my interview

Masters: Business Administration
School: Lincoln University Oaklanf carlifonia Note: Kindly help me go through and pin point errors, correction. And also this might be little long.

VO- Good morning
Me- Good morning sir, how was your night
VO- why are you going to the US?
Me- I am going to the US for my master's in business Admistration at Lincon University oakland California.
VO- How many universities did you apply to?
Me - 3 universities, which are Lincoln University Oakland California, Bridgeport university connecticut, and Valpariaso University Indiana.

I would advise you to pick Bridgeport over Lincoln

omofolajomi:

VO'- Are you married?
Me - No i am not, but i am engaged with my fiance here in Nigeria and we should be getting married when i return after the completion of my program.

Just say 'no'. No need bringing the fiance into this unless you are asked. It looks like you are trying too hard to create a home tie.

drjustice17:
.

Pls what is CGI appointment?

the site where you book your interview from

drjustice17:
Good day all. My friend have received his i20 and sevi fee paid. He want to fill the DS 160 for interview. Pls he want to know if he can fill the DS160 before paying for visa fee or for him to pay first before, filling the form. Thanks waiting for reply.

It doesn't really matter. He can do either first. He can pay the visa fee, book an appointment and fill his ds form later. The important thing to know is that you must complete the form, submit it and put the form number on your cgi appointment page and you should do these before 72 hours to your interview

GreatUniben:
I was admitted to PhD Language study recently with Graduate Assistantship/Teaching Assistantship at Clemson University in South Carolina. Can I accept now and later reject if another PhD Language study, admission in a different school comes up?

Sure you can.

Upforsex:
Good evening all. Please with a budget of 3.5m -4m, can I study in USA? Masters in USA. Specifically humanities. The money quoted above is the overall budget for everything till I land there. Please respond. Thank you

sure, it's very possible.
if you can get a fully funded scholarship or one with very little deficit that the money can cover

Schools that do not require WES or any evaluation.

After my visa denial in November, I visited the websites of probably about 600 schools while searching for schools to apply to. Fortunately I was approved the 2nd time. A positive thing is that I was able to write some schools down and now I have time to make this list.

These schools do not require any evaluation from you. The first 14 schools here, I am sure they will let you apply with your unofficial transcript then send the official one later. For the rest, some may let you apply with your unofficial transcript while some will need the official one during your application (You can verify from their website). Information is correct as at December 2020.

Wichita State University.
University of South Carolina.
University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
TAMUK.
University of Minnesota, Duluth.
Western Illinois University.
University of Central Missouri.
University of Missouri, St Louis.
Georgia State University.
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
Auburn University of Montgomery.
University of Memphis(Computer Science dept.)
University of South Dakota.
East Tennessee State University.

North Dakota State University.
University of Vermont.
Cleveland State University.
Western Washington University.
University of Central Florida.
Bowling Green State University.
Old Dominion University.
University of Houston, Clear Lake.
Central Michigan University.
University of Hawaii, Manoa.
Jacksonville State University.
Southern Illinois University.
University of Detroit, Mercy.
Western Oregon University.
California State University, Sacramento.
California State University, Fresno.
California State University, Ponoma.
University of California, Merced.
Clark University.
Western Kentucky University.
Louisiana Tech University.
University of Northern Colorado.
Utah Valley University.
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Illinois State University.
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
Arkansas State University.
Southern A & M University.
Eastern Illinois University.
Indiana State University.
Georgia College and State University.
Youngstown State University.
Montana State University
Marshall University
Humboldt State University.

There are a lot more but this is what I have.
Even with all these, I would advise you to evaluate your transcript if you have the time and resources, your options will be endless! But if you don't, then fine. That is what this list is for.
Hope it helps someone
All the best!

Rudy23:
Hi guys ; how long does it take Universities generally to give an admission response.

It depends on many factors like when you apply, the University process, your department. etc.
But if you already applied, expect most admission decisions for Fall to come around February ending and March

Stalon99:
Hi guys, I was denied this morning at Abuja. I feel so sad. Will have to reapply. Not giving up

So sorry about that.
please share your transcript when you can.
Nice to see you're not giving up

KemLaughs:
Hello and Happy Sunday�! Please is there anyone here who was denied in Lagos consulate and approved at Abuja here? I'll like to ask a few questions.

Me. Nov 13th 2020 and Jan 13th

Sandra1776:
What are the requirements to apply for universities in Canada BSc program

ask on the Canada thread

Magma012:

What is STEM

Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

edox15:


After you were denied the first time and your expedited appointment request denied, did you pay another VISA fee.
How does the whole process work.

You can request an emergency appointment once with a visa fee. But even if you are denied the request, you will still have ur regular appointment and you can still reschedule as usual

Got my passport back today with my visa on it .
My visa was approved on Wednesday 13th January.


Exactly two months ago, I was denied at Lagos consulate with a different school. Here is my profile and interview for the first attempt :

University of South Carolina.
Funding : in state tuition + $250 per semester.
Deficit : 33k.
Course : Computer Science Msc
Status : Denied

November 13th 2020.
The VO on window 12 seemed calm and was taking time to ask questions, I really wanted to be interviewed by him because I was confident.
He was just finishing with the last person and I was getting ready to meet him when another vo came in the other window. This vo looked like he didn't have time sef and the security directed me to him.

Me : good morning
Vo : *collects my documents and scans my fingers. He then looks at my i-20 for a while *
How many schools did you apply to?

Me : (I was wondering why he asked this first) I applied to 5 schools in total

Vo : how many gave you admission?

Me : 3 of them, gsu, wsu and u of South Carolina

Vo : so why did you choose usc

Me : I chose university of South Carolina mainly because of the courses I will be taking. I will be taking startup in computing, they were the only school that I saw from my Search offering it and the knowledge I get from it will be very essential to my mobile application development startup here when I come back, I will also be taking mobile application development, I like their mobile application development class because we will be using a software called Cordova which I have always wanted to learn for mobile development, I was also awarded a graduate fellowship, which gives me resident tuition and 250 dollars per semester.

Vo : so who will be sponsoring you?

Me : my mum

Vo : what does your mum do?

Me : she's a judge in a high court

Vo : a judge

Me : yes

Vo : okay has your mum ever been to the US?

Me : no

Vo : how many siblings do you have?

Me : 4 siblings

Vo : are they all younger than you?

Me : I have a senior brother and all the other siblings are younger.

Vo : okay, your senior brother, what does he do?

Me : he imports and sells clothing materials

Vo : he imports and sells clothing materials?

Me : yes

Vo *types for a while and puts my i-20 back into my passport then pulls out the yellow paper *
They say when you get approved, you go deaf and I think this also happens when you are refused. My heart sank and I went deaf immediately he put my i-20 back into my passport. I don't even remember if he made the usual refusal speech or not but he must have since they make a speech for everyone both approved or denied. I do not even remember how I collected my documents back. The next thing I remember after that was walking out and getting sympathizing glances from those still standing in line. And in my mind, I was like 'Stop feeling sorry for me and focus on your own interviews' lol.

Later on, some people looked at my transcript and pointed out that the problem was the 'importing' and that some VOs do not like to hear that & someone else also told me that they seem to have a thing against civil servants sponsoring you.

I paid another visa fee and began looking out for dates but was not seeing any. I applied for emergency appointment and was refused(because I have been denied recently) after more than a week of tough waiting. By that time it was almost christmas and my start date was 5th January. Luckily for me, I had admission to Wichita state uni and they were resuming 26th January. So when I saw 13th January available in Abuja, I grabbed the date and transferred my SEVIS from USC to WSU.

Honestly I was not optimistic for my 2nd interview. I had already browsed out 8 schools that I wanted to apply to for Fall & even called my lecturers to wish them happy new year cos I was expecting to disturb them for recommendation letters soon.

2nd Attempt, Abuja embassy.
Wichita state university, Computer Science masters (no funding, 26k deficit).
13th January 2021.
Status : Approved.

As I entered the hall for interview and sat down. A young white male vo was asking the guy he was interviewing about the family sponsor listed on his i-20 and the guy said it was his uncle and that his uncle had been taking care of his studies. The vo denied him after this (I later met the guy outside and he said his uncle has a different surname and his deficit was 24k. That was probably why he was denied). Shortly after, he beckoned to me.

The vo was nice and cool.

Me : Good morning *passes my documents *

vo : Good morning * types for some seconds and takes my finger prints* What is your purpose to the US?

Me : To study at Wichita state university

vo : What are you going to study?

Me : Computer Science

vo : I can see on your i-20, sponsor is family funds, who will be sponsoring you?

Me : My mum will sponsor me

vo : What does she do?

Me : She is a judge at xxxxx

vo : A judge?

Me : Yes sir. (because of how my last interview went, I immediately added) "I have her account statement here, if you would like to see it?"

vo : Oh yes, of course. I will definitely see the account statement. I will see it (he said this enthusiastically as if it was his favorite part of the job. Lol)

He typed for about 30 seconds and asks for it. So I pass it to him.

Me : The first one is her savings account and the second one is her salary account.

vo : okay

He enters something from the first statement to his computer, probably converting to dollars. He didn't really look at the second one

vo : So what will this program do for you?

Me : Sir, I have a mobile and web development startup here. My program at wsu is focused on mobile and web development, so the knowledge I get from my program will be useful to me as I come back to expand my startup and launch the applications and websites that I want to launch

vo : okay

Then he takes out a white paper, joins it with my other documents and started saying something. I always said I will hear this part but I was too busy asking myself if I had just been approved. I did not expect the interview to be this short (about 3 mins). I collected the documents and glanced at the white paper, it contained info about passport retrieval. The vo was still saying something and was talking really fast. I only heard the last thing he said which was 'Enjoy your studies'.

Me : Thank you

vo : You're welcome

Me : Have a nice day

vo : Thank you




And that was it!
Now to the next process of booking flight ✈ and sweet travel arrangements
I wish all of us success. A denial is only there to make your approval sweeter.

osadestiny:
Please the place that was stated have you ever been refused a US visa and refused admission to the United state, what should I put there because I have previously been refused the US visa.

Answer yes and write the visa type you were refused for

iyatrustee:

See

thank you

iyatrustee:


Wuse mkt. Around that side they sell okrika. There is one guy that deals on those, i usually buy mine from there. Sells everything from thermal wears, to gloves, to head warmers etc

If you aren't planning to buy before friday, i can get you his number.

can I have his number please?

Visa approved in Abuja. transcript later

Good luck to us all!

Phateemah8235:
I picked Jan 22 after my emergency appointment got approved but I still have the reschedule button on my portal. So can I still go ahead or still keep looking for date?.y Lagos deh do like dis na, from Jan 22 to 29.

I don't really understand your question but if you want to choose the 12th that is available, you have to cancel your current emergency appointment then create a new regular appointment and pick the 12th

Phateemah8235:
Have you try doing dis or anyone here cancel emergency appointment and successfully pick Jan 12. The date is still available, I want to be sure before doing that as well.

if you haven't cancelled your appointment or rescheduled before, you are allowed to do that once.

feclela:
While I'm waiting for Conestoga College on my admission application, I want to apply to one more school from the following and I need recommendation from gurus.
1. Algonquin College
2. Gorge Brown College
3. Camosun College
4. Durham College
5. Humber college
6. Keyano College

Program going for is PGC in HRM.
My Qualification: HND
Questions:
1. Which is better?
2. What is the initial deposit fee for the above Colleges.

Any information will really be appreciated.

Humber college
Algonquin
George Brown
Camosun in that order.
You can check their sites for info on deposits