₦airaland Forum

gogs130:
Please am f4 too please what is your pd and when did you receive your welcome letter because my pd is 26 June 2008 and have not received welcome letter yet.thanks

The ppl younare referencing are already in the US
Check the latest Visa bulletin.

Just put june us visa bulletin in your google search.

Click on the link from US dept of state

Scroll down to the second table..look undeer All chargeability areas for F4 date.

You should get your welcome letter soon

Maryfaith:
Good day, fam.

Please I need your advice on an issue affecting my UK visa application.

I have applied for the UK Standard Visitor Visa three times over the past year, and unfortunately, they were all refused on the grounds of financial stability even though I have a sponsor who’s covering the entire cost of my trip.

To increase my chances, I engaged a professional visa agent who helped me put together a much stronger application. I’ve also been saving diligently for the past six months in preparation.

However, a few days ago, I noticed a huge withdrawal from my salary account through a GSI (Global Standing Instruction) recovery system. It turns out GTBank recovered funds due to a loan I took last year. I had been repaying monthly, but after the last visa refusal, I paused payments to focus on saving more towards my journey. I was not aware of this system neither was I alerted by the bank for loan repayment before pulling a GSI recovery system. Also, they send me unclear statement of account monthly that indicate just interest and not the loan.

Now, I’m really confused and unsure of the next step to take. Please, what solution or advice can you offer? I’ll deeply appreciate any help.

Thank you.

Based on your account, you were refused 3 times even though you had a sponsor

As long as you're an adult and not elderly then you are expected to BE YOUR OWN sponsor.

If you don't have funds for a visit then save until you do.
Stop wasting money on applications and agents.

Please apply again when you enough funds to show you can afford the costs plus still have money left in your account

internationalman:
Ok. Do you have any ideas on how long the wait time might be.

The visa they stamp on your passport is valid for 6 months from the date of your medicals.

So they have to send to you before that visa expires.

You must be in the USA before that date expires.
Your petitioner also must be in the US as at when you enter as well. Very important.

If you're a praying person pray don't fret

stacyadams:
f11..

Cr1 just dey get IL...every month..I no understand that f sef

CR and IR are immediate family so there's no visa cap

F1 is not immediate family as far as US immigration is concerned.

Teju2014:
I was told they have reduced the staff at the Embassy. Not sure how true it is but looks like a strong possibility. It is only those who were refused and re-invited for 221g that got a quick response. Now i am referring to Lagos. As for me i don't have any urgent travel plans so i am not too bothered.

There two thpes of staff at embassy. Local hires and those who work for Fed agenciy DOS so are like civil service hires and they do interviews nott the liocal hires The latter has been reduced since COVID, which is why you no longer see long queues, same reason visa interview dates are months ahead.

They will not recruit more people because of Nigeria

internationalman:
But what's the essence of the In-person document review if they couldn't tell me those tax returns were not going to be accepted at the interview proper. I personally asked the person that conducted it if all my documents were completed, he said yes and sealed everything up in an envelope and gave back to me to return on the interview day. Also, in the handout they gave to us it was clearly written tax returns or transcripts.


I live far away from Lagos and I have had to travel to Lagos on 5 different occasions since my interview letter was emailed to me. Imagine the risk of traveling Nigerian roads and having to lodge in a hotel all the time.

Well, I have submitted the IRS transcripts for the 3 most recent years and W2 as they demanded. Now begins another waiting game. This whole process is stressful and tiring.

The person doing the document check is not the Visa Officer.

Whatever the visa officer requests for at the interview is what they require at the time of the interview.

E.g none of the documents we upload at NVC stage include pictures of you and the petitioner.
Yet because at interviews Visa officers have asked applicants for such.most people bring these along in case they ask.

I rarely refuse IMMIGRANT VISAS, refusañs are usually if the relationship with the petitioner is not genuine or petitioner has passed even at that there are waivers.

Xontinu to have patience, people have waited 20yrs, 14yrs, 8yrs yet the person who is currently waiting 6months would still say this thing is tiring.


Just prepare to travel as soon as your passport is ready that way you wont travel back. Take the flight from Lagos

internationalman:
I had all documents in place yet I still entered administrative processing because of one very tiny little reason.

Actually its not a tiny reason, its only that way to you.
Although tax returns are standard they can ask for transcripts. It happened for me too. Its not about you its about the sponsor.

stacyadams:
F series na 2 years after DQ wtf

Which F did you check for?

There's been a backlog so at least this lets you know where you are

lonikit:
Please I need help. After scheduling interview. What are the things to be done. What are the documents required to take to the interview. Please help. My mum interview is in July. Please help the category is IR5. Help please

If your mum has been scheduled for interview then the list of things to do would have been in the email sent to her or her child (petitioner) .
Look at it and follow the directions

Efetobore1980:
**
Hello.
Visit page 3 of the travel section and repost your question there ( attached.. red circle). 👍

The couple got married so they are not K1 applicants

Damalex4luv:
Hello my people, my brother American girlfriend came to Nigeria over 2 years ago, they did their court wedding and have submitted every necessary document for my brothers Relocation. But up till now nothing has been heard from the embassy, please can anyone with experience on this gives me ideas on what next he do to fast track the whole thing. because his wife in America is getting frustrated everyday with the delay

Go to the NVC thread in travel section.
You would need to know first if the petition was approved and you have completed NVC stage
I shared a new tool to check when you're likely to get interview date

This thread is for non immigrant visa applications

NotsonewMary:
Hi, you’re F-1 visa right? Were you the one that wrote that you’re currently on OPT?
If yes, is your current employment done remotely. Excuse my curiosity lol, just wondering how you’ve been able pull this off while still on OPT without being physically in the US.

PS: Hope you’re considering EB1/EB2 if you have plans to stay in the US post-study.
Check my timeline, I started a thread on employment based immigration sometime in 2022 and it has lots of info that you might find useful along the way.

All the best!

I believe he's in Nigeria

Godsknight:
Look for someone in US or Canada . I sent mine to someone in Canada to assist me to pay.

Try pay4meapp

You can check them on Instagram

Some good news

If you're DOCUMENTARILY QUALIFIED. The Department of State has introduced a tool for you to check when you can expect your interview date

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/iv-wait-times.html#:~:text=Visa%20Application%20Fees-,IV%20Scheduling%20Status%20Tool,specific%20U.S.%20embassy%20or%20consulate.

Some good news

If you're DOCUMENTARILY QUALIFIED. The Department of State has introduced a tool for you to check when you can expect your interview date

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/iv-wait-times.html#:~:text=Visa%20Application%20Fees-,IV%20Scheduling%20Status%20Tool,specific%20U.S.%20embassy%20or%20consulate.

So the recent changes in enforcement of immigration policy is changing how immigrants are being seen.
I wanted to advice all intending new migrants coming in as green card holders. Remember that although this means you can permanently reside in the US, it is still a privilege. So please avoid getting into trouble and anything that will cause you to get detained or filing of anything with the police.
Leave protests for citizens
Check and recheck don't do fraud or try to be sharp ..tolerance is low

ajayiseg2000:
Hello Guru’s,Please can annyone assist me in checking if my priority date has been current or past because I don’t know how to check it. My priority date is 23May2011 on F4.Thank you

Look for the most recent Visa bulletin
The first table for family based visas, check F4 and if the date under the rest of the world is on or past your date then it's current.

To find Visa bulletin ..just search in Google latest US visa bulletin you'll see links just click on the link for USCIS and check

Waposh:
The Gaza question was asked to some other applicants they placed on AP as well
And there where not issuing straight approval
It’s either outright deny or placed on AP
I guess that’s the new thread

Federal agencies based on one of Trump's executive order can do more detailed vetting on foreign nationals so AP might become more common .

Gbemmyrita:
Good morning guys, please I need a help. My brother went to interview at the Lagos consulate last year and he was told to get a DNA test done which he did and he submitted his documents to the OIS services. When he got a mail to pick up his passport, he went to get it but there was no visa in his passport and he was given the same slip requesting a DNA. At this point, we are confused and we don’t know what to do. We have contacted the embassy and sent a mail to the DNA office but there’s no response at all.

Has anyone had this type of experience before? Does anyone have an ideas what need to be done?
Please help me.

Did you book your DNA test at a designated centre.?
I expect they should have provided a designated centre. Those centers will send results directly to the embassy.

If you do send email pls send to the email for immigrant visa and use subject line clearly..eg DNA test then name of applicant

I doubt you still need yellow fever card to travel to Ghana

But port health is the building right by the toll gate that's on the way to international airport. You can get your card plus vaccines in a day

Fechner37:
Hello fellow Nairalanders,

I'm looking for a self-catering apartment in New York City for my family of 5 (3 kids) for 3 weeks between August and September. We're on a budget, so I'd appreciate any recommendations or links to affordable options in any of the boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, or Bronx).


Thanks in advance for your help!

Try spare room.com

You can find people renting either rooms or apartments for short term.

Though I'd say book a hotel for border purposes at least for first day/night

Waposh:
Had my visa interview on May 2nd, 2025 at Abuja embassy, Nigeria
1st time
PhD in chemistry
My time was slated for 8am, got to the embassy around seven and joined the first batch, a lot of people had interview this day so the queue was so long and exhausting, after the screening and standing, we entered the hall, first went to do biometrics then joined queue again for interview

Interview proper
I was interview by i guess an Indian American female in her mid/late 20s(she seems young)
My interview was quite long took around 15mins or so and most of it we where not talking, she was just looking at her computers, typing or looking at my I-20

Me: Good morning ma, happy new month (passing my I-20 and passport)
VO: smiled, (the only time she follow me smile through out the interview) Good morning
She go through my I-20 and ask what would this degree do for you ?

Me: This degree would allow me pick up a senior lecturing role at my current place of work where I work as a Teaching Assistant at the Bleep…I have always been passionate about becoming a professor

VO: which field will you be working on ?

Me: I will be focusing on the field of analytical and environmental chemistry, my research specialization is on air quality analysis using nanoscale materials to monitor and mitigate air pollution, this research is very important particularly in developing countries like Nigeria where we experience significant amount of air pollution and air contamination that as been a major problem to our public health

Then VO was silent for about 3-4 mins don’t know what she was looking at in her computer cus I can’t see it, and I did not want to talk until she ask me something so I don’t shoot myself on the leg,
After the long silence

VO: Why this school

Me: Kansas state University stood out for me because of its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research particularly in the field of analytical and environmental chemistry which I am majored in, I will be working with renowned faculties particularly prof Bleep whom I will be working with, his research on air quality analysis using nanoscale materials strongly aligns with my background and research goals and aspiration

VO: How many school did you apply to ?

Me: I applied to three universities, Kent state, Miami University and Kansas state
Kansas state stood out for me because of it strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research particularly in my field of environmental chemistry, I will also be working with renowned and outstanding faculties in my department

I was not even sure if she was really listening because she was just looking at her computer and did not really look at me or even nod her head

She was silent again, now looking at my I-20 for like 3 min then asked

VO: is this funding secured ?

Me: yes

VO: what’s the on-campus employment on your I-20? What will be your role ?

Me: it’s a 20 hour per week duties which I will be working as a teaching assistant, my role majorly involves conducting laboratory sessions, teaching undergraduate student and grading assignments

VO: how long have you been working as a Teaching Assistant here in Nigeria ?

Me: October 2024

VO: so what have you been doing before that ?

Me: I graduated in September 2024, then I was appointed as a Teaching Assistant by my department due to my strong academic background and strong involvement in my department during my undergraduate

VO: goes silent again this time looking at her computer for like 3 mins
Then suddenly left her seat and goes to I think her supervisor (the supervisor was at the back and I can see them discussing, VO was pointing to my I-20 but I can’t hear what they where saying exactly…VO came back and ask for my funding letter from my department

I quickly rushed to my file and grab out the letter and pass it over, then she went back to her supervisor and takes another 2 mins or so
All through this discussion, I was trying to get what they where saying but I can’t, I guess it was about the funding
Then VO comes back
Still did not ask me anything and I didn’t ask any thing too.
Then after she asked me

VO: what social media do you use ?

Me: I said LinkedIn (knowing that’s the only social media that was on my DS-160)

VO: only ?

Me: yes

VO: okay, have you been to Gaza ?

I was like Gaza bawo!
Even the eyes I used in answering this question the VO shock

Me: not at all oo

Goes silent again, this time like forever…looking and scrolling through her system, (only God knows weti she Dey look for exactly) then type and type

Then she goes okay great,
Picks up a white paper, (i don Dey happy say approval don show)

VO: I will be placing you on administrative processing, you don’t have to do anything and we don’t need anything from you, we will let you know by email notification for the next step, I will be keeping your I-20 (then returned me my passport and funding letter)

Me: okay, thank you and left

Typically AP means they are checking your back ground.

Are you sure you only use LinkedIn?
Do you have siblings or associates linked to middle East etc

Your name might be similar to someone else

googleTALK:
I'm in Nigeria, but that said, I know people that got their IW approved from the US. Have you seen anyone that got rejected solely because they were not in the country at the time of application?

It's good that you are in Nigeria.

To your question YES and they got told to schedule in person appointment.

That others got away with it doesn't mean it's not wrong. Your records of entry in and out of the USA are in your records and having F1 renewed in Ng will also show where it was issued.

There are consulates in Caribbean,Canada ,Mexico that you can schedule your visa appointment. Typically it's ready in 1-2days.

And as long as you are still studying and not leaving the US you don't need to renew your F1 even if it expires.

As an F1 student you can renew your F1 visa in any us consulate closeto America

wallg123:
There are more Filipinos and Indian house helps/ house keepers in the UK but we don't see them making headlines. They work for some of the wealthiest people/ families. example footballers, politicians and diplomats. There are registered agencies that would provide you house help within and outside the UK. Make use of them to avoid story that touch. Or take your children to childminders. Life is simple but people just complicate it for the sake of saving few £

Gbam.
Get it officially

Lexusgs430:
How does this sound, when a girl you discussed all with in Nigeria, went to her Nigerian parents house........ Claims she was Ivorian and exported to Nigeria...... Let me not say too much.....

Remember, we had this discussion a few years ago, and my position was NEVER to go down this route, no matter how desperate.....

Anything to make the soup sweeter...no matter what they paid her fair or not any help you bring has no allegiance to you doesn't even owe you loyalty

Even with full support of Nigerian parents they will Judas you straight.

justwise:
..and when you do?...treat them like human beings else.....

It doesn't matter how you treat them. It's third parties outside your home that will tell them what to do.

That's the sure route for right to remain in the UK for them

Best to get domestic work visa and keep it as such

googleTALK:
Hello everyone, Input from current US students will be appreciated.

I am a US graduate student trying to renew my VISA through the Interview Waiver (IW) / Dropbox, I submitted my application in April and checked on the status update to see "Refused". This is surprising since I expected the process to be seamless.
Also, there was no further information on what to do next or if the refusal was based on 221g or if I should schedule an in-person appointment.
I also tracked my passport with OIS and was told the passport is not ready for pickup.

Please, those that have gone throuiught this IW / Dropbox should please shed light on this.
How did you get back your passport? Did you pay for visa fees and go for the in-person interview

I sincerely hope you're in Nigeria or intend to be very soon.

PSA
IW waiver is for those applying from inside Nigeria.
Sending your passport across countries without you is illegal.

Ladyjayce:
Hi everyone, I need your advise pls. I applied for a B2 Visa to have my baby in the USA. My pregnancy is high risk and I have my letter from my doctor in Nigeria and a Gyne in Texas USA. I was only able to get February 2026 date and my due date is in a couple of months in 2025. I applied for an emergency date and it was rejected, not sure why. I attached my proof of Funds and the letters from both doctors. Pls what did I do wrong ? How do I get a closer date?

Your reason for travel doesn't qualify for emergency appointment.


That being said..you can reschedule. Just make time to check for earlier dates at least every week and you will get an earlier date.
It just takes some patience .

Moty111:
Hello everyone,

Thank you all so much for your support and help on this platform.

Please, I need some advice. My aunt, through her son, who is a U.S. citizen, applied for a migrant visa. She submitted all the required documents, including her medicals, sometime in 2023 and subsequently had an interview in Nov 2023, to which her passport was taken and that white paper issued to her. However, since then, there has been no update, and her passport was held till date

Towards the end of last year, she tracked her case and saw that the status read “Refused.” But no sign of her passport being released. However, just this week, she received an email inviting her for another interview and requesting that she come along with previous passports.

Is this normal? Has anyone experienced something similar? What steps should she take at this point?

Thank you so much.

I don't see any problem.
Let her go there for the interview with the documents they requested for.

You don't need to know if anyone has passed through this . Your family wanted an update and they have received one .

Knowlegeseeking:
No he is not. Thank you. I will not do it then.

I was about to say the same thing. It's not worth the hassle. You are married you are married.

Wealth1990:
Thanks for this response.
I have gotten a date for July 7th and my resumption is August 21st. I won't to create an emergency visa appointment because of the closeness of dates. Will you suggest I create a visa emergency appointment?

Your date is fine.
It's not close at all.

In the end it's up to you

IchieChi:
Good afternoon all,
Please i filed my DS-160 form and chose Lagos as visa interview location.

However i got approval for expedited visa interview and i wanted to reschedule but only Abuja has available interview dates for this yer.

My question is thie. can i change my interview location from Lagos to Abuja? (Bearing in mind that what i have on my DS-160 form is Lagos)

Just be patient.yiu have expedited approval so wait till dates open for Lagos.
They won't approve you for expedited if there will be no dates before your school resumption.