₦airaland Forum

Okunrimeta:
Like someone said, use zillow.com realtor.com to check prices. It will surely range anywhere from $900 to $1700 monthly depending on zip codes and environment.

How's the weather like? Is it as humid as Houston
Any tornados?
Public transport? Or is it best to get a car

Okunrimeta:
Try using job agencies like Robert Half. Have your resume modified towards US template and try linkedin/otta.com/glassdoor etc

Same advice I got and it worked.

Enculer2:
Thanks for the information. If someone has dual nationality - Nigerian and another country not on the barred list, can they apply with the other nationality or are they ruled out?

Cheers

No.
DV lottery is based on country of birth not your number of nationalities. Like I said birth documents are important.

I think the only exceptions are if your spouse is from a country that's still eligible or your parents were from a country that's still eligible and they just happened to birth you in a country that is excluded whilst they were there say studying or working.

Okunrimeta:
Happy New Year to everyone ! I recently re-joined Nairaland after a long hiatus and I hope to be a good resource here. I currently live in Texas, feel free to ask any question(s).

Nice
What part of Texas? It's the need to always drive everywhere that I don't really like.

Do you mind sharing about your city.
I'm in NYC

Enculer2:
Welcome back!

Quick question. I am a bit old school on this. I remember that there used to be US VISA lottery back in the days. Is this still on?

I came across this online:
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/dv-2025-instructions-translations/DV-2025_Instructions-faqs.pdf

Looks like Nigerian are not eligible. What happens if you have citizenship of another country?

Cheers.

Yes other African countries are still eligible for DV. Nigeria is no longer eligible
DV lottery is more than just winning ..upon selection you still have to provide educational and birth documents.
So just having citizenship of another country isn't enough to

RaniOpe:
Hi.
To an extent. I am currently job searching. I have a question, how do you recognize companies that would allow you work with them for OPT?
Do I just apply to any company ?

Cc Taal17

I tagged you in my last post...that job specifically said opportunity for sponsorship.

So apply to jobs but watch out for those who can provide or have a history of sponsorship.

Apply to jobs because you need experience but pay more attention to those who can provide sponsorship.

Usually job applications ask if you have permit to work. Then some would include questions of if you now or in the future would need visa sponsorship.

All the best

LadyCaplin:
Based on my experience and understanding of the poster's interview session, the VO was correct in stating that such visa can't be used for childbirth. A medical visa (B2) is the appropriate visa class to apply for birth tourism.

And yes, the law has indeed changed. Prior to January 2020, a B1/B2 visa could be used for birth tourism.

There is a likelihood of subsequent denials if a person uses the B1/B2 visa for childbirth during the 5years validity period.

I repeat no US LAW restricts a woman from birthing in US or getting married in the US. What you are referring to that was done in Trumps administration was a guideline for Dept of State to Consular services abroad that revised the standard for issuing B visas for temporary visitors in that revision visa officers are provided revised guidelines for assessing applicants whose primary purpose for going to the US is to birth their child. I have linked the document here and basically it says consular officers can further screen to determine if there is a medical reason why that child must be born in the US if the primary purpose of the visa is to birth. Prior to this they were told to screen if the person could afford to pay for those health services to birth that child
https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-01218.pdf

It is not a LAW , this is a guideline for Consular services abroad which fall under DOS (Dept of State)
How a visa officer applies this guideline is up to them which is why women are still using B1/B2 visas to birth in the US

Whether you indicate B1 which covers visit, pleasure , business, conference, short courses or B2 that covers medical on your DS 160 the visa you will be given is B1/B2.
So a B1/B2 visa can be used for dual purpose whether you indicated medical or not when you initially applied. Your purpose can be different for each time you use the visa during its duration

E,g my first visit can be for business, second trip for vacation and third trip to birth twins

Lastly note that Border patrol which grants you entry into the US is under Dept of Homeland Security not DOS and Dept of Homeland Security does not have such guideline to screen whether it is a medical reason why you want to birth in the US. What is most important to Dept Homeland Security is that you state your intent or purpose for entering the US and provide some proof of funds to pay your bills

@Opeyemi007
The above is why I said you may have misunderstood her
Now to the second point you said the visa officer mentioned something about marriage
USCIS has what they call the 90day rule, USCIS is the Fed agency responsible for among other things residence visas and citizenship.
The 90day rule applies to those on temporary visas e.g B1/B2 who file for[b] adjustment of status[/b] AOS in the US before 90 days of their stay in the US could have significant delays or denial of the AOS process because it would be deemed that they misrepresented their INTENT on admission (Border) or application (consular) that they came to the US the purpose of their visa.

EX 1. if you visit your boyfriend in the US for vacation and he proposes to you 2 weeks after you land - you go to court for registry and you return to Nigeria a married woman. 90day rule does not apply to you because you did not file to AOS in the US
Ex 2 if you visit boyfriend and after 100 days in the US he proposes to you, you go to court for registry and then apply to AOS in the US . 90day does not apply to you because it don pass 90 days.
Ex 3 if you visit boyfriend and after 20 days in the US he proposes to you, you go to court for registry and then apply to AOS in the US in less than 90days. 90day rule does apply to you because it don pass 90 days.

The appropriate visa to use if you intend to marry your fiance in the US and file for AOS in the US is what is called K1 Fiance visa and you have to get married within 90days of arriving in the US.

So that is why I said there is no LAW that currently restricts you from getting married or giving birth . There are guidelines you should follow - YES especially if you want to AOS in the US, renew your visa at consular or even be granted entry at border.

However B1/B2 visa does not restrict you from getting married or birthing in the US What if it is the guy you met at the airport that sweeps you off your feet and gbam you marry nko

The example you linked from the birthing in the US thread relate to people who did not declare at port of entry or when they applied for B1/B2 visa about birthing in the US, or in some cases they had medical bills that were too low or indicated they used insurance for residents and as such they have found it difficult renewing their visas at the consular in Nigeria.

Please enjoy you trip and have a great vacation

mayford:
Appointment booked on Friday 8th December for 1st February 2024.

Regular reschedule on Saturday 9th December 2023. Was just lucky to see 12th available.

Lagos Consulate
First F-1 application
12th December 2023
❌ Denied
(40k funds. COA - 28k)
No scholarship
4 mins approx.

VO: Please come forward
VO: Good morning
M: Good morning, how's work?
VO: It's good
VO: Pass me your passport and I-20 please
VO: Types a while... Looks at I-20... Who's sponsoring your education?
M: said it - Elder sister
VO: What does she do?
M: She's a senior Medical D of Surgery at xx.
VO: How many siblings do you have?
M: I have 3 siblings, 2 males and a female.
VO: Nodded as though in approval.
VO: Ever traveled to any other country?
M: No, I've only been to the USA in 2018 for a competition with my coursemates and our Professor and returned after 4 days to complete my BSc.
VO: Types for long, 2 mins delay.
VO: Unfortunately, at this time, you do not qualify for a visa. This letter will explain the reason. Returns passport and I-20 with blue 221G.
M: Picked my documents and walked away. No questions asked!

Probably a funding gap issue but seen someone with 32k COA and 32k funds with no other funding approved. Guess it just depends on the VO. This particular VO wasn't looking at no one's face and wasn't as friendly as the others.

5 students denied prior. 1 student granted.

I'd recommend to try get funding - scholarships, GA, GTA, GRA or tuition waivers.

Denials were flying like paper including for B1/B2.

Hmm
Maybe you just want to try your luck

Some info for everyone else who is applying for school

According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual mean wage for a full-time wage or salary worker in the United States is $53,490 per year or $1,028 per week (for a 40-hour work week)
.
This figure is before tax .

Those visa officers interviewing you and other staff working at consulate probably earn less than this . Their salaries are public knowledge

The reason I share this is to emphaisize to nigerian applicants to get funding. What some of you post here is equivalent and more than average US salary before tax. The probability for any of you to afford these fees is low, even for residents in the US who pay lower fees colllege education is a huge expense. They themselves look for funding or get cheaper community colleges

Beautynm1:
Good morning I’m applying for spouse visa but have been going to the Uk since 2022 to visit my husband, come to Nigeria and back again I arrive september this year and apply for spouse visa November. My question is this I submitted 50pictures to the solicitor and I didn’t know only 6photos went successfully and he couldn’t ask me if I only got 6 he just upload just the 6 photos now I’m worried if 6photos is enough proof ?

Since you're using a solicitor then you solicitor would have to anser that.

However your information here is confusing. Todays date is Dec 12 2023

You saud you arrive in Septiembre and want to apply for Spouse visa in November. Of what year?

Opeyemi007:
Window 6, black lady. Na Wetin she tell me be that. Since I’m not married, I cannot/shouldn’t get married and goan born in yankee within the five years given🤷🏾‍♂️. There’s no reason to lie about anything. Unless I misunderstood her.

No wahala
Maybe you misunderstood her .
If that is what she said though then she lied.

Congratulations on your visa.. it's great that you got approved when the visa is now 5yrs.

There is no law that currently can restrict you from getting married or having a child in the US

Opeyemi007:
Background: 2 US refusals(2016/2017). I had only been to three countries(South Africa, Dubai and Seychelles). I was in my finals and the visa was refused in Abuja.

I'm a male, and I shared my visa refusal in 2017, you'd see it if you click my profile and check my posts from 2017.

2023 Application Date: September 2023
Interview Date: Today
Status: Approved

VO: Why are you going to the states?
Me: I'd like to go on a vacation to Miami and New York

Vo: Have you ever been out of the country?
Me: Yes, I have visited Eleven Countries.

VO: Where have you been in the past one year?
Me: UK(Thrice this year), France, Italy, Greece, Netherlands.(All between May and Now).

VO: What do you do?
Me: I own ***, I have owned it for five years, I have * employees, we partner with fintechs and retail stores.

VO: How much do you earn monthly?
Me: 2m

VO: How much profit monthly?
Me: Six million but it’s not fixed so it could be higher or lower.
VO: Are you married?
Me: No

VO: Do you have kids?
Me: No

VO: You should know the law has changed, and you cannot have a child in the US if you do get married.
Me: I know

VO: I'll be approving your visa, this document would tell you how to pick up your visa.
VO: Travel responsibly(I didn't understand but maybe it's because I've visited the Uk thrice this year).

I have had numerous Visa refusals, but I got a UK visa this year and that changed my life!

They said that or you wrote this wrong?
Because it's not true.

Yuzee:
Hi fam,

My friend is about to book a flight with 2 layovers in Frankfurt Germany and London Heathrow. Has anyone laid over in any of these airports/countries? Does he need a transit visa? No plans of leaving the airport at all.

Yes he needs transit for both

BigIyanga:
But the question is relevant because he would want his wife to pursue PhD in the US??

But he asked is there is anyone here in the UK who is processing such

If he needs that then the UK threads would be a better place to find that.

RaniOpe:
You have given this little girl hope. I am grateful.
Time to re-buckle my shoes.

Just to clarify I meant target universities in the East coast. NY, DMV tend to have quite a bit

Let me share an example here
Research Foundation City University New York.
This job offer here actually mentions 'visa sponsorship available '
https://www.rfcuny.org/careers/postings?pvnID=PH-2311-005970

You can look for organisation like this with opportunities for Education related roles

Lee29:
Any contact or link?

To pay 20k Canadian USD? Mi cabeza

@ednut1
I don give up...make agents carry dey go

profemebee:
Like Zahra stated.. countries are revising policies.. it isn't just the UK.. even Canada

& like i stated ... pray for changes to favor your choice and path for you and your families especially for policies we can't control..and plan accordingly for even the worst scenarios

Increasing proof of funds makes no difference
Unless the change of policies include confirming students actually have a certain portion of the fees available to the schools as payment eg. 1st semester paid.

Showing proof of funds doesn't mean you actually have the funds available
Students in Canada are a good percentage of asylum seekers in CA

fkj950ax:
Both names as sponsors. You and wife. You work and direct relation/family to your mum.
Leave GC matter for now. It will give notion she won’t be coming back after B1/B2 and will adjust status. That’s easy reason for VO to hide behind when denying the B1/B2. You guys can do GC later on.
Start searching for dates yesterday.

Neither wife or him can do GC for the mother anyways.
Only US citizens can apply for GC for their own parents

Hemstone:
Good day everyone, thanks for all you do. Please, I have a few questions.

I came to the US as a student in 2021 August, and I graduated in May, 2023. After graduation, I got married to my gf who is an American citizen in June 2023, and she also came to the state where I schooled for postgraduate education, just like me. She graduated a year before me and even though she had a job offer waiting for her in her state, she stayed back to start another work in that state because she wanted to stay with me while I am still a student, and still have a year to round up my program. I started working in July, 2023 as a consultant after graduation, and we now live together. What we did in June 2023 was an official court validated wedding with our families joining via zoom. It was just me and her and the officiating pastor. However, her family owns a church in her state and that is where almost all her family lives and we will be having a church wedding there in December 2024, and then a reception to follow, and I want my mother to be attending the ceremony (My dad is late). Also, even though my wife wanted me to, I haven’t applied for a green card and I work using my OPT for now. All these are just to give a proper context to everyone. So, my question are the following;

1. How soon enough can I start my mother’s B2 visa application considering appointment date issues? As soon as possible

2. Can she apply and go for the interview early next year, have the visa, and then travel in November next year? Depends on the date she gets

3. Will booking an appointment date of let say March, 2024, which is 10 months in advance of the ceremony, jeopardize her chances of getting the visa? No correlation you're overthinking this

4. What dates are people able to get currently as I don’t have an idea. I only remember that I had to initiate emergency in 2021 to get a favorable appointment date when I traveled on an F1 visa. Check dates yourself, you have time

5. Since I am already married and what she’s coming for is our church wedding to honour my wife’s parents (she’s their first child and they are pastors so they want her to have a church wedding where their congregation can witness and bless), what will she say her reason for traveling is? You already said the reason is church wedding

6. Will using my wife’s name as the sponsor increase her chances? Nope

7. Can my wife file a green card for her while she’s out of the country? Is it necessary and will that be needed? Nope only a US citizen can file for their own parent

Sorry for my elaborate questions 😔😔. Thanks in advance to those who will take out their time to give me answers. I appreciate you all.

Answers in bold

Listen to your wife you should have filed for adjustment of status immediately you got married. It is a process on its own it's not like getting a visa. Unless you have no plans to stay back in the US I'm not sure why you were more concerned about your mum getting a green card and not yourself.

Sir,
OPT doesn't mean much, US companies can sack you with two weeks paycheck with little notice. They do it to citizens and green card holders not to talk of you working in temporary residence capacity with OPT.

hammed71:
lionlee on a b1/b2? Go back to page 1 and start reading diligently before coming to say rubbish

Even if he came in on b1/b2 ..it is permitted to adjust status via marriage from b1/b2
I think the only restriction is the 90day rule and that at the point of entry you do not have immigrant intent.

salawustyles:
Can any point me to a thread on how I can get work visa the process and the cost

Look for a thread saying UK skilled work visa
First page should have process

Then also check living in the UK thread, someone can share relevant links there

Oluwasegun664:
Good day my people,

Am a dependent here in uk while my wife is a master student. She will done with her masters program few months time next yr.

My intention for her is to continue her study as a PHD student in USA.

My questions are

* can she use my statement of account being her husband?

* Do she need to write IELTS or TOFEL ?

* Is it all schools that required GMAT exam? Is it a must to pass.

Thank you so much.

NOTE: Pls will appreciate anyone here in uk that’s processing stuff like this should pls send a mail.

Oluwasegun664@gmail.com

This isn't the UK thread.
It's US student thread

bammydele1:
You guessed correctly..

I am actually in a haste..

I have to resume in January...

How long do I have to wait to get an appointment??


any ideas??

Unless they approve emergency appointment then you'll defer your admission.

hustla:
My house mate got 5 years yesterday. He is beside me with the passport as I am typing laidis

Yes because the US did the reciprocity rule.
The length of visa is the same as possible to those applying for Nigerian visit visas from the US. or other US consulates
When Nigeria made theirs 5yrs, US did the same shortly after

Stargangz:
Naijamanyoutube its been a while oga mi. Umbanda, Santeria, Candomble, Orixa(Orisha), Xango(Shango), Oxun(Oshun), Voodoo, Ifa, Iemanja(Yemoja), Ogum(Ogun), Babalao(Babalawo) etc.. are all still widely practiced across Latin America, Carribean, and as far as North America. I also learnt they make sacrifice(Ebo) as well. I wonder how the Yoruba kept it going despite hudreds of years of the trans atlantic slave trade. I even thougt as widely speculated that Yoruba is one of the recognised languages in Brazil, because I learnt they use yoruba language to perform those spiritual rites.
God bless the Yorubas!

Yoruba is considered as a religion in Brazil so a religion that has various deities. So they do not even need to speak Yoruba to be Yoruba if you get what I mean

As opposed to be a tribe and a language in Africa so I learnt to explain that to Brazilians before Dem tink say I follow them do ebo for yemoja

Goke7:
It's 5 years like you said for Nigerians but you can only stay for six months and then leave to re-enter for another six months. Same with Canada visitor visa no matter the length they give. The good thing is that once you make another application for another kind of visa, you can continue to stay beyond the six months till you get the decision on that application which they call an adjustment of status

Just to add context to the up to six months on US visit visa. CBP at the port of entry determine how long you can stay..in the past they would stamp that length on your passport now it's available online check i94 I think it's called. So they might put up to 6 months or sometimes less.

Yes you can adjust status AOS on a visit visa however only certain visas categories can you adjust status to without having to leave the US. And even those have certain restrictions.
Typically those visa categories related to immediate families eg marriage spouse and children.are more straight forward

Zahra29:
Sponsorship is also not the only pathway to settlement in the UK.

For example, in the UK you can apply for leave to remain on the basis of having a British child- as soon as the child is born, unlike the US where the parent of an American citizen has to wait till the child grows up and is able to file for them.

So there are swings and roundabouts both ways.

Don't you have to prove you're the primary caregiver?

horlakay:
Bro thanks, but I find it difficult to understand some of your points, with the way you typed

Are you saying using my father has the major sponsor is a red flag?

And when you say reasonable tuition, my tuition was $18990 and living expenses for the duration was $15000, My dad can pay my tuition, coupled with the fact that I will still find some student jobs to support my living expenses plus my 6m

Apologies I was typing with my phone.

You're working post graduate you said your Dad was covering 41m whilst you'd cover 6m,

You're at least 5years plus post graduation right? So yes I think your Dad paying majority of your fees doesn't look good.

Majority of US citizens parents would and can't pay for their kids tuition so the students take loans in their own name or look for scholarships or work and go to school. These are for tuition fees that are less than fees charged to Intl fees.

So bare that in mind. If you were going for undergrad and parents were paying most of it or you recently graduated and parents were paying that's different.

For you it would be better if you can cover majority of the fees either with you own money or through GA RA or scholarship then your parents adding to a small deficit would be better.

That's why said find reasonable tuition fees (within what you can cover majority of the costs)

As an F1 student you are only permitted to work on campus for limited hours. That money can't cover anything serious it's like pocket money.

This advice is for both visa approval and actually getting in the US.

Ebubu:
Sorry, what doesn’t?

The truth is simple, it doesn't need to much grammar.

Clarify your reason for your choice in course clearly in simple terms. You done it here for us .you even mentioned you're already interning in that field.

Your funding and getting a date is what you need to get correct.
We're rooting for you. Be confident and it will go well.

horlakay:
Cost of tuition and living expenses was $37,000
Family funds was to be used father 41m, SOA , me 6m SOA, I had the documents with, but VO was not even interested.

Other factors that could have led to denial, was maybe my age(31 years) and single.

Another thing I noticed was the crowd of people all had very rich dad with exorbitant SOA, so the VO might have been sick of hearing g how great everyone's dad is doing.......my thoughts, you need to see her when I started talking about how i will fund my studies, she was not even looking, she just kept typing and when she was done, she interjected me like stop talking bro........ 😂, just take your blue paper.

My advice is for anyone going,please try to secure some funding with the school you re attending, they already have preconceived notion about us. Pray very well, at least some people smiled out today

You need to understand that even those in the US who pay home fees either get loans, use college funds set up when they were little or work and school to afford school fees.

My two cents
Get a reasonable tuition costbor get school funding.
Using your parent as the source of majority of your fees as a graduate that works.

VOs don't look at your docs unless they ask of it.

Ebubu:
Hello,

I have a bachelor in pharmacy here in Nigeria, obtained 2023.
Pharmacy students in Nigeria undergo training in PharmaCognosy ( field of pharmacy that studies use of medicinal plants in healing and also understudies manufacture and use of chemicals to kill weed encroaching in medicinal plants farm. This is called herbicide use study).

I happen to gain 100% scholarship admission and Graduate assistantship (paid stipends) in soil and plant science through rigorous interviews. The masters in soil and plant science has a specifics in weed science).

I’m finding it hard to convince the visa officer that masters in soil and plant science with emphasis on weed and herbicide science, is actually related to pharmacy. Can that sale ? That I want to become an agroscientist and so a graduate masters in soil and plant science will position me well to become an expat in that field? And if they ask, so why didn’t you obtain an agriculture bachelors ? I want to answer simply because i want to focus on chemical and medicinal aspect of agroscience. Is that convincing?

Hearing a masters in soil and plant science, and looking that I have a bachelor degree in pharmacy seems off for a stranger. And they never have the patience to listen to what you have to say, nor do they want to be convinced by you at times. Once it’s just off to them, every other thing you’re saying is pouring water on stone.

Actually, I prefer this field because as much as chemistry and pharmacology masters are the area of interests for pharmacy graduates, I don’t want to wear lab coat to conduct wet lab researches and sit in labs all day like chemistry and pharmacology masters do, I prefer field work and really enjoyed PharmaCognocy (area of pharmacy related to plants).. i really enjoyed that in my university and came out as best graduating student in PharmaCognosy department, faculty of pharmacy.


Doing wet lab research don tire me. Visa officer might consider an agriculture graduate to be more qualified and will want to start asking what will this degree do for you as a pharmacist? Going for masters in soil and plant science with emphasis in weed science as a pharmacist? (Remember USA are into doctor of pharmacy and not bachelor of pharmacy so their own pharmacy degree has a hospital/clinical focus unlike ours that is still multi-disciplinary).


That question is a tough nut for me to crack, I have a way of answering it but I am discouraged because of how non-understanding they will become once they raise eyebrows about how your masters will impact on your undergraduate or the link.

Like I said I was the best graduating student in PharmaCognosy field in school and want to look at how to solve the problem of herbicide resistance that is gaining ground among weed and pests in medicinal plants farms.

I just need words of encouragement or less? Because these visa officers can be unreasonable? Throwing these large amounts o money around in name of visa interview hoooing, ds-160 for something that looks tricky and discouraging is…. i dunno, off? For a young graduate?

Have you ever applied for F1?
If not then stop assuming what VOs think

If you got a scholarship for this field then focus on selling why this field is of interest to you. How you passed that course in your pharmacy degree. Connect you pharmacy degree to this degree.
Put it in say 5 short sentences and talk to yourself what you've written.
Short sentences you hear because interviews are short times.

You are over analyzing this and it will come across as you not knowing what you want.

Your main focus should be getting a date in time for school resumption.

The truth is simple, it doesn't

horlakay:
My transcript
Me: good morning Ma,
VO: Good morning,how are you?
Me: I am good( handed her the I20 and passport)
VO: I see you work for **** company
Me: interjected, I work with **** company
VO: you have been their for two years(she was reading everything from my profile)
Me: yes ma
VO: have you traveled out of Nigeria before
Me: yes ma, I have been to Ghana for a weekend vacation and toured Togo and benin.
VO: oh, so how is Ghana, do you like it there?
Me: Ghana is a beautiful country, I love it
VO: when did you finish your Bsc, and what was your major,
Me: I finished in 2015 and I majored in Metallurgical and Materials engineering.
VO: why Msc computer science

Me: I know my time is almost up,so I brought out my study leave, I have been working for **** company which majored in tech, I was selected to go on study for my outstanding performance, the digital world fascinates me....(VO was already feeling disnterested in my explanation), just to say I will resume a senior role at my place of work......(VO interjected)
VO: who is covering your deficit
Me: my father bla bla bla.....(while I was trying to explain what he does for a living)
VO: already printed the blue paper

That's my experience today, please don't be discouraged, we go again.

If you don't mind sharing
How much was your school COA
How much was your attendance