Stanmedix:
My visa was approved this morning at Abuja embassy...I am currently too confused to put up my transcript. God is indeed faithful. Transcript coming up later once I am settled.

Congrats!! Good you gave it another try.

felixboye1:
Please is it possible to use the Visa payment I made for b1/b2 for f1 application? If yes, how do I go about it?

Someone did it and it worked, you can try same.

Wommack007:
Hello everyone. I have been a silent follower for some years now and I have gotten tremendous value out of this thread.

I would like everyone's advice for my current situation.

Background: I recently got admitted for a masters at my desired school. The school is fully covering my tuition and I also have an assistantship too. However, on my I-20, there is an outstanding of $12k for living expenses, which my sponsor will cover.

This is where the slight hiccup is.

My sponsor provided me bank statements for only 6 months, from Jan 2019 - June 2019. My visa interview is in August and school resumes in September. My sponsor is not my family member and he is very, very difficult to reach. In fact, it took the better part of a month to get the bank statements I will be using now. On the upside, though, he also gave me a letter of support. But even at that, I'm doing everything in my power to reach him for an updated bank statement.

My question: In the event that I am not able to get an update from my sponsor fast enough, and the VO asks me for my bank statements, how do I explain it not being more recent if pressed further?

In this case, no need to explain... present what you have when asked. if they need an updated statement of account, they will put you on Administrative processing and ask you to send it.

Deefav:



I'm an undergrad, and if my sponsor says No then I can't "afford" it. And by "Afford" I don't just mean the cost.

Explain to your sponsor that there is no available date in Lagos, else you will need to defer your admission till spring 2020 or fall 2020. Abuja Embassy still has dates you can choose from

Deefav:


Sadly, I can't afford abuja

Are you on full funding? If not, then you should be able to afford it if you really plan to school in USA and pay all the costly fees.

Deefav:


I'm not even seeing September � what is happening?
It's saying no available appointment for me. Since June 19th

change to Abuja

mysweetsunshine:



Did you get full funding or you had deficit?

there is deficit if you read the transcript well.

Obyknow:
Visa approved at Lagos consulate today
Really appreciate all of you who comment here,you guys rock.Keep up the good work!!

All VOs today were male,not sure of window 1 cos it wasn't in my line of sight
Was praying not to be interviewed by the white guy in window 3,Oga was drilling applicant hard and still issuing pink paper

Alas na him hand i enter oo


VO:Good morning,pass me your documents
Me:Good morning sir
VO: Why are you going to the US
Me: Am going for my master degree in Chemical Engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
VO:What branch of Chemical Engineering interests you
Me: (Was not expecting this question so fast) Am interested in Hydrocarbon processing and Conversion
VO:What's the application of this
Me:This process is used in Oil refineries.I would be learning how to design processes or modify already existing processes in Nigeria oil refineries which are subsidiaries of NNPC(said this in full),this...(cut off)
VO:Do you work in NNPC
Me:No
VO:Oh you pursing this degree to work in NNPC?
Me:Yes
VO:Why this School
Me:Aside from the assistantship I received,i choose the school because of the ongoing research on Hydrocarbon processing and Conversion by Prof Basha,he offered me a research opportunity,i accepted because it aligns with my research interest,i also chose the school because of the school curriculum,i ts.....(cuts me off)
VO: (Quickly checks my i2O),Oh you have a support from the department
Me:Yes
VO:Tell me about this assitantship?
Me:It's a Research assistantship,i would be joining prof Basha research team.I would be setting the lab,carrying out experiments and gathering/analyzing data(VO nods)
VO:Did you take the GRE?
Me:Yes
VO:what did you score?
Me:310(VO nods)
VO: Who's paying for the rest
Me:My mum
VO:Any statement?
I passed it,glances through it and returns it
VO:Have ur mum been to the US?
Me:No
VO:Have u travelled out out of Nigeria before?
Me:No
VO:Any siblings?
Me: Yes
VO: (passes white paper)Congratulations your visa has been approved,pick it up in 3 working days

Congrats!!!

dwilliams707:


Ok thanks sir,how long is visa fee valid for?

1 year and can only be used once

dwilliams707:
Please I can’t afford to go to Abuja,is it possible I still get a date for August in Lagos after i’d pick September which is showing for previously denied,my school resumes August..please help!

you have to keep checking

Pefuele:
Hello fellow NLs,

Is it possible to reschedule interview location for a different location?

If yes,how?

From latest development, you can't use your visa fee payment twice again but you can reschedule for same location once. So if you book your appointment in Lagos, you can reschedule once in Lagos. If you cancel your appointment in other to book for Abuja, you will need to pay a new visa fee.

Johnolukolade:


Cancel one and book a new appointment in that new location. All depends on your MRV number.

If you cancel, you pay new visa application fee

Olaposiwaju:


Okay thanks. So I have a friend who was denied a few days ago. Her sister, a Legal permanent resident lives in the same state her school is located. According to her, the VO was particular about the city the sister lives in the state and felt she was denied based on that. My own case is similar with the slight difference been that I have 2 sponsors, my Dad and brother, a US citizen. He also resides in the same state my school is located. The city he lives and that of the school has a driving time of about one hour. Please advice.

I already scheduled my visa appointment for last week of July

Visa is subjective, i am not a V.O to determine the outcome of your case. You just need to attend your interview and present your case well. Its always better to avoid applying to school that your sponsor resides in so as not to raise suspicion that you are going there to stay with him. if that's the only admit you have, prepare for possible questions and be hopeful

Davidkking:

And legally staying in the US

ofcourse someone that's illegal won't be able to sponsor someone.

Shizzyguy:
Please is anything wrong with having a sponsor that is based in the US?

depends on how you look at it. if your school is in the same location with your sponsor, it will look like you are going there to stay with him/her and will pose an issue to prove your non immigrant intent. Aside that, there is nothing wrong with having a US Sponsor as far as the person is financially capable.

MyCaseIsDiffere:


Please a quick question to the house. A friend of mine filled his DS160 form and picked Lagos, after a previous rejection. But on the scheduling appointment page, he couldn't even find any date. So he tried Abuja as interview location, he found a date in July, picked it and submitted. Now he just realized he has two contradicting interview locations on his DS160 and his appointment slip.

Please, what should he do? A bit urgent. All gurus in the house, please your opinion is needed.

He shouldn't worry over that. Abuja Embassy can access his filled DS 160 info from Lagos location.

Gloryemo:
Visa approved 8am yesterday at Lagos embassy

Thank you so much everyone.....this is a great testimony for me....I'm overjoyed

Congrats dear!

@fairheart, your dream is coming true gradually

Goodnews everywhere, congrats @orimahspence and okeyogwo

Wretch32:
Visa approved today, 6:45am
Walter carrington
Will drop my transcript after I receive the Passport thanks to everyone who has helped me on this thread(lagosismyhome( You May not remember me anymore but I will remind you, you adviced me 2years ago and I took the advice on my old moniker), fairheart (for the mock and scoldings)

If you saw me crying today at the consulate, I’m very sorry for embarrassing myself this way, they were tears of joy

Congrats bro!!

calculator123:

You seem to forget not everyone is cut out for research.
No be every body get power do PhD o

Then enter the job market, why a second masters in same field? I only support second MSc if it's in a different field

fairheart:
It is okay. Tell your school to contact the embassy for you. It is Harvard and so they wield considerable influence, hopefully your case isnt so critical. Truth be told, I sense your refusals were caused due to overstay.

I hope you get it this time.
t

She said the school has done that but Embassy maintained their stand. The case looks complex but not impossible to overcome.

MyCaseIsDiffere:


Thank you so much, sir. Your contributions and assistance to all, earns you a certain place of respect in my heart. To everyone who contributed, thanks a great deal. I am humbled.

Here is a chronological break down of my US voyages:

Got the first B1 while living in Europe as a master's student in 2012. Used it severally before renewing via Dropbox. I never stayed beyond 2months. I relocated back to Nigeria and still maintained my B1. During one of my trips from Nigeria to the US, I was denied entry in April, 2015. I had been stamped in by the immigration officer. I was about to retrieve my suitcases when an elderly Nigerian lady asked for directions to her connecting gate. She seemed really lost. I promised to help her get to her gate; but told her to go get her bags first. While waiting for her, immigration police men came. They asked to know why I was just standing. I told them I was waiting for someone. Mama came, they asked if we were together. She said yes, I said no, that I actually just met her. Our answers contradicted. We were then taken for secondary checking. Mama started crying, they eventually let her go. Over confidence finished me. They went through my laptop, phone, email box, everything. Eventually, they found out I only had $100 on me for a 6months trip. My journey also still needed a train journey before I get to my final destination. They asked to see the ticket but I didn't have it on me. I told them, I knew my way around and could easily get a Mega Bus ticket, Greyhound or Amtrack on my own. And since I wasn't sure of landing time, I waiting to buy it at the station. I needed just about $50 for the ticket.

My case was transferred from one officer to the other, eventually I was informed that my visa would be cancelled and I would be sent back home. I was not banned. I was allowed to call just one person. I called one of my uncles in that particular state. He wasn't the one I intended visiting, so he didn't know about my trip. Anyways, he came to the airport with his lawyer immediately but was not allowed to see me. Uncle contacted my parents in Nigeria, Pops started pulling all strings possible but it wasn't to be. I was returned to Nigeria and my family were super supporting. Pops man went to glory before the case was resolved. I just didn't bother anymore. In November of 2017, I went back for another interview and was granted without so much questioning.

I mentioned I would be in the States for 2months, although I was stamped in for 6months. It was at the conference I went for, that I got information about the Harvard link. So I started the process immediately. I was with my uncle, the one who came to the airport in 2015. But I later went to visit a friend who was about to put to bed. She gave birth but had complications. Both herself and the baby had to go through surgery. I couldn't just leave like that. Her husband pleaded that I wait back to assist them. I know, I was foolish to have decided to stay back. I also used that period to communicate with school, did all the necessary things and then came home with my i-20 in April of 2018.

Some people advised that I could convert my B1 to F1 without leaving the US, but I didn't have the proper information. I also wanted to make sure I do things right. Harvard is in Boston, my said friend lives in Chicago, so in that area, I am clear. I went for my first F1 interview on the 1st of August, 2018 and went for the other three within three weeks. I got expedited dates. The last lady that interviewed me was mad at how I got a new date within 2 days. She didn't bother asking any question, she just denied me. When I queried, she said she didn't need to ask any question. I told her my admission was at stake. She got mad and shouted back, " then study in Nigeria."

I haven't travelled to the US since the refusals. I had issues with my job as a lecturer due to my extended holiday. My parents have two schools, I currently manage one. My first masters is different from the current one. My uncle whose account I am using as a support document, mostly lives in Nigeria. He only goes to the US for official reasons. My scholarship covers full tuition with some stipends. I also have a letter for GA position. HU needed additional financial background, in case a student fails to meet up with their academic grades required to maintain the scholarship. So big Uncle fixed a certain sum to that effect.

I hope, I have been able to answer all the questions raised. I am set to reapply. My school is ready to support in any way. I am willing to take every advice and criticism. I love you all with the love of Christ. God bless your sweet hearts.

Which trip was in November 2018 that you stayed 5months according to your 1st post or did you mean November 2017? That must be a typo from you.

CptCharlesVane:
They would only ask and isn't the applicant expected to know better why the second MSc regardless? Then they should say why. Me too doesn't make that much sense but PhDs admissions aren't shopped for in the marketplace, and like she said, she applied for a PhD and was admitted for a masters on scholarship ... Hard to turn down a scholarship from Harvard. I agree with you but making it seem like courses should be selected with VOs in mind is where we defer.

We are all saying this because it's Harvard University and that's what the V.Os are against. School name won't make them bend their standard

CptCharlesVane:
Oh Travelled and stayed for 5 months after F1 visa was denied four times? I can only imagine VOs taking it like she dared them.Tough.

He has a daring spirit. The V.Os was like, if you like let Trump issue you letter, we no gree. Well nothing is impossible, he will scale through.

CptCharlesVane:
You might not agree with me and that's fine but as long as a university can issue a valid I-20 they are good to go for an F-1 visa. What most people are unable to do at the interviews is to demonstrate why, out of all the schools in the United States, they choose to go to those obscure ones

Going by this visa thread on NL, almost if not all who selected such schools didn't even fill the DS-160 form and left everything, from school selection to visa application, in the hands of an agent. How then would such a person give any coherent reason why they selected such schools. Also, people who search for schools themselves and go the whole 9 yards, don't select such 'suspect' schools. It's that simple.

No one should be going to any university in the US because the VO would like the school, or doing a PhD because the VO won't like to see another master's degree. The VOs are inconsequential in that regard, let's stop giving them too much credit. The visa application and interview is another process and time and again it has been stated that it is about proving non-immigrant intent at the discretion of the VO. That is what they are legally obligated to do, not tell you the school is small or big or whatnot. Those are jobs for other people. Again, you could ask them, and they would agree.

You said they shouldn't care why someone is going for another MSc, that was why i gave that illustration. it's same non-immigrant intent that they are trying to determine. To me it doesn't make any sense going for another MSc in same field or closely related field when one can easily opt for PhD

CptCharlesVane:
These shouldn't be that much of an issue, maybe the transcripts would reveal more. Your uncle works for the UN, was he the host with the emergency and could it be that the dates you stated he was having the emergency he was actually somewhere else which they found on the internet. Did your uncle ever violate his visa before changing status? *I'm aware these could well be baseless conjectures but what do you really think is likely to be the reason for your series of denials? If you could post a transcript of the event at the PoE the time you were turned back it will also help.

**Oh and did you use the hospital and not pay for it, like had any recourse to public funds (benefits, tax credits, government assistance etc) whatsoever during your stay in the US because this for sure leads to straight denials

Edit: Host was a female. So apparently, you said you were going for a conference and you stayed for up to five months (as long as your visa was valid, not much of a problem) but what kind of emergency? Did you go help babysit a newborn or work as an au pair and told them it was an emergency?

Your case is hard to wrap my head around but four denials in a year indicates something is up which I think has nothing to do your course or uni and I'm inclined to think little to do with your interview performance ... and you still have a valid B visa ontop.

Likely suspects:
- Misrepresentation.
- Had recourse to public funds ... And perhaps didn't admit (misrepresentation)

Last trip which he stayed 5months was November 2018. He had his F1 visa interview in August 2018. Look at the picture of the issue again

fairheart:
His last tripwas after the four refusals? If so, did she travel at all before appearing for the F1 interview? That is why I want to know.

he travelled in 2012, according what he wrote earlier and later resolved the issue when he was sent back at POE. He also got issued a new B1/B2 Visa. His last F1 visa interview was in August 2018, last visit which He stayed 5months was November 2018.

fairheart:
I don't think it is the program she's going for. Something else caused the refusal. We are talking about Harvard here. Harvard!

His last trip was after the Interview (the one he stayed 5months). After the one he had issues, he got issues new B1/B2 Visa. so it's not cos of the trip.

CptCharlesVane:
It doesn't make sense, maybe, but the onus lies on the applicant to prove why they choose to go for the program while also proving non-immigrant intent. Like I mentioned earlier she is fully funded, so it sure makes a lot of sense to Harvard to sponsor her second MSc. The VOs are not the ones to decide what makes sense in someones lives or educational endeavours, and you can ask them they'll agree, they are there for a reason to assess your intent in the US to see if you qualify according to their laws.

If we are to go by this, they shouldn't care about the schools we applied to and why we chose the school. all those questions make me sick on why they ask. unfortunately, that's not how the system works. the fellow should target PhD as things ain't working out for second MSc

CptCharlesVane:
Doesn't matter, she isn't the only one with more than one master's degree and VOs won't deny anyone based on choice of degree.

you can't have same MSc in a field and going for another MSc in same field unless in different field. It doesn't make any sense and can be refused for that.

MyCaseIsDiffere:


I applied for both, but only got the Masters position, with a GA position with my assigned supervisor.

You should aim for a PhD position as you have MSc already. It will be very hard to get visa for another MSc