₦airaland Forum

HoneyBronzed:
Hi International students,

please what do you use to file your taxes as an international student. if you manually fill a form 1040NREZ, how do you calculate what you are supposed to get back as tax refund? I also dont want to use a firm. I want to file my taxes myself. Thank you.

Ask your school, glacier nonresident alien tax compliance system is what you should use.

akin3102:
Maybe justwise should ban Twoods again so that he can contribute more.Lolz. PHD won't be a bad idea in this Trump's country for now. During my school career fair, most companies require you to be a citizen/PR/asylum before you can apply for an internship or coop position s. Infact an HR ask me if I have other plans to get GreenCard because they aren't ready to file for anybody. The military guys advised me to go and get married and come back to apply.. Peeps, start working towards something maybe pHD,it will always come handle.Kudos guys.

i need to be banned... i have work to do.

Whether we like it or not, the H1B visa is going to be revamped soon and its probably why companies are now asking that folks have at least a PR before taking them on. One thing that is likely going to be in your favor (at least based on what i've been hearing regarding ideas to reform the H1B/employment-based green card route) is that preference will be given to bigger companies and people with phds who studied in US universities.

An American can afford to stop at the bachelors, we have to aim higher...

pjnaira:
Bros. can you give me the link for the IT conference. I search most of the IT conference online, they are too expensive. I will await to read from you. Thanks

Are you searching for a "conference" as an excuse to leave the country or you really need the "conference" to better yourself at your job?

ogodos:
My Birthday Was yesterday and I also had my interview yesterday at lagos embassy... There's one Guy at window 3, he just dashing out visa .. Please tell me my mistakes so i can learn... for i apply again.. I think i have to wait for 2years

Make sure you upload your Passport pic or else they wont allow you to go for interview

This How My Interview went ..

Vo: Have your travel of the country before?
Me: I have visited Dubai, Ivorycoast, South Africa
Vo: Why are you going to the US
Me: I going to spend my easter holiday with my uncle and his family, The vo didnt allow me to finish my words
Vo: How old are you?
Me: Im 24years old today
Vo: When will you be done with your study
Me: Next year
Vo: Do you work?
Me:No I study accounting at University of Ilorin 400l final year
Vo: You Married
Me: Im single
Vo: What courses do you take at school
Me: Xyz
Vo: sorry you didnt qualifer for the visa.. The vo told me try and work on your tie, you have a weak tie.. I was surprised..

24 years old, single, no job... the VO knows you will readily abandon your studies to stay in America if you got the opportunity. Graduate first, get a good job... then apply again.

OjaP:
Ph.D. talks:

Although Ph.D. holders are paid more than their masters counterpart but they are the first to be laid-off the moment the price of oil and gas drops as we are currently experiencing. In all of these, experience counts a lot.

Brilliant contributions folks.

In my experience, it's been the other way round. Yes lots of bachelors degree engineers were laid off with the downturn in oil prices but the rest of us are doing just fine, we get raises, fly business class around the world...

Here is my point - do whatever it takes to put yourself in a position to be the best you can be. If that means getting only a bachelors, that's fine too. All destinies are not the same. When all is said and done and it's time to return to your ancestors, let it not be said that you did not achieve all you were born to achieve.

Okusi:
with baba's replies from day 1, i know he's one oga @ the top. Even though I'm nowhere near them right now, they've made me feel its easy to reach the top when you take the right steps and not the SHORT CUTS! God bless you guys @lagosismyhome, Femi321, Amanze15, Twoods, MsNas and every other gurus.

My brother, there is no secret to success other than hard work, honesty, managing your time well, being diligent at your duty and of course... prayer.

Chapecoense:
Please, does having some form of scholarship(not full) increases one's chances at the embassy?

It's not everything but it does enhance your chances. Get it if you can. At least you take one possible question (funding) off the table at your visa interview.

jenniferloyd86:
Man! U are just too rude and u need to be schooled! ok?

Please oblige me, you are?

amanze15:
I beg your pardon for the uncoordinated argument, my point with femi321 is that as a P.h.D. student in the United States you have better chances of getting employed in Academia than looking out for a job with a scanty/sketchy resume. so you work for Sinopec na joke o

Lol Sinopec ke? My view is it depends, your resume is sketchy only if you choose to let it be. As à phd, you should have at least 2-3 published first author research papers, another 3-5 co author papers, have attended (and presented) at professional conferences. Apply for travel grants, poster awards etc. That's a fairly strong resume that should give you leverage for an industry position. Don't just sit in the lab all day.

amanze15:
thanks a lot, let's build a rapport face to face sir

I live in the northeast. We should catch up sometime if you're in the area.

ridsan4real:
God bless u TWoods for this enlightenment.

No problem. Anytime.

The company did the right thing... i'm sure he was aware of the issue of conflict of interest.

amanze15:
definitely, it's not just 1's and 2's you must have put in a lot of efforts.

Nothing is worth doing if you do not intend to invest a lot of effort into it.

amanze15:
you are a research "plug" you work at a research facility, probably 1% of the total graduands of post-graduate studies get that gig. PhD students stand better chances at a non-profit institution where these big corporations can bankroll tons of research work. it might be more pronounced in a particular industry, I know a professor who got a war chest from NASA, she just had her student locked up in a lab in the Rockies mountain for a year. P.h.D. is great if you looking to do research and academia at some point in your career. your profile would definitely get you tenure-ship at some university in the future, bros no lie you are considering it

The problem with posting here is that many people get the chance to say whatever they want... fact free.

1. I'm not a research plug. Research accounts for less than 30% of what i do - i simply enjoy research. I can decide to leave and become a marketing manager next week.

2. I work for the biggest oil company in the world... hardly a not-for-profit "research facility". Majority of its senior managers are phd chemical engineers, geologists and petroleum engineers.

3. I don't work off "research funding". Neither do anyone i know at our "research facility".

4. Finally, the idea that "P.h.D. is great if you looking to do research and academia at some point in your career" is laughably wrong. My colleagues and i would turn down going back to Academia even if you paid us $1m and full tenureship.

Its best to ask questions if you have no clue than simply expose yourself for knowing very little.

MsNas:
Lol. Tell me how easy it is for a PhD holder to get a green card. I didn't say PhD holders don't get jobs, don't get me wrong. I only said recruiters like to give them the "You're to qualified" story. Talk to anybody that is in the industry and they will affirm. It's even hard getting in with aasters sef unless you're in disciplines that give much credence to masters degree like Geology.

Far easier than most. If you're good, you can self petition in the EB1A category. If you're very productive (i.e. good quality papers in high impact factor journals with good number of citations), you can easily apply in the EB1B category. Both should not take more than a year. If you're just below those, you can petition in EB2-NIW... all three categories do not require the PERM stage.

You are far better positioned with a phd than anything else.

Frankly, if you're a very good phd, you should not be talking to a recruiter... companies should be talking directly to you. I never went through a recruiter... i applied direct and got offers right after my first interviews. Easy.

LagosismyHome:
O no .... MBA from Wharton with no experience you will struggle. ....

Anybody who struggles with an MBA from Wharton has other problems... lack of experience is not one of them.

LagosismyHome:
As you progress up academically it becomes much harder to enter the work place if you have little or no work experience. I think this is true for most of the sector ... from business to science.

Also in interviews Employers want to know what else you bring to the table apart from academic.... a lot of interview questions are based on show and tell how u did xx and if all your answers are based mainly on student scenario that very limiting. ...... so even entering the industry with a masters but no work experience is limiting how much more phd

This is not to say you will not see cases of people who have gotten breakthrough...yes there always be examples but the person will work twice as hard and hears much more no than yes

This is just not true. If you get an MBA from wharton for example... you immediately open up avenues to get better jobs with better money. Fact. The higher up the education chain you go, you better your prospects for working at major corporations. It all depends on where you set your sights. If you're simply seeking to work for any company to make money, then a bachelors is ok for you. If you want to move into corporate America, then a bachelors is no longer enough.

biikeys:
This is not a black and white thing. When it comes to Engineering at least, I've seen a piece of both sides.
There are a few factors that determine your job prospects...like your advisor himself who can link you up with the industry before you even graduate-and have you even go intern with them. Basically, you move in seamlessly that way. Closely tied to it is how industry-ready your research work is. Your school is another-some schools and faculty have good relationships with certain companies and that's it.

The other thing you need to understand is that most MS graduates don't even apply and get jobs that have a master's degree as a pre-requisite. So, having a PhD does not mean you have to apply for a job with that as a pre-req. You can apply for R & D related spots at companies or even research labs for a start, and then you work your way up.

Once you open up your options, you have more choices.

Everything you said... bang on.

amanze15:
duke energy and shell?! bros I say it again, it's a debatable fact but you become UNATTRACTIVE the moment you decide to continue with PhD with a hope of getting a job in the industry. About 49% of faculty in US institution of higher learning are foreign-born(a 2001 study) , so you have more chances of working in an institution of higher learning than getting a job in the industry.

they work in Universities across the country, its the easiest way to get employed if you are a PhD student.

I have taken 11 classes since I got to the states only 3 are Americans

This is speculation at best. I have a phd and have always worked in industry - 6 years. All my colleagues are phds. Infact in my field, it is rare to find companies hiring anyone with anything less than a phd. The rare masters holder must have at least 5-7 years experience before he/she would even be considered at all. On the other hand, phds can apply right from school.

I think it all depends on a lot of factors. You say that 49% of faculty in the US are foreign born... that might simply be an artifact of the green card process. Its easier to get an H1B (you avoid the lottery) by working in a non-profit institution. If you're Indian or Chinese, your best bet after a phd is to stay back in school and apply for the EB1B category after 3-5 years rather than joining industry and spending 15 years on a green card line.

Many companies hire phds. I work for an oil company and at our research facility here in the Northeast... >80% of over 700 employees have a phd - most of them direct from phd programs (the vast majority are chemists, chemical engineers, petroleum engineers). The pharmaceutical industry is also a big source of phds.

bravedude:
Was there last week and I didn't upload passport, they helped me out at the embassy and my visa was approved.they still allow d160 without photo.

Sigh... the day Nigerians decide to follow simple instructions...

zulee:
Dear VO,

I got a US visa in Feb 2014, didn't travel that year cos I got pregnant n lost the baby with a complication. Got pregnant again after 2 months and decided to have the baby in US Aug 2015. Paid all my bills. Visa expired Feb 2016, applied Jan 2017 but was denied because the VO wondered why I didn't travel in 2014, explained to him what happened. Showed him my receipt from the hospital but he complained it showed "pending final bill" and that's all I got. He also raised that in 2014 I said I wasnt going to seek for medical, I explained what led to that. Was surprised when he said we didn't qualify. Refused my husband and son too. I want to have a baby mid 2017 in the US. What do you advice pls?

When you got your first visa, you must have indicated it was for vacation... you didn't, rather you traveled to have a baby. This is one of the reasons i speak about the "excuses" people give here. That VO has heard your "explanation" 20.000 times before... What you did is called abuse of a visa.

My advice is that you have your baby in Nigeria. There are hospitals there.

AjalaJ:
I have been in US for about 5 years on H1B and working in a top tier tech firm. My employer has filed my GC in 2013 but in EB2 it can take roughly about 10 years more (average). I have good savings to also start something in my home country. Looking to hear from people who have waited that long.


Forget US go to Canada.

It is close enogh. It is easy enough to get Permanent Residency. After five years and becoming Canadian citizen you can come to work to US again under TN provision (if they keep it in place which is not clear right now).

On the other hand what do you mean waiting for GC? You are still working, making money, accumulate even more savings, No?

I remember this episode from Golden Girls TV show. Sophia talks to her daughter Dorothy:

Sophia: I decided to go to law school and become a lawyer.

Dorothy: Mom, but you are 85. It takes seven years to become a lawyer, by the time you do it you will be 92.

Sophia: In seven years I will be 92 anyway, I might as well be a lawyer.



Source: https://www.quora.com/Is-15-years-worth-waiting-for-a-green-card

Obviously the person with this problem is Indian. A nigerian should not need to spend 5 years waiting for a green card even in the EB2 category,

Angela777:
Why Canada is perfect? Good for old retired people and kids, cheap medical coerage or free, jobs very few and all good ones mostly for local born people with connection. Young active Canadians prefer if they can, to come to make money in US. Long cold winters, food, clothes, everything is more expensive than in US but the salaries are less than US

I would challenge the idea that young canadians are streaming down here to work. Canadians do appear to be happier in their own country than here. Yes a few salaries may be more in the US... but by the time you factor in cost of healthcare and education, you're earning less than the average Canadian.

Even though i got through school a while ago, i'd add a few things to the thread

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

*Ease of visa =3/5 getting tougher to get a visa but you improve your chances with admission to top tier schools with good funding offers
*Quality of Education= 5/5 I'm not sure where else you can get the same quality of education
*General Affordability = 2/5 Education is tremendously expensive here. If you don't have rich parents or were not able to secure funding, it can be a nightmare. Note that school loans are not available to international students
*Ease of Admission= 3/5 A good GPA and excellent test scores should stand you in good stead
*Quality of life as a foreign student= 4/5 Americans are generally very friendly, besides, you'll definitely find a Nigerian in practically most cities here
* Size of African/Nigerian students= 3/5 Depends on the school. Schools in smaller towns typically have fewer nigerian/african students. If that's important to you, then target bigger schools in larger cities.
*Survival/hustle= 0/5 Don't even think about it, you'll be on a plane out of the US before you know it. Being illegal here is not an experience you want to go through
*Long term benefits = 3/5 getting an H1B to work after school isn't automatic. Without it, you can't work here and will have to return home. If you can find a nice American girl to marry (a real marriage please!) then you're set for life!

walemoney007:
china is really a great country,when will nigeria start developing like china

When we stop excusing fraud, mediocrity and dishonesty in the name of "nawhoholypass".

Babatwi:
Prof of what? The only thing you need is an I'd card,which could be your international passport or drivers license or both in some instances.

.

Not really. Many banks no longer open accounts on a visiting visa. They have to report this to the government periodically.

[quote author=layiwola0001 post=53678186][/quote]$3500 for 10 days for 3 people, in NYC is impractical. That budget leaves you $350/day (minus cost of flight tickets). Assume cheap hotel stay of $150/night, that leaves you with $200/day for transport, food, tickets for sightseeing etc. You can imagine why the VO denied you. Also, at this time of the year, a lot of sightseeing spots are likely closed (its winter and cold!). That's one thing many never factor into their vacation plans.

Point 2 - you earn about N250,000 per month... that's less than $900/month.... how do you intend to convince a VO that you plan to spend an entire 4 months salary just for a 10 day vacation and return?

Point 3 - you're going with your wife and child... all your ties right there.

https://www.quora.com/How-do-I-prove-ties-to-my-home-country-for-a-US-F1-visa-when-I-am-a-student-with-no-spouse-property-or-career

Good question answered by a former US visa officer - might be useful to many intending students here.

philtex:
RIP.



Death Why

Death didn't do anything... Nigeria failed him.

fpeter:
God forbid! OMG!! NOOOOOO

ERIC was my classmate in FGC Warri, we were in the same red house. National House.

Just last week I was talking to my sister about him.

NOOOOOO!!!

I'm still trying to figure out how any of the above is relevant to the topic.

Statsocial:
The underlining purpose for creating Church schools; This is very important, the creation of church schools isn’t to actually teach physics and chemistry, but to create a spiritual revolution. Take that spiritual revolution away from CU, then it is by no means different from Afebabalola university. Therefore, if you are a committed member of your church you are already a member of that movement. For instance I am not a living faith member, but by attending CU I have joined myself to the spiritual movement of the church.

Well, by this metric, we can conclude that church schools have turned out to be massive failures? In what way have they brought about a spiritual revolution in Nigeria? Are things any better than 30 years ago when all we had were government schools?