₦airaland Forum

kastgeraldino:
Then you keep the main documents at home, right? I didn't do these things when I was in college. I used to go everywhere (outside the state my school was located) with just school ID. Is there any rule on the identification that foreign students should have on them?

There are rules on documents that an F1 student must carry at all times when traveling within the US. You probably were not aware but your ISO should have informed you... also if you live or travel well outside the 100-mile zone close to the border, you probably never had to worry about it.

As an F1 student, you are advised to always have your original passport, form I-20 and I-94 record with you at all times. Your Form I-20 must be signed every year by your ISO and is proof that you maintain full attendance at your school.

Here is why you need these docs - if you travel by train or bus that passes through a town within a few miles of the border, the vehicle can be boarded by CBP at random and with no notice at all. If you're not a US citizen, they will ask for proof of your citizenship and legal residence in the US (that will include your I-94 record and I-20). I experienced this several times traveling through Buffalo NY.

If you live and travel well outside the 100-mile range of the border, you may ignore the rules as CBP is very unlikely to bother you. You will need your passport to fly though, or get an enhanced driver's license.

pebes:
Please I will like to confirm.
Are you saying one can enter from a different airport other than the one closest to your school for your first point of entry to USA?

Someone already answered you but the short answer is yes.

Debbss:
Visa approved at US Consulate@Lagos early last week.

No standardized test
I have GA with tuition waiver and monthly stipend

Here's my transcript;�


Me:Good morning
VO: Good morning, how are you?
Me: I'm fine, thank you!
VO: Pass me your passport and I-20 please (I passed to him)
VO: Where are you going?
Me: I'm going to University of West Georgia at Carrollton for my Master's degree in Professional Counseling with a concentration in College Students Affairs
VO:How did you get to know this school?
Me: I carried out an extensive research using Google and some academic websites to search for schools that offers my course of interest and I found a few schools that I met their requirements amongst which was University of West Georgia
VO: Who's sponsoring you?
Me: My cousin will be covering my deficit. I have a graduate assistantship that covers more than 80% of my tuition fees and with a monthly stipend.
VO: What does he do?
Me: He's an IT Specialist
VO: Where does he live?
Me: Little Elm, Texas
VO: Did you apply to other schools?
Me: Yes, I applied to 2 other schools, Georgia Southern University and Western Illinois University
VO: What will you do when you return to Nigeria?
Me: I'll be taking up a lecturing job at my Alma Mater and also work as a Student Affairs Professional with educational institutes here in Nigeria

VO: Okay, I'll be issuing your visa and you can pick it up in the next 3-4 days at your pre selected location. Also, don't forget to go with your I-20 when traveling as it would be requested at the airport, have a nice day( believe me, all of these�was less than 1 minutes even tho it may look longer than that.)

Thanks be to God�....please pray, pray, pray and also prepare(very important too)

Congrats!!!

mannyray:
hello everyone. So here's my situation...I want to relocate to the US but I can't afford the tuition for a bsc degree at the moment. I dropped out of the university in South Korea in 2016 due to financial challenges. I returned to Nigeria but I returned to South Korea to study Korean language for 1 year. During that one year, I was able to work by the side and I saved up a lot of money that I used to set up a standard fine dining restaurant in abuja alongside some partners.
Now I want to relocate to the US, but I'm scared I don't have a degree certificate to apply for master and I never completed my software engineering course in SK. I thought about going through a culinary school since I already have experience in the restaurant business. I feel like I can explain better my ties to Nigeria with the culinary course I want to take.
Now the culinary school course is only 1 year and its 16000usd.
my question is, will the no degree affect my chances of getting a visa?
the culinary course is only 1 year, note that I don't intend to stay in the US without returning But I want to have easy access to th US while building my empire, investors will be more willing to pour in funds. Now with just 1 year Visa will I be able to extend it so I can frequent the US and Nigeria.

Another angle is to apply for an undergraduate course but i don't have the funding and I'm scared I'll be questioned about the time I spent in sk without getting the degree.

PLEASE HELP A SISTER OUT

God bless you abundantly.
THANKS

Yours is complicated. You have a thriving business in Nigeria so you definitely want to come back after 1 year in culinary school... however, it will take you a couple of years (unless you marry) to get a green card. How do you combine that with running your business here?

Also, I don't think it matters that you don't have a bachelors degree to attend culinary school. Having a restaurant should be a sufficient qualification to get a visa.

bs101:
Good day house,
My brother is resuming for summer semester at the University of Central Missouri. He intends to travel to the US 2 weeks before resumption but to Texas first before proceeding to Missouri a few days to resumption. Gurus I want to know if this is allowed under US laws or he needs to go straight to Missouri. Thanks for your response

Your brother is fine to go wherever he likes within the US. Just have your F1 visa handy (best to make a photocopy and keep in your wallet) if you are anywhere within 100 miles of a US border.

Dhino101:
I think it was because of my previous interview
During my very first appointment, I applied for B1/B2 visa and in my profile I was married and have a kid
So the last interview which was F1, the VO asked me that do I have a kid and I forgot that I said Yes some years ago. I told the VO No and he remind me of what I said in the very first interview
I had to lie that the baby is late

That's why you don't lie on visa interviews. Doubtful that you will get another US visa but there is no harm in trying.

Why is arabic inscribed on the Nigerian army logo?

Jolomenas:
Are you sure you heard the whole interview?
If you did, then definitely you know emma powerful is a bigot.
Personally I want you guys to go on your way and form your country!!
And you should know only few elites from the northern part benefit from crude oil.
Most of us are farmers and traders.

Of course you don't want that, that's empty bluster on a faceless forum. You are indeed farmers and traders, but would have virtually zero economy without the South. It takes a lot more than trading and farming to establish banks and a viable financial system, money for infrastructure like roads, airports, rail, water projects etc. You do know that should the country split, the North is totally landlocked right? What would be your access to a seaport?

Those are hard cold facts... folks in Niger Republic are also "farmers and traders"... i doubt you want to swap places with them anytime soon.

AwesomeStormy00:
Gosh it is well. Tribalism is killing Nigeria, Islamasation of naija is now at 90%

Most Nigerians don't realize it, but Nigeria has been a de facto Arab Muslim nation for decades. Look at the inscriptions on army logo and the naira note, the fact that most Northern states close mid-day on Friday to accommodate Muslim prayers (why don't we get half Wednesday off for bible study?) while the rest of the south is busy working to pay their salaries...

It's one of the major reasons I left... living in a nation governed by the North was a big no no for me.

jrusky:
Sorry, on this I think NBC has done the right thing nothing like freedom of speech when it comes to terrorism, secessionist or rebel or jihadism pls no sentiment ok. If such is allow their fellow Bitchs in the North will say Shekau too should be allow to speak on live broadcast.

Rule is rule break it and face the hammer moreso let us not forget ipob has be proscribed so freedom of speech is dead on this ok.

Thanks.

and? Let Shekau speak on live broadcast... that is his problem.

Jolomenas:
Nobody hates anything igbo
I am hausa and I cant forget my kindhearted friend (ernest ogbodo) an igbo guy!!
We just hate bigots and criminals
Nonesense

You really don't. Self determination isn't bigotry... you're only concerned because self determination for the South will basically turn the arid North into a desert no better than Niger Republic. Your concern is the loss of the free gravy train the north has been feeding fat on for decades.

Vaughanlanrewaj:
The Nigerian press is a huge let down. They are feeding fat from traffic revenue from bad news and fake news and it got them drunk. I still cringe at the audacity of Channels TV. Haba!!!

They should bring Shekau tomorrow. After Shekau, they should go to where ever and bring the bandits and IPOB terrorists leader killing our patriots and innocent citizens and interview him at 10pm prime time and let him make inflammatory statements that will cause more death so they can report the death.

Channels TV and its officials behaved so badly and unpatriotic that they covered the terrorist on Sunday prime time 7pm to deliberately allow him make seditious warfare attack against the state using misinformation on the platform of Channels TV and make rallying call to his terrorists base just 24hrs after our gallant security men decimated their ranks and it was so consequential that today, less than 24hrs after the interview of the terrorist, there's a bloody tribal clash in Lagos today ! Channels TV is culpable and they should all be held to account and NBC do to Channels TV what SEC did to Oando.

NBC should go beyond punishing Channels TV and recommend the arrest of the approving authority for the interview and whoever arranged the interview to the DSS. Channels TV is a corporate identity and not tangible, the individuals using the brand to sabotage the country must be prosecuted separately.visit www.freestuffsng.com for latest freestuffs in Nigeria. God bless my fatherland Nigeria

If you want an authoritarian dictatorship, just say so in one sentence. You may dislike IPOB, but Channels should be free to allow the people to hear from all sides. The only reason NBC is doing this is that the government is afraid... an informed citizenry is a danger to a corrupt dictatorship, intent on foistering a system that only works for the rich elites.

While the government is busy banning TV stations for airing IPOB's point of view, they are busy demanding settlements and amnesty for Boko Haram. Go figure.

Nicerazor:
Help!! Currently filling my Ds 160 form and this question pop up, hope nor be setup o.
I have undergone security training in firearms handling etc.
Do I click No and skip the question?
Hope they won’t use this against applicants?

Did you do this as part of a security apparatus (e.g. police, military)? If yes, state so on your form and bring proof to your interview. If no, please explain here so someone can help you.

AfonjaBoston:
Please let us know when your relative eventually sends you the visa.

I wan follow that route too

Prettiyruth:
Good evening all,

I have a little problem and I've spent days reading the previous thread but nothing close.
Here is my problem

So, a bank has decided to loan us the money so my i20 would be sent, but we have two options.

They insist on opening a new account which we have,but if we take the account to the embassy, it will be less than 2 months and I heard 6 months statement is needed

Also, mum has a current account with the said however, she hasn't used it in a year and hence statements for the last 6 months might not be weighty enough if we decide to put the money in the account.

We have two options now,
Use the new account, get the statement for it and generate a reference letter directed to the embassy with the old(current) account.
My argument here would be that this new account was opened and funded solely for this purpose( travel)

Or,
Use the old account that we haven't really used in a year and still get a reference for it from the bank.

We can only use accounts an account from that particular bank.
Now what do you all advice and do I have a case?

Is the money available to you for the purpose of your education or is it only being loaned to you for the purpose of getting an I-20 and a visa?

kastgeraldino:
Please tell them oh. Funding is is not common for Masters level. It is only just in the past few years that I started hearing about Masters students getting funding. Previously, as in more than a decade ago, it was a rarity to find Masters students with funding. Funding is usually reserved for PhD students.

Same here. I think what I find most fascinating is the overwhelming sense of entitlement. It's as if Nigerians think others exist solely to serve them.

tonero4urch:
I finished my undergraduate with 4.44/5 and my masters degree with 3.03/4. I applied for a master program again so I don't know what they are looking for that made me not to get assistantship. Na them sabi....

I think you didn't do your homework well enough. You should know that funding at the masters level is very limited. If you notice, most of the people here with full funding are almost always Ph.D. candidates. That is where the funding is. Here is a simple alternative - you can apply for a Ph.D. program, obtain full funding and choose to leave after your qualifying exam in 2 years. It still counts as a valid thesis masters degree... you will have to understand how your program works but worth a try.

MelaninGemstone:
Bro, what did you graduate with please? I just got a response from the graduate office of Stevens, I sent them a mail inquiring about graduate assistantships and funding, and they said that I didn’t get funding because I didn’t finish with first class. Lol

I finished with a second class upper (Hons)

So I wanna know if anyone here finished with first class and still didn’t get funding from Stevens.

If there is someone like that, that means the school is just looking for money

Graduate Assistantships and funding are not a birthright. They are highly competitive... and contrary to public opinion here, Nigerians aren't the only applicants looking for funding. You have a ton of folks from Asia, most of whom have superior qualifications to yours. Many of them likely aced the GRE and/or are coming from highly competitive undergraduate programs. Even if you finished with a first-class, funding isn't guaranteed. If more people had "first-class" degrees than available funding, too bad. Your second-class upper only means something in Nigeria... not much here (I learned that lesson very quickly).

Righteousness2:
While People like Paul the Apostle gave us parting words of
" I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing"

Our own Generation filled with Daughters of Jezebel are Wearing Asoebi celebrating Divorce with,
“I do, I did, I’m done!"


A Generation that Derives Joy in Nonsense is a Generation heading for Destruction..

GOD Have Mercy on Us!

Sobering. May the Lord have mercy on us.

tonero4urch:
I got admission too for masters in Actuarial Mathematics and Decision Analytics for fall 2021 with no funding. They also told me to pay 500 dollars to secure my seat which will be added towards my tuition. I am gladly declining cos I got better offers. They are looking for money in the pocket of someone that is also looking for money. That is why it's not advisable to apply for admission to all these private universities- their sole aim is profit. They want me to pay for masters in America when i should be paid. Ain't nobody got time for that. Peace�

Lol, how do you think they buy and maintain all the facilities you want to enjoy as part of your education? By magic?

It’s ok to reject an offer if it’s not financially ok for you, we all do. But don’t insult their process. Stevens is an excellent school for engineers.

UZAD:
You cant call that telling lies.

Off course if I am ask at the point of interview, I will confirm that only curious bcoz I may not have the chance to defend myself.

Was only asking if. I can amend it back on anew ds160

Let’s be blunt, it is lying. You are deliberately leaving out a material fact because you think being truthful will negatively impact your visa decision. The application form asks for all your educational records, not just some or the ones you feel like mentioning... that you would have mentioned it, if asked, is immaterial. It only makes you look worse to the VO. Especially since he has access to the info you submitted a few years ago.

As I said earlier, you are not obligated to provide it neither should you listen to anything I say.

UZAD:
Because a friend was ask why go for same masters when he already have one in Nigeria, he became confused

he believe it was part of the reason he was denied F1

I want to know if it wud excape the question, also if it may harm my chances.

In 2018 i never thought i wud av any course to further in America, and now i want to.

How do i go about this.

Better to be denied a visa for going for a second masters than be denied for lying.

UZAD:
Help

I was denied a tourist visa in 2018.

While filling my application for tourist visa under academic section then, I entered BSc, MSc Economics and Phd Economics in view, Although i later dropout from the Phd program due to job location and personal challenges that hit me.

Now the issue, While filling my ds160, I entered only Bsc economics as my educational qualification Presently, i want to attend interview next month and my program is masters in economics, but in my form 1/20 it is written as Managerial Economics/ Business Economics.

Wont the VO notice this difference in qualification in 2018 and now?
If i am ask, how do i defend myself ?
If this is a problem or false information on my end how do i amend this?

I really need your advise.

If you indicated in 2018 that you had a masters degree in economics, why would you leave it out of your application now?

peterbest:
Because there are some personal information which I think are sensitive

Ok I'll check my email.

gerona:
Hello Friends,

I got an admission for my LLM in McGeorge's School of Law, CA. I have 3 kids and intend to travel with 2. Is it compulsory I travel with my husband? And how much would be required as proof of funds for each child's up keep for visa application purposes?

Thank you.

How young are your kids? If they are older kids, you may be asked how what you intend to do about their schooling. It is not compulsory you travel with your husband.

peterbest:
Please, I would also like you to advise me too. I have sent you an email.

Why don't you post your question here?

Oluomu:
Please I want to know if any if it's possible for me to switch from Engineering 1st degree to MBA 2nd degree.

Yes you can. It's a logical progression.

Oluomu:
Hello All,

House please i urgently need your assistant and advice on this issue bothering me.

I'm a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and I have over 10yrs work experience in Automobile industry trying to apply for Master in US but could not meet the admission requirements of 3.3GPA.

Now my guy advised me to go for MBA for my masters...........I want to know the possibility getting visa approval If i should apply for MBA, a course different from my professional career.

I would appreciate all comments to help me take a decision.

Have you tried doing the GRE? If you score very high you may be able to overcome the GPA. Consider the subject tests too.

Picricchem:
I got my visa this morning!! @Abuja embassy.

I'm so happy right now.

My transcript and story loading � .

FALL 2021.
Program starts August 17.

Thanks to everyone that had contributed to the flow of this thread from the beginning.

@Pepe my good boss, Lagosismyhome, Brown2green, justwise, fairheart, Twoods and others I will still mention later.

Thanks so much!

Transcript coming

Congrats brother!

You read something like this and you just go away thanking God for removing you permanently from the absurdity that is "one Nigeria".

Lex04:
Hi good people. A friend of mine would be going for his interview soon and has prepared this transcript. Kindly assist to review it and give your suggestions. Thanks.

Me: Good morning
VO: Good morning, pass me your I-20 please?
Me: (passes the I-20 to him)
VO: Where are you going?
Me: I’m going to Louisiana State University for a Master’s degree in Professional Counselling with a concentration in College Student Affairs
VO: How did you hear about LSU?
Me: After I decided to have my Master’s degree in the United States, I carried out an extensive research using google and some academic websites to check for schools that offer my course of interest and I found a few schools that I met their requirements among which was LSU

Why did you choose the United States for your masters degree? I would remove that line I put in bold. It's not necessary and simply leads the VO to think that being in the United States is the real motivation for going for a masters degree.

Lex04:
VO: Why this school?
Me: I chose LSU firstly because of the school curriculum which requires me to attend professional conferences that would earn me extra professional certifications and would also help expand my network which the ither schools did not offer. Asides that, LSU offered me a graduate assistantship that covers more than 80% of my tuition fees and with a monthly stipend. Also, throughout my application process till now, their communication has always been fast and effective

The section in bold is your answer... everything else you can feel free to delete.

Lex04:
VO: Why this course?
Me: This course would help achieve my career goal when I return to Nigeria, to take up a lecturing job at a higher institution preferably my alma mater and also work as a student affairs professional with educational bodies here in Nigeria

Suggests you don't have a clear idea what you want. Being a lecturer and a student affairs professional are two completely different things. Choose one and be specific about what opportunities open to you. What does a college student affairs do? Are there such jobs in Nigeria? Remember, your VO has a pretty good clue what jobs are available in Nigeria.

Lex04:
VO: What have you been doing since graduation?
Me: After my bachelor degree in 2018, I went for my National Youth Service between 2018 and 2019, after which, I secured a job with ABC Limited where I worked as a Sales Manager between 2019 and 2020. I then proceeded from there to my current organization where I work as a XYZ

You may or may not get this question but be ready to answer why your jobs after college don't match with your masters degree and future plans.

Oyetboy:
what do you think of the uk? is it an ideal choice

It is a good destination as well, not sure if it has as many opportunities for financial aid compared to the US or Canada. You also have to think about ease of being able to stay permanently. In my view, its easier in Canada, but the US isn't bad.