₦airaland Forum

desy24444:
I am a legal residence and I am not trying to abuse the system. When I start working, I will file and pay my tax including contributing to social security. Thank you

Yes you are abusing the system. One of the requirements for adjustment of status is proof of funds. Hopefully you didn’t have someone sponsor you? That person would be legally obligated to repay the state whatever funds you used.

See page 12 - https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-485instr.pdf?download=1

Laurieuc:
Good day everyone

Please i have a question, i am preparing to apply for my US B2 visa by tuesday next week and i want to use an agent who says she will be able to get me a date this November for interview because my due date is fast appproaching

Please has anyone used this means to get an interview? Is it a good idea are there any consequences?

My good people kindly advise me thanks

Don’t use an agent. The rules are clear enough.

OmoBendel24:
What are you pretending about now? Is it today that you know you lot "rich" Nigeria-Americans are good at this? You are now busy talking of the children not residing in the US and all. But you peeps, some of you, always act funny once you lay your hands on those Social Security digits of babies born in the US but resident in Nigeria. You know your way round using the digits for such claims even when the US-born kids are not resident in the US.

Some brazenly go for those digits, others call you out of the blues to do a subtle request for it early in the year, and yet Nigerians in Nigeria are the corrupt Nigerians. This topic has come up at different times here. Mothers, protect those digits, better still don't even go for them so as to avoid situations that will make you offend your US host or act "irrational" to stall them, it is what is available that they will disturb you for na. I thank God for my kind of loaded US hosts, they can never condescend low to this, their threshold actually puts them above such desperation of those of you living fake lives. Mtchhheeewww!

Nigerians and empty boasting...

Ferdinand234:
Thanks very much boss. I really appreciate the advice, Yea I was not given a chance to be heard at all . I am thinking of going to the abuja office now for the next interview, I just want to finish my degree, 4 more months to go and this bottleneck now.

go apply from the Caribbean islands.

Bhb14:
I was denied this morning at lagos branch, the VO first question was "have i ever applied for fiancee Visa before(No), was i enaged to a US citizen before(No), he was surprised, i told him there must be a mistake somewere, buh i could see it in his eyes that he has ruled me out, becasue i applied for Student visa but he can see on his system i have applied for fiancee visa, ;please house help me on this, where did the issue come from?
Regards

That’s very strange. You should seek to clarify this ASAP if it is truly an error if not you won’t ever get a US visa again.

skdfu747:
Providing social media account is not compulsory that is why an option (NONE) was provided to visa applicants.

That would be lying on your application. You should provide your social media handles if you do have them. None is provided for those who genuinely do not have social media accounts.

Spanishmilf:
uriel of big brother naija was denied visa, laura ikeji friends was denied visa... These people are wealthy celebrity who lives in lekki and own a benz,they can afford anything they have no issue of staying back they just wanted to celebrate laura ikeji birthday
Laura ikeji sister that bough a rolls Royce od 108million+ this people are rich asf and the VO still deny dem... My muslim friends who recently got their visas are living in a rented apartment they have not been togo talkless of saying they will go to Dubai... One of d dad friends gave them an invitation letter it was our house and my laptop that they use to fill their form.... These people are living below average their dad is a primary school teacher while d mom is a civil servant... And VO grsnt them visa
Now they arr looking for ticket money..
Ii was actually doubting it wehter VO will issue them visa i told one of dem that their chance is zero.... The should spend their loney on another thing alas i was wrong they came back home with good news jumping all around.... To me us visa is now God grace.. Some cnsular don't spend 1min with an applicants before giving dem blue paper...if u know u don't have any tangible thing to say you can skip d guy question or visit another thread..........( no proof read)
Ignore my errors

Your example is why even those with strong profiles sometimes get denied. If they had mentioned they could not afford the cost of flight tickets, they would have been denied. They obviously lied at their interview. These lies are why even the rich find it difficult gaining the trust of the VOs today.

cris83:
If you say so, but I don't believe that. God's ways are not our ways so you basically can't be sure...

If you read only these threads, you would think God is only a Nigerian. It’s revolting when people invoke god or grace for these issues... grace for what? Grace to obtain a visa by fraudulent means when it’s obvious you are not qualified for it? Some of the VOs are Christians too...

Ilekokonit:
A visa does not guarantee an income ANYWHERE on earth.

A visa also does not guarantee that they will allow you to enter their country at their airport.

If they are not convinced that you are a genuine visitor or student they will return the person back to the country of origin on the next flight.

At age 50 MOST immigration officers at the point of entry will have serious doubts as to the genuineness of your intentions to actually study as 50 years is classed as middle age when you are expected to have finished ALL your studies including PHD.

Someone I know who was 25 and had a first class degree was granted a course related visa to the UK but was denied entry at their airport and deported back to Naija as the immigration officer was not convinced he was gonna go back after the course and all the money spent was wasted and this was at a time Nigerians were not flooding their embassies with visa applications.

Forget going abroad to start afresh as any country abroad worth going to ALL SHARE INFORMATION about people they have denied visas and you don't want to waste that N2.5m on pursuing a visa that may swallow up N2.5m with no visa to show for it at the end of the day.

Stop throwing good money after bad as the grass may seem greener on the other side but because Nigerians don't tell you the truth about what they do to earn a living abroad, people back home think they are better off going abroad. BIG FAT LIE.

Moreover, at 50 you may be able to compete with a 30 year old mentally but you can't compete with one physically as that is not natural and you don't want to be in the position of Nigerians abroad around 50 years old or older (male and female) who have died of heart attacks whilst at their menial long hour jobs. These guys had no choice as they could not come back to Nigeria empty handed and so without work permits, age not being on their side and overworking their bodies, they died due to over work as the spirit was willing but the body was weak and middle aged as they were over 50 years old or there about.

AT ANY AGE YOU have to think of using your brain to earn a living and not your muscles meaning that you have to work smarter and not harder and at any age you have no reason to leave Nigeria for a foreign land if you can not apply for a Highly Skilled Migrant Visa which is only given (with limited quotas) to people with qualifications AND work experience in fields where these foreign countries have a skills shortage e.g Doctors, Nurses, IT personnel, Engineers, Tax Accountants etc.

Some Nigerians actually got good jobs with Multinational companies in Nigeria and got posted all over the world with their employer handling their visa processes but this happened when they were in their 20's and in your case as being an employee in Naija is not an option the ONLY option seems for you to start a small scale business or a few small scale businesses and see how it goes and forget what people around you may say. Your qualification can not always feed you in Nigeria.

Do you know the number of Nigerians stranded abroad but can not come back home due to shame and empty pockets after wasting their most productive years abroad ?

If it is people around you including family members or your spouse that are making you feel as if you haven't achieved as much, then it is better to avoid their company or relocate away from them to a cheaper state in Nigeria where N2.5m is still big money and can start a lucrative business because if you keep hanging around these so called friends, family, in laws and out laws, and they help you finish that N2.5m you WILL now see human beings for who they really are with their poison tongues.

The same people you spent the N2.5m on WILL turn round and call you lazy.

And don't let fake visa or visa lottery criminals dupe you of your money because a visa lottery is just that - a lottery at times with a one in 14 million chance of winning as evidenced by the limited number of people that win the lotto in Nigeria.

If you know the number of people in Nigeria that can open a business wit just N50,000 you will marvel.

The simplest and guaranteed business you can start with a fraction of that N2.5m is a restaurant / Mama Put or just a pepper soup joint and if it means relocating to a cheaper state in Nigeria to open it then do so before you finish business capital that God has given you on daily living and chasing a visa that does not guarantee an income ANYWHERE on earth.

Finally there are a lot of Nigerian in those countries you want to emigrate to that do not have the equivalent of N2.5 million in their bank accounts both home and abroad combined. Most of the money they earn abroad is used to pay for income taxes, health insurance, rent, mortgage, water bill, Gas, Electric, community taxes, tv licence, travel and all the things you see on TV that makes those countries work and look appealing.

If some of these Nigerians get N2.5 million Naira equivalent in their bank accounts today, a lot of them will come back to Nigeria yesterday.

This is over simplified and misleading. No legitimate Nigerian immigrant anywhere in the world will go back even with N25m in his account. Yes you can start a viable business with that money in Nigeria, but you can never put a price on peace of mind, security, a functioning fire service, good roads, stable water and electricity, safe food, clean air, good healthcare, access to loans, no need to bribe anyone...

Mr100Dollars:
Really?... I hate replying negative comments but let's watch and see.

It’s not about negativity, it’s based on the facts. As of October 15, 2019, Visa Officers are now required to weigh your admissibility based on your potential to become a public charge. That includes at a minimum, consideration of your age, health status (important for those seeking to give birth in the US), family status, assets, resources, financial status I.e. annual gross income for the your household size of at least 125 percent of the most recent federal poverty guideline. For a family of 1, that is $12,490 or N4.5m.

You can try your luck of course. But as I said, no amount of prayer will change the rules.

cris83:
I wish you success in your forthcoming interview. There is no hurdle the Lord can not lift you up to scale through. Have faith, and believe in the Creator. That one no mean say make you draw close to Him now, and when dem give you visa, you abandon Him if you catch m drift. Go and collect...

He will be denied the visa with 100% certainty. God does not intrude on the visa laws of individual countries.

olamilarks:
Hello Twoods, thanks for your contribution, I always look forward to your inputs on threads pertaining to the west.

Thank you. You’re very welcome!

Toppytek:
Please I want to ask a very dumb question, I can easily tell if a picture is taken abroad even if it’s taken in a place considered as a village or Ghetto, especially if it’s a selfie and I notice the sky is always clearer and blue-like, for God’s sake aside from the different atmospheric conditions, is there any difference in African, European and American sky? Like I said, it’s a dumb question.

Bossman Egunmogaji Blowjobs Twoods Mackynaija

Yes it is different. There are laws that restrict air emissions from factories and cars. These don’t exist in Nigeria.

Goodbloke:
Thanks I have actually discarded the US and am focused on Australia,Ukraine etc

What are my chances cos ave started researches in their schools for scholarships and what not?

I intend studying comp science

No idea for those countries. There may be threads to answer your specific questions. One note on Australia, check their immigration laws, it may not be as easy to get a job and stay after school.

Goodbloke:
I intend applying for scholarships and am also saving towards it .

Like how much is needed in order for me to school for the entire duration

A rough estimate will be fine

Depends. Assume you’ll stay off campus. Rent budget would be about $500/year (low ball estimate). That’s already $6000/year. You’ll need to eat ($200/month), pay bills ($250/month), transportation, books, supplies etc. you can see how you would need over $10,000/year at a very low ball minimum. If you end up in New York, California or New Jersey, it could be much worse so school location should be equally as important to keep costs down.

Goodbloke:
am going to be working and schooling at the same time since

No you’re not going to be working and schooling at the same time. It’s not your country and there are rules that are enforced.

Goodbloke:
I intend applying for scholarships and am also saving towards it .

Like how much is needed in order for me to school for the entire duration

A rough estimate will be fine

“I intend to apply for scholarships” is not a serious plan. First start with what major you would want to study, then find a school, determine what your tuition, fees and living expenses per year would be. Then figure out what opportunities exist for scholarships to defray your costs. Note - scholarships are fewer for undergraduate degrees and even fewer for international students. Also, scholarships will often only cover tuition... the bulk of your costs are living expenses depending on where you live. Bear in mind, don’t expect to work while in school on an F1 visa. A 20 hr per week job cannot be relied upon to get you through. As I often say... have a solid and pragmatic plan first, your desire to immigrate to the US should not lead you to make decisions you will regret tomorrow.

Matjekdar:
Not planning to visit aunty .. presently I apply for South Africa visiting but waiting for my Visa to come out . Through I dont claim am married in my south African application.. just thinking how to go about it with my wiv and kids

And you wonder why Nigeria never changes. You lie just as easily as you breathe. Looks like you’re never going to visit the US in your lifetime.

Matjekdar:
Guru in the house pls I need your advice I have applied for US visiting visa and got denied (3 times with the same process) then I was a student in the university cos a friend of mine in the US advise me to apply claiming that am coming to visit my aunty who is a US citizen.He sent an invitation mail to me which is said to be from my "aunty".The interviewer asked me why am I going to the US which I explained,the interviewer asked again what do I do I said am a student,the interviewer asked again who will sponsor me I said my dad.to cut the long story short I was denied three times with the same process.Now am married with kids(2) and want to reapply as family visa how will I make everything tally with my previous record without any problem.

Well are you still going to visit your “Aunty” the US citizen?

Dreemerr:
The guy has an excellent research in undergraduate, that make him received so much prices, and even from their international association there in us, so they invited him to present his abstract in us...they give him many awards and international membership registration and he will be sponsored by his Alma mater to attend the conference...

Questions he should think about prior to his interview, why would his alma mater sponsor him for a conference when he is no longer working for them? Is the alma mater also paying for the entire trip, including lodging, conference fees, flights etc.? If yes and he has the appropriate documentation, then he might have a good chance.

Dreemerr:
Hi ladies and gentlemen, my friend wants to travel to us for a conference, he has no job, as he just graduated and still doing his NYSC, and no travel history, the conference is June next year, please can he get an appointment now and what are his chances provided that he's no travel history and his home ties are weak and the time for the conference?? Please he really needs help regarding this issue?? As one guy from us is telling him to book an appointment now that he get visa...

If he has no job then what is he going to a conference for?

Maryam3:
Good morning. Please about this,what if the person needs medical attention while in the USA?
Like malaria or something,does that means one can't visit the hospital? Please explain more. Thanks a lot

It makes sense to take prophylaxis before you travel so this does not happen. In the event you fall sick and have to visit the hospital, remember health care isn’t free, pay your bills or buy travel insurance so it does not come back to haunt you later.

Mancala:
I guess we can agree to disagree on this. America prides itself in doing the right thing and takes it as a thing of pride. They welcome this type of feedback. I have no issue with the approval or denial rated. I believe they can do much better in the way they treat us especially when compared with other similar countries in similar situations

You don’t get to define what the “right thing” is, they do. If they feel the right thing is to give you 3 minutes to state your case as to why they should issue you a visa, there’s nothing you can do about it.

America may indeed pride itself on doing the right thing, but that is dictated by their own self interest. As a non-US citizen, they are under no contractual obligation to do what you define as the “right thing” by you.

Mancala:
Yes, I really do expect them to spend the appropriate amount of time on the interviews even if its 15 minutes. They are providing a service for which Nigerians are paying for. I can guarantee you that this process will be deemed unacceptable in the U.S. .If an applicant has submitted documents and they have vetted and validated all the information and are satisfied, the interview should not take long. In my opinion, its merely a matter of validating identity. In addition if all does not line up a quick rejection after a couple questions is in order.
A quick 3 minute one size fits all interview fliws in the face of logic especially coming from a country that espouses very high values

We pay for services in Nigeria that we never receive, but for some strange reason we hold the US to a higher standard than our own country. I will never understand that mentality.

Bioles1187:
Hello house...I get a invitation letter From USA to participate in USA open on DEC 17-21 buh I plan on extending my stay over there when I land in Texas. Though am planing on buying visa fee next week. Please as any one try this steps before coz I don't want to play foul play. Nd also what are d difficulties I will facethanks

To those who blame the US embassy for being heavy-handed. These are the types of casual disregard for honesty that end up biting the rest of us in the back.

Mancala:
True dat. But why only 3 minutes for such an "important" interview? From what I hear, they are also somewhat dismissive and could be more empathetic during the process. Nigerians do pay a Kings ransome (by our standards) and deserve a fair shake. Why can't they take their time and do a thorough interview like they do in other countries if the can't rely on documentation? There are other countries in the world with a similar reputation for shady documents where they take their time and do a proper background check and document vetting through third party contractors before the interview. I believe this is what they need to do in Nigeria. Besides, isn't that what the visa fee is supposed to cover?

I think you should see it from their point of view too...

Yes you're paying a kings ransom... to visit THEIR country. They are under no obligation to grant you an entry visa neither did they solicit your application. You applied on your own volition. The choice to apply and pay the costs are entirely voluntary, you could choose not to pay and stay in your country. Its not possible for them to do the thorough check you're asking for given the thousands of Nigerians who apply for visa interviews daily. If they were to do that, they would be unable to interview anymore than a fraction of the number of people they interview today. Other countries do not have the same sheer number of people seeking to emigrate, or level of fraud so they have more time to do a thorough interview. In countries with good reputations, the citizens rarely have to go through an interview.

I feel you're seeking to scapegoat the US for the consequences of our own failures of government. If you're unhappy with the US visa process, do not apply to visit the US.

Mancala:
But this here is the textbook definition of scapegoating or stereotyping. Because a lot of us are bad doesn't mean all of us are bad. Why can't we be treated on an individual basis and not pre-judged before we even set foot in the embassy? These are some of the ideals espoused by America but not exactly practiced in relation to Nigerians

I agree with the above... but a typical visa officer has only 3 minutes to interview you. How does he know you are the only good one out of a sea of bad applicants he's had to see? I strongly believe that if Nigeria had a good digital system where a visa officer can easily verify the information on your application - like bank information, job status, criminal record, education, addresses etc., it would have made it that much easier to quickly weed out the bad ones so only those who are trusted are invited to the interview, if that was even necessary. We oftentimes only have ourselves to blame.

Mancala:
I'm aware of all these. I however can't count the number of applicants with noble visit intentions I know of that got approved since this "strict" development, but the number of approval for those planning to run has decreased drastically, that is the reason you hear more of these refusal complain.... Our "ogboju" time is almost up!

I know of a group of about 20+ in recent times for instance that got almost 40% approval of their application, each of those approved were with the right ties and not planning to escape, they already are back to Naija. Those refused actually almost all had the right ties except for one or two, but not even one with the intent of vamoosing (despite the right ties) got the visa, and I'm told they were the angriest and most desperate of the lot. Yes, they are refusing some qualified people still (mostly because of how they handled their interview and form filling), but they are getting better refusing those on the escape route. I know this will never go down well with the bulk of people getting refused, but search yourself oh!

I really have no skin in the game, but what irks me is the double standard. For example, a Nigerian that wants to go shopping in New York or even just visit for the annual Macy's Thanksgiving parade has higher hurdles to overcome, all things being equal, than a similar visitor say from Brazil or even Argentina.

It really is simple - who is more likely to want to leave their home country to stay back in the US? The Nigerian, Argentinian or Brazilian? On balance, who of the three genuinely only wishes to travel to NY for a visit and return to their home country?

sultanfortune:
Must every other Nigerian pay for the sins of the 80, are you not a Nigerian by origin? Even if you have renounced Nigerian citizenship, I still think it’s bad for you to come here and paint your compatriots like this.
Remember just like many here you once hustled for American visa to get out, so bashing Nigerians now make it look like you did not originate from here. The change even start from you bro. My one cent.

Whether you like it or not, we are all paying. Years ago, I tried to renew my Nigerian passport here in the US, all banks shut down my credit and debit cards the minute I tried to use them to pay the fee. I had to drive an hour to do it manually.

You can deny it all you want, we all pay and it’s high time we pushed back.

waynee2baba:
Bless up for pointing out the bolded. He's not only a hypocrite, but a nuisance and liar. I'm sure he told the V.O how he would return back and use his acquired knowledge and skills to develop his home country, but now he's American. He contributed his own quota to the reasons why V.Os deny applicants because they'd rather settle down after study instead of returning home.
TWoods is a hypocrite, nuisance, selfish and self-centered egoistic individual with a touch of great lying spirit.

Such an apt and well-composed reply @groovychik. Thank you so much!

Happy now?

Quite a lot you got off your chest there. Much of which says more about you than anything else.

groovychik:
In as much as I find your views refreshing from the norm, you don't practice what you preach. You want students to stay back and study here, why didn't you? What makes you think they cannot contribute to the American society as much or even more than you've done considering you are not American by birth or parentage. I agree some people do not have the best intentions for wanting to travel and should be banned if possible, but you could have been at the forefront of this change you propagate but yet you sought refuge elsewhere. Before you accuse me of feeling entitled, I am neither an aspiring student or economically unfortunate and never been refused a Visa and like you I believe it's the prerogative of a country to give or refuse Visa to anyone. However, you share a kinship with those looking to leave because you misused your Visa and misrepresented yourself during your interview and kudos for legalizing your stay but you ain't no different.

Same old false allegations. Rinse repeat. How do you misuse a work visa? There are perfectly legal means of emigrating to any country you wish. In many ways than one, I have actively encouraged, and continue to encourage those who are legitimate to do so. The Canada process is one example. What I will continue to push back on is the sheer number of those who we all know have no interest in using the process honestly misuse their visas and then hide behind the fig leaf of “you too misused your visa” to continue to make the rest of us look guilty by association.

It continues to befuddle me why no one is bothered by how many of our fellow citizens make it so hard to legitimately obtain a visa. You can rail all you want, the truth is things are harder for Nigerians today, not because of me or my wife’s voting preferences, but because of you who continue to enable the frauds among us. You all know them, good luck continuing to look the other way.