₦airaland Forum

Predstan:
It's so cute you understand the Nigerian Ways of doing things which explains where you came from. It's just better you go back to your home country to correct that ways. What's more patriotic than correcting this.

As Abraham said to the rich man, people like you will never change even if Moses were to come down from heaven.

Predstan:
Yes its different. Just visit the nearest Vio office. I think it's only 7k in naira. But as a Nigerian, you should understand the Nigerian ways of getting things done ASAp.

The Nigerian way of getting things done... little wonder you’re all desperate to get out of that same Nigeria.

DBELLEs:
The last part got me laughing really hard

I will try again or even defer. Let me recover from this morning's shock first.

Thanks so much once again.

Congratulations and my regards to Mrs Twoods.

Thank you and all the best in your pursuit!

DBELLEs:
I am an employee of the Federal Government of Nigeria. I got the leave of absence from work without pay until maternity leave started officially Mid November, 2017. At that point, I was even ready to leave the job because I wasn't ready to go through another trauma of child loss if my leave was not granted.

My husband sent an email to the embassy asking if I could schedule another appointment (my tourist visa was about 8months then). A representative replied telling us that it wasn't necessary and it was up to us to convince the CBP officer that we could afford the medical expenses. On getting to Atlanta, I remember declaring $14k and telling the CBP officer that I will be staying for 5months.

Only one of our 2 surviving biological children is a US citizen. (the other 2 were born, died and buried here). My husband and I co-own a well thriving pharmacy with about 6 staffs. We both have properties in our names. He has a good job and can't leave it to start afresh in America and I can't abandon my husband and do long distance marriage for too long.

She didn't ask questions and also didn't bother to ask for supporting documents.

@Twoods Thanks so much. I might try again and hope to stand before a happy consular officer willing to be convinced. Your response no carry fire and smoke today.

Ok looks like you just didn’t get a fair interview to explain yourself. I would apply again and when asked what has changed in your status, simply mention that you were not given sufficient opportunity to state your case regarding your home ties.

Lol I’m now a married man!

DBELLEs:
Hello everyone, I am a silent follower of this thread but active a couple of times.

So let me give a brief history before the main gist.

I went to the US in Dec 2016 for vacation with my husband and Dad and came back after 13 days. I went to the US alone August 2017 for childbirth, I came back in Jan 2018. Reasons for staying that long is because my pregnancy was termed high risk considering the fact that I had lost 2 children after childbirth to cognital heart diseases and needed my newborn to be checked within the first 6 to 8 weeks of life. I paid ALL my bills to the sum of $19k and it was even stated that I refused medic aid even for the baby. My husband sent additional money through my parents to me when they came visiting Dec of 2017.

Main Gist:

I was denied a student visa this money here at the Abuja Embassy.
This is the transcript of the window 7 consular officer and I.

Visa officer: Pass me your passports and I-20
Me: OK. I passed them.
Visa officer: what are you going to do in the US?
Me: I am going for the Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health at Florida International University.
Visa officer: What do you do and Where do you work?
Me: I am a practising Pharmacist with ******* here in Abuja.
Visa officer: Are these your biological children?
Me : These 2 are but this isn't. She is my husband's niece.
Visa officer: Who is sponsoring you?
Me: My husband and Uncle.
(My husband was behind us. He isn't travelling with us. He only accompanied us for the interview).

Then she pointed at my toddler and asked if she was born in the US and I answered in affirmative.

Then she brought out the green slip and said we are ineligible for the U.S visa.
The Green slip has the section 214b which summarizes lack of home ties.

When I noticed she was just denying pple visas and I wanted to move another window when I heard him call out, the CGI man insisted I stay

What do you guys think happened? Please, what should I do next?

@fairheart and @sharwarma Thanks for your kind words of encouragement.

Staying 5 months in the US, it’s unclear what job allowed you that much time to be away. Also going for your masters with your children and dependent, some of who are US citizens (not sure if you mentioned using the B2 visa for childbirth when you originally obtained it for tourism)... it’s clear you don’t have much to bring you back after your studies. You can try again though.

Smile4mee01:
Guys

I recently got a USA Visit VISA for the 2nd time. Is there q chance I could convert it to a study Visa when I get to the USA? Is it worth the risk.?

Or do I apply for a study Visa from here?

Kindly advice.

You can file form I-539 to change your status. However, while this is technically legal, the US state department released a memo in 2017 targeting this very issue. Your application may be denied if you applied within 60 days of entering the US on a B2 visa. Even if it gets approved, you will likely have problems renewing the visa as it would be viewed as misrepresentation of your intent for applying for the B2 visa.

Long and short, apply for an F1 visa from here to avoid stories that touch the heart.

Novellex:
The current available date in Lagos us consulate is August 29, is it advisable to reapply as i was denied earlier today and how can I get it to reschedule; the first time I applied I wasn't given the option of the calendar untill I pulled a call through to the embassy and i was asked to login in again and the calendar showed and I was allowed to pick the earliest available date of which I had already used the expedited appointment which was denied.

And how does expedited appointment work, does it require extra payment?

Your best bet is to call the embassy again and explain your situation

Sosao:
Sponsors are called now?
Is this a new developed?

You should realize that the US government takes every information you provide seriously. If you are honest, you have no reason to be concerned with routine confirmation of information you have provided in your visa application

icecube98:
I applied for B1/B2 visa at U.S Embassy, Abuja on and had interview on May 15, 2019. After the interview, I was given a yellow paper stating that my application will undergo further “Administrative Processing”.

The consular officer said he will forward supplementary questions to my email that I should reply him with the answers to enable him make decision on my visa application which I replied a day after my interview.

It’s more than 60 days after the interview and my visa status on CAEC web is still showing “Administrative Processing”. Kindly advice on what to do.

Thank you.

There is a thread here where US consulate officials answer questions like yours. You should post this question there.

Lovecaleb:
Please everyone, I need your help here, my elder brother has been in the US for 10years now. And I just spoke to him about sending for mom and dad.

Please my question is what are the things we will need from him apart from sending and invitation letter? And what do we also need to do from here.

Please I will need contribution of ideas thanks

Your parents need nothing from your brother. They will either obtain or be denied a visa on their own merit.

TheGrandChemist:
I have not seen any Nigerian PhD. student given a Visa valid for more than 2 years. So, I think that is the norm for Nigerians. However, my friends from Ghana pursuing their PhDs have their Visas valid for four years.

And yes, your sister should get a one way ticket.

The length of a US non immigrant visa is based on a reciprocal agreement with that country. The standard US visa duration for Nigerians is 2 years, because that is the duration we give to Americans applying for a Nigerian visa. It doesn’t really matter though... how long you can stay in the country is dictated by your I-94, which for a PhD student, should read D/S.

Vlesparza:
El Paso, TX (www.doctoresparati.com) $250

Are people allowed to promote their businesses in this manner?

Kishkosh:
Guys . My uncle has a challenge . He's a very frequent traveller , he has been to almost all continents courtesy his activeness as a Rotarian.
Him, his wife and two children age 17 and 19 respectively got thier visit visa in 2017 and when they went. The children stayed back and changed thier status to student status .

Parents passport got lost due to theft and the father and mother went for interview just this morning and were refused.

In the transcript of the interview , my uncle (father) said he perceived that the reason for thier refusal was because the kids changed thier status during thier visit because that was the major question asked by the VO

And they were given a pink paper which state that they haven't shown enough home ties according to Section 214(b) of US immgration and Nationality Act. Which I think is generic.

Pls, if this is true ,how can it be tackled .

Your uncle was right. He was denied a visa because the VO perceived his children to have lied about the intent of obtaining their B2 visas. While they claimed tourism, it’s most likely they intended to stay back and change status. This has severely damaged theirs and the credibility of the parents. My advice is that those kids never return to Nigeria to renew their visas again and your uncle and his wife should find other countries to visit. This is what you get for trying to play smart.

ViceChief:
well i think the issue is with the passport theft story, not the visa misuse by the children. Adjustments of status from Visitor to Student status is very legal.

While legal, this is now highly discouraged, especially where the visitor did not explicitly state that he/she intended to consider switching status during the visit. The visa is then marked “prospective student”. The US State Department specifically issued a memo on this in 2017. You can read it here - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/us-visa-rules-tillerson.amp.html

See also the United States District Court for the District of Columbia decision in Tsui v. Attorney General of the U.S., 445 F.Supp. 832 (D.D.C. 1978)

*shakes head*

holarmyde92:
My brother is a student in Germany (9 months) and was denied USA visa for a conference on b1/b2 visa. he has been to United Kingdom several times (travelling experience). BUT the consular said he has to use more than a year in Germany before he can issue him a visa. Why? Please any expert to enlighten me on it, thanks in anticipation.

Has he ever been denied a US visa before? The consular officer likely isn’t convinced that your brother is interested in schooling at all.

Beautyaddy:
I wouldn't advice you to quit your current job even after you get the US visa.

When you get to the US you can use that opportunity to apply and visit the company and if in case you are called for an interview. During the interview you should be able to tell the recruiter that you're still working at the same branch of the company in Nigeria.

If they really need you the company should be able to put in paperwork for a work permit for you so that when you return back to Nigeria you would have had all the documents from the company to apply for a US work visa and may be granted.

Your advice is of little value to him. He is hoping to apply as a security officer. He cannot get an h1b for that since it is not a specialty occupation. Also even if he were able to get an h1b, it would not come with an I-94, requiring him to go to Nigeria to get a stamped visa. Considering he traveled first on a B1 visa, which is not meant for job scouting, he is likely to be denied.

I understand we all want to be “nice” in our responses but we should not encourage outright fraud which then harms other innocent nigerians.

peacenigeria:
Lol! You are “choosing” a hospital based on who will give you a free letter or you are lying on your application.

This is an example of why people no longer post their success stories but later see them posting that they are returning from the US. Its people that abuse the system and cut corners as yourself that have made it more difficult for other Nigerias. In this case by never intending to arrive to the hospital that gives you the free letter which in the end may be a lot more expensive, or by lying to the officer by saying you intend on going to a hospital you know nothing about and chose solely on the premise that they were still naive enough to still give a letter to someone that doesnt intend to visit them and making this hospital charge for this as most do.

God help our country and our people who think for no one but themselfs.

You've said it all.

groovychik:
So basically they are encouraging people to marry for visa/passport, considering there is not written rule that every relationship must end in marriage. That said, it is their country and their prerogative who to give or refuse Visas.

That's the simple truth.

Obinoscopy:
That's not fair because the K1 visa forces them to get married within 3 months. Some people date for years before getting married. K1 visa won't be ideal for such people as it will not allow them date for years. The ideal visa for them will be the visit visa until such a time they are ready to take the next step which will then involve getting the K1 Visa.

He is free to find someone else to date from his own country where a visa will not be an issue. He cannot expect to use a visit visa to "date". That's not what it was meant for. If their relationship is serious then they should get a K1 visa, if not, let them find other people to date.

groovychik:
A friend who has serious travel history history including to the US was recently denied. During her interview she was asked her purpose for travelling and one of the things she mentioned in addition to tourist purpose was seeing her boyfriend. VO asked her to ask him to file for a K1 Visa and refused her a B1/B2. Same person she has been dating for two years and has gone to visit on subsequent trips during which she never stayed for over 3 weeks. Maybe they want us to start lying during interviews. My point is, if you are applying, do so as an individual make sure you have your own money and home ties and omit mentioning Fiancee. That's not you lying, that is you keeping info to yourself.

This is not unique to Nigerians. I have seen Europeans and Asians denied entry to the US because they intended to come and spend time with boyfriends/girlfriends. That’s a significant tie to the US that makes it difficult to qualify for a non-immigrant visa that is dependent on you showing you have minimal ties that will keep you in the US. The consular officer was being helpful. If you intend to marry the guy then get a K1 visa, it’s much easier and entitles you to stay in the US for 3 months to get married.

kidUrbane:
@Twoods
when you say "most of you" I am not in the US Yes, I plan on studying in the US Yes. It's not a do or die for someone like me. visa comes fine, visa doesn't fine. You know why? I've got really amazing things going on for me in NIGERIA. something you probably couldn't achieve while you were here. We're excelling here sir! can you boldly say that when you were applying for your visa you openly mentioned to the V.O that you had immigrant intent? As long as you keep making unguarded remarks about Nigeria, I will always come for you. If you can't be a part of the problem just STFU. I don't see how you help anybody and i don't understand why any serious person would reach out to you for advise.

Another empty barrel who is “making it” in Nigeria, most likely through fraudulent contracts, but is camped here desperate for a visa to leave lol.

kidUrbane:
@Twoods,
Look through your last 20 responses. Can you honestly say that you have been able to help a student or two with preparing better for their interview? Some of us just really want a great education. You always find it convenient to pass instant judgement and rebuke without actually understanding the situation. Your hate and disgust for your motherland is sickening to say the least. Trust me I understand how bad the country has been painted. I want us to do better as a Nation also but applying the right approach is key. The purpose of this thread is to help students achieve their dream of studying in the US and doing so without "circumventing the system". calm down man!

1. Most of you don’t want “help”, you’re only here to learn tricks that you think will help you manipulate your way into getting a visa. It’s not rocket science - do your homework and be honest.

2. Nigeria has not been painted bad, we do an excellent job of proving that we cannot be trusted. A cursory look at the last 2-3 pages of this thread is sufficient proof. If you were a visa officer and you read just this thread alone, would you trust any Nigerian, genuine or not, with a visa?

3. You’re barking up the wrong tree, what is sickening is the laissez faire attitude of many here to one lie here, one false document there. There’s the other kid who effortlessly mentioned that she lied about going for her NYSC... no kidding!

4. The right approach is to show zero tolerance for dishonesty of any kind. Simple. Anything outside that is simply a joke.

bwiizy92:
Rome can't be built on sanctimonious pontifications. Things has changed from the time you got your F-1. And the thread should be about helping others first. Some inane questions can be guided.

Of course, we’ve lied too much to force restrictions on obtaining a visa... go right ahead with your attitude. Seems to be working just fine for you

Queenex93:
Visa Denied

Vo:good morning
Me: good morning ma

Vo: I see you re going to southern university Baton Rouge
Me: yes ma

Vo:to do what
Me:to pursue my msc in urban forestry is

Vo:when did you graduate
Me: march2018

Vo:have you gone for Nysc
Me:yes ma

Vo: what did you do for your nysc
Me: I taught agriculture in a secondary school

Vo: why us
Me:US graduate schools re very good in research and this I very good for me as urban forestry is more of practical oriented

Vo: how many schools did you apply to
Me: three

Vo: name them
Me:SUBR, Florida A&M university and Texas A&M unio

Vo: how many admitted you
Me: all

Vo: what re your plans after Graduation
Me: I intend to come back to nigeria and begin working with the federal ministry of environment as a conservationist

Vo:how do you intend to pay your tuition
Me: I’ve got funding

Vo: (pointing to my i20) you re only given 10k graduate assistantship, you still need about 9k to be able to pay your tuition, who’s going to sponsor that

Me:my dad and my uncle
Vo:pass me your dad’s SOA

MeI didn’t have it just my uncle’s and my dad’s asset documents) passed her the asset documents
Vo: handed it back to me that they don’t recognize that give me your uncle’s SOA
Me:I did

Vo:went through it for a while, then started typing for a while, gave me a blue paper, sorry you not eligible

Sigh... so much wrong with this...

1. It’s clear you are not interested in going to school. You chose SUBR over Texas A&M?
2. You have zero clue why you chose your major.
3. You’re not clear about your intentions after school.
4. You obviously can not afford the cost and you were not prepared to defend that at your interview.
5. Like many here, you are too focused on the short term... you lied that your dad will be your sponsor, you knew he didn’t have the funds, you thought you could cover that by using your uncles’ SOA. Who are you fooling?
6. You lied about going for your NYSC. Why? What would bring honest cost you?

I hate to be negative but people like you seriously get my hackles up. You DELIBERATELY RUIN things for everyone else.

bwiizy92:
Just a point of order...but it seems we are gradually derailing the thread.
A lot of professionals are now on the thread dishing out disparaging remarks to people that just got denied without any soft landing. Even to the point of saying you will be denied again. Let's get things right.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Going through transcripts from part 7 for my own interview..I read the compiled denied visas. And their opinions were a bit mild than what will have now. They gave reasons for denial...tips for the next interview and words of encouragement.
And to those beating on people to drop transcripts it will be done on their pace.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it wasn’t built on intellectual laziness, lies and dishonesty either.

Everestblings:
Pleas i need ideas when asked why this course because I’m actually going for Msc in Human Resource Administration thanks

You quoted my post but I don’t think you read it. Do you need ideas when asked why you’re having rice for dinner this night?

Akin4sh:
I only said I can apply to any country I want. No one is taking about financial status. I know your type. Just note you can’t go far with this mind set. Can’t say more to you. I wish you well. Thanks

I had to laugh there... thanks for the joke. I wish you luck at your next interview.

Akin4sh:
not at all you practically said I was a cheat. I joined today cos I was refused guess I should have joined earlier but please you can’t put the whole world in a box because you feel that’s how it is. I am not being boastful but I can practically apply to any country but that’s the country I have been to and I visited the school myself on my last visit. So Oga park well.

Any American can go school wherever they so choose, without the need for visas and humiliating visa interviews I might add. That’s not an attribute unique to you. You were asking if you could use another email to circumvent US consulate rules. Well how else do you define a cheat?

How much money you have is only of value to fellow Nigerians who view your bank account as evidence of your status. It means nothing elsewhere. You’re no better than a Guatemalan refugee seeking entry at a US border.

Akin4sh:
how did my drop box affect you? I went legitimately and for visit. No hanky-panky. Everyone deserves benefit of the doubt. I have been traveling for legit reasons and also going for legit reasons. You probably the type that always jump into conclusion. It is well. I am done explaining to you. Had a stressful day. Please stay your lane. Jah blesa

I was very clear in explaining what you were attempting to do dishonestly. But i understand your need to obfuscate.

InshaAllah:
Well I am not sorry I also have ZERO tolerance for people like you. What is so ‘unethical’ is the fact that you allegedly live in a country of righteousness/trustworthy people but you haven’t been able to let go of all the bitterness and suspicion in you even after all these years!Am so sorry that the type of people you have been opportuned to come across are all crooked but that says alot for you cause birds of the same feathers flock together! Stop been bitter America was never created because of YOU, many will continue coming down even after you pass.

You’re all over the place. Good luck with further visa restrictions on the rest of you.

The number rule for most Nigerians here - avoid other Nigerians.