@Ms Nas, vivysparkles and olatomide congratulations! More success testimonies expected.

Thread is filling up fast.. Great!

@Olawarlay, topzy2000, omonaijar

Big congratulations to you guys!

@babykonbia

I doubt this. You only laminate your document to protect it, so why would any VO frown at that?! Moreover, lamination doesn't hinder the VO from checking the originality of the document.

Pages filling up quite fast. Great!

@Y.me@visa.com

From your experience posted up here, I seem not to be able to point out distinctly what could have resulted to the denial. All I can say is, give it another try. Wish you success in your next interview.

@risher ris

I don't think your past dv lottery experience is the reason for your denial. My only advice for you is to give it another shot. All the best!

@yomifowe

A lot is wrong with community college(s). I remember bringing this to your attention some weeks back. Your case might be exceptional, it all depends on you and luck.

-------------------------------------------------------

For account statement verification; I got this info from a bank official that consulates(especially those that uses vfs for processing e.g. France, canada etc) usually call in to confirm the authenticity of account statement. Though banks don't disclose account balance but information like account name, transaction activities(lodgement/withdrawal picked at random) are usually asked by the consulate to confirm authenticity of account statement. So, I feel this can be done at the US consultate if they have any reason to.

@Bigfrancis21,

The old immigration law is still in effect. The new proposed immigration law has been given a go-ahead by the senate BUT still has to go through the house of representative.

@creme001:

Congratulations! So much drilling and funny questions at the abuja consulate. Nice interview experience.

I seem not to understand this whole deal about where to take passport photograph. I took mine in a business centre adjacent my street; 6copies for N300. All I did was just specify the dimensions of the passport I wanted (5cm x 5cm) or simply say you want a passport which you want to use at the US embassy. No biggy!

@walspring
Keep checking..

@abbey121, @datty85, @annonymous
Congratulations!

I proclaimed it yesterday that this week is going to be a great week filled with positive testimonies

@abbey121, all you need is your pickup paper. That's all.

@vivysparkles
If you have a slow internet connection, you'll encounter this issue. I suggest you wait some few seconds for it to come up before proceeding.

@dkgetmuny

I'm looking for a travel companion..

Hello house,

Wish everyone scheduled to have their visa interview this week success. It's a great week filled positive testimonies!

Is anyone flying to ATL through delta air come july 23?

@yomifowe

There's a very slim chance of visa approval if one presents a community college I-20 at the embassy.

@yomifowe
Have you taken cognisance of the advice that has often been iterated on this forum on community colleges? If you have but still wish to pursue your aim, I wish you best of luck then.

@ibkgbocco
I wasn't given any green slip sir. I was only given a visa collection letter/form which is a white A4 paper. My passport, I-20 and sevis receipt were also retained but they were all returned to me the day I went for collection.

@tweetty
Congratulations on your visa approval

@gbemonology
Sorry for the denial. You must not be deterred to try again.

In response to your question; you can't use the same DS160 you filled in your last interview for the next interview you intend booking. However, some of the info you filled in your last DS160 can be carried over to the new DS160 you will fill as explained by teejay GO01.

Also, make sure you sort out what could/must have caused the denial before appearing for your next interview. All the best!

@maxwello.yg,

To my best of knowledge, international students/non permanent residents/non citizens are not eligible to study medicine in the USA. I know well of some european countries where you have this option of studying medicine available, you should explore this option.

WoW! Pages are filling up quite fast. This is quite interesting and cool.

@amefrica,

You just have to hope and pray that the VO won't have any reason to look into your DV lottery history which in most cases they don't look into. I could remember an experience I read up back on this thread(I think part 1 or 2, can't really remember), the VO looked into the applicant's DV lottery history. So, I guess something like that happens occasionally. Just be positive!

@flynbird

Bigfranc and imperiouxx has highlighted all the info you need, I bet you wouldn't find anymore detailed info than this on the "fmjfee" website.
In addition, I would advice you opt for the western union mode of payment because it's quite straightforward. Just have a good look at the pdf sample format to know the necessary info you'll have to send to the individual that will make the payment on your behalf and send the pdf sample format to the individual to enable him/her know how to fill the form and where to insert the info you provided. Also, you can use your online sevis fee receipt printout for your visa interview should your original receipt don't arrive before your interview. As for the ID; to my best of knowledge, I doubt if any form of identification is required to make payment.

@ibkgbocco

Congratulations! Let's keep the good news rolling in.

@llsadem,

You are welcome! Glad to know the tip was of help. I believe you should get an appointment date fixed if you try booking through phone call as suggested. For me, I intend leaving Nigeria on the 23rd of next month. I know you'll get it right this time by God's grace and favour. All the best!

@llasadem

Refer back to my post to ibkgbocco on page 90. The info you need is there.

@chatdare,

To avoid vain repetition, I believe your question has been answered on the present page which you are on. Go through the response of ferdimako to amefrica.

@chatdare,

I have read some where on this forum where someone shared his/her F1 undergraduate interview experience in which he/she was asked if he/she wrote NECO. So, I THINK the VO should have no problem with your NECO. Also, alongside with your NECO make sure you write/present a standardised test, which in your case is SAT & TOEFL. Your standardised test would show/portray you to the VO as a serious student who has a clear intent to study in the United States.

Going through the comments posted on dress code has prompted me to drop some few words. What to wear on your interview day should be the least of your concern! Your dresscode is no determining factor to your visa approval. However, that doesn't mean one should dress shabbily; so far you wear something PRESENTABLE and that you are COMFORTABLE in, then you are good to go. If you feel good and comfy in knacking your suit and tie, good; but don't expect this will get your visa approved. Same goes for casual wears. When I had my interview, the two F1 visa applicants whose interview I witnessed were corporately dressed and casually dressed respectively but were both denied. Bottomline is, all one should focus on/bother about is how to concisely and explicitly state ones case to the VO when asked any questions. Dresscode have negligible/NO effect on visa approval/denial!

@onipedey:

Once you update your new DS 160 confirmation number on your appointment profile, you can always print another appointment confirmation letter which will reflect the change(s) you made.

@lisadem

Sorry for the delay man! I agree with some of the probable reason(s) for the denial as stated by some of the house members apart from the age "thing". Your age has nothing to do with the denial. Try make necessary amendments as advised by some of the house members and I believe you'll get it on your next try.

@charleez

Congratulations man! I planned hitting you up on e-mail later in the day to ask how your interview went. I'm glad it went well.

@ibkgbocco

Filling another DS160 has nothing to do with your booked appointment date. Go to DS160 webpage https://ceac.state.gov/GENNIV. Select your location, then on the lower right corner of your screen, click on "retrieve an application"(if you opt for "retrieve an application", you won't have to start filling-in your information from scratch on the DS160 i.e. Some of your information on your previous DS160 will be carried-over to the new DS160). You'll be required to enter your old application id which is also same as your confirmation number, some security questions would also be asked. After answering the security question and clicking on "retrieve application", you'll have an option to "view confirmation page" OR "create a new application". Select "create a new application" and click "continue" so you can carry on from there...Note that another DS160 confirmation number will be generated. Go to the appointment booking site: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ng/ng-niv-appointmentschedule.asp log into your profile, on the left pane on your screen click on "update profile" and change your DS160 confirmation number to the new one. You will notice in your profile that your appointment date is fixed except you decide to reschedule. I wish you all the best in your interview.

@mario2575

Strong home tie could be any of the following but not limited to them:

* You are going on a study leave e.g. you already have a job in your home country

* You have most/all of your family members in your home country e.g. Your spouse and/or kids lives in your home country OR You have parents, siblings, uncles, aunts who resides in your home country.

* Possession of Landed property(ies), investments..etc.

* Relevance of your course of study in your home country

@obsy2020:

Good! Since the school is sending you a waiver for GRE. Go with whatever (TOEFL) you have considering your interview is at your doorstep already. You might be lucky and not be asked for any standardised test. Its 50/50, which is why it is usually advised to always write GRE. I pray luck and favour will be on your side that day. I wish you all the best and success!

@mario2575

In my opinion, if you are not asked about your NYSC; there's no reason for you telling the VO you haven't done/completed your NYSC. Moreover, there are other plausible ways/means to show that you have a strong home tie.

@mr swagger

Thanks a lot! I strongly believe you'll get your visa approval. I wish you all the best come july.

@imperiouxx

Boss!!! Thanks alot.

@fidella.john: Thanks! You are the next to come share your success story. All the best in your forthcoming interview.

@obsy2020: Thanks! You could ask your question(s) here just for the benefit of others to learn, I would be glad to respond to whatever questions/information you need. Also, there are some other experts in the house that can chip in some valuable info

@teejay_G001: Thanks a lot. I guess he's the same guy(VO) you saw.. . I wish you success in your forthcoming interview. Go get it!

@conyema12: Thanks! HE's indeed faithful

@fitty: Thanks!

Hello house! Sorry this is coming late, I felt obliged to share my experience because I've been an avid reader of the thread since 2011, albeit, this is my first post on the thread. It has really been an eye-opener for me considering the various information and testimonies I have stumbled on up on this thread. Also, I would like to appreciate all the contributors on this thread for keeping the ball rolling. You guys are doing a FANTASTIC job and I really appreciate you guys.

I had my F1 visa approved in lagos last week thursday (23/05/13) for my Msc degree. I was scheduled for 9:30am interview so I got to the embassy around 7:15am. I was surprised with the few people I met outside the embassy, I never knew large number of applicants had checked-in already. Those of us for 9:30am appointment were called on around 8:20am for checking-in. "Omo no be small thing o" we went through like 6 screening/checkpoints before finally entering the interview hall. Finally, I got into the embassy. Entering the interview hall, all sits were occupied, some peeps were even standing so I also couldn't get a sit. I had not used up to 20seconds at the interview hall, my tag number already flashed at an interview window so I walked directly to the window. The interview windows at that section was used for collection of documents for verification/screening which will from there be passed to the window where one will be called for biometrics after which your documents will be returned to you. I guess I'm beginning to bore you guys with my story.... I could write a 40page script on my experience.

My interview didn't last 3mins, It was basically God's favour which was indeed evident before and during my interview. There were 4 VOs; 2guys and 2ladies, young chaps. The denial rate was high. The chinese guy denied every couples/individuals he interviewed except for some 2 or 3 old individuals and couples before my interview. The other guy, who should be in his early 30s was so mean and "ruthless". At some point he started taking breaks; he leaves for 10-15mins and returns. For the female VOs, the first one will ask lots of questions and will eventually deny but she approved 3 persons' visa which I witnessed. For the other lady, she's black american and her visa issuance rate was far higher than the other 3 VOs, she was just dashing out visa approvals. The 2 guys (F1 visa applicant) whose interviews I witnessed were denied. From my point of view, I saw no reason for denial, they were so on point and they both stated their cases well. At a point, I started praying to God for my tag number to flash at the black american VO's window, which God answered. My interview goes thus:

VO: Hi, how u doing?

Me: Good morning (I smiled, I was also relieved bcs she received me warmly. I even forgot to respond to her "how u doing?"

VO: Can I have your documents?

Me: (Passed them to her)

VO: So you going to the US for ______

Me: (In my mind, I was like "which kind german question be this" Quickly, I responded by filling-in the gap for her) my masters degree in Civil Engineering at TTU.

VO: How many schools did you apply to?

Me: (I responded by mentioning 4 of them) UMCP, TTU, TAMUK and TUC, Norway

VO: How did you narrow down your search to TTU?

Me: My research interest is on waste based renewable energy which happens to be same area few of the faculties at TTU in CVE department has interest in. (I noticed all the while I was talking from the beginning of my interview, she has always been nodding but I didn't let that get over my head though I got some little confidence from that)

VO: Did you take any standardised test?

Me: Yes I did, I took the GRE and TOEFL

VO: Can I have your GRE?

Me: (As I was handing out the result to her, I told her that I did the GRE twice and I didn't have the official score report of the 2nd GRE result but I had an online printout which reflects the 1st and 2nd GRE scores) so I handed the official report of the 1st GRE I did and the online printout of the second GRE which reflects the 1st and 2nd GRE scores.

VO: (Nodded) Why did you take the GRE twice?

Me: I wasn't satisfied with my first result. (In my mind I was praying bcs my overall score in my first GRE was better than the second one but I had a higher score in AW in the 2nd GRE than the 1st GRE. Also, my verbal score was higher in the 2nd GRE than the 1st one and my quantitative score dropped in the second GRE)

VO: (flipped through the report and typed something on her workstation, she probably verified if the score is genuine. She then returned them)

VO: How long is your programme?

Me: 24months

VO: What do you do?

Me: (told her where I work)

VO: NYSC? (From my understanding, I guessed she was asking if I'm doing my NYSC in the coy I work presently)

Me: No

VO: What's the timeline like from the end of your 1st degree till now?

Me: I graduated from ____ University in 2010, did my NYSC at _____ company, then after my service I moved to _____company which is where I work at the moment.

VO: Who's sponsoring your education?

Me: My uncle.

VO: What does he do for a living?

Me: He's also a civil engineer.

VO: What does your parents do for a living?

Me: My dad is retired and my mum is a teacher.

VO: Who sponsored you through your first degree?

Me: My Uncle.

VO: (she reached out for the white paper, circled something on it) your visa is approved ______________________ (immediately I heard your visa is approved, I practically became deaf. I was just seeing her mouth move, I didn't hear anything again o.. I was so happy to the point that my happiness reached its elasticity limit, I couldn't express my joy. I couldn't laugh, I couldn't smile. I just wore a straight face, collected the paper and said thank you)

It was like a dream. My interview seems quite lengthy from my written experience but it wasn't. It was so quick, the only document requested for was GRE. I was just favoured. Naa BABA GOD o....

ADVICE:
There are some contraband items that are not allowed in the embassy, only go with your documents. There are no storage areas for these contraband items. These items are listed on the second page of your appointment confirmation letter. Take time and read it bcs you'll be surprised at some of the prohibited items in the consulate.

Secondly, for those that will be having their interviews soon: during the interview, try to maintain an eye contact with the VO and be concise with your responses. No ambiguous responses/storytelling and avoid generic answers. Also, try study your DS160 before your interview bcs this is basically what would be used to interview you. The response you give must conform with what you filled in the DS160. Furthermore, I noticed some applicants are usually enquiring about the possibility of filling another DS160 after submission of the previous one. You can FILL as many DS160 as you want after submission, I filled mine 3xce before finally settling for one. But NOTE: you should not forget to update the confirmation number in your profile on the appointment booking website. For every new DS160 you fill, another confirmation number is generated. The confirmation number/barcode on your DS160 must tally with the confirmation number on your appointment confirmation page.

Lastly, God-factor is very paramount. I can't remember the particular person that shared his visa interview success experience some weeks ago, he recommended a bible passage which I took note of: Isaiah 50:4-10. I implore those going for theirs soon should meditate on this passage. Also read up, psalm 31. In conclusion, be mindful of the fact that everyone's situation is different/unique. Don't be bothered by the visa issuance rate just focus on yourself. Be optimistic and calm and I believe you'll get the visa by God's grace and favour. For those that have been denied, please, try again and don't be discouraged. On this same thread, I've read people's experiences that were denied 1 or 2/more times but later got their visas approved. Get yourself composed, tie up loose ends and go for it! Enough said, I would like to halt here.. *deuces*