U.S. embassy moves to end Nigerians' ordeal over visa
70,000 residents seek U.S. visa in Nigeria
From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja

THE United States (U.S.) Embassy in Nigeria has started a series of physical and regulatory measures to bring about the level of dignity craved by Nigerians seeking American visas and other services at its embassy.



http://odili.net/news/source/2009/may/27/30.html

This may be an apparent bid to stem criticisms of discriminatory profiling and consequent unfair treatment of Nigerians applying for visas at U.S. mission in the country

But even as the measures are meant to ensure that Nigerian applicants are treated with dignity and respect in the visa application procedures, they are nevertheless an open sesame to visa grants as the American immigration laws must take effect in the process, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin RenŽe Sanders, has said.

Sanders spoke yesterday at a media briefing and tour of the U.S. Consular Section for media representatives and Nigerian government officials to highlight steps the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has taken to ensure the best possible experience for Nigerian applying for U.S. visas.

Also at the briefing were VFS Global officials who handle the Abuja and Lagos visa appointment system for the U.S. Embassy and two Consular chiefs - Victoria Coffineau, Abuja; and Richard Walsh, Lagos.

Sanders said: "We welcome visitors to the United States and we want your experience to be positive from the day you apply for your visa. However, applicants must also appreciate the rules of our immigration laws and understand that visa issuance is not an entitlement."

A part of the new measures, a protective canopy to shield applicants from the elements has been erected at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. These have been complemented with speed breakers on the road to increase pedestrian safety. Jumbo umbrellas and comfortable seating arrangements in enlarged pavilion areas have also been provided by the Mission.

Disclosing that the same measures had been put in place at the Mission's Lagos office, Walsh added that apart from the covered entrance pavilion, a major renovation work was ongoing to build two storey buildings in addition to the new waiting room, which will be ready in 12 months with the entire project taking about two years to complete.

Sanders also disclosed that 70,000 Nigerians applied for U.S. visas last year, out of which 58,000 were granted.

Stressing the need for Nigerians to distinguish between visa processing and issuance, Sanders said: "Do not confuse the processing and our new efforts to make better the process. Visa issuance is something else. That's where the law comes in and we respect the U.S. immigration laws."

However, she stressed: "Even if you do not receive a visa, we want you to have a comfortable experience through the process. Therefore, we have partnered with VFS in a programme to improve the on-line visa application process. And we continue to train our staff to maintain the highest levels of customer service. This is our commitment to you."

Apart from fielding questions on the problems encountered by Nigerians trying to log on to the website provided by VFS Global, details on U.S. immigration law and the visa application process were also provided at yesterday's briefing.

Aloy.Emeka:

U.S. embassy moves to end Nigerians' ordeal over visa
70,000 residents seek U.S. visa in Nigeria
From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja

THE United States (U.S.) Embassy in Nigeria has started a series of physical and regulatory measures to bring about the level of dignity craved by Nigerians seeking American visas and other services at its embassy.



http://odili.net/news/source/2009/may/27/30.html

This may be an apparent bid to stem criticisms of discriminatory profiling and consequent unfair treatment of Nigerians applying for visas at U.S. mission in the country

But even as the measures are meant to ensure that Nigerian applicants are treated with dignity and respect in the visa application procedures, they are nevertheless an open sesame to visa grants as the American immigration laws must take effect in the process, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin RenŽe Sanders, has said.

Sanders spoke yesterday at a media briefing and tour of the U.S. Consular Section for media representatives and Nigerian government officials to highlight steps the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has taken to ensure the best possible experience for Nigerian applying for U.S. visas.

Also at the briefing were VFS Global officials who handle the Abuja and Lagos visa appointment system for the U.S. Embassy and two Consular chiefs - Victoria Coffineau, Abuja; and Richard Walsh, Lagos.

Sanders said: "We welcome visitors to the United States and we want your experience to be positive from the day you apply for your visa. However, applicants must also appreciate the rules of our immigration laws and understand that visa issuance is not an entitlement." this is where the problem lies. most people think it is a right with all the prayer and baba serri visit they should get it without proper documents

A part of the new measures, a protective canopy to shield applicants from the elements has been erected at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja. These have been complemented with speed breakers on the road to increase pedestrian safety. Jumbo umbrellas and comfortable seating arrangements in enlarged pavilion areas have also been provided by the Mission.

Disclosing that the same measures had been put in place at the Mission's Lagos office, Walsh added that apart from the covered entrance pavilion, a major renovation work was ongoing to build two storey buildings in addition to the new waiting room, which will be ready in 12 months with the entire project taking about two years to complete.

Sanders also disclosed that 70,000 Nigerians applied for U.S. visas last year, out of which 58,000 were granted. by any standard this is good.

Stressing the need for Nigerians to distinguish between visa processing and issuance, Sanders said: "Do not confuse the processing and our new efforts to make better the process. Visa issuance is something else. That's where the law comes in and we respect the U.S. immigration laws."

However, she stressed: "Even if you do not receive a visa, we want you to have a comfortable experience through the process. Therefore, we have partnered with VFS in a programme to improve the on-line visa application process. And we continue to train our staff to maintain the highest levels of customer service. This is our commitment to you."

Apart from fielding questions on the problems encountered by Nigerians trying to log on to the website provided by VFS Global, details on U.S. immigration law and the visa application process were also provided at yesterday's briefing.

even if they do these interviews in the middle of maroko gutters naija people will go

Aloy.Emeka:

U.S. embassy moves to end Nigerians' ordeal over visa
70,000 residents seek U.S. visa in Nigeria
From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja

Sanders also disclosed that 70,000 Nigerians applied for U.S. visas last year, out of which 58,000 were granted.

If this is true, how come Nigerians keep complaining about American Visa been a problem!
That figure is over 80% of applicants. That makes American Visa the easiest Visa to obtain in Nigeria.

PapaBrowne:

If this is true, how come Nigerians keep complaining about American Visa been a problem!
That figure is over 80% of applicants. That makes American Visa the easiest Visa to obtain in Nigeria.

The man was just telling lies.

The few times I've been to the embassy, it was not uncommon to see that out of the hundreds presenting there on a daily basis( ie excluding those that turn the place to their permanent 'camp ground'), only about 10 or 11 (about 10%) will be successful applicants. Yet the yeye man is claiming over 80% approval? LIAR!!

The man was just telling lies.

The few times I've been to the embassy, it was not uncommon to see that out of the hundreds presenting there on a daily basis( ie excluding those that turn the place to their permanent 'camp ground'), only about 10 or 11 (about 10%) will be successful applicants. Yet the yeye man is claiming over 80% approval? LIAR!!

I doubted that too.

Mai Suya:

The man was just telling lies.

The few times I've been to the embassy, it was not uncommon to see that out of the hundreds presenting there on a daily basis( ie excluding those that turn the place to their permanent 'camp ground'), only about 10 or 11 (about 10%) will be successful applicants. Yet the yeye man is claiming over 80% approval? LIAR!!

I would even think that the visitors visa would have a success rate of less than 1%. Probably the guy missed a zero i.e. 58,000 of 700, 000 applicants

biina:

I would even think that the visitors visa would have a success rate of less than 1%. Probably the guy missed a zero i.e. 58,000 of 700, 000 applicants

Or maybe 5,800 out of 70,000!

And to think that there are these so many applicants for the US visas only makes me want to collapse, see our children, running away to other abodes, while we sit ere unwavering to positive movements. uhmmmmm,

It is not possible to have such statistics, i am so sure that there are more applicants in Nigeria than such figures.
I will let to see the stats and not just some bla bla

my SUPPORT to MAN.UTD is for life.
in victory and failure!

sighs,

Obama Effect:u.s. Embassy Moves To End Nigerians' Ordeal Over Visa ? huh?
what a waste!

You have failed. Shame on Man U. Up Arsenal!

very funny indeed.
trophy-less for how long?
sighs,
Arsenal is a complete waste of time and hope.

hmmmm
i must admit BARCA is tight.
i see football as an entertainment and not as fight like many pathetic Nigerians do.
suntimes shit happens

kosovo n aloy u guyz should look 4 football thread n do ur football fan discussion, can't u c we ar trying to get proper statistics on our NAIja immigrants to america.

Aloy.Emeka:

U.S. embassy moves to end Nigerians' ordeal over visa

Sanders also disclosed that 70,000 Nigerians applied for U.S. visas last year, out of which 58,000 were granted.

Big fat lies

Aloy just lyk u rightly said although i'll adjust it a bit 580 Out of 700000. she must av corrected herself off air.i think we should just chase them out of our country let's really look @ things very well d americans need us for our mineral resources , we only need them for vacations cos of d weather. , think this thru my fellow NAIja brothers n sisters.our leaders can change NAIja for good if we try 2 work 2wards that.

@Prettiep

kosovo n aloy u guyz should look 4  football thread n do ur football fan discussion, can't u c we ar trying to get proper statistics on our NAIja immigrants to america.

which hole did you come out from?.
is this where you get proper stats?.
u can keep fooling yourself and keep thinking you are making sense while doing otherwise.

The pendulum of the mind oscillates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong.
you had better run back to the hole from which you accended from.
what a waste!

Aloy just lyk u rightly said although i'll adjust it a bit 580 Out of 700000. she must av corrected herself off air.i think we should just chase them out of our country let's really look @ things very well d americans need us for our mineral resources , we only need them for vacations cos of d weather. , think this thru my fellow NAIja brothers n sisters.our leaders can change NAIja for good if we try 2 work 2wards that.

You sabi pat yourself in the back no be small. Kobojunkie must see this one,

@kosovo n aloy we really don't av to start abusing ourselves over some statistics, aloy emeka i thought u formed this thread, i had same opinion, that d stats given weren't correct, i'm only sayin what's d big deal ?if our leaders made d country better to live in , then most of us won't av to run away , we'll live n work here but just go 4 vacs when we need a change in d weather, pls understand me there's really no need for insults okay!