Mac2016:
Guys, pls I need some info. I plan to commence studies in the US by Spring 2018 but My passport expires February 2018 (meaning that presently, it is six months less than expiration date as required at embassy). Can I be allowed to renew my passport before expiration in February?

PM me, I will give you my friend's number to ask him. He is working at the Immigration Head Quarters, Abuja.

dennison4luv:
,,,,greetingsss guys,,,,, pease i have a question,,,,,can an immigration lawyer intercede with the USA consular officer's decision on visa refusal / denial base on US INA law 214b as to review the consular's decision and reaffirm to the consular that applicant has strong ties with his home country and has a true intention of studying in USA

Hi dennison4luv, this question might be better asked on the 'abujaniv' thread here on nairaland. That thread is managed by employee/s of the US Embassy.

ril1adigun:
Nairalanders....pls is dere anyone in califonia who can accommodate a nairalander at the moment pls......thanks in anticipation.....

cosade:


You qualified for a visa because you can fund your trip.

That's too harsh friend. That he made that request does not mean he can't fund his trip. Housing arrangements can be difficult sometimes to make when you are not on ground. And who said that 'accommodate' always means free hosting?

Mitchely:
Point of Entry Experience at Denver International Airport on 2nd August. I was a bit scared due to the fact I had not secured an apartment before my flight and wifey insisted on me packing some foodstuff. Declared everything on the form issued, and proceeded to the interview. CPB scrutinized my documents, remarked that I can very prepared with a full kitchen, I replied with a smile that my wife made sure of that. Stamped me in after a little chit chat about when last I was in Lagos.
Thanks to this great family for all the help.....

For those traveling soon, please arrange to eat at your stopovers, I almost died of hunger on the 10hrs Lufhtensa flight from Frankfurt to Denver, meals were great, from how the other passengers were enjoying it. But for me that have been over spoilt with our Nigerian Delicacies, the instant transition to a piece of chicken in a greenish soup was just too much.

I couldn't stop laughing at the bolded

Wifey has asked to pack foods and I declined. Now I have learned a bit from your experience.

All the best.

olarich30:
Is there any one here flying to JFK through air maroc on Monday morning? If there is please Holla at me , we can be seat partners I just need someone to gist with while I take that long flight.

Is there also any nairalander who is in Orlando Florida? Please Holla at me, I need someone to help me get settled in. Thanks a lot and God bless you all

Same airline, same airport but 1 day difference between our trips. Wish you a safe flight.

Nwabu007:
Hello All, I want to commend you all for the quality of conversation on this thread. I have been a silent follower of this thread and I am moved by the stories and experiences being shared. I have an admission offer from SJU New York to study MS Biology. I'm awaiting my I-20 certificate so that I can commence Visa processing. Class resumes on August 30, I hope I'm not too late. Secondly, Is there anyone residing in Queens, New York that could offer advice or suggestions regarding cheap accommodation or possibly shared room. I will appreciate a response. Thank you all.

I believe you can still make it. But you need to keep talking to the person/people who are supposed to process and send out your I-20. In my own case, I was on their tail with frequent emails till they sent it out.

It has also been advised on this thread that you can request the school to send you your SEVIS NO by email ahead of the form I-20. With that you can at least commence filling your DS 160 and paying SEVIS fee.

On the accomodation, it's very likely that your school will have an off-campus website where you can find off-campus housing and roommates. There are also some staff in the university whose responsibility is to help incoming students with off-campus housing.

People in Queens, NY on here can also help. I am not.

All the best.

Ice96:
Good day guys pls am trying to book a flight from Lagos to JFK using either wakanow or travelstart,pls has any one paid/booked using a Nigerian master card?thanks in earnest.

I booked with wakanow.com and used my GTB Naira Mastercard. No problems whatsoever.

Okusi:
Good evening house, I applied for Msc Civil Engineering at Morgan State University for Fall 2017 but still awaiting decision. Can something still come out from that side since they are resuming on 22nd?

Very unlikely. They should have given you the documents you need to apply for your visa by now. Contact the school and find out what happened. Also ask of the possibility of deferring your admission till Spring 2018.

Best of luck.

Oseni007:
Hello
Please can you show me a screen shot of what the adapter looks like....
Thanks.

Go to Jumia and search for travel adapter. Bought on Jumia for around 1200 naira.

gaviria:

You can carry 2 checked bags and a hand luggage that can enter the overhead compartment and not more than 10kg. For those people that'll take connecting flights, you'll pay for your checked bags. For American Airlines it's $25 (plus $5 for the generation of the AA card since you don't have a credit card) a bag and $60 for 2 bags. But if one of your checked bags can fit in the overhead compartment then you can take it inside with you along with your hand luggage. That's something some people don't know. And it saved me $35.

Thanks gaviria for the information.

gaviria:
So I got to my final destination(Illinois) like an hour ago.
My flight from Lagos to Casablanca was scheduled for 6:30am but got delayed till 10am on Wednesday morning, so I had gotten to the airport around 12am not knowing they had rescheduled the flight, so I stayed at the airport till the next morning with sleeping at all. So we left Lagos for Casablanca around 10:20 and got there around 14:30, meanwhile my stopover was to be 4 hours in Casablanca and we had already used that up in the Lagos delay, so as soon as we alighted those of us with the 4 hour stopover had to rush over to the departure terminal to leave immediately. So we left Casablanca around 15:20 and got to New York(JFK) at 7:30pm local time. The POE queue was freaking long. People of different color, race and gender all queuing to enter the US. We were sha moving small small till I got to the front. By the way I don't know why I've just been having that thought of secondary screening and each time it pops up in my head I just reject it. So I was put on a queue in front of one white CBP officer where I had some Asians and Europeans in front of me. The guy took one Asian and one European for secondary screening. I just said it cannot happen to me in my mind. Gbam it got to my turn
Me: Good evening sir
CBP: Good evening sir
I gave him my passport,i20 and SEVIS without him asking.
He stared at the passport and looked into my eyes, asked me to put my four fingers on the scanner, Checked my i20, stamped my passport, gave it to me and said "Next". He didn't ask me a single question. Not even why are you here? Or where are you headed? Or do you have garri and so? So I cleared immigration around 9:30pm at JFK. Moved to baggage claim, carried my 2 heavy boxes and my heavy hand luggage to luggage storage because my flight to St. Louis was for 5am in the morning and I can't be carrying heavy bags up and down the very big airport that someone can lost inside. So I had already checked online and saw that it's only in Terminal 4 that the luggage storage is run 24hours, so I moved from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4 using AirTrain which is free within the airport. I stored my luggage, they don't weigh luggage o, they use the height of the box/bag to tell you how much you'll pay. Anyways I paid $16 to store the 3 boxes. I then proceeded to look for Terminal 8 which is where my American Airlines flight is. I went there and they told me check-in starts by 3am. So I went to Dunkin Donuts and bought Turkey with bacon and cheddar in flatbread and I ate it with iced coffee. Everything was $8.64. Then I used the free internet for 30minutes which was quite fast. Time went by and American Airlines delayed their flight till 6:30am, I waited again, meanwhile throughout my trip which was over 30hours by then I hadn't got more than 5 hours of sleep, noting that I didn't sleep the night before the day I left Nigeria because I was happy.
Cutting the story short even though it's very long already.lol. I left JFK to my destination around 7:00am Thursday and I got to my apartment around 13:00. The time is 14:58. And I really need to sleep.

Congrats on your safe trip. As per the bolded, it seems you have a total of 3 baggage. Two checked-in and one hand luggage. Did you pay extra for bags? I thought it's two bags that is allowed without additional cost. Cos I will also be using Royal Air Maroc.

Drocks:
Good day Erudites
Initially applied for the fall admission at CSU but they sent a mail on the 2nd of july they couldn't admit me, best reason known to them but I guess there wasn't more space for admission. Now,I have been given admission spring 2018 at Cleveland state university on the 28th july ' masters in civil engineering. My question is ' how long does it take or when are they going issue and send my i20

Thanks All.

Ask your school if there are any requirements from you before your I-20 is issued. Also ask when might you be expecting it.

Best of luck.

mudi1012:
My I-20 has arrived Nigeria although it should have been here since on Tuesday but the school delayed DHL about the pickup until i para for them ..Thanks to @LagosismyHome,Oludara01,Profojah1234 ,Teedawg ,ecoleco,Chinewon88,OluDare01 and my boss akins2016 for the quick response ..

Happy for you.

Good bless your journey

LagosismyHome:


2 to 3 hours is not enough to dip in and out of New York so please dont risk it..... also i dont advice on you paying for what u have not seen with your two eyes.

It better to rent abnb or a hotel or something cheap for one week when u arrive to give u time to go round. See things for yourself before you pay . Also some schools have student listing where u can find house share with other students

I was checking online to see if there is money order service within JFK. It seems there is. Not planning on diving deep into the city. If it's not close by, then I will forget this option.

Very good advice about seeing before paying. I couldn't follow it through on this particular occasion because off-campus housing is a bit challenging to find there, even with the school's own off-campus services. I had to commit to this apartment because a Nigerian who has lived in Richmond for more than a decade (he even got his PhD from the same school I am going to) recommended them. He seems to know them very well so I have to go by his recommendation. Hopefully there won't be disappointments.
Thanks for your input.

Time2Smile:

Or you can get someone in the US to purchase the money order on your behalf and mail it to the address.

Considering your arrival time, I would really advice you to set up an alternative accommodation for the night. Most new apartment don't have utilities set up, you would probably have to negotiate with the utilities providers yourself. So it means no Water, electricity or Internet.

Thanks, I already talked to someone to help with that.

If every other thing fails, a hotel for the night shouldn't.

This people includes all utilities in rent.

Thank you.

jeebz:


You should be able to get into a mall when you arrive. Many malls/retail outlets offer Money Order as a service. All you need to do is to get a retail outlet/mall close to the apartment.

https://walmart.moneygram.com/how-to-use-money-orders

Thanks jeebz.

Thank you.

ALTERNATIVELY,

On arrival to JFK, I could use the window I have (2-3 hrs) till connecting to final destination to find a bank in NY and buy the money order. Just figured that out after I made the post.
Having options is a good thing

The off-campus apartment I picked has requested that I bring a check or money order for the first month's rent before keys are handed over to me. I made security deposits sometime ago with GTB Naira Mastercard and payment was received and apartment secured.

I requested that they allow me to make this payment by cash or dollar card (which I will have on me on arrival) but they said that I could use these to make subsequent payments but first payment must be by check or money order. They also gave me a mailing address should I want to mail the payment ahead of time.

The challenge is that I will arrive in my destination city around 5:30pm and banks are closed at this time. What can I do to have this check or money order on me or mailed to them before arrival to avoid sleeping on the streets on my first day?

teebriz45:
Was denied visa today for the second time this month at Lagos CG. Please help me review my transcripts.

Vo- Tell me where you are going to in US?

Me- Bowling Green state university in ohio for my bachelor's degree Exercise Science.

Vo- Why bgsu?

Me- they have low students ratio majoring in exercise science. (VO CUTS IN)

VO- Why is that important to you?

Me- it's provide an opportunity for an intensive individualized academy program for students, making students have the best use of their academy skills and time management's. Also, BGSU involve undergraduates students in research programs.( Vo was nodding).

Vo- Why exercise science?

Me- it's suits my career path to being an athlete trainer and also I will like to know more about using human movements, sports and leisure to benefits human lives and improve well being.

Vo- do you write any exams?

Me- yes I have 2 SAT scores. 830 and 1150.

Vo- what research program did you say bgsu offers for undergraduates?

Me- I was in contact with an associate professor (professor k toldlock) in the university who is undergoing a research as regards prevention and cure of some athlete injuries and was offered a chance to be part of the research.

Vo- name some of the injuries?

Me- hamstring, muscle pull, bone dislocation etc...

V0- I can see you have been out high school for 4 years now...

Me- yes

Vo- what have you been doing ?

Me- upon my high school graduation In 2013, I helped my mother's business as driver, I supply her merchandise to customers from one point to another and in 2014, I joined my local government football club where I play a defensive midfielder in regional competitions till date. I contacted bgsu in 2015 and finished my admission requirements in 2016 November.

(VO paused for like 3 mins and said nothing but staring at the monitor, naxo he gave me the blue paper o.

Men, you said no wrong based on this transcript. All your response was on point. I bolded the 3 mins pause of the Vo because I guess that's where the problem lies. Perhaps your responses did not agree with what the Vo was looking at on the screen. Did you review the complete DS 160 prior to this interview? People often don't save that complete ds 160 out to review and then during the interview, their responses don't match.
Don't be discouraged dear, muster courage and go again. REFIRE as it is often said here.
I will be waiting for your successful transcript!

Oyindayomi123:



I will definitely do that, just kind of fixing many things presently.

Please do bear with me.
Thanks.

World People...according to Lagosismyhome

hitunes:
Urgent
Hello guys, I don't know if it's appropriate to ask this question here, but I ave no choice than 2 do so. How can I get universities that do not require any English test in US. Thanks

Do you already have target schools? Put the name of your target school on google search and include TOEFL EXEMPTION. Check the list of exempted countries and see if naija is included.

best of luck.

Super19:
Am going to UB in Connecticut to pursue my MSC in Biology which I wil complet a minimum of 30credit hour comprise of 24credit of course work ,which I will take courses like molecular immunology, environmental health ,environmental toxicology,Gut's micro biota with other elective courses starting from 22nd of August 2017 - 1st of August 2019 which I wil come and to Nigeria and take a research job in the University of Abuja
Pls kindly review this fr me

You didn't state the question. I will assume the question would sound like WHAT'S YOUR STUDY PLAN or WHAT COURSES WILL YOU BE TAKING? if that's the case, then expurgate the bolded. It sounds forced and uncalled for.

NefT:
After 10minutes time out, I have not been able to login into d DS160 form to complete, it keeps telling me security question is incorrect, what could be responsible for this, this is really frustrating. Someone pls help!

Well, what's responsible is that your security question is incorrect. You do not need to lose your cool at all. Ignore this one and start a fresh DS 160. Except you have used this particular DS 160 confirmation number to book appointment.


And I need to make this general statement at this point, people should desist from opening a new ds 160 form and just pick the number and go and book appointment without completing the DS form. I have seen this happen again and again on this forum. Because you are in a hurry, you might forget all those information you need to reopen the form again. I know you want to book quickly and get a good date but when you have all the information at hand, DS 160 will not take more than 30 - 45 minutes to complete. You are unlikely to lose a complete DAY within this time frame.

Shigoboy:
Hello guys, I need to know if I'm not going wrong, I studied Telecoms and info Tech in my first degree, since after my NYSC, I've been running a private Agricultural business which I wish to switch in fully, I'll be starting my PGD in Agricultural Science soon, and also planing to go for my masters in Agricultural courses in the US, hope the switch doesn't affect in future while Appling for US student visa?

You said you are starting your PGD in Agricultural Science and I take this to mean that this study is already at hand and would be happening in Nigeria. if that's the case, then you've already done the switching to Agric and your study in US would not actually be the switch. So this should not be a problem. Of course, I am assuming that the PGD studies would be included in the information you submit to the embassy.

Easylife338:
Hello my beautiful nairalanders. Please I came to inquire from anyone with vital information. I thank you all for the previous answers I got here and the OP for opening this thread. I may not put it in the right way but I believe from experience you would understand what I intend asking. I want to know how much Gtbank converts naira to dollar for students. My sis already got the ticket to USA and she will be traveling anytime soon because her school will resume by 15th of next month. How do we go about the conversion? Is there any way we can get a conversion rate of #310-315? Please any way u know how to help with this question, please do. Thanks.

If you operate a Current Salary Account with any of the banks, you could even get lower than 310 when you talk to your account manager.

Otherwise, walk into your bank and ask for PTA (personal travel allowance). They would require your Int. Passport, Visa, Flight ticket. The standard rate is $360.

Kirusky4life:
Good morning beautiful people. I have started my applications for spring 2018. one of the schools am applying for have a separate portal for LOR to be uploaded by recommender themselves. so my recommender wants to know if it is proper to just upload the letter after typing it on text editor without signature or whether to print it first, sign it, scan it and then upload?

Also other schools that I wl be uploading the letter myself, which of the above options is more acceptable ?

Please help a friend o

If you open the LOR page, some will have TEXT SPACE where you can copy and paste the recommendation. If there is such, it means signature is not compulsory. If the page has an UPLOAD button, you upload the recommendation from a PDF or MS Word document with or without signature.

Available...

SOLD!

SOLD!

ChristoBam:
Hmm na everyday my heart dey cut and I've not even booked an interview date yet. I can feel the enormous pressure on me placed by family because na me do strong head say I no do law again after 2 years in school( Was forced to study it in the first place). I don't have an option than to pass the interview but I have all odds stacked against me as I'm being sponsored by a family friend. I was an aethist before don dey read Bible regularly.

Can't help laughing on that one

I'm sure you have seen that more than half of the transcripts mentioned God's help and grace.

So don't use Him and dump Him o. Helping you with Visa is just one. There are other helps He can give you in the future.

All the best when your time comes.

demmyface:
VISA APPROVED on the 26th July, 7:15am at Lagos Embassy

My transcript goes thus:
Vo: Good morning ma'am,how are you?
Me:I'm fine, good morning.
Vo: pass me your passport.....oh!I see you are a student, give me your F-I20.
Vo: so why did you choose morgan state university?
me: I choose MSU because they offer masters in public health with a concentration in Environmental health which will help me implement programs that will improve and promote healthy style living among people of my community here in Nigeria, which is in line with my future career as a community health worker and also i will be joining Dr ABC's research which is aimed at reduction and prevention of HIV/AIDs, sexually transmitted diseases, substance use and alcohol abuse among emerging adults between the ages 18-27.
VO: what university did you do your undergraduate?
Me: Unilorin here in Nigeria.
VO: what year did you graduate?
Me: 2010
VO: what have you being doing after your NYSC?
Me: I was retained at my ppa as a community health worker at YZ foundation which is an NGO after which I took up a job in 2015 as a lab assistant with ABC specialist hospital, we collect samples from patients, document these samples, analyse it,grow it on a culture media (well i

Congrats!

SequinsMuah:
Good day everyone,
i am trying to fill my ds-160 and i am stuck at describing my job duties. I am an intern, who is currently exposed to classroom training and on the job trainings. I don't know how to really describe tje duties per se.
Also, what address should i use for my intended address in the US.


a prompt response will be highly appreciated.
thanksabunch.

You just described your job. It does not require long sentences o. One or two is fine.

A relative's address, dorm address you might intend to stay in, off-campus address you might intend to stay in, should be fine.

Mayflowa:


No train to Chicago except you using bus, greyhound. You will need to book online on time to make it cheaper. You also have to consider taxi fare in JFK to greyhound station too. It all depends on how much difference is the flight fare.

There is. Checked with 10th August;