nairamaniac:



Numerous thanx for the compliment.

I learnt more from your response.

Especially with the need to explore virgin market environments, even if its under developed.

Also with you seeing your wholesale buyers as a partner.

Top it all is you as the MD or CEO getting involved with road sales/supplies.

That would get u familiar with the routes which your product pass thru and its final sales-points.

Would also give you an opportunity to meet cross paths with your end sellers/customers.


Doing business anywhere in the world indeed has its own perculiar challenge.

I did that and trust me no amount of money I could pay any worker could’ve given me the results I got from going in to the field personally. I had so much to lose and the workers had ZERO to lose.

What recommendation would you give in terms of transporting bread. The type of vehicle that would be most efficient in the niche market I had mentioned. Like mechanically disadvantage we wouldn’t want to go all pit expensive or overboard with the logistics and moving if the bread.

nairamaniac:


I went through every bit of ur thread.
The end made me cry and laff at the same time.
So sad and funny ending at the same time.

I have a thing for businesses and its management in general.

And its like u really had/have a passion for the bakery business.
Well even though its a closed chapter, u owe it to yourself to know why it failed, so such mistakes are not repeated in other aspects of your life which may transcend bakery business.

There would have been several reasons why it failed.

But let me start by saying you definitely got it wrong on expecting 40% profit from each bag(plus ingredients).

It would never have been possible even as at then.
The only way you would have arrived at that projection is if you neglected a lot of expenses.

In business, there are 2 types of expenditures;
A) fixed expenditure
B) Recurrent expenditure

I take it that all your total cost to buy a bag and convert it to finished product is in the recurrent expenditure.

I believe you neglected some major details, especially in the actual expenditure for the conversion. That's the only way 40% would have been successful.
And probably the reason you made such omitions was that you were incapable of inculcating those obmited details into one bag of bread.
Either that or you went into the business with a mindet of 40% based on what you heard from people.

Now I am sure you didn't include recurrent expenditures such as;
1) Salaries/labour
2) electricity( phcn)
3) Diesel for Generator
4) Gas/ firewood / Charcoal for the Oven
5) Cost of supplies to retailers (If you supply to Them)
6) Nylon (painted nylon)
7) Servicing of equipments( those machines, mixers, Miller's and even supply vans have an average servicing cost per month)

If all the above are put put into consideration, I tell you, the most you would have made as profit even as at them is 20%.

Now taking ur figures into consideration.
You were making around 1200 from a bag which cost 11,800(plus baking). It means you were making a percentage of approximately 10%.

But according to me, I say the most you could have made was 20%.
20% translates to making approximately 2,360 per bag.
And that is a maximum.

Fine, 10% may have been on a low side, but. believe me 15% is more than reasonable.

At 15% you should have been making somewhere around 1,770.
That is most likely what you in were making.
Meaning if your sister wasn't performing or eating into your profits.

Her error at 20% profit was 2,360 - 1,200 = 1, 160

Her error at 15% profit was 1,770 - 1,200 = 570

Do your analysis properly and you would realise the 15% one was more likely than 20%.

At your expected 40% profit, it means they (your sister and co) where in accounting for;
40% of 11,800 minus 1,200
= 4,720 - 1,200
= 3, 520
HABBA!!!

It never happened.
I have been involved in feasibility analysis of several businesses, including bread bakery.

However there are several other factors why you may have experienced such low turnout or losses.
Your ingredients were too expensive. Which made your quality too high for the price you were selling.

You didn't get your formula right.
Maybe you were using eggs, milk, which were not necessary for simple bread.

Another reason would have been that your people were buying other ingredients besides flour at a higher price than what it should have been.
Either they inflated those prices or they were cheated by the sellers of the materials.

If I may ask, how many bags were they selling on the average per day.
Not how many they were producing.

At times, people are misled by quantity produced per day.

Let me explain;
Your company may have been producing 5bags per day for 25 days in a month.

But they were selling 2bags per day for 30days.
Meaning at anytime (T) their would have been excessive backlog of bread on your shelf.

Meaning your production costs was multiple times more more than your actual sales/profit.

Another problem was using heavy equipments to do small work.
That is mechanical-disadvantage.
You say automatic-mixing machine and bought it.
Why?
Those things are for people that mix like 8bags and above.
Currently the big size cost around 4.5Million.
But why buy that when you are not
selling like 8bags a day and producing like 12bags a day.

You should have gone for the manual mixer which currently cost around half a million. Even though it would entail more labour/salary which is nothing compared to the light bill/diesel your auto mixer would consume.
We haven't talked about the size of generator the automixer would use. Which is at least a 20kva generator (diesel)
Over 2million naira.
Back then you spent around 1million for the gen.

In conclusion, u didn't get your business model right.
And there is no business you can't manage from anywhere in the world. You coulf have.been in uk and manage that business without any qualms, If you tidied your own end properly.

One of the biggest lessons I learnt from management is;

YOU ONLY KNOW YOU ARE A GOOD MANAGER, WHEN YOUR BUSINESS IS BEING WELL MANAGED WITHOUT YOU BEING THERE.

Have you asked yourself how dangote manages his multiple businesses, spread accross the world without his being there at the same time?
There are some of these businesses he doesn't even go to for years.

Madam, we have done enough for one day.
Hope this helps a bit.

Pardon my typos, if any.
I had no time to crosscheck.

Wishing you all the best.

Great analysis dear. Especially with the part of mechanical disadvantage. Most people going into business fall in this trap especially bakery business. This business is marginal and every little marginal advantage you can get is profits in your pocket. You should try to save at any given opportunity in order to maximise your profits. This being a lot of us go into business because it’s worked for others and they are Ami g money out of it. We should start small with less expenses and grow from there, this is tough to do trust me and it takes time and double efforts to make it out. Hence 4 in every 5 new businesses go bust within the first year.

Another problem is the market saturation. No matter how much bread we consume if we have more producers than daily consumption the margin for profit is minuscule and the margin for failure is even greater. So find a town with a decent population and operate within that town and believe me if you can minimise expenses you can easily make 25-30% return. How I come to this is from experience and by operating in a niche market.

To capitalise, make good quality products, be vigilant with your workers (they will cut corners and steal at every given opportunity) to you detriment, respect an listen to customers especially those buying wholesale (they are your partners but they have nothing to lose basically because they can collect from another bakery).

Get a van and design the cargo to load bread that will not squash and be neat and presentable all the way to your customers. If you will not buy it then you shouldn’t sell it. Present your product well. GET IN THE VAN YOURSELF A FEW TIMES SO YOU LEARN THEIR ROUTES, THEIR INTERACTION WITH CUSTOMERS ETC. It will go a long way

iykmon:
Doing business in nigeria is really not easy. One should have where to get business models for setting up a bakary.
Real estate business is good but it requires a very large capital to set up. It is has a long term recovery process, until a diamond is found in the house that can shorten it , its recovery is long.

Doing business anywhere is tough. It looks and sounds easy on the eye but until you put you money where you mouth is then you know for real. Especially here where poverty is strife and the disparity is unbelievable. But if there is any business that you wouldn’t care about the disparity in income and still come out alive is in the bakery business. Low purchasing price but with the right team and plan you could yield a massive return. Talk about $3-5k monthly. And earning is exponential.

Let me ask you this question. What would the USA UK or most first world countries do if you pissed on their flags? Bearing in mind whatever you just said

osifoblessingme:
Over the weekend, Nollywood actress and comedienne, Etinosa Idemudia sparked outrage online after she used the bible as her ashtray while smoking.

She even went on to describe Provers 22:6 which reads “train up a child when he is young and when he is old he will not depart from it” as a scam, and stated that "no one should blame her mother as she is still departing even though she was trained and retrained.”

She also took to social media to threaten to that she will use the Holy Quran as an ashtray.

However, her plan to ridicule the Quran has stirred reaction from the Chief Imam of Ansar-Ud-Deen, Abdulrahman Ahmad who condemned the actress’ actions, saying there are consequences for any of these actions.

The popular Islamic Scholar was quoted on Opera News as saying:

“It is a pity for us as a people and a country that we are where we are today. I don’t like to comment on issues like this because I think it is below the dignitary of religious people and those with conscience and goodwill to be commenting on issues like this. More or less, individuals are trying to acquire fame and we should not help them. Otherwise, this issue should not be discussed at all; it is bad news. It is a sad commentary. It questions our collective morality; why should we be discussing issues like this and celebrating it; popularizing a wayward individual.

Whether it is the Bible, the Quran or any other holy book; should not popularize or sensationalize it. Whether something happens to them-(the actor) or not.

“I condemn, without any reservation anyone who desecrates the Bible as much as I condemn anyone who attempts to desecrate the Quran. It isn’t something that we should be discussing. We should not even look at it from the point of view of- ‘if something is going to happen to her or not’. That someone dared to insult and violate the religious sensibility of others is condemnable. It is worse than hate speech because it could set the nation in tune reaction . It could be destabilizing. It is not part of anybody’s freedom to insult the sensibility either cultural or religion of others.

“We should not to give prominence to this waywardness. It is a collective insult on Nigerians as a deeply religious community. I condemn whoever desecrates the Bible and Quran. There are consequences for any of these actions. If the law enforcement agencies don’t act on unwarranted provocation; then they should also not act when the repercussions start to come. This is my opinion.

https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2019/12/here-is-what-chief-imam-of-ansar-ud-deen-has-to-say-after-etinosa-threatened-to-desecrate-the-holy-quran.html

saddler:


Did you intentionally forgot to include those strapped in explosives and ready to meet 77 virgins?

Those ones you’re refereeing to are people defending their lands and properties rightfully belonging to them. Whether Muslims or not. Can you imagine someone attacks your home for no reason and takes control and advantage over you, your family and properties? What would you do? Naturally defend yourself by any means necessary.

GODPUNISHALABI:
its obvious she is following the guy because of fame see how shameless she look

You guys can be very naive sometimes. Wizkid Is a smart ‘kid’ because he is using Tiwa savage music writing skills and singing to them. A lot of wizzys songs have tiwa savage influence every since they became cool.. win win for everyone involved. Is not everything prick or pussy.

nadesh:
I think its more of frustration and anger of being born in a poor home and taken away from their parents. Some bosses are good to them but because of their anger at how priveldged the children are, they take out their anger on the children.

Well the bottom line is, as you make bed so shall you lie in it. If women give birth they are required and their first duty to look after the child. Every other thing comes second. If I am the husband of that woman my wife is in deep trouble because I will be blaming it on you for the fact that you choose to bring someone else to look after your own child. Your cannot control what the next person does. And then I’ll turn on the house help and probably destroy your head. The same things you did to him I will do to you and kick the shit out of you off of my house.

You've made a very good observation.

dadee007:
The Laws that govern most of our lives also govern this visa application. Laws like Law of demand and supply. I don't have to be at the embassy to know what is happening or has happened.
Canada complained that Nigerians are using the B1/B2 visas granted by the US to illegally come to Canada and then seek asylum; what do you think the instruction will be like from the oga at the top? What would your reaction be if you were the American president? Would you fold your hands and do nothing?

This thread is Part 3 of a series of US visiting visas; go and read part 2 which was like 2 years ago and see the 'trend' and read this part 3 and also notice the 'trend' if you would notice any differences.

Also, try and find out from the previous thread, the number of days interval from when you apply for appointment and how long away the appointment date would be if I'm not mistaken, as of today, you cannot get an appointment date earlier than May. That is a cool six months away. What does that tell you.

I'll tell you what it tells me, it tells me that although the instruction from the top has been to ''deal with the issue'' of many B1/B2 applicants crossing over to Canada and embarrassing the US, also overstaying their visas in the US, also, people trying to leave the country possibly due to the uncertainties of the coming elections(or at least have the visas just in case), the demand has invariably inreased whereas the supply dropped.

That's why you hear stuff like they are giving old people etc. That is killing 2 birds with one stone. Old people will not cross to Canada for a better life but old people will count in the statistics that will come out from the embassy that says the refusal rate is only 45% or something like that.

Hint: If you want to apply for a US visa, just check your appointment date and if it is longer than a month away, you can try other countries till things cool down. But what do I know? I'm only here on my keyboard typing rubbish.

PlusGS:
Please does anyone know why i cant book a B1/B2 visa for Abuja. Whenever I try it keeps saying "you have exceeded the limit for viewing this page and your limit will be reset as of tomorrow". Also I noticed I can't see a "First Available Appointment" when its for Abuja but i can see same for Lagos. King view the attached photos for the messages I’m getting pls?

Maybe because you are trying to outsmart the system by continuously refreshing the appointment page to get an earlier date. Thats when that happens. When you try to use the page several times a day to try and schedule an appointment.

Harvest22:

Good morning all, I'll be having my :b1b2 interview soon
Here my presentation quote and I need your advice if there's any error... Thanks

Wify- good morning
Vo- good morning ma, passport please
Vo why are you going to us
Me a tour and Xmas shopping
Vo where are you going to in us
Me hutchinson Island, Florida
Vo are you married
Me yes
Vo any child
Me yes, 3 lovely children
Vo why are going with only one child
Me because she's still a baby and she needing mother's attention
Vo what do you do for living
Me I'm into agricultural business, the director of bla bla bla
Vo how many staff do you have
Me 35 including managers and supervisors
Vo how much do you earn
ME 2,250,000 monthly
Vo how much do you plan for the trip
Me 10,000usd
Vo wife what do you do for living
Wife I own a school
Vo what your staff strengths
Wife 20
Vo how much is a child pay per term
Wife 30,000
Vo how many days are you staying in the US
ME 3wks
Vo do u have anybody in us
Me no
Vo OK, I'm approving your visa
Me thanks
By the special grace of God

Please your advice

Well seems like you are readying yourself very well. Keep preparing its the best way.

However, if everyone on this forum is scratching their heads about the 2.25m monthly salary, big chance the VO will scratch theirs. Why? Because they know the state of the economy and the country and they know about median salaries across all field of work.

allhavesinned:


Yes I did dropbox but was called for interview but it ended on a goodwill, visa Issued but the VO asked more and more question(s) and 98% of the question directed to my wife cos she gave birth in States. That day was something else after 30 minutes of questions, we were issued with a US Visa and 96% of the people that came for Interview went home feeling bad while 4% including me went home happy. Meanwhile 70% are dropbox applicant and 30% first time applicant. 10% dropbox applicant approved and 60% denied. While 30% first time applicant, none was issued with a visa. US visit is something else now and not like before. You havw to merit it before the issue you with a visa.

NOTE: If you gave birth in the states and invited for interview after dropbox, please go with every receipt you received from the hospital, even your accomodation resevations, copy of that letter of intent, hospital bills, and every receipt. Red flag if you either use any insurance, medicare and mediaid or if you did not pay your bills.

Again be honest, I said again honesty. Boldness and explain every question even if it takes more time, just explain.

You and your wife deserved the visa no doubt. You had the intention of giving birth in the US (which is perfectly legal btw) and you paid all your bills that were incurred. You did not abuse the original visa and had proof of that and y'all were well prepared for the interview you. US visa you have to qualify according to the US law no magic, and if you are you will be issued whether the VO likes you or not.

Congrats

seyewest:


I see no reason why you can't sponsor your trip.... applicant younger than you are getting visa.

And if he was younger (like a student) then the parents sponsoring won't pose too much of a problem.

Beautyaddy:


Lol!...I know, right?

And my question has still not been answered.

I'm curious and waiting myself.

Ashmark:
I did My interview today and was denied.

VO- Where are you going?
Me- Destrict Height
VO- For what?
Me- For vacation during my annual leave.
VO- Do you know anybody in US
Me- Yes, I have a brother in US and he's been there for 5years
VO- Where do you work and for how long?
Me- So so so Bank and for 5years
VO- What's your role?
Me- Head of Operations
VO- Have your traveled before?
Me- Yes, to Benin Republic during my Master degree for a program in 2015
VO- Sorry, we can't issue you Visa now

My intention is to go and come back thou.
But they hardly give anybody o

Out of like 300 they gave like 4

Sorry to hear about your refusal.

*What is the status of your brother in the US?
*What's your marital status?
*What's your prospect at the bank?

And please when answering questions at the consulate, a bit of detail won't hurt if you know what and where you are going.

megastu:
Gone are the days they were impressed by bank workers. Now, they know that banking is one of the most unstable job one can have.

megastu:
Gone are the days they were impressed by bank workers. Now, they know that banking is one of the most unstable job one can have.

I concur and a lot have used the bank as a facade to procure a visa and zoom never to return.

ishiamu:


Not likei can't fund it, just that its some sort of promise for not going with them , when they went for theirs ... But thanks for your response

Well yeah thats cool. There's no problem getting paid for. Just make sure the other aspects of your life are solid; employment (future prospects), family (if you have a spouse of children), things of that nature.

ishiamu:


Yes

ishiamu:
Hey guys, I want to know if your parents sponsoring your trip to USA ,if it's a red flag on visa procurement......it's urgent

Omobendel seyewest please answer me

Sponsor as in pay for your flights and other expenses then yes. Anyone can do that you just put that info in the form. But ask yourself, at your age, and your employment why would your parents want to pay for your trip? Think like a VO does that make form too much of a strong case?

ishiamu:


Please answer me

What do you mean sponsor? Like paying for your trip expenses? Flight, accommodation etc.??

Beautyaddy:


Huh, so will the visa money be returned if incase the passport already has an aproned visa on it?

Can of worms opening up. more questions.

seyewest:


Yes of course.... all you need is the visa receipt, appointment letter and ds160 confirmation letter... explain to them that your international passport was returned to the embassy.

You enter the US embassy without ID?

seyewest:


Simple solution is for them to pay another visa fee and go inside the consulate office to retrieve their passport( No one at the Embassy will look for the passport unless they see the applicant), anything else is long thing. This is what I did with my colleague at work and it actually worked.
It may sound silly and stupid but if they're not careful they won't see their passport for 6 months.
On another thought... the solution to getting back your passport is to enter the Embassy (Consular Section) this is where they sort the passport, if you can get into the embassy you will get your passport that day.

Will you get through to the embassy for an interview without a passport if the solution of paying a MRV fee?

Yes if you can speak to an inside staff not the security staff you have a chance i can tell you that for sure. And its tough to get the consuls on the phone but you have to keep calling and you will catch a break and get to speak to one. And if you do get to speak to one, you will get your passport.

lighthousearc:


They have been to the US Embassy and DHL 2 times, drove long distance to be told to send an email to "LagosNIV@state.gov" after sending several emails still no responds, they are going back there again tomorrow. It's really frustrating. I just feel bad for them to be going through all this stress at their age.

Yes I acknowledge that they mentioned they had been there twice. But because it is your country's property in your personal possession, the embassy MUST return your passport when you need it even if you are under administrative processing, unless it is for reason of fraud then thats a totally different matter.

Call them and request to speak to a consular; or better Go to the embassy and ask to speak to a senior staff and show them the automated responses you have received. And you need your passport. But make sure the passport holders themselves are present or you have power of attorney.

shrekandfiona:

Lmao at the bold

If you look through the responses, At least 2/3 people asked that question hence the use of that.

lighthousearc:


It's really tiring, I have been waiting for response for over 2 weeks, i have called the US embassy over and over. I am not currently in Nigeria and my parents are too old to be going back and forth to the embassy.

You can go to the embassy and retrieve your passport if they have it at the embassy.

mrnatural:


Thanks for the response.
I'll apply with my wife anyways. I just don't wanna waste my hard earned money on US visa thats not viable.
Country hard lol

I'm telling you $160 na plenty cash oo. And pikin dae come; plenty pampers.

seyewest:


Flight alone is N4M while accommodation and feeding will cost nothing less than N500,000.00
$6000 is not enough.

Finances were very much a problem as anything else for this particular applicant. The figures didn't add up for them.

femorocafella:
Thanks for the comments guys.I planned to spend 10 days there with my family and it's a family of four.my self ,my wife and my twins.
So pls how much can I budget for the trip and pls ,I will like to know whether I can apply again and when to apply.

You can apply at anytime; But consider your circumstances i they have changed significantly before applying otherwise the outcome is likely going to be the same.

seyewest:


I know someone that spent N10M on such trip... I got his ticket for N5.4M and more than N1.3M for Airbnb...apart from feeding, shopping etc and as for the VO, I believe he works at the embassy not sure he's a VO.

Whats N10M in USD? Thats a lot of cash. Upwards $20k. Pheeeeew.

Even a VO will reconsider his options cos spending $20k on a disney trip or any trip for that matter; man you must be loaded and your bank balance and net worth must be heavy; US needs people like you;

Beautyaddy:


Are you minding that response?

Some people just tend to say anything even when it doesn't make sense.

True for the most part

TheCongo2:


Correct. Just as some people tend to say anything as to why a the visa was denied even though a transcript posted on Nairaland is only a slice of all the facts used by a vo to make a decision.
As I have said earlier, anything anyone can said on here is just speculation. Only the vo knows why the Visa was declined

The adjudication then refusal or issuance of a visa is in law I hope you know that? Most likely not.

The VO has to apply the law for the adjudication to either refuse or issue. Some VOs will dislike someone and don't want to issue them visa but that said person is qualified and must be issued a visa. On the other hand you might be liked by the VO but by law you don't qualify for a visa and you will be refused, sentiments are out of the window.

So if you know the LAW and your visa application is truthful and honest, you are very likely to be issued a visa. And when you get refused, in as much as you get served the 214(B) template, you can ask the VO nicely as to the specifics, most times you will yield the answer from them.

femorocafella:
Thanks for the comments guys.I planned to spend 10 days there with my family and it's a family of four.my self ,my wife and my twins.
So pls how much can I budget for the trip and pls ,I will like to know whether I can apply again and when to apply.

Only you know how much you want to or can spend. So my advice is do your research about disneyland, flights, food, transportation etc and see if it falls within your means then you can decide.

OmoBendel24:
Are the Abuja/Lagos NIV bosses "Nicodemusly" back on this our thread ?

Oh well, AOS brother's mum will hardly ever get that visa, particularly if his name appears on anywhere and at any stage during that her application.

My Disney World family, your budget didn't cut it. Most likely too, your communication during the interview could have sent some message, even for as little as not saying things from your mouth just as stated in the DS160 form you signed off.... Previous contributors have done you well with their contributions, build something from there....

Cannot be said any better. We tend to neglect the DS-160 form but it is huuuuuge and very important. The form dictates the line of questions in the interview, then its up to your answers verbally that they correlate.

Taal17:


You see if you have to ask people what you should budget then that's the real problem
Did you really plan to go to Disneyworld? The average person that wants to travel will find out how much it would cost. DIY

Laziness = Not so favorable results most times

mrnatural:
Good evening my wonderful efikos... Just discovered this evening that my wife is pregnant with our first issue.

The dilemma here is that we want to apply for US visa to go for honeymoon by February 2019.

Going by people transcript on this site, immediately the VO discovers You See pregnant and You ate either going for honeymoon/vacation, they sharparly issue the blue paper.

I dont know been having mix feeling all through this evening l.
Will this hamper our chance of getting the visa come February next year?

Not true at all. The VO might admire your honesty unlike some that will blatantly lie about the situation.

Nothing in the law states it is illegal to go to the USA to give birth. What is illegal is using taxpayers money for hospital bills (a lot of visitors do). So because of that, they want to make sure you won't be a public charge that you have enough funds to cover medical emergencies. Medical emergencies are so expensive (can run in hundreds of thousands for just something minor) in USA very few people have that financial capability without an insurance.

So make sure you have a super healthy bank statement, if you have correspondences with doctors, hospitals etc include them, ties compelling your return back to nigeria and can convince a very skeptical VO at the interview window because of previous statistics of applicants befitting that profile.

It is a tough ask but it is not impossible. Many a people have successfully applied for visa being pregnant and are issued.

Beautyaddy:


Lol!...he tried the same tactics with Canada but they were too smart to not have granted him the visiting visas. Apparently as always, the US visa officers were gullible enough to give him the visiting visa thinking he would go back to complete his schooling in Ukraine as he indicated during his interview.

Indeed, he was given the benefit of the doubt but he blew it, and by that blew the chances of other eligible applicants.

Beautyaddy:


The highlighted responses might have been a number of reasons for the visa denial.

I want to believe that this a family of four to five? The total cost of your trip as a family to visit Disney Worlds in Florida is a joke ...to say the least.

You are absolutely right with the bolded my guy. The interviewer behind

A family of four for 6gs at disneyland is not enough. How long where you going to stay for?

To give you an insight, a family of 4 at disneyland for just 7 days will set you back at least $4,000 for the resort including hotel accommodation. You have to buy plane tickets, at this time of the year its a bit cheaper but still for the 4 of you its another $5000 at $1250 each to be conservative. I'm sure you will want to eat a lot of McDonalds, KFC and Dominos pizza that will be an average of $60 a day if you're being frugal. For 7 days thats about $420 and the cost of taxis or public transport fares each about $30/week. If you factor in your savings and earnings, this will be a very significant chunk of money.

TheCongo2:


I know a family of 4 that spent $3,000 for 7 days at Disneyland.
Furthermore, this transcript doesn't say it is a family of 4 or 5 travelling and doesn't even mention how long they will stay there for.

Does that include hotel accommodation in the package? And what year was that? And what time of the year was that?

femorocafella:
Hello house .I had my interview in abuja today and was denied.below is my transcript.
Vo where are you going in USA
Me I want to take my family to Disney land in Orlando Florida
How did you hear abt Disney.
Me I told her a collegue of mine went for a training in USA and visited the place after the training and showed us pictures when he came and we lovwe it and decided to make it our tourist destination
Vo.what do you do
Me I I told her and my functions
Vo: have you travelled out before .
Me I said yes .uae, Ghana and Benin republic
Vo .how much do you plan to spend for the trip.
Me , it old her 6000 dollars.
Vo : how long have you been married.
Me I told her 4 years and 3 months
Vo; what were you working before.
Me I told her
Vo: how long did you work there
Me I told her 3 yes and 4 months
Vo faces my wife: madam what do you do
My wife.civil servant level 12 and she stated her job functions
Vo : have you travelled as a family before.
Me and my wife: yes we travelled to Ghana in 2014 for our honeymoon.
vo do you have any relative in Orlando.
Me No.
Vo how old are your children.
Me and my wife : they will be three years old on the 31st of this month.
Vo: types for a long time and said sorry you do e not qualify at this time and handed the blue paper.
Pls house what could have been the problem or reason dir the denial.what so you advise I should do?

I would like to say you didn't do too badly with the interview. You were on the path of being issued but the budgeted amount is very questionable as one of our contributors just mentioned couple posts ago.

Again, if you remember well, yesterday the question we asked you about whether you had ever travelled with your family on vacation? Voila!

Lastly, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, guys do your research before going to the embassy. Save yourself the emotional torture of refusal and financial stress by being ill-prepared. Don't take the consuls for fools. These VOs are US citizens and they know their country very well. They know the cost of the average budget hotel, the average restaurant, public transportation and more so holiday resorts etc.

RSVP - Research, Study, Visualize, Prepare PREPARE PREPARE;

omopeace4luv:
Pls I need help with the travel certificate, my flight is in two days pls

Please do take the time to read and digest information. It was clearly stated that one can get cert issued on arrival if you send an email and inform them of your impending date of arrival and necessary bio info.

yungbilli:
Hi everyone. My visa was issued but i wasn't notified by DHL collection center in VI....I was there few days go and was told my passport has been returned back to he embassy. I tracked my passport and it reads "Your passport has been returned to post"...I have sent lot of messages to LagosNiv@state.gov and called the embassy. No response yet. Please anyone experienced this issue and is there a possibility my visa will be revoked?

Go to the embassy and ask for your passport. Simples.

mrnatural:


What's your status in the US?

We need to understand so we can know How To Help you

Red flag in high mast here

mrnatural:


Whats your status in the US?

Red flag calling

ayenikunle:


If am to interview her...

Your AOS is something to be worried about. You said she will only be staying 3 weeks? That was how you said you would only be staying for sometime and you ended up adjusting your status.



But sha, wetin I know?

Highly likely;

Sjvictor21:
Hello Nairaland,

It’s been a while since I last came on here. Almost 2 years. Well, I have a couple of questions to ask and I would appreciate your kind efforts to help me out. I’m currently in the USA undergoing AOS and I want to invite my mom for my wedding which is in December. My concern is if she would be given the visa. She has an interview scheduled already and i’m worried. She was supposed to come with my dad but he passed away 2 months back, so she will be coming alone. Is there any tips or things to pay attention to? My wife sent out the invitation letter to her, alongside other documentations like bank statements, international passports and all. Please help me my people, is wedding invitation a solid ground to be granted B1/B2 visa? Is there anything we should consider? Can my status in the US affect things?

N.B. She will only be staying for 3 weeks.

Your mom's visa will be refused 1000000% because you came here 2 years ago seeking advice on how to successfully circumvent the US law by saying you will be attending a conference for 5 days and 2 years later, your adjusting your status to LPR. Your mom is about to do the same thing, so no sorry your mom will not be issued a visa. Unless you want to make us $160 richer then you are welcome to apply.

Lord001:
Hi Guys,

Now my testimony. It was all God.

I had my visa app (J1) today in Abuja, 1pm.

7 persons were before me. 2 were denied (blue and yellow paper). All interviews took an average of 5-7 questions.

Now it was my turn. Name called to proceed to window 8. A white lady with pointed nose, may be in her late 30s.

V. O - with a smile, Good afternoon
Me: Afternoon Ma'am
V. O: what do you do in Nigeria?
Me: I am a legal practitioner, specifically a prosecutor with xxxxxxxxxxxxxx. My duties include xxxxxxxxxxx
VO: Are you married?
Me: No
VO: Any Children?
Me: No
VO: Alright. I will be approving your visa..... Bla bla bla.
Me: All smiles. Thank you and do have a great day.

NB: No travel history ie virgin passport and I'll be 29 come this December.

Bottom line : It was all God's grace. I went for my interview fasting sha. �

Congratulations. You done well. Yes its God's grace, but you did prepare yourself.

Also the class of visa being sought is also very important. In this case, J1 visas are refused but not at the rate of B1/B2. Majority apply for B1/B2 hence the high refusal rates.

Congratulations once again and hope you enjoy your time and learn a lot from this exchange.

seyewest:


What I'm trying to tell him/her is that, they should wait till the visa expire if not she/he will be invited for interview at the Embassy instead of qualifying for dropbox.

Ok didn't read that way but yeah i would agree with you on that;

saintobi009:
Guys I applied for a B1/B2 visa in 2016 to go for a taekwondo competition but i was denied because I couldn't answer questions about taekwondo, before I applied in 2016 I had a Kenya visa which I didn't use and I have been to Italy,i also have a couple of denials from Italy, after I was denied in 2016 I went for vacation in dubia later in 2016,i didn't travel in 2017 but I got a South African visa, and now in 2018 I was in Ghana for vacation, Dubai for vacation and also Kenya for about 3 days, I am not married and for work I own a car lot and also run a luxury private transportation company, so I want to apply for a visit visa now to the US though I have an uncle that I ca visit but we do not share the same surname, please any advice on my visa and does anyone know my chances ? and petiole that have applied for visas recently is there anything new you can update me with so my chances for the visa can be high.please reply thanks.

You asked the same question about a page or so ago and it was answered. The visa adjudication is not a game of chances or roulette. You have to qualify and be eligible to receive one. So all you do is apply and the VO will determine through the law of the US whether you qualify and are eligible for the visa you sought.

Some in their head and documentation are qualified but they don't demonstrate that to the VO at the interview which is the most critical part of the process together with the DS-160 and are thus refused and some do not qualify with their documentation but at the interview window, the VO determines they qualify.

Your chances therefore is to know the class of visa you applying for, making sure you qualify for it that you will go to America and return back within a specified period of time, prepare your DS-160 form truthfully then go to the interview and convince the VO that what you wrote on the form reflects who you are.

Ben4boss:
Gud afternoon everyone,
Please I want you guys to help me out,
Yesterday I got a message from the embassy that my appointment time has been rescheduled but still on the same day only the time was changed and interview is next week.
Please Any help.
Why did they change my time?

Depending on the workload they can reschedule interviews at their discretion.

blessingee:
I am scheduled for Interview tomorrow and i am so ill-prepared. I have been very busy that i didnt even prepare or carry out any research.

I am married, but travelling alone for a church conference.

What are the necessary documents i should go with, originals or photocopies ?

I am thinking of Employment letter, Letter Of Introduction from my company, Payslip etc.

I urgently need an advice.

I have only travelled to Dubai and that was in June this year.

I will appreciate speedy suggestions and assistance.

Preparation is key and lack of preparation will see you as careless or over confident.

Anyways, get as much of your employment and financial documents in order as well as documents on the conference (confirmation, invite etc). Documents though are rarely required as evidence, the interview will determine your eligibility.

seyewest:


She will be invited for interview asap... This is from a personal experience.

Renewals need to go through the scheduling process as well not the same as new applicants as some countries (nigeria included) have the option of dropbox to expedite processing if visa is expired within the last 12 months and you are applying for the same class of visa that has expired.

mrnatural:




Well travelling for honeymoon after getting married since August 2018. Wouldn't that be considered as too long a time to go for honeymoon?

Honeymoon can be taken at anytime due to different circumstances. Just like the answer below says.

TheCongo2:


You are the one traveling and should be ableton answer that question based on your circumstances.


Anyway, I did a Google search with respect to your question, and this is my finding:

How long after a wedding is the honeymoon?

Perhaps the weather at your chosen destination is at its best six months after the wedding. Maybe you've taken so much time off work for wedding planning you can't take any more until next year, or your job is seasonal so you can't really take two weeks right after your wedding

Ashmark:
Hello guys, am having interview by Thursday. I just discovered that I made a mistake on my DS-160 form. I Inputted that have traveled to Cote D'lvoire instead of Benin Republic. Do you think it will have any effect.

Refill another DS-160 form, update your cgi.federal.secure.force.com profile with the new DS-160 confirmation number and reprint your appointment confirmation together with the newly completed DS-160 form and go to the interview with the updated form and appointment confirmation.

mrnatural:
Someone should answer my question Na?

Or is the thread No longer relevant?

Questions will be answered when they are seen and answers available. Just have to be patient; Patience is virtue which most of us lack myself included. But your question has been answered. I will just add this to it; Adjudication of a visa is not solely dependent on travel history. Other factors are considered and are more important than travel history. If she is pregnant during the interview, she can admit it as it is not illegal to have a baby in the US neither is it a grounds for the VO to refuse you based on just being pregnant. What you will need to do however, is to present a solid case with extensive finances that you will not be a public charge to the USA with your pregnant wife and unborn child.

Besides the countries you listed, count for little as travel history to the US or any first world consulate for the issuance of a visa. Why? Because those countries don't require much to acquire their visas and they're not countries people want to go and never return unlike USA, UK, Australia, etc. "They" know the drill.

TheCongo2:



Some people with no travel history have been given US visa.
Conversely, some people with extended travel history have been denied visas.

So travelling to Ghana, Kinshasa, Mogadishu ... before applying for US visa may or my not help.

Seconded 1000000%.

ninab:
Please want to ask a quick question
A friend of mine is trying to renew her visa which hasn’t expired but cause she wud be using it soonest and doesn’t want it to expire while she is away
What I want to know is if it’s possible to renew a visa before expiration
Has anyone ever tried that before ?

It is 100% possible to do.

EsotericMonk:
Good day friends, pardon me if this had been addressed earlier.

I plan on a visit to US in December ending, to coincide with my leave.

I have recently moved to London on a work visa and so would apply from London.

Is there anyone who could give me an insight, possibility of getting an interview date this month, and any other general advice.

Thanks much.

Fill and complete the DS-160 form, pay your MRV fee and go through the scheduling website for date availability. Applying in London, it will be much easier to get an interview date sooner. Consider your chances of successfully being issued a visa as you've only just moved to London on a work visa.

Oak01:



Good day sir(s) and ma(s), its a Great job you're all doing here proffering solutions to any situation that seems water-tight, God will reward you all accordingly, Amen.

Here lies my situation, I have been reading and digesting all this while, now we are going for the interview this week as we have scheduled since june as a family consisting of Husband, Wife and Daughter(a minor), we have made our extensive research, but no one is an island of knowledge.

Consociates(fellow nairalanders) what advise would you give us we are going for Christmas vacation nothing more, we have gathered all our documents( necessary and unnecessary) lol, digested all what we filled on Our DS-160 and been practising our answers.

Gurus in the house, your kind advise/admonition will be appreciated.

Cc: hajidel, omobendel, seyewest, LadyG, Nothing DoMe and every other person.

Thanks in anticipation....

Well it seems like you are prepared and ready to go. So continue to prepare, prepare, prepare for any possible questions about your family (here or usa), your work etc. Going as a family may be positive or negative depending on the VO you encounter. There's not too much advise we can give other than preparing as much as you can. As a family interview, most times the questions are directed to the principal applicant. That being said, your spouse needs to prepare too as everyone MUST qualify on their own merit.

They hardly look at documents to be honest as most information needed to adjudicate the visa are formed on the DS-160 form and most importantly the interview.

You have probably less than 2 minutes to tell the VO why you will be going to the USA and what will compel you to return to Nigeria at the end of your visit.

Have you ever travelled for a vacation as a family to any other places before??

Kmgb:


OK ,thank you
I'm specifically talking about drop box appointments tho,is that what you mean as well?
Someone few pages back mentioned drop box appointments have gotten to March 2019,hence my apprehension.
Thanks again for your quick response

Yeah appointments are running into early next year if I remember correctly. You have to just go through with the appointment scheduler and sometimes dates are freed up as people cancel appointments. That though is very TOUGH to come by, just have to try, and try relentlessly if its that important. Or take a date and request expedited appointment.

Sage7:
I smell VOs lurking around **sniffs**

Kings & Queens, No hard & fast rule to this ish.

Be it an advice or a clapback, we should learn a thing or two.

Open-mindedness is key.

Well sometimes its ok to disagree I guess.

We are all open to learning new things and becoming better. Lets keep sharing ideas.

Kmgb:
Hi everyone,

pls what are the current available dates for drop box,I'm still filling my forms and not sure I can skip to find out.

My 1yr validity for drop box expires in Dec,is there anything I can do if I don't get a drop box appointment before then,can I drop off in abuja if there's a closer date,can drop box appointment be expedited?

Someone pls help with options I may have

@LadyG @hajidel and other gurus biko

You have to go through with the form and the appointment scheduler to find out when availability is. You can request for expedited appointment provided it meets the expedition requirements.

However, nothing stops you from taking up an appointment in Abuja if they have earlier dates. That will be a much better option than the expedited request.

NothingDoMe:
I wonder why we get upset when someone disagrees with our line of thinking? Not like the person insulted you or anything.

Maybe its Ego. No, i am not talking about money . I think this comes into play when one thinks too highly of oneself or the advice one gives. Especially when a nobody like me dares to point out a slight flaw in your advice.

Okay just for fun cos i believe my point has been made, You put on your ID card and approach the VO, the VO looks at her screen and tells you to move closer so that she can see your ID card in order to verify that you work in so so and so coy. Lol. People forge ID cards as far as i know. How would the VO know the type of ID issued by your company and if your ID card is actually authentic?

I really don't want us to be singing a minor tone when a major tone is required in a song thereby forcing other choristers to sing off-key. Lol.

Thats right. Human nature. Do you know why the US embassy barely looks at documents? Guess what, you just answered it. Forge! Almost anything can be forged. But do you also know that same VO suspecting you of forge will also give you the benefit of the doubt until its conclusively proven that its forgery right?

So here's the thing; the DS-160 application form, your presentation both verbally and physical, your interview answers, body language are all put together in that 2 minutes you spend at the window for a decision. And some get it right, some get it wrong; some that are deserving get it or don't get it and some that are not deserving sometimes get it and sometimes don't.

But one thing i can tell anyone going for any sort of interview is, BE PREPARED both in content and appearance. Good luck.

OmoBendel24:


No need quarrelling sha.

I've seen your posts on the Travel Section of Nairaland, and there's no gainsaying the fact that you are sound. Was almost starting to ask myself if this isn't a VO "codedly" hiding behind this moniker. You are good, no doubts.

But this ID card hanging thing isn't outstanding, naaah! It's coming across as over-pushing it during interview though, if not clownish sef. One however can dress the part, that's cool. Well, whatever works, different folks, different lots.... As long as it relaxes and soothes/comfort the applicant.

Lol yes thats right, no need quarreling. OR quashing opinions.

Your opinion about over pushing and clownish (desperation) may very well be valid but for you to say its not a good idea I can categorically say you're wrong for that.

Because depending on the application you've put forth, I can tell you that it may well do you good in your interview.

NothingDoMe:
Lol. Wearing 10 ID cards on your person or carrying your shop to the embassy won't work in your favor I'm afraid. What works in your favor is the TIE that your business or Job represents.

Clearly you're either too thick to understand what I am saying or you're acting foolish. ID cards, dress code etc has nothing to do with the interview, but its just presentable. If you go for a job interview as a banker, would you rather dress as a banker or as baker?

Having your ID card on the person and dressing appropriately as per your profession is not going to do any more harm than if you didn't. Having your ID card though clearly states who you are and most likely your position in that business or company. And FYI, I know about TIEs etc.