Ferdinand234:
Does one just go to DHL if 4 days elapses for passport pickup or wait for it to be updated on the website? Its like one week now, still saying your passport is with the US embassy

Mine is about 10 days, still with the consulate in Abuja.

solastar2:


Check on https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

On administration processing. What does that mean? And how long does it last?

BrTune:
Was anyone here able to get an F2 visa since the lockdown?

Yes, mine was approved last week

solastar2:


Check the status of your visa.

Still with the embassy/consulate

Dudun007:
Happy Sunday guys,
Those that had their F1 visa approved in Nov 6, has any one of you been able to pick up your stamped passport?

I am worried oo, my flight time is close

I had my interview done in Abuja on the 9th of Nov, no info yet as regards my passport. I haven't booked flight yet in case there's delay.

Chai, things dey happen oo

Ifesinachi22:
Intellectual pursuits in our Contraption is like none other - we sink deeper by the day

Below are examples of what some students (undergrad and PG) have to go through in Nigerian universities. Did you experience any of these?


COPIED Compiled by the one and only Eketi Edima Ette!!


On Project/Master's Thesis Defence in Nigerian Federal Universities - A thread:

"We had to pay hotel bills for the members of the panel. You could also offer sex, if your supervisor is the devil's apprentice. Transport money inclusive."
- Erdoo N.

"I decided I'd never have anything else to do with Nigerian universities, the day I saw people defending their masters dissertation presenting coolers of rice, garden eggs and crates of drinks to their supervisors. I legit thought someone was getting married."
- Bibian U.

"We we're told we'd pay 60k each, for both entertainment and logistics of external supervisor."
-Chiamaka O.

"We spent the night prior to my mother's defense at the University of Ilorin, cooking coolers of rice with assorted meat for the lecturers."
- Omekagu.

We fed the whole department.
Paid a prior fee of 2k.
Still gave supervisor gift. This same supervisor then came on one of my Facebook posts to say how I'm too opinionated to get married. I blocked him for my peace of mind. I don't have strength."
- Sylvia E.

"My husband was so frustrated by his Uniuyo supervisor for this, that he abandoned his MBA and finally got it from a UK university without any sort of bribery."
- Uche N.

"In ESUT, students have to buy brand new suits for their supervisors."
- Udeh O.

"Envelopes filled with money. Hotel bills. Payment to the school. External supervisor's fee. The mental stress.
Ah! The only reason I'm still doing it is because I've come too far to stop. After Master's, I'll never do anything school in this country again. Never!"
- Bello A.

"Some departments will even provide you with a menu and list of people you'll feed on the day of your thesis defense.
I nearly wept for my friend, when one non-teaching staff started dragging her because meat had finished."
- Esther A.

"Ordinary B.Sc project I defended, mh supervisor collected a bag of rice. On the defense day, we went to an eatery and bought food and drinks for all the supervisors in the hall."
- Harrison P.

"The money I spent on my supervisor was enough to buy a piece of land in GRA.

-A bottle of special nonalcoholic wine and MTN airtime worth 1.5k for "consultation" before he approved my topic.
-Two months DSTV premium subscription...

-N5000 for every chapter I took to him for vetting. Except Chapter 4 - he made me pay 20k for it because, "all my project students knows I do it better."

-The day of defence, we(a group of about 15 students) paid 2k each for food and transport fare."
-Odichi R.

"We paid 40k each for 'refreshment' and 'honorarium' during internal defence. We are also going to replicate that amount, if not more, during external the defence."
- Ịhụnanya A.

"For BSc project defense we contributed money to feed the supervisors."
-Oreva E.

"My project topic was originally on aquatic snails.

My supervisor said I should bring some snails to his house, not even the aquatic snails that I was supposed to be working on. I bought half a bag of land snails for him.

A week later, he changed my topic to Catfish and demanded that I buy some catfish and and bring them to his house for inspection. I had to do it. I wish he'd asked for rice and drinks, like my colleagues were asked. If have spent less money."
- Ruth D.

"The best thing I ever did for my life and mental health was to abandon my Master's program halfway. My blood pressure was always high. They killed my zeal to study and do research. Nigerian universities? God forbid!"
- Ene P.

"I abandoned my Master's program because my supervisor wanted to have sex with me. I told him I'm a married woman. He said and I quote, "That's even better! I like them married. If anything happens, we'll both keep our mouths shut." No one listened to my report.
- Annie U.

“And Postgraduate students do multiple defenses - proposal, internal and faculty defense, then the very almighty external defense. Multiple seminars too

And refreshment is served in ALL

Aswear, MSc in Nigeria was the most challenging thing I've done in my life so far”
Seriously? Hmm

Pjomo:
Appointment was 7am

Me: Goodmorning
VO: why USA
Me: Answered
VO: Why NCAT
Me: Answered
VO: what research
Me: Answered But seems she wasn’t impressed, (VO cuts in)
VO: Are you married
Me: Answered
VO: I’m sorry you are not qualified bla bla bla, and she gave me a white paper

As I was going out of the building past the security men, the CGI guy came to call me back
CGI: (running fast) Mr Pjomo Mr Pjomo, the VO is calling you
Me: calling me?. She just denied me. I replied
CGI: yeah she told me to call you back
Me: Look, I’m not here to beg for visa, if US doesn’t grant me, another country will
CGI: we are sorry sir, just obey her call
Me: Okay. (I obliged)

Back to the main building
Same VO: I was only joking with you , I just wanna see your reaction
Me: I thought as much as my answers were amazing and I spoke audibly
VO: (utter the sweet words) I will be approving your visa. Pick it up on bla bla and proceed to pay the reciprocity fee.

It can only be God. Thanks to fairheart, julsbaby, slimmy2005, lagosismyhome, imperiouxxx., walspring, justwise, holuwadarey ftos. You guys are the best! I owe you alot

Wow. Speechless. Congratulations

KushCollectible:
F2 Visa Denied Today Lagos.

I was interviewed in window 6 by the V.O with the camouflage bandanna.

Here goes my transcript.

V.O. - Good morning

Me - Good morning

V.O - Pass your i-20 and other documents

Me - Here they are

V.O - Where are you going?

Me - I'm going to Alabama to be with my husband who is a grad student at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.

V.O - How long have you been married?

Me - Since September 2020

V.O - What do you do currently?

Me - I recently completed my youth service and it coincided with the start of the pandemic, so it's been difficult securing a means of employment

V.O - How long is your husband's program?

Me - Its a 5 year program, 1 year down 4 to go

V.O - How long do you intend to be in the US?

Me - I intend staying with my husband through his course of study

V.O - (keeps typing) I am sorry you don't qualify for a visa right now

(I reached out to hisemminence and fair heart, thanks for your help).

Please guys peruse this and give your suggestions as I intend to re-apply ASAP.

I'm sorry this happened to you. Don't worry, delay is not denial

fairheart:


I am sorry about your wife's and baby refusal.
I think it is important to note that VOs looks at cases differently. Those who were approved with F1-F2 were probably not interviewed by the VO that intervieweed your wife today. Now, during interview, VO usually ask about husband or wife coming to join later--in case you are married with kids. It is possible the VO that approved your visa asked you this question. Perhaps? What you said was No, not at this time. Probably? You have been in the US for a year, and now, your wife and only kid was about to join you. The VO probably thought this is a plan to migrate since you are already in the US and your wife and kids will not be returning to Nigeria with you once you graduate--if at all you will return yourself. I know this may not be the case.

Another thing is, I don't think she has funding, although she really gave very strong points during our mock. Now, here is another question: if you and your wife and baby are out, what is the chances of coming back after graduation? Very slim to impossible--in the mind of the VO. This is how they think.

She can change class of visa to F2, but I really hope that works. Now, I really hope, because that will confirm exactly what the VO might be thinking, that they are runing to come and be with you and you guys do not really want to return (assuming this is what he thought). Have you visited Nigeria since you travelled?

This type of case is hard to predict or say something definite on. Last fall, a lady I'd call T (not her real name) was refused twice with her baby, even though she has funding, and have been to the US like twice or so (can't remember details vividly anymore). After deliberation, I suggested she might need to leave the baby with hubby in Nigeria and apply alone--just to show her intention is purely for studies. She said she thought about the same and boom, she reapplied, and she was given the visa in December. She's in Indiana now, studying.

Another example is Bley (name changed). She got funding from XX university, and even though she is a mother, she applied alone. I think after a year and half, she returned to pick the infant (early this year), and according to her, the VO who interviewed her and the baby sympathised as why she left a baby so young behind for studies in the US. Now, something happened: Before Bley came in January, her hubby got admission to the same school, full funding. My dear, he was refused like 5 times. I remember grilling him over the phone. My grilling failed! Na so he chill and let go. Till now, the husband no get the visa. But wife and baby don dey US.

Case differ. No two VOs are the same, and even if they are same, they are unlikely to make same decision on different applications. Which is why you should not look at why it worked for others and not for you at this time.

One thing I am very sure about the US embassy is that, if they smell intention to run, they will refuse. It doesnt matter how you feel! Their job is to refuse anyone they feel isn't a credible student (even if the applicant is credible). How do you make them see that you're credible? So how do you show you are a credible student with intent to return to Nigeria after studies? Well, there's no single way to it, and in your wife's case, it is tricky.

My advice for her is to try again. But if getting funding is possible, tell her to try. It takes competitiveness to get funding, and I want to believe that every VO sees your funding as an opportunity you cherished and that you'd not abandon that just for your relationship. If your wife wants to show that credibility and remove the intent to migrate that appears to be visible (because you're there, and now, she is coming with your only child), she should have a competitive admission. OR, drop your baby out of the application. OR, she can try again and see how it goes.

Please note: I AM NOT A VO. THIS IS PURELY AN OPINION FROM MY ASSESSMENT OF YOUR SITUATION.
I hope this can help you make the right decision.

Wow. Nice analysis

Shehuroj:
Hello guys, please I need your advice.

My wife and daughter were denied F-1 & F-2 today at Lagos embassy due to weak ties to Nigeria since I (husband) is already in the US on F-1 visa. She has a very strong sponsor with more than required money on financial statement of account, but they didn't check it. She was asked about her workplace, which Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and how long she has been working there (2 years). She said the VO told her I will deny your visa due to ties to back Nigeria and issued them yellow form.
However, since they also approve F-2 for families of recent, is it wise for them to shift to F-2? What is their chance of approval? Or they should reapply for F-1 & F-2 again?

Your timely response will be highly appreciated.

Thanks.

They should apply for F2, I think it's better.

Neeta02:
Visa approved this morning. No funding, an uncle was my sponsor & I have strong ties to the US but God came through for me. I’ll post my transcript once I’m calm. Thanks guys

Congratulations. And take your time

Zoeyp:
Visa approved today (13th Nov 2020). Transcript will come soon. Fairheart you are a blessing and God will embarass you with his blessings

Congrats

Pls how long does it take to get your passport back if you did interview in Abuja and intend to collect it in Lagos?

Also those that did interview on Monday 9th November, have you collected back your passport?

prosper388:
Visa approved today.
Thanks Guys
Coming back with transcript

Wow. Congrats

[quote author=kemmystree2015 post=95976836][/quote]

Yes, no real problems, but you have to be able to defend it when asked tho

Peacock1234:


Congrats on the Visa and Baby.

Thank you so much

KushCollectible:


Very happy for you sir!

Please check your mailbox.

I have replied since

Lete:


Big big big congratulations! I tap into your miracle.

All the best!

Yes boss. Yours will be cheaper than this, by God's grace

Beegirl1:
Congratulations to all who got their visas approved . Pray same for the rest of us. Amen

You have gotten it too, by God's grace. All tha best guys

So sorry for some of my errors you might encounter reading this. Na joy oo.

Also, someone sent me some transcript in pdf format some days ago. I remember sleeping and waking up on it. I read it like my life depended on it. God bless you and everyone.

Nairaland is highly underrated abeg.

HisEminence:



F2 visa approved
Location: Abuja
Date: 9th of November 2020.

I got to the Consular at some minutes to 7am. I remembered I needed to print a last minute document. After so much bargaining, I paid 10k instantly. Wasn't happy about it but we move anyways.

I approached the entrance and was directed in. I was the fifth person when I entered the building, all F1, except me (F2)

So we were called in, in 3s. So to the interview proper. When I entered the first person on the line was already paying her Reciprocity fee. Every other applicant before me too were granted visa.

Only one VO was attending to us, but he seemed very calm and friendly.
Fast forward to my interview.

VO: Good morning sir.
Me: Good morning.
VO: pass me your passport and i-20 please..
Me: (hands them over)
VO: (on seeing my i-20) wow, your wife is in the U.S
Me: Yes, she is.
VO: What is she studying?
Me: (stammers a bit) She's studying chemistry at Copping state university, Baltimore, Maryland.
I didn't like that how that sounded, so I had to tell me that I stammer at times like this.

VO: (Nods) No problems, just take your time
Me: (in my mind, I was like.... Oshey padi mi. Afolabi, calm down, you gat this)

All this while, I noticed someone else behind him listening to both of us. And he has been there when those before me were interviewed.

Then the VO switched of his mic and turned to start talking with the other guy. Pointing at the system, passport and my i-20 as he's discussing. And the other guy kept nodding and looking at the system as the VO was talking. This lasted for about a minute.

Then VO faces me again.

VO: When did she travel?
Me: 31st of December 2019
VO: Why didn't you travel with her?
Me: I was overseeing a project at the office. I work with the Lagos state government. (I motioned to bring out my staff ID card.)
VO: No need. What do you do?
Me: I am a system administrator and an I.T support officer.

VO turns again and starts discussing with the guy again. This lasted for about 30 seconds

VO faces me again.

VO: Do you have any kids.
Me: Yes, she gave birth to our baby there in the US, just before the lockdown
VO: Oh, Male or Female?
Me: Female
VO: Has she come back to Nigeria since she had the baby?
Me: No, she hasn't
VO: Why are you just applying?
Me: I applied earlier in march, and I got May as my interview date, but it didn't hold.
VO: Were you denied?
Me: No. The appointment was cancelled.
VO: Oh, okay
VO: How did you meet your wife?
Me: I met her through a mutual friend. We met and we liked eachother.
VO: How did they know eachother.
Me: They attended the same school.
VO: When did you meet her?
Me: 2018
VO: when did you get married?
Me: Traditionally and according to Islamic rights, February 2019. And then we proceeded to the registry in Ikoyi, Lagos, in December, to make it official.
VO: Nods
VO: Have you travelled out of the country before?
Me: Yes, I have. We travelled to the UAE together.
VO: How long did you spend there?
Me: About a week.
VO: Like a honeymoon right?
Me: Yes.
VO: Have you been to the US before?
Me: No, not at all


VO turns to his guy again. The discussion again lasted for another 30 seconds.
In my mind, I was like.... my fate is being decided now.
He then faces me again.

VO: (Looks at my i-20 and sees my wife's school fees on it) who is paying your wife's fees?
Me: Her dad.
VO: What does he do?
Me: He's a businessman in the oil and gas sector. He's a CEO of Crowns oil. Also he's a high chief of the Oba of Ikoyi in Lagos.
VO: (Nods) Oh, okay. Makes sense
VO: What does your dad do?
Me: My dad is late, but before he died he was a retired Airforce officer.
VO: Nods. Your application looks okay at this point. Take this white paper, go to the cashier to pay your reciprocity fee, bla bla bla
Me: I was already shinning teeth under my nose mask.

I paid my fee. Went back to the VO to drop the passport and I zoomed out. Got out and I told the others sitting outside all the best.



Tips
1. After God, na God ooo. Nothing else
2. Please make sure you print every document before coming for your interview, those guys outside no get joy. Dem go bill you die
3. Make sure you hold money on that day. Any last minute thing might come up to print. There's no such thing as too much documents ooo
4. Be as confident as possible. Be calm. Dont speak too much, but make sure your answers cover the questions asked.

Big shout out to everyone who has impacted on us all. All the best to all applicants.

We move!!!

Ajibade105:
Congratulations and safe trip!

Yes boss!

Beegirl1:


Congratulations.

Yes ma'am

LagosismyHome:


Congrats on the F2 and on the new baby .....

Yes oo. Like finally!

zeeLady:
Big congratulations. Things have really changed this year.

Thank you so much. Yes oo. Was surprised I wasnt asked any document. No SOA, no nothing. The VO just wanted to gist jare

SisiNini:


Congratulations, sir!

Many Thanks ma'am

zeeLady:
I was waiting for your message. congratulations!

Thank you ma'am

HisEminence:
UPDATE!!!

F2 Visa approved

Location: Abuja.

So thankful to God and everyone here . I will send in my transcript when I'm calm.

���

F2 visa approved
Location: Abuja
Date: 9th of November 2020.

I got to the Consular at some minutes to 7am. I remembered I needed to print a last minute document. After so much bargaining, I paid 10k instantly. Wasn't happy about it but we move anyways.

I approached the entrance and was directed in. I was the fifth person when I entered the building, all F1, except me (F2)

So we were called in, in 3s. So to the interview proper. When I entered the first person on the line was already paying her Reciprocity fee. Every other applicant before me too were granted visa.

Only one VO was attending to us, but he seemed very calm and friendly.
Fast forward to my interview.

VO: Good morning sir.
Me: Good morning.
VO: pass me your passport and i-20 please..
Me: (hands them over)
VO: (on seeing my i-20) wow, your wife is in the U.S
Me: Yes, she is.
VO: What is she studying?
Me: (stammers a bit) She's studying chemistry at Copping state university, Baltimore, Maryland.
I didn't like that how that sounded, so I had to tell me that I stammer at times like this.

VO: (Nods) No problems, just take your time
Me: (in my mind, I was like.... Oshey padi mi. Afolabi, calm down, you gat this)

All this while, I noticed someone else behind him listening to both of us. And he has been there when those before me were interviewed.

Then the VO switched of his mic and turned to start talking with the other guy. Pointing at the system, passport and my i-20 as he's discussing. And the other guy kept nodding and looking at the system as the VO was talking. This lasted for about a minute.

Then VO faces me again.

VO: When did she travel?
Me: 31st of December 2019
VO: Why didn't you travel with her?
Me: I was overseeing a project at the office. I work with the Lagos state government. (I motioned to bring out my staff ID card.)
VO: No need. What do you do?
Me: I am a system administrator and an I.T support officer.

VO turns again and starts discussing with the guy again. This lasted for about 30 seconds

VO faces me again.

VO: Do you have any kids.
Me: Yes, she gave birth to our baby there in the US, just before the lockdown
VO: Oh, Male or Female?
Me: Female
VO: Has she come back to Nigeria since she had the baby?
Me: No, she hasn't
VO: Why are you just applying?
Me: I applied earlier in march, and I got May as my interview date, but it didn't hold.
VO: Were you denied?
Me: No. The appointment was cancelled.
VO: Oh, okay
VO: How did you meet your wife?
Me: I met her through a mutual friend. We met and we liked eachother.
VO: How did they know eachother.
Me: They attended the same school.
VO: When did you meet her?
Me: 2018
VO: when did you get married?
Me: Traditionally and according to Islamic rights, February 2019. And then we proceeded to the registry in Ikoyi, Lagos, in December, to make it official.
VO: Nods
VO: Have you travelled out of the country before?
Me: Yes, I have. We travelled to the UAE together.
VO: How long did you spend there?
Me: About a week.
VO: Like a honeymoon right?
Me: Yes.
VO: Have you been to the US before?
Me: No, not at all


VO turns to his guy again. The discussion again lasted for another 30 seconds.
In my mind, I was like.... my fate is being decided now.
He then faces me again.

VO: (Looks at my i-20 and sees my wife's school fees on it) who is paying your wife's fees?
Me: Her dad.
VO: What does he do?
Me: He's a businessman in the oil and gas sector. He's a CEO of Crowns oil. Also he's a high chief of the Oba of Ikoyi in Lagos.
VO: (Nods) Oh, okay. Makes sense
VO: What does your dad do?
Me: My dad is late, but before he died he was a retired Airforce officer.
VO: Nods. Your application looks okay at this point. Take this white paper, go to the cashier to pay your reciprocity fee, bla bla bla
Me: I was already shinning teeth under my nose mask.

I paid my fee. Went back to the VO to drop the passport and I zoomed out. Got out and I told the others sitting outside all the best.



Tips
1. After God, na God ooo. Nothing else
2. Please make sure you print every document before coming for your interview, those guys outside no get joy. Dem go bill you die
3. Make sure you hold money on that day. Any last minute thing might come up to print. There's no such thing as too much documents ooo
4. Be as confident as possible. Be calm. Dont speak too much, but make sure your answers cover the questions asked.

Big shout out to everyone who has impacted on us all. All the best to all applicants.

We move!!!

UPDATE!!!

F2 Visa approved

Location: Abuja.

So thankful to God and everyone here . I will send in my transcript when I'm calm.

���

Princekenuk:



Please I need email of Abuja consulate

ConsularAbuja@state.gov

Babatill2023:

Someone shared a transcript recently. He was interviewed in Lagos and his Ds-160 stated Abuja. They changed it for him at the embassy but since your interview is still next week,you can retrieve your Ds160 and make the necessary corrections but if you have submitted,just fill another one and update it on your visa page.

Okay. Thank you for this. Will make necessary corrections