Thank you so much. This is incredibly useful.

Browser123:
I asked last week if anyone has received a pickup email and no one has shared their experience so I'm sharing mine as I got our passports today.
We were scheduled to leave for the US last Friday but I had to move our flights because we did not have our passports. I'm on a work visa so I have return tickets to the US.
The new site says to wait 48 hours but no one seems to know anything. If it's 48 hours from August 26th, we are way past that and no email still. I understand a system change can be disruptive but this was done very badly.
So today I created an account on the OIS website and set up an appointment to pickup our passports, it let me do so @ $0 and my pickup location was dhl muri okunola which was the delivery location I chose when I set up the interview waiver appointment. I went there and they said they do not have the passports so I should go to OIS. We got to OIS and there was a lot of people waiting to pickup their passports. The common theme seems to be that no one received pickup emails, they just showed up like I did. DHL has been taking passports to OIS so if you can track your passport on the CEAC website and it's been issued for a while and you are on a time crunch, go to OIS. Be prepared to wait a bit, there were lists of names and passport numbers that they were going to check first then they either tell you they don't have it and to come back or they have it. In my case they had our passports and I paid #48k per passport to receive them. Good luck to everyone.

My IW Dropbox was 14th August 2024. I have an official trip to Europe with flight already booked for 14th September 2024. Till now it’s Application received. Application received 15th, 21st and now 27th August the latest until now that I’m typing this . I’ve been discouraged seeing some folks say theirs have taken more than 1 month , some even nearly 2 months . What are the chances I get my passport before 14th September . At this point if they can just return my passport with or without the visa I’ll be the happiest man alive . I’m freaking out so much mehn . I wish I didn’t submit this IW thing this time . I had no idea is now so messed up . The last time I did it in 2022 it took like 1 week . I pray for a miracle mehnnnnn

Remvibes:
Hello everyone, hope you’re having a good day. I recently arrived in the U.S. on a K1 visa and can’t work legally at the moment. Does anyone know of any job opportunities, possibly under-the-table work? I’m currently in Virginia. I would greatly appreciate any help or leads. Thank you!

It is not worth it like someone told you earlier. Just be patient.

Rklola:
Hi everyone,
Pls I wanted to ask what ‘pre approval request is being processed’ means after paying for the visa fee. Also, how long does it typically take until the pre approval request is approved. Thank you!

Is this what your pre-approval processing looks like while you were waiting?

Please, To pple that did their IW dropbox issh.

What documents do I need to send for IW dropbox.


I got all these immediately after confirmation , do I send all these documents.
==================================================================================================


General Required Documents - For All Visa Types
The following documents are required for all visa types:

Current Passport valid for travel to the United States. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements.)
Passport containing the most recently issued U.S. visa (if applicable).
Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
Confirmation and Instructions page printed from this website
One 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) color photo taken within the last 6 months. Further details regarding Department of State photo guidelines can be found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html.
Accompanying family members, unless entering the United States for another purpose, should present a marriage certificate (spouse) and/or birth certificate (for unmarried children under 21), as applicable.
If you are attending an appointment in person, you must bring original documents. If you are eligible to send your documents via courier, you must send your current valid passport and the prior passport containing the most recently issued U.S visa (if applicable), as well as the DS-160 confirmation page and copies of any other supporting documents. Please see the section below for a list of supporting documents required for each visa type.

(B) VISITOR: BUSINESS, TOURISM, MEDICAL TREATMENT
Be ready to present the following documents, if traveling for medical treatment:
Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason treatment is needed in the United States.
Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States stating the willingness to treat the diagnosed ailment, and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors' fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
Proof that the patient's transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either the patient's or the person or organization paying for the treatment).
You may apply for a B-1 visitor visa to work temporarily in the U.S. as a personal or domestic employee in limited situations. You and your employer will be required to prove the employment relationship meets the wages and working conditions of the U.S. For further details on how to apply, visit your local U.S. Embassy’s website and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html.
When attending an in-person consular interview, additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified for the visa. If you qualify for NOT attending an in-person consular interview, submit only the required documents specifically listed on the instruction page.

For example, additional requested documents for an in-person interview may include evidence of:

The purpose of your trip
Your intent to depart the United States after your trip; and/or
Your ability to pay all the costs of your trip.
Evidence of your employment and/or family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country.
If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all of the costs for your trip.

Happymom001:
Thank you @oyotunjiusa for taking out time to reply and helping out. The account created for me on USVISAAPPT just dropped.

I am still waiting for them to send my mum’s email. Her appointment is for next week. Is there any thing I can do?

Mongodbjs:
My IW Dropbox was 14th August 2024. I have an official trip to Europe with flight already booked for 14th September 2024. Till now it’s Application received. Application received 15th, 21st and now 27th August the latest until now that I’m typing this . I’ve been discouraged seeing some folks say theirs have taken more than 1 month , some even nearly 2 months . What are the chances I get my passport before 14th September . At this point if they can just return my passport with or without the visa I’ll be the happiest man alive . I’m freaking out so much mehn . I wish I didn’t submit this IW thing this time . I had no idea is now so messed up . The last time I did it in 2022 it took like 1 week . I pray for a miracle mehnnnnn

🤠

1. Don't blame the USA embassy, blame your miscalculation and inability to follow or yield to guidelines.

2. It is stipulated on the USA website, even before the update that the normal processing time for IW is 8 - weeks. Some might have gotten theirs within 2 weeks or so, but that does not change the rule and stipulated timeframe.

3. Almost all Nigerians, and Nigeria residents, including new born babies have secured Travel Passports 😃 , this should tell you the huge and massive crowd the USA embassy is attending to every day.

PS: Unfortunately, those with IW VISA application cannot retrieve their Passports until the final outcome.


🙏

chatmate:
Please, To pple that did their IW dropbox issh.

What documents do I need to send for IW dropbox.


I got all these immediately after confirmation , do I send all these documents.
==================================================================================================


General Required Documents - For All Visa Types
The following documents are required for all visa types:

Current Passport valid for travel to the United States. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements.)
Passport containing the most recently issued U.S. visa (if applicable).
Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
Confirmation and Instructions page printed from this website
One 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) color photo taken within the last 6 months. Further details regarding Department of State photo guidelines can be found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html.
Accompanying family members, unless entering the United States for another purpose, should present a marriage certificate (spouse) and/or birth certificate (for unmarried children under 21), as applicable.
If you are attending an appointment in person, you must bring original documents. If you are eligible to send your documents via courier, you must send your current valid passport and the prior passport containing the most recently issued U.S visa (if applicable), as well as the DS-160 confirmation page and copies of any other supporting documents. Please see the section below for a list of supporting documents required for each visa type.

(B) VISITOR: BUSINESS, TOURISM, MEDICAL TREATMENT
Be ready to present the following documents, if traveling for medical treatment:
Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason treatment is needed in the United States.
Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States stating the willingness to treat the diagnosed ailment, and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors' fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
Proof that the patient's transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either the patient's or the person or organization paying for the treatment).
You may apply for a B-1 visitor visa to work temporarily in the U.S. as a personal or domestic employee in limited situations. You and your employer will be required to prove the employment relationship meets the wages and working conditions of the U.S. For further details on how to apply, visit your local U.S. Embassy’s website and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html.
When attending an in-person consular interview, additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified for the visa. If you qualify for NOT attending an in-person consular interview, submit only the required documents specifically listed on the instruction page.

For example, additional requested documents for an in-person interview may include evidence of:

The purpose of your trip
Your intent to depart the United States after your trip; and/or
Your ability to pay all the costs of your trip.
Evidence of your employment and/or family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country.
If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all of the costs for your trip.

🤠

1. What the USA embassy want you to bring, that is very very important is listed in the General Requirements, inside your Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter.

2. The rest (optional) depends on your natural inclination to submit supporting documents , ie financial evidence, conference/seminar letter, hospital bills, wedding invitation etc, depending on what you are presently going for, or would be going for , or have being going for.

3. It is also stipulated that, your previous VISA must have expired in the last 48 months, and that you are applying on the same VISA class ( eg, B1/B2 expired, you are applying for B1/B2 again).

4. Fill a detailed DS-160, and go with the general requirements, if you are confused, as well as your previous expired passport and the new one. The embassy will notify you if further information or document is needed.


🙏

Gratitude11:
Hi Browser123,

Thank you so much for the information.
I'm in a similar situation, my visa was issued last week but I'm yet to receive a pickup email. I just scheduled my pickup like you advised. Do you mind sharing the OIS location, also what documents do I need to present to collect my passport? P.S. my visa had to go through administrative processing, and I was required to submit the 221g I got with my passport.

OIS is at 14 Idowu Taylor street VI
Some form of ID (I used my nin) printed a copy
That's all you'll need I think

Jidebambam:



Is this what your pre-approval processing looks like while you were waiting?

i am in the same boat since august 27. i opened a support ticket but no response yet. Also could it be because a friend helped in paying the fees?

Good morning house, please I need some advice, firstly I have an interview date for next week 11th, I don't know if the embassy observes a holiday been a special date Sep 11th, Secondly, I just updated my DS 160 now cos my uncle that invited me just dropped his contact details to enable me fill the form, I hope it will be updated from their end since the old portal is not accessible again, I have added my application ID before the portal was closed. Lastly, I was refused in 2017, I can remember the month, I have the refusal letter but I cant find it at the moment, I am hoping to quote my application ID, but since I cant find it, can I just type in the box I was refused 2017, hoping that it will be sufficient?

Your advise will be very much appreciated.

Good morning .
Please were you able to eventually upload your old MRV payment?
I have a similar issue and also raised a ticket. On my dashboard it says the ticket has been resolved and got a message saying I should try again after 24 hours. This reply was since the 30th of August and I've still not been able to upload the MRV after multiple tries

Was there any extra step(s) you had to take to upload the old MRV?

Thank you

harleybee:



Hi,
Same issue with me for my dad
I raised a ticket to write about the issue from the new profile. I then had a chat with one of their ?agent/staff also from the new website a day later. I was told it would be resolved later that day which was now 48hrs after a I raised the ticket. I checked today and saw they had resolved it but told me to wait for another 48hrs to get an email about my new profile.
You do not need to pay another fee. I was told my previous fee is still valid and should be able to proceed with appointment booking after 48hrs. This is likely going to be till Monday then.

So you should raise a ticket and let them know your issue.
Hope this helps

Thank you so much!

Browser123:

OIS is at 14 Idowu Taylor street VI
Some form of ID (I used my nin) printed a copy
That's all you'll need I think

Hi.

I feel you as we happen to be in the same boat. I submitted mine since July and it is still on Application received. The last update was in August. I also have a trip scheduled and I'm still praying that the whole situation turns around for the best. Let's hang in there and hopefully, we shall obtain some great news soon!

Mongodbjs:
My IW Dropbox was 14th August 2024. I have an official trip to Europe with flight already booked for 14th September 2024. Till now it’s Application received. Application received 15th, 21st and now 27th August the latest until now that I’m typing this . I’ve been discouraged seeing some folks say theirs have taken more than 1 month , some even nearly 2 months . What are the chances I get my passport before 14th September . At this point if they can just return my passport with or without the visa I’ll be the happiest man alive . I’m freaking out so much mehn . I wish I didn’t submit this IW thing this time . I had no idea is now so messed up . The last time I did it in 2022 it took like 1 week . I pray for a miracle mehnnnnn

Pls who knows the new location for dropbox in lagos

Thank you so much for this. I dropped my passport on the 10th of July, and have got no email, the ceac website keeps telling me it has no info. I tried the new website, opened a ticket, got an auto response to wait for 48hours same as others. I tried to book a pickup appointment last week, it did not work. After seeing your post now, I tried again and got an appointment to pick up for $0. Pickup location is Idowu Taylor. I still do not know for sure that it is there, but I will go. Thank you. Your post encouraged me to try it again.

Browser123:
I asked last week if anyone has received a pickup email and no one has shared their experience so I'm sharing mine as I got our passports today.
We were scheduled to leave for the US last Friday but I had to move our flights because we did not have our passports. I'm on a work visa so I have return tickets to the US.
The new site says to wait 48 hours but no one seems to know anything. If it's 48 hours from August 26th, we are way past that and no email still. I understand a system change can be disruptive but this was done very badly.
So today I created an account on the OIS website and set up an appointment to pickup our passports, it let me do so @ $0 and my pickup location was dhl muri okunola which was the delivery location I chose when I set up the interview waiver appointment. I went there and they said they do not have the passports so I should go to OIS. We got to OIS and there was a lot of people waiting to pickup their passports. The common theme seems to be that no one received pickup emails, they just showed up like I did. DHL has been taking passports to OIS so if you can track your passport on the CEAC website and it's been issued for a while and you are on a time crunch, go to OIS. Be prepared to wait a bit, there were lists of names and passport numbers that they were going to check first then they either tell you they don't have it and to come back or they have it. In my case they had our passports and I paid #48k per passport to receive them. Good luck to everyone.

djbaju:
Good morning house, please I need some advice, firstly I have an interview date for next week 11th, I don't know if the embassy observes a holiday been a special date Sep 11th, Secondly, I just updated my DS 160 now cos my uncle that invited me just dropped his contact details to enable me fill the form, I hope it will be updated from their end since the old portal is not accessible again, I have added my application ID before the portal was closed. Lastly, I was refused in 2017, I can remember the month, I have the refusal letter but I cant find it at the moment, I am hoping to quote my application ID, but since I cant find it, can I just type in the box I was refused 2017, hoping that it will be sufficient?

Your advise will be very much appreciated.

Were you able to update the new ds160 number on the new website, if yes, how did you navigate it on the new website

I have gotten my confirmation email and logged in to the new site. Is there any other thing I need to do?

Hello All,

Please come to my Aid, I paid an travel company for date since March 2024, till now she has not gotten me a date,

I have filled my DS160 form and now she is claiming that I am meant to receive an email from the embassey and till then I cannot do anything if not I will forfit the visa feee I paid in GTBank is it true? Because I was able to create an account on AVIS and I was about putting in my DS160 detials but I thought I should seek guidance.

Should go ahead and apply for a date? because the essence of this new site is to elminate agents selling slots.

Please assist me. Has anyone even gotten date and which date was it also I am in Lagos ? Please treat as high priority .

Blackfinegirl:
Pls who knows the new location for dropbox in lagos

Pls someone should answer me

Dear, what she said is the fact. You have to wait for them to send you an email if you go ahead to create an account on the new website, be ready to pay a new MRV before you can proceed.

if not, wait for them to send you an email. This is applicable for all users that have paid their MRV on the old platform.

i stand to be corrected

dexydidi:
Hello All,

Please come to my Aid, I paid an travel company for date since March 2024, till now she has not gotten me a date,

I have filled my DS160 form and now she is claiming that I am meant to receive an email from the embassey and till then I cannot do anything if not I will forfit the visa feee I paid in GTBank is it true? Because I was able to create an account on AVIS and I was about putting in my DS160 detials but I thought I should seek guidance.

Should go ahead and apply for a date? because the essence of this new site is to elminate agents selling slots.

Please assist me. Has anyone even gotten date and which date was it also I am in Lagos ? Please treat as high priority .

I paid to GTBank, I filled the form myself on the DS120 and for the interview website I created details and sent her my my deets and 6 months later she has not gotten a date.

Please I will like to hear other people opinion on this, because there is no where on the US consulate site mentioning that one would forfit their payment if they created a page on the new site

dexydidi:
Hello All,

Please come to my Aid, I paid an travel company for date since March 2024, till now she has not gotten me a date,

I have filled my DS160 form and now she is claiming that I am meant to receive an email from the embassey and till then I cannot do anything if not I will forfit the visa feee I paid in GTBank is it true? Because I was able to create an account on AVIS and I was about putting in my DS160 detials but I thought I should seek guidance.

Should go ahead and apply for a date? because the essence of this new site is to elminate agents selling slots.

Please assist me. Has anyone even gotten date and which date was it also I am in Lagos ? Please treat as high priority .

🤠

1. I was believing your story until you typed , " because the essence of this new site is to eliminate agents selling slots. Can you pls give us the link where you quoted that from ?

2. And your first paragraph says " I paid an travel company for date since March 2024. Are you not trolling and contradicting yourself?

PS: If you are not trolling , don't encourage selling of dates yourself. Your agent was right. You have to wait for the introduction email from the embassy first.

🙏

dexydidi:
I paid to GTBank, I filled the form myself on the DS120 and for the interview website I created details and sent her my my deets and 6 months later she has not gotten a date.

Please I will like to hear other people opinion on this, because there is no where on the US consulate site mentioning that one would forfit their payment if they created a page on the new site

🤠

1. It's DS -160 not DS-120. She could not get you a date and i don't think she can because 6- months is much if she really has a magic to offer. Although, she might have tried her best by using the reschedule option, or failed emergency request but that is now past story.

2. For the new website, you do not have to create any profile until you receive the introduction email from the embassy, so she is right. If you go ahead to create another profile on the new website , you won't be able to move further except you are ready to pay another MRV (visa fee), and by creating a new profile means , you now have a double profile with the USA embassy. In all, your old appointment and VISA fee payment is intact. She just lied to you in order to discourage you from opening another profile , which is the best idea she can use.

PS: Wait for the introduction email from the embassy. It applies to everyone. It's an idea from the embassy to make all VISA applicants wait for their turn.

🙏

OyoTunjiUSA:


🤠

1. It's DS -160 not DS-120. She could not get you a date and i don't think she can because 6- months is much if she really has a magic to offer. Although, she might have tried her best by using the reschedule option, or failed emergency request but that is now past story.

2. For the new website, you do not have to create any profile until you receive the introduction email from the embassy, so she is right. If you go ahead to create another profile on the new website , you won't be able to move further except you are ready to pay another MRV (visa fee), and by creating a new profile means , you now have a double profile with the USA embassy. In all, your old appointment and VISA fee payment is intact. She just lied to you in order to discourage you from opening another profile , which is the best idea she can use.

PS: Wait for the introduction email from the embassy. It applies to everyone. It's an idea from the embassy to make all VISA applicants wait for their turn.

🙏

I'm in a similar scenario and recieved the email to book an appointment for IWA. I made a payment to GTB as well. Now I can't even log into the https://cgifederal.secure.force.com anymore. Not sure what's happening on the site. I hope those that paid to GTB are not going to forfiet all their money.

kode12:


I'm in a similar scenario and recieved the email to book an appointment for IWA. I made a payment to GTB as well. Now I can't even log into the https://cgifederal.secure.force.com anymore. Not sure what's happening on the site. I hope those that paid to GTB are not going to forfiet all their money.

🤠

1. If you have received the email for appointment booking during this new update era, then that website you quoted is wrong. There should be a link for you to navigate the new website in the email. If the email was sent to you before the update , that email cannot work again.

2. For IW applicants, the USA embassy says : Qualification for interview waivers is assessed by the responses provided to questions during the appointment scheduling process. At the end of the process, qualified applicants will receive an Interview Waiver Confirmation letter with detailed information on how to submit the application documents.

3. Based on the above, may be you should go to the new website and sign up, then answer the IW questionnaire Or raise a ticket in the new portal to chat with the staff-helpline for guidelines.

🙏

djbaju:
Good morning house, please I need some advice, firstly I have an interview date for next week 11th, I don't know if the embassy observes a holiday been a special date Sep 11th, Secondly, I just updated my DS 160 now cos my uncle that invited me just dropped his contact details to enable me fill the form, I hope it will be updated from their end since the old portal is not accessible again, I have added my application ID before the portal was closed. Lastly, I was refused in 2017, I can remember the month, I have the refusal letter but I cant find it at the moment, I am hoping to quote my application ID, but since I cant find it, can I just type in the box I was refused 2017, hoping that it will be sufficient?

Your advise will be very much appreciated.

🤠

This is a mixed up/confusing question

1. Well, go ahead and fill another DS-160 and update it in the new website. The USA embassy will not do the update for you, and as you update it, you must also print another visa appointment letter to tally.

2. If the embassy would be going on holiday they will update all VISA applicants affected on that day (via email) , and ask you to print another appointment letter.

3. On DS-160, a section asked " have you been refused visa before , tick yes and give the brief explanation or on which section are you trying to input your 2017 visa refusal ?

🙏

petershola:
Good afternoon everyone.
A quick question. Please, Has anyone been able to book an appointment successfully on this new website. Because my “preapproval request is still processing” since 27th August.

I have been trying as well. It shows available dates but when I try to select, it gives an error message.

Please what is the earliest date available?

Shamaaa:


I have been trying as well. It shows available dates but when I try to select, it gives an error message.

Jtom301:



i am in the same boat since august 27. i opened a support ticket but no response yet. Also could it be because a friend helped in paying the fees?

I don’t think it has to do with who paid the fees. I once used a friend’s card on UK visa appt website and no hassle whatsoever. I’m thinking it’s all messed up from their end.

Co-ask.

naivasha:
Please what is the earliest date available?

From what I gathered, the earliest interview date is February 2026.