tunlaji:
I failed to renew my visiting visa during the drop box era, so i had to schedule an appointment to be interviewed. While I was waiting in-line for my turn, I couldn't help but over hear the visa officers asking applicants [b]why they had over-stayed a previous visit [/b]and immediately refuse to renew their visa despite coming back to Nigeria after 2 to 5 months. Reality struck when it got to my turn and I was asked the same question after staying 3 months.
Please I will like to know if anybody has experienced this too and scaled through despite staying longer than you applied for. Thank you

The VO used a very specific term... "overstayed". This implies that the tourist violated one or even both of two timeframes that are in play. First, when you apply for the visa, you state how long you want to stay along with the purpose of your trip. You may tell the VO you intend to stay for two weeks. Second, they may stamp you in for 6 months at the POE. In this situation, if you stay for 4 months, you have technically violated the first timeframe you told the VO. One key thing you need to realize is that these are two different authorities in their own rights. The officer at POE (USCIS/Homeland security) has the discretion to refuse you entry after the VO (State department) has granted you a Visa. The VO can revoke your visa at any time even after you have been granted entry at POE. The VO's decision cannot be reviewed, its final. The POE officers decision can be overturned, but I won't get into that process now.
Another thing to watch out for is that you can indirectly violate the terms of your tourist visa even if you return back to your home country each time. For example, if you are consistently spending a large percentage of time in the USA/overseas over the duration of your visa, the VO may construe this to mean that you are attempting to live in the US with a tourist visa. It could also be construed to mean that your ties to your home country are not really that strong. I ask this in good faith, but how can an individual spend 5 months on vacation in a foreign country and claim to have a job (or business), a wife and children back home? A typical vacation in the western world is 2 weeks at best. Even a month would be stretching it. There are also frequent travelers that shuttle between the US, Europe or Asia and back to Nigeria. They do not violate the individual terms of their visas, but when viewed in totality, they are spending an inordinate amount of time away from their home/"strong ties" thereby weakening that argument.

seyewest:


Please can you share your transcript, we will like to learn from you. Thank you.

It happened so fast, from what I remember:

VO: Where are you going to?
Me: I'm going to New Jersey, I will be staying in a hotel there but New York is where I'm visiting mostly
VO: Why do you want to travel there?
Me: it's my annual leave so I want to travel for my vacation
VO: How long will you be staying?
Me: I will be staying for 2 weeks
(At this point he runs the questions so fast, he doesn't allow me to finish my explanations)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a registered civil engineer
VO: Are u married?
Me: no I'm not married yet
VO: Do u have any children?
Me: no I don't have yet
VO: Have u been to the US before?
Me: yes I have, I was there on vacation
VO: Why did you stay from June till August?
Me: my plans changed so I had to stay longer
VO: so what we're you doing for 3 months?
VO: if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent
VO: you don't qualify for a visa, try again next time etc.
Me: I shook my head in disgust & left

SangoOlukosoOba:

That's just an excuse to reject you.

A friend with 4 US Visa was also rejected cos he visited and stayed for a month. Told me he was asked why he stayed for a month despite having 6 months stamped on his passport.

Even if you stayed for 1 week, they will find another excuse to take you down.

Embassy just using excuses to knock people off.

True! That's why I want to re-appeal but I need as much information as possible to prepare myself cuz I wasn't expecting that question about why I stayed longer after all we are given 6 months max at the point of entry.

tunlaji:


It happened so fast, from what I remember:

VO: Where are you going to?
Me: I'm going to New Jersey, I will be staying in a hotel there but New York is where I'm visiting mostly
VO: Why do you want to travel there?
Me: it's my annual leave so I want to travel for my vacation
VO: How long will you be staying?
Me: I will be staying for 2 weeks
(At this point he runs the questions so fast, he doesn't allow me to finish my explanations)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a registered civil engineer
VO: Are u married?
Me: no I'm not married yet
VO: Do u have any children?
Me: no I don't have yet
VO: Have u been to the US before?
Me: yes I have, I was there on vacation
VO: Why did you stay from June till August?
Me: my plans changed so I had to stay longer
VO: so what we're you doing for 3 months?
VO: if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent
VO: you don't qualify for a visa, try again next time etc.
Me: I shook my head in disgust & left

And you're wondering why you were denied US visa this time around

Beautyaddy:



And you're wondering why you were denied US visa this time around

My thoughts exactly. How does a short term (2 weeks?) vacation in a hotel turn into a 3 month stay? I'd like to hear the reason you gave to make the VO tell you to your face that you're a liar!

tunlaji:


VO: Where are you going?

Me: I'm going to New Jersey,
I will be staying in a hotel there
but New York is where I'm visiting mostly

VO asked one question, you replied with three (3) answers.

Tourist that already has plans to be transiting two states during vacation like a local is not a tourist.

As per your overstay, it has already been answered.

tunlaji:


It happened so fast, from what I remember:

VO: Where are you going to?
Me: I'm going to New Jersey, I will be staying in a hotel there but New York is where I'm visiting mostly
VO: Why do you want to travel there?
Me: it's my annual leave so I want to travel for my vacation
VO: How long will you be staying?
Me: I will be staying for 2 weeks
(At this point he runs the questions so fast, he doesn't allow me to finish my explanations)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a registered civil engineer
VO: Are u married?
Me: no I'm not married yet
VO: Do u have any children?
Me: no I don't have yet
VO: Have u been to the US before?
Me: yes I have, I was there on vacation
VO: Why did you stay from June till August?
Me: my plans changed so I had to stay longer
VO: so what we're you doing for 3 months?
VO: if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent
VO: you don't qualify for a visa, try again next time etc.
Me: I shook my head in disgust & left

Application was decided before you even got there! And why were u disgusted? CBP’s rule is different from the VO’s! Just because you were stamped in for 6 months doesn’t mean you use the whole thing,you’re to use the number of days you filled & mentioned to the VO’s when you got your visa issued...if you want a renewal!

By the way,i hate to be the bearer of bad news,but this vo seems pissed! Probably wrote a bad review on your profile that might work against your next application! So prepare a very convincing story against your next interview!

SmartKitty1:

LOL! No need to do it in person, machines do it. How do you think so many Nigerian scammers are arrested in US or recently leaving US? The difference is only in who was sent to jail (even found and brought to American Justice from another country, even from Nigeria and confiscated their properties) and the small scammers just left under observation until it is worth it to jail them and get all their money. It's all about money, follow the money.
And of course if you stay 1-5 months in US and not working, then no more visa for you. Go to be a fake tourist somewhere else.

Stop talking!

tunlaji:


It happened so fast, from what I remember:

VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a registered civil engineer
VO: Are u married?
:Me: no I'm not married yet
VO: Do u have any children?
Me: no I don't have yet
VO: Have u been to the US before?
Me: yes I have, I was there on vacation
VO: Why did you stay from June till August?
Me: my plans changed so I had to stay longer
VO: so what we're you doing for 3 months?
VO: if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent
VO: you don't qualify for a visa, try again next time etc.
Me: I shook my head in disgust & left

@the bolded; how were you gonna get past that? What was your response to the question posed? Your plans changed? Well, let's hear what changed, it might make sense, I'm not writing this off yet.

tunlaji:


True! That's why I want to re-appeal but I need as much information as possible to prepare myself cuz I wasn't expecting that question about why I stayed longer after all we are given 6 months max at the point of entry.

@both bolded; really?

Okay, why did your plans change? I'm actually surprised to hear you weren't expecting that question per your staying longer sha.

To be honest, I saw somebody in Las Vegas that said he has done four months in the US of the six granted him, he said he'd be home for Easter after spending 5 months plus, and would use the opportunity to renew his visa, VERY FUNNY . I asked him the tangible thing he has going on for him in Nigeria, he couldn't come up with any. After an attempt at scolding him, I pitied him and laid it all bare to him, his next decisions are up to him, but I know he can't go back to the US once he steps out of there.

OmoBendel24:


Great guy, that's my man.

To be honest, NL is the last place I normally would want to discuss politics, and this thread shouldn't even be the place at all. The challenge is that I can't just stand and be mute where the product Buhari is being promoted unnecessarily or worst still being exonerated!

This paragraph was supposed to be for me to say "I'm sorry" to you, it's not flowing, because the difference we have has to do with Buhari, the man who promised heaven but delivered hell, the one who finally run Nigeria and Nigerians aground with emptiness, primordial sentiment, ethnic chauvinism, nepotism, etc. See what securing visa has become of us as a nation worldwide these past few years, it was never and has never been this bad! Insecurity at its peak .... Now, I'm getting overly emotional.

See desperation and hunger everywhere my brother. Do you know we will all have a feel of its effect? Seye, my big Odugwu Thermocool generator was stolen and sold off for peanut by a former banker and one miscreant in my hood, if you see the CCTV footage and the suffer the guys went through to get it over the fence, you'd weep. Couldn't help letting them go because of his young family. I visited 5 different states in the US on this my last trip, one thing was common amongst our people there, the pressure from home has increased astronomically, a lot have resorted to move from avoiding calls from Naija to blocking friends and relatives on the various communication platforms just to keep their sanity. It's that bad!

"At this stage I will desist from any political chit chat on this forum and focus solely on why this forum was created, to assist and provide an enabling environment for applicant interested in applying for U.S Non-Immigrant visa with the intention of returning to Nigeria after getting the visa and visiting U.S." I just quoted you now, that sums it for me. I'm following you, you are a dear friend I met on here and cherish much, I'm really sorry if I got on your wrong side, pretty sorry, sincere apologies. MAY NIGERIA BE GREAT!

Good one

tunlaji:


True! That's why I want to re-appeal but I need as much information as possible to prepare myself cuz I wasn't expecting that question about why I stayed longer after all we are given 6 months max at the point of entry.

Bros, make I no lie you. Forget the US. Dat your transcript talk am finish. If you wan go holiday, find another country. If you wan dash dem money, apply again. Before u apply go US again, try small, marry, get pikin, travel go other countries, and think well how u go explain dem dem changes in dat last visit.

When you reached the US Border, can you remember them asking you how long you were going to stay? Did you tell them 3 months?

Mancala:


My thoughts exactly. How does a short term (2 weeks?) vacation in a hotel turn into a 3 month stay? I'd like to hear the reason you gave to make the VO tell you to your face that you're a liar!

He really just needs to give the US a break for now so that his desperate attempts don't end him with a ban.

tunlaji:


True! That's why I want to re-appeal but I need as much information as possible to prepare myself cuz I wasn't expecting that question about why I stayed longer after all we are given 6 months max at the point of entry.

Bros, there is no appeal. The decision is final. You can only make a fresh application, but before you do so, make sure you address the perceived deficiencies in your profile. I am pointing out that there is no appeal because you will naturally try to rehash the last interview but that will be to your detriment. Treat the next one as a fresh/new start. Only answer what you are asked and answer directly, no stories.

tunlaji:


It happened so fast, from what I remember:

VO: Where are you going to?
Me: I'm going to New Jersey, I will be staying in a hotel there but New York is where I'm visiting mostly
VO: Why do you want to travel there?
Me: it's my annual leave so I want to travel for my vacation
VO: How long will you be
VO: Why did you stay from June till August?
Me: my plans changed so I had to stay longer
VO: so what we're you doing for 3 months?
VO: if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent
VO: you don't qualify for a visa, try again next time etc.
Me: I shook my head in disgust & left

You took a 3 month vacation from work. Are you sure you didn’t tell them 2 weeks then when you applied? You obviously breached your visa terms and are clearly a flight risk. It’s already difficult for fresh applicants with your profile to get approved not to add a clear overstayer. Pray the VO has not noted anything on your file

tunlaji:


It happened so fast, from what I remember:

VO: Where are you going to?
Me: I'm going to New Jersey, I will be staying in a hotel there but New York is where I'm visiting mostly
VO: Why do you want to travel there?
Me: it's my annual leave so I want to travel for my vacation
VO: How long will you be staying?
Me: I will be staying for 2 weeks
(At this point he runs the questions so fast, he doesn't allow me to finish my explanations)
VO: What do you do?
Me: I'm a registered civil engineer
VO: Are u married?
Me: no I'm not married yet
VO: Do u have any children?
Me: no I don't have yet
VO: Have u been to the US before?
Me: yes I have, I was there on vacation
VO: Why did you stay from June till August?
Me: my plans changed so I had to stay longer
VO: so what we're you doing for 3 months?
VO: if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent
VO: you don't qualify for a visa, try again next time etc.
Me: I shook my head in disgust & left

In my opinion; U really deserve it

Mancala:


The VO used a very specific term... "overstayed". This implies that the tourist violated one or even both of two timeframes that are in play. First, when you apply for the visa, you state how long you want to stay along with the purpose of your trip. You may tell the VO you intend to stay for two weeks. Second, they may stamp you in for 6 months at the POE. In this situation, if you stay for 4 months, you have technically violated the first timeframe you told the VO. One key thing you need to realize is that these are two different authorities in their own rights. The officer at POE (USCIS/Homeland security) has the discretion to refuse you entry after the VO (State department) has granted you a Visa. The VO can revoke your visa at any time even after you have been granted entry at POE. The VO's decision cannot be reviewed, its final. The POE officers decision can be overturned, but I won't get into that process now.
Another thing to watch out for is that you can indirectly violate the terms of your tourist visa even if you return back to your home country each time. For example, if you are consistently spending a large percentage of time in the USA/overseas over the duration of your visa, the VO may construe this to mean that you are attempting to live in the US with a tourist visa. It could also be construed to mean that your ties to your home country are not really that strong. I ask this in good faith, but how can an individual spend 5 months on vacation in a foreign country and claim to have a job (or business), a wife and children back home? A typical vacation in the western world is 2 weeks at best. Even a month would be stretching it. There are also frequent travelers that shuttle between the US, Europe or Asia and back to Nigeria. They do not violate the individual terms of their visas, but when viewed in totality, they are spending an inordinate amount of time away from their home/"strong ties" thereby weakening that argument.

Thanks for the reply. The first time I went for the visa interview I was refused and after 4 weeks I applied again with same info and got the visa. I was neither married or with kids, I went on vacation but my travel plans changed, I will give the reasons why.

The ticket I bought from an agent ended up being one-way even though I paid for a return ticket, he got the date I was traveling on the ticket but never fixed the date I was returning even though I reminded him severally before we both parted at the airport (don't ask me how that is possible) , so when it was time for me to return, I realised there was no history of a return ticket, the agent promised to rectify the issue week after week until it became evident I had to buy another ticket. That's just one reason why, I don't want to share the other for personal reasons.

I'm convinced the refusal was on the grounds of the travel ban, just to make it more tough for Nigerian's to travel there and nothing more cuz the VO was very mean to everyone he attended too, if I knew I would have just switched queue

Mancala:


My thoughts exactly. How does a short term (2 weeks?) vacation in a hotel turn into a 3 month stay? I'd like to hear the reason you gave to make the VO tell you to your face that you're a liar!

Well travel plans change cuz anything can happen. He never gave me a chance to explain what happened except ask me questions and cut me short while I'm giving an explanation. Thank you

Beautyaddy:



And you're wondering why you were denied US visa this time around

Lol. Please tell me why?

Mancala:


My thoughts exactly. How does a short term (2 weeks?) vacation in a hotel turn into a 3 month stay? I'd like to hear the reason you gave to make the VO tell you to your face that you're a liar!

That's the thing he didn't give me a chance to explain, except cut me short each time I was giving an explanation, it was obvious his mind was made up not to give anyone that day cuz he didn't up until when I left, I was almost tempted to change queue .
As per why I stayed that long, travel plans can change for any reason, I've given a reason in my reply to other peeps here.

Spanishmilf:
In my opinion; U really deserve it

Lol. Give me reasons why?

bigbus:

Bros, make I no lie you. Forget the US. Dat your transcript talk am finish. If you wan go holiday, find another country. If you wan dash dem money, apply again. Before u apply go US again, try small, marry, get pikin, travel go other countries, and think well how u go explain dem dem changes in dat last visit.

When you reached the US Border, can you remember them asking you how long you were going to stay? Did you tell them 3 months?

Nope I didn't tell them 3 months cuz things happen and your travel plans can change for any reason. Thank you

tunlaji:


Thanks for the reply. The first time I went for the visa interview I was refused and after 4 weeks I applied again with same info and got the visa. I was neither married or with kids, I went on vacation but my travel plans changed, I will give the reasons why.

The ticket I bought from an agent ended up being one-way even though I paid for a return ticket, he got the date I was traveling on the ticket but never fixed the date I was returning even though I reminded him severally before we both parted at the airport (don't ask me how that is possible) , so when it was time for me to return, I realised there was no history of a return ticket, the agent promised to rectify the issue week after week until it became evident I had to buy another ticket. That's just one reason why, I don't want to share the other for personal reasons.

I'm convinced the refusal was on the grounds of the travel ban, just to make it more tough for Nigerian's to travel there and nothing more cuz the VO was very mean to everyone he attended too, if I knew I would have just switched queue

"The ticket I bought from an agent ended up being one-way even though I paid for a return ticket, he got the date I was traveling on the ticket but never fixed the date I was returning even though I reminded him severally before we both parted at the airport (don't ask me how that is possible) , so when it was time for me to return, I realised there was no history of a return ticket, the agent promised to rectify the issue week after week until it became evident I had to buy another ticket. That's just one reason why, I don't want to share the other for personal reasons."


Chai Chai Chai, you fall our hand o! We have a reputation for telling fantastic well thought out lies at the embassy, so this is very disappointing. You supposed to consult our honorable Minister of Lies, Mr. Liar Mohammed for a better story Is this what you told the VO? It is now clear why he said "if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent"
But forget my jokes above. I am not saying you are telling lies (I was not there when it happened and it is not my place to say so), but even though your explanation is possible (anything is possible), it is extremely improbable, implausible and not believable at all. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a short term tourist on a b1/b2 visa to travel on a one way ticket without some extenuating circumstance. Even if your long juju works at the Nigerian end, what about at POE? Juju no dey go transfer o!

Mancala:


"The ticket I bought from an agent ended up being one-way even though I paid for a return ticket, he got the date I was traveling on the ticket but never fixed the date I was returning even though I reminded him severally before we both parted at the airport (don't ask me how that is possible) , so when it was time for me to return, I realised there was no history of a return ticket, the agent promised to rectify the issue week after week until it became evident I had to buy another ticket. That's just one reason why, I don't want to share the other for personal reasons."


Chai Chai Chai, you fall our hand o! We have a reputation for telling fantastic well thought out lies at the embassy, so this is very disappointing. You supposed to consult our honorable Minister of Lies, Mr. Liar Mohammed for a better story Is this what you told the VO? It is now clear why he said "if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent"
But forget my jokes above. I am not saying you are telling lies (I was not there when it happened and it is not my place to say so), but even though your explanation is possible (anything is possible), it is extremely improbable, implausible and not believable at all. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a short term tourist on a b1/b2 visa to travel on a one way ticket without some extenuating circumstance. Even if your long juju works at the Nigerian end, what about at POE? Juju no dey go transfer o!

Lol. Well I didn't tell the VO that moreover he didn't give me the chance to explain and about the ticket I don't expect you to believe me, you need to experience stuff to believe too.

tunlaji:


Lol. Well I didn't tell the VO that moreover he didn't give me the chance to explain and about the ticket I don't expect you to believe me, you need to experience stuff to believe too.

If that is not what you told the VO, my question still stands. What did you say that brought about this response?

VO: so what we're you doing for 3 months?
VO: if you're gonna lie think of something more intelligent

About the ticket story, do you realize how many obstacles you would need to overcome to travel in that setting? Multiple Airline processes, US advance immigration checks even before you fly, Nigerian immigration and their thousand checks (they for don obtain you taya), POE........ Are you saying nobody questioned you about this?

tunlaji:


Thanks for the reply. The first time I went for the visa interview I was refused and after 4 weeks I applied again with same info and got the visa. I was neither married or with kids, I went on vacation but my travel plans changed, I will give the reasons why.

The ticket I bought from an agent ended up being one-way even though I paid for a return ticket, he got the date I was traveling on the ticket but never fixed the date I was returning even though I reminded him severally before we both parted at the airport (don't ask me how that is possible) , so when it was time for me to return, I realised there was no history of a return ticket, the agent promised to rectify the issue week after week until it became evident I had to buy another ticket. That's just one reason why, I don't want to share the other for personal reasons.

I'm convinced the refusal was on the grounds of the travel ban, just to make it more tough for Nigerian's to travel there and nothing more cuz the VO was very mean to everyone he attended too, if I knew I would have just switched queue

@The bolded must be asked sir; to be blunt, it adds up not! The refusal still would have been surer than sure even without the ongoing stringency at the Embassy and the travel ban stuff.

You didn't say all these to the VO, right? If this however is the most intelligent response you/you'd came/come up with, better just kiss US bye till further further (repeated deliberately) notice. No clearcut return ticket and you passed various checks and the CBP too, right? Possible though, but there's a level of "bamness" and understanding you attain to try that. But we hear you oh! I believe you are just putting this on an agent's head, you are being very economical with the truth please. Regards

tunlaji:


Thanks for the reply. The first time I went for the visa interview I was refused and after 4 weeks I applied again with same info and got the visa. I was neither married or with kids, I went on vacation but my travel plans changed, I will give the reasons why.

The ticket I bought from an agent ended up being one-way even though I paid for a return ticket, he got the date I was traveling on the ticket but never fixed the date I was returning even though I reminded him severally before we both parted at the airport (don't ask me how that is possible) , so when it was time for me to return, I realised there was no history of a return ticket, the agent promised to rectify the issue week after week until it became evident I had to buy another ticket. That's just one reason why, I don't want to share the other for personal reasons.

I'm convinced the refusal was on the grounds of the travel ban, just to make it more tough for Nigerian's to travel there and nothing more cuz the VO was very mean to everyone he attended too, if I knew I would have just switched queue

Liar.

tunlaji:


Lol. Well I didn't tell the VO that moreover he didn't give me the chance to explain and about the ticket I don't expect you to believe me, you need to experience stuff to believe too.

Thank your Mother who is obviously praying for you.
Your agent is probably using stolen cards to buy tickets. The card owner found out and the return leg was cancelled.
The embassy could have detained and handed you over to PoliceNG along the Invictus Obi angle.
A reason why US Govt is hard on Nigerians today is online and card fraud.

tunlaji:
I failed to renew my visiting visa during the drop box era, so i had to schedule an appointment to be interviewed. While I was waiting in-line for my turn, I couldn't help but over hear the visa officers asking applicants why they had over-stayed a previous visit and immediately refuse to renew their visa despite coming back to Nigeria after 2 to 5 months. Reality struck when it got to my turn and I was asked the same question after staying 3 months.
Please I will like to know if anybody has experienced this too and scaled through despite staying longer than you applied for. Thank you

Even if you had tried the renewal during the drop box, you would have been asked to come for an interview.

Please note that all these comments are not to smear you or for character assassination, but the manner in which you used previous visas is a reason a lot more Nigerian aren't being issued visas today...
This is what this thread tries to uphold, and some comments here seem confrontational.

You can fix your US Visa history, but it will take a lot of doing, staying away time, gathering ties properly and being able to show the next VO you circumstances has really changed from this 2020 interview.

But there is a lot you have bungled. You have to forget US for the next 4 years

fkj950ax:


Even if you had tried the renewal during the drop box, you would have been asked to come for an interview.

Please note that all these comments are not to smear you or for character assassination, but the manner in which you used previous visas is a reason a lot more Nigerian aren't being issued visas today...
This is what this thread tries to uphold, and some comments here seem confrontational.

You can fix your US Visa history, but it will take a lot of doing, staying away time, gathering ties properly and being able to show the next VO you circumstances has really changed from this 2020 interview.

But there is a lot you have bungled. You have to forget US for the next 4 years

Lol. That's just your opinion & I don't believe anyone would be called for interview in the drop box era for renewal.
Most peeps here are too sentimental