I liked the question about the dog too!! There are good natured people out there.

I have a question Visa Officer, if someone plans to attend a paid conference in the US, can they stay with family or friends during the duration?

Or can staying in a friend or family's house spoil chances of getting a visa? Thank you

When in December were you looking to travel? Was it more than 3 months from your application date?

SOTAJ: Hello guys. I really commend the way peoples' issues are resolved on ds forum.
My family went for a US visa interview today and we were refused visas for no particular reason.
Below is how the interview went.

VO: Hello
Me: Good Morning
VO: Where are you going in the US?
Me: Delaware
VO: Who are u visiting and for what?
Me: My sister-in-law on vacation
Mywife: My sister
VO: Who is paying for the trip?
Me: Me and My wife
VO: Have u travelled out before?
Me: Yes. Been to the UK a couple of times
VO: Have you travelled as a family before?
Me: Yes. 3 of us were in the UK for Easter in 2012 except my daughter who was not born as at the time.
VO: Starts to check thru our passports(Myself and My wife both have 5 years valid UK visas while my son has 2 years valid visa)
VO: What do u do?
Me: I am a banker
Mywife: I am a banker as well
VO: what is ur family monthly income
Me: Told her
VO: Do u intend to seek medical attention in d US?
Me: No
VO: How long will u be staying in the US?
Me: 3 weeks
Me: I was thinking at this point we are as good as getting our visas.
VO: How old are ur kids?
Me: My son is 2 years plus and my daughter is 2 months.
VO: When do u intend to visit?
Me: December
VO: Pauses for a while and starts to type for some minutes. Then handed over our passports to us saying we did not qualify for non immigrant visas.

I was annoyed and confused even though mysel and my wife have been refused visas to the US in 2011 (the officer said we didn't have ties then) when there was no kid, I didn't expect to get the kind of decision the VO gave us today.

I am somehow confused now and don't know where I got it wrong.
Could it be because of my baby's age and the fact that we intend to travel in December? Cos I noticed it was after the VO asked about my Kids' ages and our intended travel date that she started to type on her system.

I am thinking of rescheduling for another interview before the week runs out and probably pick April 2014(Easter period) as our travel date.Maybe my daughter would be seen as old enough by that time.

Gurus in the house, please I need your sincere advices and suggestions so that we don't get the same result even when we reapply.

Cheers and keep the good work moving.

Deolu_1993: Hey guys i just wanted to clarify somn. so basically the part of the vaf 9 personal detail form that asks you if you have travelled in the last 10yrs, what if you were given a 2yr visa and have travelled for holz in between, do you put the date( you were given the visa) and then 2yrs in the duration section or do you pute the individual dates of all the times you travlled in btw plus their duration. eg say you travel in december and for summer, do you make mention of these in the travel history. Btw does it make a diff if you make your visa app in abuja vs lagos. Thanks

No, I don't think you have to put the individual dates travelled on a visa. Since you for example have a 2 year visa eg a visiting one, you only need to provide the type of visa eg 2 year visiting visa, the reference number on it, issue and expiry dates - they will by themselves see the travel history from the stamps in and out. They also ask if you have travelled to any other country apart from the UK in the last 10 years.. If you have, then put country name, visa type, length, and reference number on it, issue and expiry dates. Just that simple.

But enough of this already. Give answers to people who have asked you questions.

Vicjustice:
You don't even know me, you're only reading my post in a free-for-all forum and you're already judging my personality?
Well, would it be wrong for one to consider you a very irresponsible someone from the way that you argue aggressively and call people names because they see things different from you?

I know your kind. Now you say I argued because I saw things differently. We're you not the one who began to argue aggressively because I saw things differently? You want your word to be last. Not like anyone must follow what I said, I only posted from experience, else I would have no business there.

Vicjustice:
If your story is true, it wouldn't have taken you so long to present it, but for the fact that you had made series of replies before giving your story to make a point, I'm of the opinion that you're just making it up to back up your claim: I find no credibility in your afterthought story

Oversabi. Did you not see the part where I said from personal experience in my beginning posts? Like you really have to validate what I say or do not say. You are so full of yourself.

justwise:

Give me one single reason why an adult will be able to sponsor another adult for holiday to the UK, just one.

There are many, and it would depend on the person's circumstances. I invited my adult brother to the UK last year before I left and all we hammered on was because we were close and I had insisted an sponsoring his visit because I wanted him to visit,especially since his job didn't pay well at the time. This was allowed. We just showed how close we and reasons he would return back.

justwise:

An adult can sponsor another adult for medical treatment but not for leisure trip to the UK, if you can't afford foreign holiday comfortably then don't bother going to BHC hoping that they accept the story that another adult is sponsoring you for holiday.

Depending on who is looking at it, and reasonable facts, an adult can have a sponsor. Having said that, that adult must of course give good reason for not being able to sponsor themselves/or why the sponsor has offered to. No flimsy stories will do. If there is a genuine reason and a sensible one at that, apart from medical reasons, it is definitely doable.

This is not to mislead people, I would totally recommend having the financial ability to sponsor one's own travel without having need for a sponsor, but if there is a reason they can't, they can have a sponsor.

justwise:

Lazy comment people make when they failed to come up with valuable argument. Why not counter his points rather than calling him names?

Like I stated earlier on, I have seen it happen personally ie an adult sponsoring an adult. But just like other viable options, it might not work all the time given the uncertainties of the ECO's. no lazy comment

Vicjustice:
I disagree with you on that "anyone can sponsor anyone" because, i know that there are very scanty circumstances in which it may be considerable for an adult tourist to be sponsored by another adult.

If a person is able to "prove (the tendency to) return by showing circumstantial ties and consistency" then why would he need a sponsor? I'm asking because, it is easier to raise fund for self-sponsorship than to prove home tie-something to return home for

Ok. I am not dragging positions with you. I have just seen it happen. And since you are mr know-it-all, I rest my case

Vicjustice:
O yeah, even your brother-in-law can sponsor you with his own life savings to travel to travel to the UK for your own vacation?

Is it strange that a brother inlaw can sponsor his relative by law? Just because it won't work for some people, as would many other comparable circumstances, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Anyone can sponsor anyone, especially a relative, and better when relationship with the sponsor and reason for sponsorship can be reasonably established.

reasons could be offered choice especially when the sponsor is financially capable, and is willing to sponsor. The onus on the applicant is usually to prove return by showing circumstantial ties and consistency.

justwise:

Sponsor an adult for holidays to the UK?

Yes, if there is a good. Reason . I

Dis Guy:

is she going with you?

Anybody can sponsor you as long as you can show relationship. And it's good to mention potential sponsors where they ask if you receive support from family just incase.

justwise:

Her application will be refused, its just waste of her money and time applying. Let her defer her admission to Jan or next Sept.

Or the OP can call and ask about the fast track service.. I do not know if it is used for study visas. Call the VFS office to make enquiries.. And just have everything ready including the online form... Wish you all the best.

Else, defer just for the sake of being settled and prepared for the next entry session.

Vicjustice:
To whom should he address the email?
Understand that when a visa is refused, it is refused, recorded and closed. The ECO (Entry Clearance Officer) does not have the power to reverse the decision, only the ECM (Entry Clearance Manager) can make reconsideration: but unfortunately, the kind of email that you suggested do not reach the managers, only the letters that are explicitly addressed to the managers are delivered to them. Yet unfortunately, due to the volume of letters and emails received on daily basis, these managers have many serious stuff to attend to than to waste their time over an issue of a failed visa applicant when there are people assigned to handle this sort of situation in administrative review

Like I earlier said, I would strongly advise that he emails, then calls. They will respond. He can address it for the attention of an ECM like you rightly mentioned, and ask for the ECO's refusal to be reviewed immediately. The OP has to strategically state the obvious and urgency.. And follow up with calls during their opening hours.. They will attend to him. He paid for a service..

OP, I hope you already wrote to them yesterday so they respond by the close of today or tomorrow. Write the email like you would a letter.. Your address, theirs, application and refusal references and of course, attach your CAS letter which shows complete payment. Attach the refusal notice (but highlight the part where the ECO said you haven't paid anything). You will be fine.

Check for the email addresses on:

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-high-commission-abuja

Wish you Godspeed..

Not easier said. Let him try. No harm in trying. This is not a regular refusal. He was refused for not having paid when he infact fully paid. Let him email and address this and follow up with calls. They will attend to him.

riteaide:

If you have indeed paid all your fees and the ECO refused your application by claiming you didn't pay anything, I would suggest that you immediately send them an email apart from the administrative review and bring their attention to it quickly. They cannot just be making decisions without properly checking through documents. Send an email to the embassy. Also call them and let know instead of dashing them another application fee.. This is just wrong

Request for an immediate review from an Entry Clearance Manager. Let the Administrative Review run concurrently, and I strongly suggest that you call and request to speak to someone higher up after sending an email. Since you met the requirements of the points based system as you claim, then you really have no business reapplying or even waiting for the long admin review process.

thekid123:

Thank you for your response, my school are saying that they won't re-issue a CAS if its the ECO's mistake. They are the ones who insisted on the admin review. I'm still lobying them to re-issue it though as I think re-applying would be faster aswell. Would my failure to re-submit documents from my original application affect my review? Thanks again

If you have indeed paid all your fees and the ECO refused your application by claiming you didn't pay anything, I would suggest that you immediately send them an email apart from the administrative review and bring their attention to it quickly. They cannot just be making decisions without properly checking through documents. Send an email to the embassy. Also call them and let know instead of dashing them another application fee.. This is just wrong

thekid123: Dear All,

I'm new to this forum and I would like some help please. I was recently refused for tier4 visa and I have submitted an administrative review form. I was refused as the ECO claimed I had not payed any of my course fees even though my CAS showed all course fees were paid. Furthermore the ECO quotes the wrong fee in the refusal leading me to believe he looked at the wrong CAS when making his decision.
Does anyone know how long the review decision takes. Also would I need to re-submit documents I already submitted with my original application (eg. Bank statement)? Please your answers would be most helpful as I submitted just the form without resubmitting evidence and I am now worried. Thanks in advance.

If you have indeed paid all your fees and the ECO refused your application by claiming you didn't pay anything, I would suggest that you immediately send them an email apart from the administrative review and bring their attention to it quickly. They cannot just be making decisions without properly checking through documents. Send an email to the embassy.

VisaOfficer:

My advice will always be to be completely honest. Yes, having a sibling who's in the U.S. kind of sort of illegally at the moment will be a mark against your brother in the interview; but it's better than not admitting it, and having the interviewing officer find out he's trying to hide it. Anyway, I imagine USCIS will make you an LPR in the near future, so soon your brother will be able to say "I have a sister who's a Legal Permanent Resident."

I do feel better about this now and will wait. Your response has better-positioned my thoughts. Thank you soooo much. Your words are kind and soothing. I wish all COs were like you!!!

I appreciate your advice. Have a great week.

Your reference should begin with Ikab or ikac. And your date of birth. Are these the information you are inputting?

pastor4real: @cori corde: Immigration doesn't stamp passport if u are traveling out of U.S & UK. They only stamp your passport if u are coming in to there country.

Pastor4real, if they don't stamp when people are traveling out, how then do they know who has remained? As it would make sense that after stamping in and creating a log, they stamp out to know if/when that person leaves.

Who knows? Them having a backlog and not enough staff explains it all.

Of course, you can add an extra sheet. Make reference to the additional sheet in the additional information box in the online form. Type the extra information and print on an A4 sheet. Heading can be: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Continuation).

You can end by adding your name and signature.

Dear Consular Officer,

I know this will result in some silent scolding but I will appreciate your input.

I am married to an LPR who's in process of filing for his US citizenship (except things have been unusually slow because of a backlog). My husband filed the I-130 after we got married last year (I already had a B2 visa before then). So I used to visit him for allowed limits of time then leave the country.. During one of these times that i was visiting, my husband invited my brother to visit us for 7 days, and in his DS-160, he mentioned a relative (brother in-law), his status. When asked if he had another relative, he stated yes, gave my name and status (NIV)... I have a feeling that was part of what resulted in his denial...

Now the slamdunk!!!

I've overstayed my I-94 limit (something really personal came up) although my visa is still valid (not like this is an excuse). Now, my other brother is looking to visit (he has ties as a student), but I don't know what we are going to do about me.

Can he only mention my husband as the relative he has? And omit me? Because now, I know it's not a good idea to mention a relative under the NIV status, talk less of one who is supposed to have left... this is going to be his first US visa application.

I should be hearing from USCIS soon on my case hopefully. But until then, can you advise on what to do?

I haven't seen him in a while and would really love to. At this point, I know it'd be hard to return if i left now, and until USCIS arrives at a decision and prompts me for follow up, I just might sit put. Something happened and held me back.

Please advise.

Best Regards.

Well, I heard that the British consulate in lagos is short-staffed and has backlogs. They didn't even work yesterday and turned everyone who had an appointment back home. Same today, until Monday.