QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, ADVICE AND INSIGHT ON U.S.A VISITING VISA

Questions and Answers on US visiting Visa

A lot of people are nursing the idea and desire to travel to a foreign land, any country of their choice, either to work, live or study, but doesn't know the way forward, the necessary documents to present or what to expect during the interview at the embassy.

We have compiled these interview questions and answers and visa processing tips, to guide you, through your US visa applicaction.

ENJOY..

Anonymous..

My interview was sheduled to hold at Lagos State, Nigeria, and I was called in by 10:00am.
This interview wasn't more than 2 minutes and I was honest through out the interview and gave valid information about myself and my purpose of traveling.

The VO didn't even ask all the questions I was expecting and imagined. I really prepared for the interview and went further to seek for more information and advice from experienced individuals for advice and guidance.

I learnt so much and above all, I prayed and believed. Even though I went with my burden of proof, it wasn't checked.
I was just lucky. 
I will try to be detailed, so this can help someone as it helped me.

Me - Good morning

Vo - Good morning, your passport please

Me - I  hurriedly passed it ove to him and he quickly scanned through the pages

Vo - Where are you going to?

Me - Houston Texas

Vo - what for?

Me - To have my baby

He continued typing, without any change in his expression.

VO - Are you in contact with any doctor?

Me - Yes

VO - Do you have any correspondence with the doctor with you?

Me- Yes
 ( I brought out the doctor's correspondence,my email and budget spreadsheet and passed it, I tried removing the spreadsheet, since he didn't ask me for it, but he said I should bring it too)

VO- how do you get to know about the doctor?

Me- A friend he delivered of twins, recommended him and I also went online to check the reviews about him, and I was okay with what I read. 
(He stopped typing and looked straight into my eyes, I looked back into his, didn't know he was that handsome 😀)
He checked d spreadsheet first, and scanned through the doctor's correspondence, re-arrangeded the
document, putting the doctor's correspondence in the fore front and typed again.

VO  - (stopped typing and looked at me) do you have any family in Houston

Me- No, (I maintain the eye contact, shaking my head at the same time)

VO - what do do you?

Me - I'm a lawyer

He started typing again

VO - Are you married?

Me - Yes with kids

VO - Your husband has a valid passport?

Me - Yes

Looked up from the computer finally, and packed doctor's the correspondence together, passing it to me

VO - Keep all this documents, you may need it at the point of entrance ( I started smilling)

VO - Your visa is approved, pick it up on Monday at -----------------

Me - thank you ( thinking how nice and handsome the young man looks).

It really pays to honest and truthful.

QUESTION

I applied for the US visiting visa last year from another country of residence where I'm studying and got rejected because of proof of social
ties.

My question now is she wants to apply
for a visiting visa again this December with
stronger evidence of social ties but also
wants to participate in the US visa lottery
program in October, does this affect her
chances of getting the visa in December?
I think the embassy usually have the results
before they are officially released.If at the
time of her B2 interview ,the embassy
discovers she has been selected for a Dv
visa,they might ask her not to bother about
the B2 visa and wait for the release of the
lottery results .

ANSWER
You were apparently planning to immigrate to the US and the consular wouldn't want to grant a NIV visa to someone who intends to immigrate to the US.

If you were selected in the lottery,there would be no need for a tourist visa again. In fact,one of the criteria for granting Tourist visa is that the applicant has to prove that he/she isn't going there as a permanent resident.

QUESTION
please I need guideline on how to obtain a US
visiting visa. I don't have anyone in the state though. I'm an undergraduate, microbiology 300l, but the major problem i think i will be facing is,the date of birth on my international passport, which is a student age, 1991,

I want to know the list of documents to submit at the embassy,my plan is to live there, work and study.
I need tips on how to get the visa.
Please i need a step by step guide and
genuine procedure for US visit visa application.
Thank God

ANSWER

First,what is the purpose of your trip to the
Us?
Since you do not have an acquintance in
the states,where do you intend to stay on
arrival in the states?
.These are the first questions you youneed to ask yourself and also find answer to.

If you are the sponsor,you will need:
Current proof of income tax payment,
Original bank statements,
Property ownership documents
If you are married,you may take the pictures of
your children along,
Proof that your leave has been approved and an invitation letter.

These documents may help you to prove your
family/economic ties.
Note,the VO may ask to see these documents or not.The VO will base his decision to grant you a visa on the authenticity of your answers.

As a visitor to the USA,you are not allowed to work or study except for some exemptions. To work in the Us,an employer has to petition for an H-1b visa for you.The max period of stay for this is six years. You may also apply for the Dv lottery if you are intent on migratin.
A visitors visa is a non-immigrant visa and strictly remains so.

Am a student in London and i applied for tourist visa to California which i have been refused in 2009, the officer in charge then told me that i am not qualified cause i haven't been in the UK for about 6 months and planning to trave,l that i should wait for a yr or so for me to re-apply 

then i applied 3 months ago and which is like 2 yr's after this time the Chinese American Officer told me that am not qualified, because this is not my country, because I don't have strong ties in UK..

The only ties i have in the UK was my University.

VO - Do you work full time or part time?

ME - My work is a part time job. Because student's are not allowed to work full time,

VO - Are you married?

ME - No

VO -  Do you own a House or Business in UK 

ME -  No, am here to study.

VO - What's your purpose of traveling to the US?

ME -  To Visit my Sister who is a US Citizen, she invited me and will also be paying for all
the expenses, it's also stated in the Letter of invitation she sent to me.

I answered all the questions he threw at me, but he didn't give me the visa. Any Advice on This ?

I am coming To Nigeria soon, for my Interview because i got I got an interview date and hope they wont turn me down, I also need help as well for Nigerian application.
I planned to take the same documents I used in the UK.  

Also include your id card and bank statements showing you can take care of the expenses.

you have been a bit unfortunate sha, because as a student, they are not supposed to reject your application because you can't leave your degree you have paid a lot of money for.

For your trip to Nigeria get a letter from your school to show UK immigration and try not to over stay, don't stay more than 2 weeks.
A friend who recently went to Nigeria was returned from heathrow because he returned after uni started even though it was due to his mum's illness
He was sent back and asked to complete his
dissertation from Lagos.
whatever you do make sure you have that letter from your university stating they are aware of your trip to Nigeria.

QUESTION

I have 2years student visa to US, I entered New York with it for 5 weeks then returned home, because i couldn't pay the school fee, so i defer the admission.
My visa expires April, and i wish to visit US on visiting visa,can i apply now or do I need to wait until the
student visa expires.
Of course i have IV waiting, but i didn't travel.  I decided to wait till the student visa expire.
Thank you

ANSWER
Your case is somehow, first you must have proved @ d embassy that you have enough money for the school before you applied for your student visa.
The best you can do is to use your same student visa to enter USA with your deferred admission letter - this will help show at the POE that you deferred your
admission , you should be ready to state goods reasons why you deferred and nots ay you do not have money for school fee.
If the deferred admission letter does not fall In-line with your proposed date of visit, then you have to wait for the visa to expire before you apply for visit (which will not be
easy for you to get provided you didnt make good
use of the student visa you were give).
Think about the best thing you can do now a nd return to Usa with your student visa, either get your school to send you a letter or , just think about the best means and lemme alsor Ty reason with you too,

I'm not an expert so i only stated what i thinkn and if there is anyone who knows better please do not hesitate to come over.piease do not hesitate

US VISA STORY

I was granted a B1/B2 US visa for ten years last month, with my SA passport & my Husband on his Nigerian passport for 2years.

I f you're intereted in getting the US visit visa, I will advice you to avoid lies and funny tricks as it will get you in trouble or a ban,

lots of first time visitors were granted visas, those who were denied were going for a conference & have been working for a few months or were students attending an expo that did not relate to what they were studying.

Fill in your D160 & submit online then pay fee online with your Visa card or bank deposit with the reference number being your passport number, to schedule for an appointment.

I am aware in Nigeria it can takes as long as 3months but in SA you can even get it the next day. All we took were passports (which had previous visas for uk &
italy).
1 ID photos, 
Bank statements for 3months 
A letter from the work stating i have leave available & that i work the Company.

The interview took about 2-3minutes, everybody in the hall were asked similar questions e.g

Where in the US are you going?
Reason for going?
Do you have property?
How long are you intending to be there?
Do you have kids?

And for those attending conference they were asked to elaborate. after that 2min that feels like forever you hear the magic words " your visa has been granted, It will be delivered in 3 to 5days".
check this website for motivation and info

thank you so much for your time.

QUESTION

I'm planning to visit the US or UK.

So to apply, i will be needing an invitation letter from my friend in the UK or my uncle in the US, because i intended to sponsor myself. 
My reason for travelling is to visit them, or is there any way around this ?
Do you think getting an invitation letters from both of them will be an added advantage?

please whats the procedure for USA visit visa application  in Nigeria?

ANSWER

For US visit visa
1. Go to gtbank and pay for your visa fee
2.  Secure an apointment
3. Prepare your documents and yourself for
interview
4. Go to interview and get your visa,

These are few of the documents you need, for your interview at the embassy.
Invitation Letter
Hotel reservation?

Your statement of account
Leave Letter from office or school.
If employed you can go along with your apointment letter
If you are married, include your marriage certificate

SEE TIPS ON VISIT VISA

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My Dubai Tourism Experience

Anonymous - My Dubai Tourism Experience

I have always believed that difficult roads or challenges often  leads to beautiful destinations. i've never allowed a seemingly difficult situation to deter me from doing what i know in my heart, that i'm meant to do.

Dubai Gold Market

I've always nursed the desire of traveling to a more developed country, with higher and greater quality life and economy, to work. But most of these countries require a travel experience as one of their criteria for visa application, example of such country is U.S.A

So when a travel Agency and NGO (Ample Life foundation), presented an opportunity to us to travel, cruise and tour Dubai, for 6 good days, with different exciting activities, already planned and  lined up for us, in Dubai, I quickly grabbed it, because it will give me, the rare opportunity of meeting people with a totally different culture and background, touring new cities, with different food and above all networking.

I also felt that this will give me the needed travel experience, which will enable me to apply to any country of my choice. I was initially skeptical about it, mainly because i wasn't buoyant during that period, but at the same time, i didn't want the opportunity to slip away, coupled with the fact that my mind was already made up, like, i must embark on this journey, as a form of adventure, it's necessary, totally necessary.

So I applied for it.
The application process didn't take time, it took about 2 weeks . I was told to scan and submit the data page of my international passport and a white background passport photograph.
My visa was presented to me shortly after that. I was super excited and immediately started packing my bags and arranging everything I will need when i get there, I had to start packing early in order not forget anything.

I have heard so much about about Dubai, but i was shocked when I got there , because it was far more beautiful than i imagined or expected and far better than what I've been hearing from friends and colleagues. everything was world class, it's truely a beautiful country with lots of beautiful places. It was my first time of touring Dubai, and i was ecstatic.

Our first landing after leaving my home country was at Kigali, we landed at kigali international airport, Rwanda by 8:40pm, We reached there towards evening  and spent 2 -3 hours and left for Dubai by 1:00am Rwandan time, then landed in Dubai by 9:30am, Dubai time.

We got to Kigali in the night, but in Dubai it was already morning, because  we have different time zone with them. When we landed in Dubai, it was very cold, thank God i came with my jacket. We were taken to our hotel at Hyatt Regency and we lodged into our different rooms and rested before embarking on the tour.

Hyatt Regency Hotel

Pic taken from the 34th Floor
Of the Hyatt Regency

When we woke up in the morning, we went for our morning excercise  and took our breakfast after that. We dressed up and went to the the wave house Dubai, Dubai is the number one place for indoor activities.
We played lots of indoor games on our first day in Dubai, with other exciting activities and went to the Dubai Gold Market, the next day, i have never seen so much Gold in one place before, they were beautiful and came in different sizes and designs.

Breakfast

Dubai Mall

The second day was highly loaded, with so much fun activities, there wasn't much time because a lot has been mapped out for the day.

From our hotel we went to the Gold Souk spice Market, Jumeira Beach, Dubai Mall, from there we went back to our hotel, and got ready for Gala night with some Nigerian celebrities.

My Dubai experience was supper awesome and it was totally worth it  and I'm glad I didn't miss such an awesome and exciting adventure. Most of the things i was skeptical about didn't come into play.
I couldn't capture all the events that took place, but i sure do have some pictures.

This river is artificial and it usually
 dances, when music starts playing
Music

Surprisingly their food wasn't as expensive as i thought, we had good food, mixed with great company. We also visited the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building  in the world, Royal Vision SmIc, before heading to the IMG world of adventure.

Read Everything you need to know about Tourist and Visit Visa application

IMG WORLD OF ADVENTURE 

This is the perfect place to see and meet the superheroes and characters you grew up loving. It is the world largest indoor team park. 

It has about 5 epics zones, with exciting activities suitable for all ages, both young and old, Rides, Cinemas, Park, etc.

The opportunity for indoor adventure in Dubai are endless, such as the Thor Thunder spin. It's safe and fun-filled.

                 Thor Thunder Spin

We also went to the Dubai Desert Safari, this desert is one of the extraordinary deserts in the world. We enjoyed an amazing fire dance performance and other side shows there.

It was really an adventure because I've never seen or experienced anything like it  before.

Dubai is the best place to be for holiday and it's pocket friendly i must say, with exciting and memorable attractions, such as beach clubs, Golf course, Gold Market, Wave house Dubai, Dubai Safari, Thor Thunder spin to shopping malls.

I also made new friends. I had an amazing time in Dubai and and it's an experience, i will never forget.

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Minimum amount needed by an Express Entry or Permanent Resident applicant and Work-Study candidates for a successful Visa application

PROOF OF FUNDS

Proof of funds means settlement funds, this is how an Express Entry appliacnt shows the Canadian Federal Government that they have enough money in their bank account to settle in Canada, after they have been invited to apply, they must present a written proof that they have this money.

Permanent resident applicants are mandated to show their last 6 months statement of account and the reason why it's required is for them to check the applicants 6 months balance and also the source of the funds they are showing and also to confirm that there's no suspicious or sudden influx of funds or money into the account.

These funds should be readily available to the applicant and should be used without restrictions.

If the applicant receives a large sum of money, in their bank account as a gift, this sudden influx of funds will be justified, if the applicant is able to produce a gift deed.
This gift deed will justify the source of the funds.

For married applicants, whatever funds they have in a joint account, can be accounted towards their proof of funds, including the ones in the spouses name or account, if any.

Immigration, refugees and citizenship Canada (IRCC), has advice express entry candidates to always update their profiles, in order to show their annual changes and adjustments.

Read Canada Express Entry Program, for skilled workers

In Express entry program, all applicants are expected to provide a proof of documents. If you do not need to provide proof of funds, you must upload a letter of explanation.

EXAMPLE,

• If you've been invited to apply under the Canada Experience Class 
• You have a valid job offer

With these proofs, you're not expected to provide proof of funds, you do not have to meet the funds requirement if you were invited to apply under the Canada Experience Class.

Candidates who were invited to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program, are mandated to show that they meet the settlement funds requirement.
For proofs, they must get official letters from any bank or financial institution where you're keeping money.

The letters must Include:

• All current bank and investment account.

• Outstanding debts, such as credit card debts and loans.

• In your express entry profile, you will be asked to include the amount of money you will have, to help you settle in Canada.

• It must be printed on the financial institutions letter head.

• Include there contact information (address, Telephone number and email address) 

• Include your name

Also Read Everything you need to know about Canadian Provincial Nomination


Include for each current bank and investment account..

• Account Numbers
• Date each account was opened
• Current balance of each account
• Average balance for the past 6 months.

This is to show that you are capable of supporting yourself and any family member, who comes with you to Canada and also assist the Canada government, in assessing which program is suitable for you.
Keep your funds, up to date in your profile, the system may find that you're eligible for more than 1 program.

 The amount of money you need to support your family depends on the size of your family.
You should also include your spouse or dependent children,even if they're not coming with you to Canada, not minding they're permanent residents or Canadian citizens.

This table shows the minimum amount needed by Express entry applicants  to migrate to Canada in 2019. 

If you have more money, You should list that full amount in your Profile or Application.

                   Number of Family Members                                             Amount
                                      
                                     1    ---------------------------------------------------  $12,669
                      
                                     2    ---------------------------------------------------  $15,530

                                     3    ---------------------------------------------------  $19,390

                                     4    ---------------------------------------------------  $23,542

                                     5    ---------------------------------------------------  $26,707

                                     6    ---------------------------------------------------  $30,114

                                     7    ---------------------------------------------------  $33,528

NOTE: Each additional family member : $3,361

Read How to improve and boost your CRS score

The funds must not be borrowed from another person and must be readily available to you. You must be ale to use the money to pay for the cost of living for family. Real estates are not acceptable.

carry out a detailed research on the cost of living in your chosen province. Endeavor to bring as much money as possible, because it will make getting  an accommodation in Canada a lot easier for you.

Once you get to Canada, you must tell the border official, if you're bringing more than 10,000 CAD into Canada. You're likely to be fined, if you don't and your funds confiscated and this includes, cash, cards, documents that show property or capital payable to you. Such as:

• Stocks, 
• Bonds, 
• Treasury bill

Documents that guaranty, payment of a set amount, which are payable, Egs.

• Bank draft, 
• Cheques,
• Money Orders, 
• Travelers Guide.

Jan, 2020

Canada updates the minimum settlement fund requirements for the year 2020. 

The Canadian Federal Government has and updated and increased the amount of funds needed by certain skilled workers/Express entry applicants, in order to immigrate to Canada.

Canada has updated the settlement funds requirement for two Express Entry programs

They are

The Express Entry-managed 

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

These are the new proof of funds requirement to determine eligibility for Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates in 2020. 

The total amount of funds needed depends on the number of family members and the size of the family included on the application. 

Though the changes may be small, but they could affect the eligibility of applicants.

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has stated that the following family members can be included on an application for Canadian permanent residence:

• The principal applicant
• Their spouse or partner;
• Their dependent children; and
• Their spouse’s dependent children.

Spouses/common-law partner and dependent children must be included on the application even if they are not coming  with you to Canada with or if they are already permanent residents.

The following amounts have been updated for 2020:

Number of family members Funds required (in Canadian dollars)

1 $12,960

2 $16,135

3 $19,836

4 $24,083

5 $27,315

6 $30,806

7 $34,299

Each additional family member   $3,492

The Canadian proof of funds is increased and updated yearly.

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ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS THAT ARE CONSTANTLY USED FOR EXPRESS ENTRY AND CANADA VISA APPLICATION

SOME EXPRESS ENTRY ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase, by any method. It's a new word created from the initial letters of a long name or phrase.

It may consist of a group of letters or words taken from the full version of the word phrase.
They can be seen in every area of our daily lives, because it's an easy way of shortening and pronouncing words.

We will be stating some of the abbreviations and acronyms related to Canadian Express Entry..


ACRONYMS:

AVO   -  Accra Visa Office

PCC   -  Police Clearance Certificate

FSW   -  Federal Skill Worker

EE      -  Express Entry

ITA      -  Invitation To Apply

PPR   -   Passport Requirement

MR     -   Medical Request

POF   -   Proof of Fund

CRS   -   Comprehensive Ranking System

NOC   -   National Occupation Clarification

AOR    -  Acknowledgement of Receipt

PER    -  Positive Eligibility Review

COPR -  Confirmation of Permanent Residence

PEI      -  Preliminary Evaluation for Immigration

AOR    -  Acknowledgement of receipt letter.

BDEC  -  Background Decision

CC       -  Credit Card

CHC     -  Canadian High Commission –  Refers to the Canadian embassies, Visa offices, and Consulates.

CIC      -   Citizenship and Immigration, Canada – the umbrella body which governs both CIOand local CHC offices.

CIO      -   Centralized Intake Office in Sydney Nova Scotia – where you sent your application.
Sometimes it is mentioned as CIU (Centralized Intake Unit).

DD       -   Demand Draft (Bank Draft / Certified
Cheque / Money Order)

ECA     -   Educational Credential Assessment

ECAS  -   Client Application Status, an official CIC service which allows to view the status of your application on-line

FD       -    Fixed Deposit

SLU     -    Second Level Update

FILE BF'D TO - File Brought Forward date

FINDEC -   Financial Decision

FOSS     -   is a central database of applications

GCMS    -   Global Case Management System

IMMCAT -   Immigration Category

JD          -   Job Description

M01-M07 -   level of Medical assessment. M01 means perfect

MEDDEC - Medical Decision

MI           -  Ministerial Instructions

MR         -  Medical Examination Request

NCR       -   No Criminal Record

NOC       -   National Occupation Classification

OREQ     -  Other Requirement

PCC        -  Police Clearance Certificate

PER        -  Confirmation of Positive Eligibility Review from CIO

PI            -   Principal Immigrant

POF        -   Proof of Funds

PPR        -   Passport Request

PPS        -   point at paper screening stage

PS           -   Prescreen (another explanation is Paper selection)

PSDEC   -   Paper Selection Decision

RPRF     -    Right of Permanent Residence Fees

SEC CRIM - Security criminal

SELDEC -    Selection Decision

SS          -    This spreadsheet

SW1       -    Skill Worker 1

UCI         -    Unique Client Identifier, an 8-digit identification number. People usually get it from CIC in a PER confirmation

VO          -    Visa Office

RBVO     -    Received by Visa Office

XREF      -    Cross referenced applicant

PR         -     Permanent Residency

NA          -     Not Applicable

IP           -     In Progress (1 or 2) and refers to the status of your background check

NBG       -     Next Step is to Conduct a Background Check

BOWP    -     Bridging Open Work Permit

PGWP    -     Post Graduation Work Permit

CSIS      -     Canadian Security Intelligence Service

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