Nigerians have been given tips on what they must do to scale through their visa application without any difficulty.
*Photo used for illustrative purpose*
1) TIES TO HOME COUNTRY
Under US law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas are viewed as
intending immigrants until they can convince the consular officer that
they are not. You must therefore be able to show that you have reasons
for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for
remaining in the United States.
"Ties" to your home country are the things that bind you to your
hometown, homeland, or current place of residence (i.e., job, family,
financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc).
If you are a prospective student, the interviewing officer may ask
about your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family
or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-long range
plans, and career prospects in your home country. Each person's
situation is different, of course, and there is no magic explanation or
single document, certificate, or letter, which can guarantee visa
issuance.
2) ENGLISH
Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English and not
in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English
conversation with a native speaker before the interview. If you are
coming to the United States solely to study intensive English, be
prepared to explain how English will be useful for you in your home
country.
3) SPEAK FOR YOURSELF
Do not bring parents or family members with you to your interview.
The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family. A negative
impression is created if you are not prepared to speak on your own
behalf. If you are a minor applying for a high school program and need
your parents there in case there are questions, for example, about
funding, they should wait in the waiting room.
4) KNOW THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT FITS YOUR CAREER PLANS
If you are not able to articulate the reasons you will study in a
particular program in the United States, you may not succeed in
convincing the consular officer that you are indeed planning to study,
rather than to immigrate. You should also be able to explain how
studying in the United States relates to your future professional career
in your home country.
5) BE CONCISE
Because of the volume of applications that are received, all
consular officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct a
quick and efficient interview. They must make a decision, for the most
part, on the impressions they form during the first minute or two of the
interview. Consequently, what you say first and the initial impression
you create are critical to your success. Keep your answers to the
officer's questions short and to the point.
6) SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTATION
It should be clear at a glance to the consular officer what written
documents you are presenting and what they signify. Lengthy written
explanations cannot be quickly read or evaluated. Remember that you will
have 2-3 minutes of interview time, if you're lucky.
7) NOT ALL COUNTRIES ARE EQUAL
Applicants from countries suffering economic problems or from
countries where many students have remained in the United States as
immigrants will have more difficulty getting visas. Statistically,
applicants from those countries are more likely to be asked about job
opportunities at home after their study in the United States.
8) EMPLOYMENT
Your main purpose of coming to the United States should be to
study, not for the chance to work before or after graduation. While many
students do work off-campus during their studies, such employment is
incidental to their main purpose of completing their US education.
You must be able to clearly articulate your plan to return home at
the end of your program. If your spouse is also applying for an
accompanying F-2 visa, be aware that F-2 dependents cannot, under any
circumstances, be employed in the United States. If asked, be prepared
to address what your spouse intends to do with his or her time while in
the United States. Volunteer work and attending school part-time are
permitted activities.
9) DEPENDENTS REMAINING AT HOME
If your spouse and children are remaining behind in your country,
be prepared to address how they will support themselves in your absence.
This can be an especially tricky area if you are the primary source of
income for your family. If the consular officer gains the impression
that your family members will need you to remit money from the United
States in order to support themselves, your student visa application
will almost certainly be denied. If your family does decide to join you
at a later time, it is helpful to have them apply at the same post where
you applied for your visa.
10) MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
Do not engage the consular officer in an argument. If you are
denied a student visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he or she
would suggest you bring in order to overcome the refusal, and try to
get the reason you were denied in writing.
Source: American.Edu
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