US student visa: For study abroad enthusiasts, Nigerians and other international students consider USA, as one of the most preferred countries to pursue a degree ranging from bachelors, masters, and P.H.D level.

Ideally, before a prospective student begins his/her application process, it is crucial to also apply for a visa on time as visa approval sometimes, can stay longer.

For Nigerians who want to study in US, the US student visa application in Nigeria is a process that requires that students who want to pursue a degree in USA, must apply for a US student visa while still living in Nigeria.

Traveling abroad through the study route is a wise decision. Nigerians who wish to travel through this route, however, must understand that there are basic requirements to provide for this to become a reality.

Basically, securing a visa is the most important of all the requirements. There are various US visa categories, which may differ from countries to countries and as well as from institutions to institutions.

Please note: It is vital you understand the various US visa types. Using a visa not meant for study options can land you into trouble.

Here are some common US visa types:

Tourist/visitor’s visa

Student visa

Work visa

Exchange visitor visa

Domestic employee visa

To get things started, if you’ve made up your mind to travel to US for study, then, a US student visa is the visa type you should go for.

The steps to a successful US student Visa includes the following:

 

US Student Visa Step 1

Selecting the student visa category.

A student visa belongs to the F class of visa which is also known as an Academic Student visa.

There’re two categories of F class visa namely: F-1 AND F-2 Visa type.

F-1 Visa, is a class of visa specifically for students that applied for a US Visa for the sole purpose to engage in academic or language studies in the United States. This visa type is also meant for individuals who will be studying at an institution for more than 18 hours per week.

 

F-1 visa application form

This is a checklist for US students visa. For you to apply for an F-1 visa in Nigeria, you are to provide some necessary documents such as:

(A) 1-20 form

(B) Letter of admission

(C) Financial support documents

(D) International Passport valid for 6 months

(E) Form DS-160

 

F-1 Visa rules

F-1 visa, which is for academic studies requires that

  1. Prospective students must have been accepted in any recognized/established school(university/college) that is SEVP certified
  2. Prospective students are also expected to provide form 1-20, SEVIS 1-901 receipt
  3. International passport valid for 6 months
  4. Copy of transcripts
  5. Program of study description (SOP)
  6. Accommodation information
  7. Evidence or proof of funds
  8. Have strong ties to your home country
  9. Attend the student visa interview

 

F1 visa processing time

The F1 visa class is shorter than other visa types. US Student visa for the F1 visa type usually happens before your interview. Basically, the interview is the last step where the embassy in Nigeria will decide whether they will give you the F1 class of visa or otherwise.

If your passport is returned to you, it means denial. If you are asked to come back for pickup, congratulations, your F1 visa has been approved.

 

US Student Visa Step 2: Fill out the US DS-160 Application form

 

In applying for a US student visa, form DS-160, is an important document you must fill correctly. This is an online form that requires you fill in your correct details such as personal details, contact details, reason for travelling to us for study, travel history(if you have any).

This form is as important as the visa. If any false or misleading information is detected, that could be tantamount for a visa denial. Therefore, before you hit the submit button, proof-read and make sure you have the correct information. Better still, you can generate a new form online to be on the safe side.

If you’ve completed this step, you will receive a confirmation page. You’re expected to print out this page or save it in your mail draft box. This would be used for booking when you go for your US Visa appointment.

CLICK HERE TO FILL US APPLICATION FORM

US Student Visa Step 3: Payment for visa fee

 

Usually, paying US visa fee is done online or over-the counter at the bank. Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), is the recognized bank for paying US Visa fee. You can visit any of the embassies in Lagos or Abuja, to check if things still remain the same.

Paying US visa fee is stress-free. All you have to make sure you have the following items that are listed below

  1. A photocopy of the data page of your international passport
  2. The visa type. Please indicate(Student visa)
  3. Your mobile number

After the transaction has been carried out, you will be issued a receipt, you are expected to keep it safe as it is one of the requirements to come along with on the day of your interview at the embassy.

Alternatively, if you paying via mobile banking, type the payment code known as (UID) correctly.

With this, it verifies your payment and also allow you schedule a date for your visa appointment at the embassy.

Step 4. Your visa appointment

You’re to schedule a date for your visa interview at the embassy. Visit the embassy in Nigeria to schedule your visa appointment day.

To do this kindly visit

https:/cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=Nigeria or CLICK HERE

Scroll down and click on new user

Fill correctly all fields and create a strong password, then click submit.

If this goes through, that means your account has been verified. A profile will be created for you. Which will appear on the dashboard.

To book an appointment, on the left corner of your dashboard, click on schedule appointment, now the process begins.

 

Things to go with to the embassy for your US visa appointment are:

 

  1. International passport number
  2. A receipt or UID number from GTB
  3. The ten-digit barcode number from the DS-160 confirmation page(The page you printed out while filling your online form)
  4. appointment confirmation
  5. 2 passport size photograph
  6. evidence of employment
  7. documents showing your purpose of trip
  8. evidence of accommodation

US Student Visa Step 5: Attend your visa interview:

 

At this stage, you are expected to attend the interview holding all your supporting documents.

 

 

US Student visa cost

 

US Student Visa: To pay for your US Visa fee, walk into any Guaranty Trust bank and pay over the counter. If you want to pay online, you pay online using the same Guaranty Trust Bank mobile app.

The application fee for F1 visa type at the moment is $160. In naira is 59200.00 at the current consular exchange rate of 370.00NGN=1USD

 

USA Visa interview questions

USA Visa interview questions

Scaling through this process is a herculean task. Getting a US student visa requires, you convince the visa officer (VO) by answering smartly the questions asked during the interview at the embassy. If your answers sound convincing, the VO will surely grant you your F1 visa.

There’re common US students visa questions apparently, these questions are highly unavoidable.

Here are some of the common questions you are likely to be asked during your interview in Nigeria

USA Visa interview question: Why are you going to the US?

 

Since you are going for study, say, I am going for a school program (name the school, your intending program and the type of program (Bachelor, masters. P.H.D)

USA Visa interview question: Have you been refused a US visa before?

Say yes or no. Please be sincere with your answer, because they will check.

USA Visa interview question: Why do you want to study in the US?

 

This is quite tricky. Do well to provide solid reasons. If you have done proper research, you should be able to convince the VO that the United States, is one of the best for such program and the quality education it offers are some factors you considered. You can also indicate that doing the course in US, will add value more especially, on the grounds that US schools offer classroom and research-based learning.

USA Visa interview question: Which university did you apply to?

 

Simply name the schools. The consular love to know you apply to more than one school and this question is always followed up by why did you choose school A compared to B or any other comparative questions to challenge your knowledge of the institutions.

USA Visa interview question: Why have you chosen this specific university?

 

Expectedly, before you begin the application process, you should carry out proper research about the school.

  1. You can say your reason is based on the university rankings, if it is a research-based university, make the VO understand the importance of attending one.
  2. Mention the name of the professor you had contacted
  3. A. Try to have the names of the professors you contacted by heart.
  4. Who is your sponsor?
  5. A. If you have sponsors, for example, your parents, state so. If you have the scholarship to study in USA, also state that.
  6. Will you come back to your country during the holidays?
  7. Please say yes as this is a clear indication to show you have strong ties to home and to make the VO believe you have funds for your study in US, and not an opportunity to study and work in US, to help cover expenses.
  8. Upon completing your studies in US, will you return to your home country?

Remember, they want to assess to family ties.

  1. Tell the VO, you intend to come back as you wish to pursue a career in your home country and after that, build your own company.

 

What is an i-20 form in relation to US Student Visa Application

 

This is called the Certificate of Eligibility for Non- Immigrant Student Status. This is usually provided by a US university/college that the student has been accepted to. Form 1-20 is an important document that every F1 student must have. It used for the following:

Payment for 1-901 SEVIS fee. The 1-901 Fee is compulsory and must be paid before you enter the United States.

In the form, it shows the date. F1 students are to complete their studies at the expiration date on their 1-20 form.