NewStats: 3,260,915 , 8,172,887 topics. Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 12:38 AM 3z5h1l

Malevonent:


Ok, mine has changed to approved, with some long grammar about consular office reviewing again and cancelling if necessary - is that the normal message that accompanies approved?.

How long did yours take from approved to issued, then available at OIS for collection?

Yes, standard procedure. Someone's own took 48hrs from approved to issued. Then another 48hrs for pickup.

cindermum:


Yes, standard procedure. My husband's took 48hrs from approved to issued. Then another 48hrs for pickup.

Ok thanks, i feel much better now 😁,
Now to start hunting for budget USA flight tickets..

VisaZest:
Hi,

Did you track after you submitted last week and did it at any time move from application received to issued? If yes, then I would assume the info on OIS is correct. If you are not in a hurry to collect your port, I would recommend you give it some days.

Now OIS sent me a message that my port is ready for pickup but ceac still says Received

I think your visa is issued, if it was 221g they would have sent you a mail to schedule an interview.

jokepearl:


Now OIS sent me a message that my port is ready for pickup but ceac still says Received

[quote author=VisaZest post=134321468]Hi,

Yes, he needs to fill the DS 160 before making payment.

This is a simple breakdown:
1. Complete DS 160 https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx
2. Visit AVITS site to , make payment and book interview https://www.usvisaappt.com/visaapplicantui/
3. Attend interview at Lagos or Abuja embassy
4. After successful interview, collect port through OIS https://oisservices.com/

As for what he needs while filling DS 160, the form is quite extensive but these are some highlights:
- Digital port photograph (2 x 2 inches / 51 x 51 mm, white background)
- Intended dates of arrival and departure in US
- Locations you plan to visit
- US address and
- Travel history for US and other countries (if applicable)
- Work history
- Educational background

If he needs some guidance with his US visa application, I am here to help.

He can book a FREE consultation through my calendar here: https://calendly.com/visazest/us-visitor-visa

Additionally, if he requires me to complete the application process for him, I can do so at a cost.

However, I'm happy to answer any questions and provide guidance—completely free of charge! Simply book a consultation, and let's chat!







[Thank you so much, I truly appreciate.]

Has anyone done their H1B since AVITS and OIS took over?

Please kindly your share your experience with the process, and if given a choice would you rather use a consulate outside Nigeria?

Please is there anyone still having 'duplicate info found' issue? I have raised countless tickets and sent mails yet nothing is forthcoming.
I am quite frustrated, since August of last year.
Any helpful suggestions please?

For 221g, won’t they return the port also?

jennyhumphrey:
I think your visa is issued, if it was 221g they would have sent you a mail to schedule an interview.

MysTeerioz:
Please is there anyone still having 'duplicate info found' issue? I have raised countless tickets and sent mails yet nothing is forthcoming.
I am quite frustrated, since August of last year.
Any helpful suggestions please?

It seems they are slow to resolve this duplicate issue, what I’ve seen worked for duplicate applicant is to put both first name and middle name in the space for first name. Also ensure you delete the current appointment request you’re stuck on and start afresh before using that technique, so you’re not stuck after making payment.

So far your name is correct on the appointment page, you’re good, the appointment is just to ensure you have an appointment scheduled and doing the above will not have any side effects.

MysTeerioz:
Please is there anyone still having 'duplicate info found' issue? I have raised countless tickets and sent mails yet nothing is forthcoming.
I am quite frustrated, since August of last year.
Any helpful suggestions please?

Please can anyone please help with issue. I also have the same problem.

Hhaven:




Please can anyone please help with issue. I also have the same problem.

Check my response above

Good Evening all,

Please can anyone kindly assist me with the US Consulate valid email address?

Thank you in advance…..

AdisaMighty:
For 221g, won’t they return the port also?

Your port will be returned with a slip inside if it's 221G.

Debbieeeeeee:
Hey there! Welcome to part 5 of this thread. It's time for new beginnings as old things away. Even though the information from Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 is still invaluable and should be read by any serious applicant. Part 2 was especially amazing, with lots of wonderful people offering great advice in their unique styles. You guys rock!!! You know who you are.

For inquiries regarding potential interview questions and self-assessment, please review both parts 1 and 2 of this thread to gain a thorough understanding of suggested responses to such inquiries.

Kindly note that this is a do-it-yourself thread. Nobody here is an agent. Nobody is a VO, hence cannot authoritatively predict your. chances of visa success.

Happy reading and good luck to all the honest visa seekers!

Please see part 1 here for reference:
https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/608780/usa-visit-visa/322#38856287

See part 2 here for reference https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/2656320/usa-visit-visa-part-2

For part 3

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/4116999/usa-visit-visa-part-3/507#77029195

For part 4

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/5807124/usa-visit-visa-part-4#88683712


Because some questions are frequently asked, repeated and retreated, the links to the questions are contained herein for easy reference
For instructions and documents required for the application


To book an appointment and fill out DS 160

https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/

https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?App=NIV (Check visa status here)


https://www.usvisaappt.com/visaapplicantui/

Note: The steps for the whole process are set out step by step. For your good, adhere. If not, a possibility exists that the final DS 160 number will be different from the one used to book the appointment. Applicants in those situations will neither be allowed to enter the embassy nor will they be interviewed.
In the event of such an occurrence, kindly call/email the embassy to sort it out.

Peradventure, if you need to change any details in an already submitted DS-160 form, you should fill out a new one, submit it, and then the embassy by phone or email.

For US embassy details

Telephone: +234-0201-227-8955

https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/important-visa-information/

https://ng.usembassy.gov//

https://ng.usembassy.gov/

For video interviews with actual VOs on frequently asked Questions
https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/2656320/usa-visit-visa-part-2/180#47174473

https://plus.google.com/app/basic/s/%23AsktheVOs

For documents :

https://ng.usembassy.gov/visas/important-visa-information/


For sample transcripts of some interviews (as posted by the s of this thread) Please check this link https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com//4692218

Latest update from the embassy for Immigrant Visas December 2024
Follow this link

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/LGS-Lagos.html?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZUZRAVdaBt5qeOhG3blbEZRn62NZiPX5ZYCk2XECxwTZcFWBB5Jqcek9I_aem_V9vPz5B-h8k7DbBR7Ds_5Q

Finally, lying on your DS-160 or during the interview is a misrepresentation and a crime. This thread's aim is not to teach or coach applicants on how to do so. The truth is always the best course of action, no matter the situation. Please do not ask about how to misrepresent on this thread.

I am grateful to God for being alive to create this new part, and for the many friends I have made here.

Thank you.

Humbly,
Justwise & Debbieeeeeee

[b] Hello, I faced an issue when paying my visa application fee, a relative in the US paid the fee through card and they couldn't print the MRV receipt. However, there's no option to this receipt on the USVISAPPT Platform.
Do you know how I can go about solving this problem

goldenmindcoy:
Combination of names doesn't have anything with the duplicate . It's the DS160 No that determines the stuff. Just keep on pleading to customer helping you delete existing so that you can't continue with the current and you will keep on trying it because when it's done customer won't alert you. At least I solved about 3 issues like that for 3 months.

Well I have had people that used the name combination that were able to successfully proceed. Infact, it’s not the DS160 numbers that gives the duplicate error, it’s the port number and first name/given name combo.

I know because my immediate family had that issue too and they have gone for their visa interview, attended without issue, got their visas approved and had no issue tracking their ports when it was ready.

There were instances where I was waiting for them to resolve it, I opened tickets, called them several times, the tickets were escalated but nothing was done. It’s left to anyone who wants to wait for it to be resolved to make their decisions.

Good evening, pls does one pay to pick up port at OIS lagos? If yes how much.

Hi guys, I am applying for a USA visiting visa to visit a friend in the USA.

Which one am I going to select?
1) Business or Tourism(Temporary Visa)(B1/B2)
2) Business/Conference(B1)
3) Toursim/Medical Treatment(B2)

I know it's between 1 and 3. I just don't want to make mistakes.

Thanks!

Guruindahouse:
Hi guys, I am applying for a USA visiting visa to visit a friend in the USA.

Which one am I going to select?
1) Business or Tourism(Temporary Visa)(B1/B2)
2) Business/Conference(B1)
3) Toursim/Medical Treatment(B2)

I know it's between 1 and 3. I just don't want to make mistakes.

Thanks!

Number 1

wifey1:
Good evening, pls does one pay to pick up port at OIS lagos? If yes how much.

Yes, you pay N50, 250 for pickup. Or you wait for free DHL pickup about 7 days not too sure of the number of days .

solihp:


Well I have had people that used the name combination that were able to successfully proceed. Infact, it’s not the DS160 numbers that gives the duplicate error, it’s the port number and first name/given name combo.

I know because my immediate family had that issue too and they have gone for their visa interview, attended without issue, got their visas approved and had no issue tracking their ports when it was ready.

There were instances where I was waiting for them to resolve it, I opened tickets, called them several times, the tickets were escalated but nothing was done. It’s left to anyone who wants to wait for it to be resolved to make their decisions.

Nothing I've not done on this duplicate applicant issue for an application going 4 months now. It's tiring. I've raised countless service requests, sent emails, interchanged alphabets/numbers on the port number, interchanged 1st and middle names. At the point of proceeding to update bank deposit details, it still does not proceed to scheduling. Though I didn't generate new bill after any data interchange as it keeps compounding the amount, kind of identifying each as a new application. I usually just go to bank deposit details to enter details of previous payment.

Milito:


Nothing I've not done on this duplicate applicant issue for an application going 4 months now. It's tiring. I've raised countless service requests, sent emails, interchanged alphabets/numbers on the port number, interchanged 1st and middle names. At the point of proceeding to update bank deposit details, it still does not proceed to scheduling. Though I didn't generate new bill after any data interchange as it keeps compounding the amount, kind of identifying each as a new application. I usually just go to bank deposit details to enter details of previous payment.

Yes, I also experienced this issue with my dad. If you create an application and you go back and forth too much maybe because it’s showing duplicate applicant, when you eventually proceed, it would have created multiple s for the same and when you pay for one, you won’t be able to proceed to the calendar especially because I paid using card.

I had to cancel that appointment, forfeit the money (because I paid with card) and restart again.

That’s why I advised people stuck on the duplicate applicant thing, to first cancel the current application before using the first name and middle name combo, because if you proceed using the previous application, the application would have created multiple s on that application.

Same for me but my sister took a screen shot of the payment successful page which had the amount and transactioni id. That's what I printed and used.

leyeman:

[b] Hello, I faced an issue when paying my visa application fee, a relative in the US paid the fee through card and they couldn't print the MRV receipt. However, there's no option to this receipt on the USVISAPPT Platform.
Do you know how I can go about solving this problem

Ok, thanks

flourishing247:


Number 1

What documents are required on interview day? So far I see DS160, port and application confirmation page.
Also is it true drop box has been canncelled?

Hello Bro, Congratulations. After the visa approval, did you or your dad had to setup visa pickup? Did your dad get any email notification saying his visa is ready for pickup? Thank you.

solihp:
My dad’s visa was approved in Abuja. In the forms, I indicated that I was sponsoring him and I put my address as where he would be staying, also my dad is widowed. Here’s the questions he was asked.

VO: Where are you going to?
Dad: I am going to (*insert a US state*) to visit my last daughter

VO: Do you have other children?
Dad: I have two others, one works in Abuja and she brought me here and the other works in (*inserts another Nigerian state*)

VO: have you travelled out before
Dad: Yes, I’ve been to and the UK (note: I wrote no in his form because these travels were not in the last 5years) but the VO didn’t ask if it was in the last 5years

VO: when did you travel to those places
Dad: in the late 1980s and early 1990s

VO: I will be approving your visa.

His visa was approved on a Thursday, it changed to issued on Friday and when I checked on Monday on the OIS platform, his port was ready for pickup.

@ visa zest well-done

Please apart from paying u.s visa fees Online,can we pay it though which Bank ? As an alternative way to pay the u.s visa fees

Before they use to pay it though G.T bank,when i went to G.T Bank they said they don't collect U.S visa fees anymore,pls which Bank is collecting U.S visa fees ow?

Cappie:
Hello Bro, Congratulations. After the visa approval, did you or your dad had to setup visa pickup? Did your dad get any email notification saying his visa is ready for pickup? Thank you.

Thank you. I tracked his application status using his DS160 number and port information on the ceac status website, when it was issued, I constantly checked the oisservice website to see if his port was ready, when it was ready, I set up an appointment for pickup, they didn’t send him any email notification.