NewStats: 3,263,467 , 8,180,216 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 04:25 AM 3j362s

Dixoxoxo:
No I am still waiting. It's odd that they haven't returned the ports at the very least. Not sure if anyone has any insight as to why there has been no port pick up or info from the embassy since refused status for 8 business days!

we just have to be patient, it took them about two weeks to even update the status from just received to refused

Keep your phone close to you always, they might call. If you are a man of faith, pray about it. I got a call on the first day of my fasting and praying (9 days after refusal)

AdisaMighty:
To encourage anyone that is going through the "refused"/ 221g thing. I did my followup interview today and it was straightforward. They most likely have a few things to clarify. At least that was my experience. As long as you didn't overstay, commit a crime or give birth, you should be fine.

I give glory to Jesus.

Dixoxoxo:
No I am still waiting. It's odd that they haven't returned the ports at the very least. Not sure if anyone has any insight as to why there has been no port pick up or info from the embassy since refused status for 8 business days!

Hi NBako

I have same issue. I submitted on 7/4 shows received since 8/4 nothing yet. My wife did earlier in March got hers in a week. My son was at the Embassy on the 17th got his visa in a week and port picked up already.

NBako
Hello everyone, hope we had a lovely Easter break .. just wanted to find out if anyone who submitted via IW this April in Lagos has gotten any .. I submitted on the 10/4 nothing so far just shows received since the 11. Is Lagos this slow usually Abi it’s just this April batch 🤣

....
Sorted!!!

zinachidi:
I'm stuck at this, what did you do please?

I raised a complaint request on Avits. After some time, I logged on and saw the issue resolved.

Milito:


I raised a complaint request on Avits. After some time, I logged on and saw the issue resolved.

please can you the wording you used? I've raised like 6 tickets

zinachidi:
please can you the wording you used? I've raised like 6 tickets

I do not think it has to do with the wording. No special wording. I just put it there that I'm unable to reschedule appointment and stated that error message of no receipt found. They are probably overwhelmed with complaints. I still have pending issue of a family member on that AVITS running to 6 months.

Also, you were asked not to raise multiple complaints/request on same issue, which you seem to ignore by your statement that you've raised 6 request already. Its multiple escalations like this that puts everybody on endless queues.

Hi everyone.
Please, did anyone who paid their B1/B2 visa fees within April 2025 get an interview date in Abuja for June or July? Is November the earliest date for Abuja at this time or can a person get a much earlier date?

Hello everyone,

Thank you all so much for your and help on this platform.

Please, I need some advice. My aunt, through her son, who is a U.S. citizen, applied for a migrant visa. She submitted all the required documents, including her medicals, sometime in 2023 and subsequently had an interview in Nov 2023, to which her port was taken and that white paper issued to her. However, since then, there has been no update, and her port was held till date

Towards the end of last year, she tracked her case and saw that the status read “Refused.” But no sign of her port being released. However, just this week, she received an email inviting her for another interview and requesting that she come along with previous ports.

Is this normal? Has anyone experienced something similar? What steps should she take at this point?

Thank you so much.

IjeObi:
Hi everyone.
Please, did anyone who paid their B1/B2 visa fees within April 2025 get an interview date in Abuja for June or July? Is November the earliest date for Abuja at this time or can a person get a much earlier date?

The earliest you can get in Abuja as of today is November. However, after selecting a date in November, you may apply for expedited if you qualify.

Moty111:
Hello everyone,

Thank you all so much for your and help on this platform.

Please, I need some advice. My aunt, through her son, who is a U.S. citizen, applied for a migrant visa. She submitted all the required documents, including her medicals, sometime in 2023 and subsequently had an interview in Nov 2023, to which her port was taken and that white paper issued to her. However, since then, there has been no update, and her port was held till date

Towards the end of last year, she tracked her case and saw that the status read “Refused.” But no sign of her port being released. However, just this week, she received an email inviting her for another interview and requesting that she come along with previous ports.

Is this normal? Has anyone experienced something similar? What steps should she take at this point?

Thank you so much.

Hello Moji.
The whole application can take up to 3 yrs if not more than. Are you sure an agent did not start the procedure and have some of your aunt's documents (ie the old port etc) ?

Anyways don't bother to reply me. Go and repost your query on that (attached red-circled) section of Nairaland. You will get better help. 👍

Hello House, your help will be highly appreciated.

I have my b1/b2 interview appointment for June 10, next month. Now I got a mail from the embassy in Abu Dhabi for a new appointment for 7th May, next week Tuesday.

Can I ignore the mail and go for my initial date or I must attend on the new date.

I’m certainly not prepared as I want to change my IS -160 form for the new port. My old port has one year validity and am worried I might get less than 5years.

Xplicit007:
Hello House, your help will be highly appreciated.

I have my b1/b2 interview appointment for June 10, next month. Now I got a mail from the embassy in Abu Dhabi for a new appointment for 7th May, next week Tuesday.

Can I ignore the mail and go for my initial date or I must attend on the new date.

I’m certainly not prepared as I want to change my IS -160 form for the new port. My old port has one year validity and am worried I might get less than 5years.

Hi.

The U.S embassy in Abu Dhabi & The U.S Consulate General in Dubai only release appointments for non immigrant visa interviews Every Friday Morning between 7: 30 a.m. and 11:30 a m. Although they at time release dates outside of these and when they do they send out notification email.

Therefore, ignore the email notification (it's not targeted at you, it's general) and proceed with your normal appointment. Other applicants who need that date will pick it.

Note. Ensure you read the email very well in case your current appointment might have tallied with an holiday or other event . If this is not the case just ignore it. 👍

Dixoxoxo:
Hi guys, after waiting since April 3rd my status changed to refused this afternoon. Can anyone give me any advise on how to go about this? I am guessing that I would have to go for a physical interview. If anyone can tell me the timeline it took for them to go for an interview after seeing this refused status. Did they return your port or hold on to it? Did it take a week or two weeks? Did they call or email? Any info will be appreciated. Also submitted in Lagos.

It might not be an outright refusal, it might be a request for a follow up physical interview e.g 221g. Pls dont be in a rush to pay another visa fee, until you have collected your port and are able to decipher exactly what kind of refusal it is.

trav:
Goodday All,

Please my elderly aunt's port was returned after a interview waiver application with instruction for her to schedule a 221g follow up appointment.
Please how do I schedule this for her? I'll appreciate if someone can explain how to.

My friend did a walk in to the Embassy and was told to come back on a Thursday at 1pm. She did and was given an interview date.

Hello ,
Given similar cases I have seen and read on this platform I do not recommend you Ignore this Reschedule as they are aware of whatever earlier appointments you may have and have rescheduled you , hence the need for you to show up and attend same so you do not blame yourself later for not doing same and not being allowed to attend at the date you had scheduled that was changed.

you have a bit of time to prepare. Some persons here get to see their reschedule a day or Two to the date and attend. Prepare and don't forget the God factor as well ,If you believe ! cheers.

Xplicit007:
Hello House, your help will be highly appreciated.

I have my b1/b2 interview appointment for June 10, next month. Now I got a mail from the embassy in Abu Dhabi for a new appointment for 7th May, next week Tuesday.

Can I ignore the mail and go for my initial date or I must attend on the new date.

I’m certainly not prepared as I want to change my IS -160 form for the new port. My old port has one year validity and am worried I might get less than 5years.

Dixoxoxo:
No I am still waiting. It's odd that they haven't returned the ports at the very least. Not sure if anyone has any insight as to why there has been no port pick up or info from the embassy since refused status for 8 business days!

Have you heard anything yet?

Good evening House,
Please i have now made payment (thank God) , no appointment date can I just leave it and log out or I must select a date cos the date I saw is May 8,2026

Good Day Everyone
I am in a dilemma right now, my Mum's visa appointment on the old portal is for July 2025, and i have created a new on the AVITS portal for her, with the hope that her previous appointment will be successfully migrated automatically on the new portal.
Since it did not update automatically, i tried to create a new appointment using the MRV fee i used in the old portal, now it is saying it has expired. I actually paid on March 2024.

So guys what can i do? Do i have to pay a new Visa fee?, what about this my pending appointment? Does that mean I will loose this date?
I have tried to chat them up, but options for expired MRV doesnt come up.

Hello everyone, I have been following this thread for a couple of days, and I have a situation I need clarification on, please, I need urgent advice from gurus in the house regarding a B1 visa application for my younger sister, who is a minor (15 years old), and my dad, who will chaperone her. She won a prestigious competition organized by a worldwide media brand, and they’ve invited her to a one-week event in the US, including an award ceremony, happening early June 2025. This is a huge opportunity for her, and we don’t want to miss it, but we’re confused about the visa process, especially since it’s our first time applying for a US visa.

The organizers are covering all expenses (flights, accommodation, etc.) except the visa fees. They’ve provided a strong invitation letter addressed to the US Consulate, explaining her role in the event, why her presence is critical, and confirming their sponsorship. My dad will accompany her as her guardian since she’s a minor. Here are my questions:

Emergency Visa Appointment: The event is early June 2025, and we’re worried about the regular visa appointment wait times. Should we apply for an emergency visa appointment to increase our chances of getting a slot before the event? I read on the US Embassy website that emergency appointments are for urgent cases, but I’m not sure if this qualifies since it’s not a medical or life-or-death situation. The visa fee ($185 per person) is a lot for us to risk, so I want to be sure we’re making the right move. Has anyone successfully gotten an emergency appointment for a similar event or competition?

DS-160 Application: Since my sister is a minor and my dad is only accompanying her, do we need to fill out two separate DS-160 forms (one for her and one for my dad)? Or can we fill one for her and include my dad’s details as her chaperone? I don’t want to make mistakes that could delay or jeopardize the application.

Other Tips: This is our first time applying for a US visa, and we’re nervous about the interview. The invitation letter is solid, and we have all the necessary documents from the organizers, but is there anything else we should prepare to boost their chances? Also, since my sister is a minor, will she need to attend the interview with my dad, or can he handle it on her behalf?

Please, I need advice from anyone who has gone through a similar process, especially for minors attending events in the US or applying for B1 visas. If you’ve dealt with emergency appointments or have tips to avoid refusal, kindly share. This opportunity means a lot to my sister, and we want to get it right.

Thank you in advance for your help, and God bless you all!

Nosainwe:
Hello everyone, I have been following this thread for a couple of days, and I have a situation I need clarification on, please, I need urgent advice from gurus in the house regarding a B1 visa application for my younger sister, who is a minor (15 years old), and my dad, who will chaperone her. She won a prestigious competition organized by a worldwide media brand, and they’ve invited her to a one-week event in the US, including an award ceremony, happening early June 2025. This is a huge opportunity for her, and we don’t want to miss it, but we’re confused about the visa process, especially since it’s our first time applying for a US visa.

The organizers are covering all expenses (flights, accommodation, etc.) except the visa fees. They’ve provided a strong invitation letter addressed to the US Consulate, explaining her role in the event, why her presence is critical, and confirming their sponsorship. My dad will accompany her as her guardian since she’s a minor. Here are my questions:

Emergency Visa Appointment: The event is early June 2025, and we’re worried about the regular visa appointment wait times. Should we apply for an emergency visa appointment to increase our chances of getting a slot before the event? I read on the US Embassy website that emergency appointments are for urgent cases, but I’m not sure if this qualifies since it’s not a medical or life-or-death situation. The visa fee ($185 per person) is a lot for us to risk, so I want to be sure we’re making the right move. Has anyone successfully gotten an emergency appointment for a similar event or competition?

DS-160 Application: Since my sister is a minor and my dad is only accompanying her, do we need to fill out two separate DS-160 forms (one for her and one for my dad)? Or can we fill one for her and include my dad’s details as her chaperone? I don’t want to make mistakes that could delay or jeopardize the application.

Other Tips: This is our first time applying for a US visa, and we’re nervous about the interview. The invitation letter is solid, and we have all the necessary documents from the organizers, but is there anything else we should prepare to boost their chances? Also, since my sister is a minor, will she need to attend the interview with my dad, or can he handle it on her behalf?

Please, I need advice from anyone who has gone through a similar process, especially for minors attending events in the US or applying for B1 visas. If you’ve dealt with emergency appointments or have tips to avoid refusal, kindly share. This opportunity means a lot to my sister, and we want to get it right.

Thank you in advance for your help, and God bless you all!

Hello Nosa.

(1). Firstly your younger sister is not a minor at age 15 therefore she is qualified to be interview by the consular .

** Consular officer will be interested and curious to test her (briefly ) abilities based on the award she has won and if she proves herself her visa is 100% guaranteed on the basis of the genuine existence and accreditation of the awarding organisation in the U.S.

(2). Your dad is not suposed to be the principal person that will chaperone her to the occasion, her class teacher , head of school , the organisation facilitator in Nigeria, etc is supposed to but if the competition was ed for outside her school knowledge then you may proceed with your plan,

(3). The organization strong - invitation letter does not have to be addressed to the embassy and it is not a guarantee for visa no matter how strong the letter is.

** The organisation's accreditation to hold such event and the girls ability to defend her merit award , as well as the organisation 's background checks (by the U.S embassy) will determine the visa outcome.

(4). She is 100% qualified for an emergency appointment ( under business) if you process it effectively.

(5). She must fill her individual ds 160 and your dad will fill his own ds 160 individually that is two separate ds 160s but one avits profile.

(6). No matter how strong the invitation letter is, it is not an automatic success. The tip on number 3 above will determine her visa. Yes she will be questioned academically by the consular based on her IQ level. The consular will know within minutes of her communication if she truly won the merit even after the official verification of everything.

Note: Your kid sister herself must prove her worth to the consular because the natural thought of the consular is that she (your sister) can be favoured as a result of a wealthy parents while the true outstanding students were left out. Good LucK 👍

obidike59:
Good Day Everyone
I am in a dilemma right now, my Mum's visa appointment on the old portal is for July 2025, and i have created a new on the AVITS portal for her, with the hope that her previous appointment will be successfully migrated automatically on the new portal.
Since it did not update automatically, i tried to create a new appointment using the MRV fee i used in the old portal, now it is saying it has expired. I actually paid on March 2024.

So guys what can i do? Do i have to pay a new Visa fee?, what about this my pending appointment? Does that mean I will loose this date?
I have tried to chat them up, but options for expired MRV doesnt come up.

Obidike.
Your are not In a dilemma if your mum's appointment letter is still intact and the ds-160 confirmation slip filled at the time of the application is still available .

You do not need anything to do with avits for now. Your mum can attend the interview with the appointment letter and the ds 160 confirmation print out.

She only needs to open profile on OIS in the case she wants to pick up her visa.

https://www.oisservices.com/services



** Call/chat the embassy if her appointment is still intact (which i believe it is).

** She should go to the interview along with 2 recent port photos (2x2) . 👍

Nosainwe:
Hello everyone, I have been following this thread for a couple of days, and I have a situation I need clarification on, please, I need urgent advice from gurus in the house regarding a B1 visa application for my younger sister, who is a minor (15 years old), and my dad, who will chaperone her. She won a prestigious competition organized by a worldwide media brand, and they’ve invited her to a one-week event in the US, including an award ceremony, happening early June 2025. This is a huge opportunity for her, and we don’t want to miss it, but we’re confused about the visa process, especially since it’s our first time applying for a US visa.

The organizers are covering all expenses (flights, accommodation, etc.) except the visa fees. They’ve provided a strong invitation letter addressed to the US Consulate, explaining her role in the event, why her presence is critical, and confirming their sponsorship. My dad will accompany her as her guardian since she’s a minor. Here are my questions:

Emergency Visa Appointment: The event is early June 2025, and we’re worried about the regular visa appointment wait times. Should we apply for an emergency visa appointment to increase our chances of getting a slot before the event? I read on the US Embassy website that emergency appointments are for urgent cases, but I’m not sure if this qualifies since it’s not a medical or life-or-death situation. The visa fee ($185 per person) is a lot for us to risk, so I want to be sure we’re making the right move. Has anyone successfully gotten an emergency appointment for a similar event or competition?

DS-160 Application: Since my sister is a minor and my dad is only accompanying her, do we need to fill out two separate DS-160 forms (one for her and one for my dad)? Or can we fill one for her and include my dad’s details as her chaperone? I don’t want to make mistakes that could delay or jeopardize the application.

Other Tips: This is our first time applying for a US visa, and we’re nervous about the interview. The invitation letter is solid, and we have all the necessary documents from the organizers, but is there anything else we should prepare to boost their chances? Also, since my sister is a minor, will she need to attend the interview with my dad, or can he handle it on her behalf?

Please, I need advice from anyone who has gone through a similar process, especially for minors attending events in the US or applying for B1 visas. If you’ve dealt with emergency appointments or have tips to avoid refusal, kindly share. This opportunity means a lot to my sister, and we want to get it right.

Thank you in advance for your help, and God bless you all!

Congratulations to your sister. May she continue to make her parents and family proud.

Your Dad needs to fill his own form and same for your sister. I'm not sure this qualifies for an emergency appointment - but you can try. It is really close now.

When she gets an interview appointment, she just needs to be herself and say the truth 100%. Same for your Dad.

I pray this works for her. Good luck!

Cashmadam:


Congratulations to your sister. May she continue to make her parents and family proud.

Your Dad needs to fill his own form and same for your sister. I'm not sure this qualifies for an emergency appointment - but you can try. It is really close now.

When she gets an interview appointment, she just needs to be herself and say the truth 100%. Same for your Dad.

I pray this works for her. Good luck!

Thank you very much for this response. I would update the thread on how it goes.

Efetobore1980:




Hello Nosa.

(1). Firstly your younger sister is not a minor at age 15 therefore she is qualified to be interview by the consular .

** Consular officer will be interested and curious to test her (briefly ) abilities based on the award she has won and if she proves herself her visa is 100% guaranteed on the basis of the genuine existence and accreditation of the awarding organisation in the U.S.

(2). Your dad is not suposed to be the principal person that will chaperone her to the occasion, her class teacher , head of school , the organisation facilitator in Nigeria, etc is supposed to but if the competition was ed for outside her school knowledge then you may proceed with your plan,

(3). The organization strong - invitation letter does not have to be addressed to the embassy and it is not a guarantee for visa no matter how strong the letter is.

** The organisation's accreditation to hold such event and the girls ability to defend her merit award , as well as the organisation 's background checks (by the U.S embassy) will determine the visa outcome.

(4). She is 100% qualified for an emergency appointment ( under business) if you process it effectively.

(5). She must fill her individual ds 160 and your dad will fill his own ds 160 individually that is two separate ds 160s but one avits profile.

(6). No matter how strong the invitation letter is, it is not an automatic success. The tip on number 3 above will determine her visa. Yes she will be questioned academically by the consular based on her IQ level. The consular will know within minutes of her communication if she truly won the merit even after the official verification of everything.

Note: Your kid sister herself must prove her worth to the consular because the natural thought of the consular is that she (your sister) can be favoured as a result of a wealthy parents while the true outstanding students were left out. Good LucK 👍

Thank you very much, I fully understand what is required now, I appreciate the response once more. And yes, she applied outside of her school.

For this point 4, processing effectively would include submitting the award invitation letter and the one addressed to the consular speaking to why she can't miss the event and stating that they are handling accommodation and travel costs, right? Are there other documents you suggest we attach?