Abuja-Mr Stephen Frahm, Consular Chief of the U.S Embassy, Wednesday, in Abuja advised Nigerians wishing to travel to that country to apply for visas at least a year ahead of time.
He said this at the embassy's monthly briefing which had consular operations as the focus. Frahm said the number of applicants outnumber those that can be accommodated daily, noting that this contributes to delays. “ In Nigeria, there are a greater number of applicants than we have the ability to process. The number of people that can be processed in a given day is finite and that’s why it takes a long time in many instances to get an appointment. “ Here in Abuja, we are able to schedule about 200; in Lagos they do about 350 to 400, so that's about 600 a day. “ We know that the demand is higher than that but we just don't have the logistics to do more than that right now, so that's why the delay. “ The visa process should not be that last decision you make before you travel. It should be the first decision in planning. This is critical to making it possible for us to provide that service to the applicant,'' he said. He said applicants should make their visa applications online and ensure they visit the website for clarification if they had to. Frahm also advised applicants to fill out their applications correctly and give information in line with what they provided to make them qualify for the visa. “ Most people are bad liars. With the way our law is written, if you misrepresent the facts then you are not credible and we are forced to refuse. "You may be a legitimate traveller, but because during the interview you did not present yourself correctly, then we have no alternative but to refuse,'' he said. Frahm urged those who wished to apply for visas to the U.S not to be deterred by the processes. The processes, he said, were to ensure that all visa applications complied with the Immigration Nationalities Act of the United States. He said the immigration activities were of important commercial value, noting that Nigeria has the highest number of applicants among the ECOWAS states with 60 per cent to 70 per cent of visa applications approved this year. Also speaking, Deborah Maclean, Information Officer in the U.S embassy, called on applicants to be truthful about their reasons for travelling in order to get a positive response from the embassy. "You must be prepared and that includes planning in advance for your interview, having the information available for why you personally know you are going because each interview is a personal interview. "What the consular officer would be asking you is based on what you present for information.
"If you are truthful about why you are going, the outcome is most likely going to be a positive one," she said.
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." Luke 18:27
Posted: at 1-07-2011 04:15 AM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Sometime ago, I tried making appointments and will have to chose dates based on availability on the embassy's appointment calendar. Has that changed, or is the online appointment scheduler program not to determine what number of people is scheduled for interview on a particular day?
Or did he not have something else to say or did he lose his line of thoughts?
Posted: at 1-07-2011 11:01 AM (12 years ago) | Newbie
Hehehe.. Visa wahala.. see as US Govt dey collect better revenue from visa applicants in Naija.. No be small cash ooo, they can even deny all that number of people entry, and they will still re-apply contributing more revenue to the US govt , Imagine if Visa fees are minimum of 100 dollar, then multiple that by that number of people applying daily, multiply again by 25 working days of calender per month, then final multiply by 12 calender month see quite cash wey dem dey make from Naija peeps. and is not a guarantee you will get the visas after all the protocol.
DirtyKid is a Happy Kid !!.....FATHER !! I've cast my bread on the waters long time ago. Now it's time 4u to return it, well buttered !!
Posted: at 1-07-2011 12:17 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
It is all their faults. Many Nigerians has one business or the other to do in the United States. Even if it is a pure politics, they have a reason to say that one should apply ahead of time. I SEE NO OFFENSE IN THIS.
IN ZAKA FADI, FADI GASKIYA, KOMAI TA JA MA A YI MAKA
Posted: at 1-07-2011 12:21 PM (12 years ago) | Hero
interpo77 at 1-07-2011 12:41 PM (12 years ago) (m)
it is very hurrible when u visit or go close to these embassies, USA,BRITAIN,GERMANY ETC,IT IS really hurrible indeed the way nigerians over crowded is too disturbing, some do not know exact demand for a common application but its quit ,1 yrs s too oong to wait shaa
Posted: at 1-07-2011 12:41 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Austine1759 at 1-07-2011 01:40 PM (12 years ago) (m)
A Nigerian has done it again in US. Travelling with various boarding passes that weren't his. God knows where he got them from...don't really know why it has to be Nigerians all the time. It's so shameful!
Posted: at 1-07-2011 01:40 PM (12 years ago) | Newbie
maryclaret at 1-07-2011 02:42 PM (12 years ago) (f)
I don't see what the offense is here. They're asking Nigerians to apply a year ahead of time ..ehen and so? He mentioned some of the reasons why this is so. Times are changing and countries are being more careful on who to let into their country. This is just another protocol that can help achieve that aim. If you have a problem with that, then don't apply for visa in America. Simple.
Ada Mbaise
Posted: at 1-07-2011 02:42 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac
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interpo77
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