Nigerians on Facebook have taken to the platform to narrate their negative experiences in obtaining visas at the United States Embassy in Nigeria.
The reactions began to roll in after the Embassy encouraged Nigerians to join its Live Facebook discussion on issues bordering on Visa by 2 pm on Wednesday.
Through its official page, the US Embassy in Nigeria, wrote, “Contrary to popular opinion, visa officers do not enjoy handing anyone the 214b refusal letter.
“Proof: Visa Officers will be live on Facebook to talk about some of the commonly misunderstood questions on the DS 160 and help you improve your next application.”
But many Nigerians seem to disagree with the assertion. They soon flooded the comments section of the post with different negative stories about how they were treated during their visa application processes.
One user, Akufai Valentine Jonah, lamented about how he had gotten a scholarship in 2013 but could not travel to the United States because his visa was denied.
He stated, “I had a terrible experience in 2013. I got a scholarship to attend a conference in Denver but I was denied a visa. I was not angry because I was denied a visa. I was angry with the disrespectful manner the consular officer spoke to me.
“Imagine giving one that refusal letter and you are told ‘off you go’ without any tangible explanation. After reading the letter, it states that I don’t have strong ties to my country either through being married, neither do I have a job. Back then I worked with an NGO and it was clearly stated in my application form. I have forgotten the third excuse.
“I just laughed and left, I know people who were single then and are still single today that have got US visas. I know people who have no jobs but have got US visas. I know people who had zero travel records but were granted US visas. Since that episode, I have never ever applied for a US visa because I don’t have any business there for now.”
Another Nigerian, Adaobi Emmanuella Njoku, wrote, “Contrary to what you just posted, I think and believe they actually do enjoy it because they act like they know it all and still end up giving visas to people without genuine intentions.
“I can’t wait for Wednesday to come because I have already prepared my questions. They will explain to me how it is possible to deny a person a visa three times with three different reasons at different times when the form was filled exactly the same and for the same purpose: for a medical trip to help save one’s child. I can’t wait for Wednesday.” –
In the later stages of 208, the Federal Government questioned the increased number of visa denials by the embassy after records showed it had realized over 57 million naira from visa applications, whereas hundreds of Nigerians were denied visas daily.
Also, read: Don’t be desperate to come to Europe, UK warns Nigerian ladies