US Visa denials disadvantage Nigerian Students – A research by BusinessDay reveals that a number of Nigerian students had their plans to study in the United States foiled when their F-1 visa applications were denied.
The visa denials have left some students in a foul mood, and they have also lamented the resulting financial losses.
Earlier this year, a US visa was denied to a 24-year-old writer who wished to improve her abilities through a postgraduate programme in creative writing.
The student, who declined to be identified, said she provided the necessary documents, which qualified her for an interview.
“I was stunned when I received the rejection letter. The first thing that came to mind was how this would disappoint my parents. “Despite the time and money invested, it was still a failure,” said Kike.
She told BusinessDay that she had done everything required and provided all the necessary information to ensure a successful interview. She was just awaiting clearance to purchase her plane ticket.
She said, “Because this was so important to me, I researched previous interviews and prepared my answers.” “We were already planning. To us, it appeared inevitable. In any case, it is only a student visa, and I was eager to continue my education there. A graduate assistantship programme even provided me with an excellent opportunity for a part-time employment. You can image how much that would add to my master’s degree experience.”
Kike disclosed that she had paid $350 for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System and N67,200 for the US Embassy visa.
“The interviewer merely looked at me and handed me the denial letter after I had provided all of the above and given my responses during the interview. She said, “I was shocked to receive such a letter from the embassy.” “Beyond the humiliation of being rejected, I felt a profound sense of future despondency.
Chinaza Ofodum was also denied a visa in 2022, an experience she describes as “demoralising.”
“It was disappointing. Even though I had all the necessary documentation, I was still rejected. “To be completely honest, I’m still baffled by the reasons,” she said.
According to research, the United States is denying an increasing number of student visa applications, with African applicants being the least likely to be admitted, according to a recent report by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.
“More than 92,000 potentially qualified African students were denied visas between 2015 and 2022,” the report states.
The report found that the refusal rate in West Africa was 71%, while it was only 16% in southern Africa.
According to the report, 31% of F-1 student visa applications were denied in 2022, a “significant” increase from 2015’s 23%.
The low acceptance rates for African students are a “missed opportunity” for the United States, according to Rajika Bhandari, a senior adviser at the Presidents’ Alliance, because excluding potentially qualified and interested students conflicts with the country’s need to attract global talent.
“Rejecting such a large number of African students impedes the ability of U.S. colleges and universities to benefit from a diverse international student population,” she added.
The interview appointment, according to travel agent Michael Ugorji, is the most difficult aspect of the student visa application.
“You can get into any American university, pay your tuition, and do everything else, but getting a visa appointment is the problem,” he said. Some individuals even pay to draw appointments from opposing parties, but are still denied visa appointments.
Some applicants for the August-September academic session are forced to forfeit their admissions despite having paid the school fee because of visa-appointment delays.
The US Consulate stated in an email to BusinessDay that Nigeria sends more students to American colleges and universities than any other African country.
“During the 2021-2022 academic year, Nigeria sent 14,438 students to the United States, the highest number in more than three decades,” a spokesperson stated. To date in this calendar year, Mission Nigeria has interviewed over 32,000 students, including over 16,000 since May.
According to the spokesperson, consular officers are trained to evaluate the circumstances of each student visa applicant, and the policies governing the issuance of student visas are consistent worldwide.
“All visa applications are evaluated individually, in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act and applicable federal regulations. “International students are welcomed in the United States and are a Department of State priority,” he said.
He stated that the consulate recognises the significant contributions these students make to American college and university campuses, their positive influence on American communities, and the numerous advantages of academic cooperation in fostering cultural understanding and advancing research and knowledge.