The United States Embassy in Nigeria says contrary to popular beliefs, its visa officers are not always happy denying the visa applications of Nigerians.
The embassy subsequently asked Nigerians to tune into a live Facebook talk at 2 pm on Wednesday.
A Facebook post read in part, “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.”
However, over 200 Nigerians disagreed in the comment section of the embassy’s Facebook page.
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 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.”
Menuba Esther Amaka also wrote, “Why is the application fee non-refundable? That’s what is bordering me.”
Another Facebook user, Akufai Valentine Jonah, recalled how he was denied a visa despite obtaining a scholarship in 2013. He also expressed disapproval with the way the consular officer spoke to him.
Jonah wrote, “I had a terrible experience in 2013. I got a scholarship to attend a conference in Denver but was denied a visa. I was not angry because I was denied a visa. I was angry with the manner of the disrespect from the consular officer.
“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 and back then I used to work with an NGO and it was clearly stated in my application. I have forgotten the third excuse.
“I just laughed and left, I know people who are single then and are still single today that have got US visas. I know people who have no job but have got a US visa, I know people who had zero travel records but were granted US visa. Since that episode, I have never ever applied for a US visa because I don’t have any business there for now.”
The PUNCH had reported last year how the US denies hundreds of Nigerians visas on a daily basis and how the embassy generates N57m from Nigerians.
Following the report, the House of Representatives launched a probe into the matter in late 2018.
