Has anyone everbeen asked for surity for visitors visa

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

One of Josephs brothers was invited to speak at a convention and went for his visa interview at the embassy in Lagos. The initial response was that the visa was approved. When he returned they informed him that they wanted someone in Nigeria ( specifically Abuja property) to put up there home as a guarantee that he would return. They gave him a week to arrange for this. I have never heard of this type of request before.

[HeatDeath 430]

<snark> Maybe the Consular Officer's cousin is in the market for a cheap house and hoping someone overstays a tourist visa? </snark>

Nah, probably not. But CO's, and the Consulate-Generals they report to have a lot of discretion. It's either blatant abuse of adjudication authority, blatant corruption, or an "innovative" new policy to try to cut down the fraud rates they've become infamous for.

Edited January 14, 2011 by HeatDeath

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Lagos is a VERY strict consulate and a very high fraud country/city. While I've never heard of this, I'm not surprised they want additional proof that he intends to return. Best just to submit what they want and not rock the boat. I'm actually amazed he was approved for a tourist visa at all

Good luck

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

We are actually unable to help as they were specific about where the property needed to be and we only own 2 places in the US and 2 in Nigeria but none in the right regions.

[Boiler 46,059]

We are actually unable to help as they were specific about where the property needed to be and we only own 2 places in the US and 2 in Nigeria but none in the right regions.

This must be a scam, now quite who is scamming who and why is the issue.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Security is security... why would they need it to be in a specific region... that's odd... I would suggest making a polite (anonymous) enquiry about whether this is actually a requirement before you (or they) ever consider signing something

[Boiler 46,059]

Security is security... why would they need it to be in a specific region... that's odd... I would suggest making a polite (anonymous) enquiry about whether this is actually a requirement before you (or they) ever consider signing something

It is a scam!

[Minya's wife 25]

Who was it that made this request? Was he given a letter or some paperwork detailing what it was they needed of him?

Put up the home as guarantee how? Was your BIL requested to show property in that specific region as being in his name? This is extremely unusual...

Edited January 15, 2011 by Minya's wife

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

This is my brother in law and NOTHING was requested from us. This is not fraud on the applicant side. He called before the interview with questions on the forms and what to expect. He has called on the Thursday of his interview very excited with the idea of coming to the US. Then after the weekend he was talking to my husband again after going to the embassy again. I had never heard of this type of request. There is another relative( USC but Nigerian born) that married someone that was Nigerian here on a visitors visa and they were successful at AOSing so I wonder if that may have triggered this. I thought I would throw the question out to see if this is something unique because I think VJ has seen just about everything and I have never heard of it here or from the other Nigerians we know here in the states.

The US Embassy in Abuja requested that he prove assurance in the form of real estate in the Abuja area worth at least a specific amount, quite high even by US standards. They gave him a time limit for this.

[Boiler 46,059]

A B applicant may be asked to show financial ties.

No provision for surety. In ideas discussed on this board it has been suggested it would be a good idea. But Visajourney does not drive US Immigration Rules.

So a scam of some sorts.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Sounds like a scam to me too. Who in the embassy requested this- ie a local worker or CO? Was he told of this in writing, or by phone? If phone, did they call him or he call them? What exactly is he supposed to provide- deeds to the house?

[Minya's wife 25]

Sounds like a scam to me too. Who in the embassy requested this- ie a local worker or CO? Was he told of this in writing, or by phone? If phone, did they call him or he call them? What exactly is he supposed to provide- deeds to the house?

This is what I asked. If the request was for proof of financial ties, and the example of property was given, that is different. It is just very unlikely that a CO would come right out and say "You can have a visa only if you bring in the deeds to expensive property within x amount of time."

[Boiler 46,059]

This is what I asked. If the request was for proof of financial ties, and the example of property was given, that is different. It is just very unlikely that a CO would come right out and say "You can have a visa only if you bring in the deeds to expensive property within x amount of time."

Perhaps he needs somewhere to live and is choosy about the area?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

He returned to the embassy supposedly to retrieve his passport and this was from the clerk. I know corruption in Nigeria doesn't stop at the embassy doors so it is possible he hit someone corrupt. My brother in law is disappointed, he is in his residency as he just completed his medical schooling. We all know a visitors visa from Nigeria is like winning the lottery and thought he was really lucky to have gotten one being single, educated and no property. I know they sometimes look at the travelers financial ties but never heard of asking for a third person to provide a guarantee.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

This can be solved by simply sending an email to the consular and asking them if such a request came from them.