How does she show ties?

[PurpleSky 19]

We are beginning the process of looking into Nursing schools here for my soon to be sister in law. We've requested information from a couple of schools that would issue her an I-20 so she can apply for a student visa. My question is this...she is young (only 22) so what would she provide as ties to say she would go back to Nigeria once her schooling here is completed?

Thanks in advance!

[patient2010 93]

is she in Naija or Gambia?

[PurpleSky 19]

She's in Nigeria with Papa and the rest of their family.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

So she will interview in Lagos? She'll need STRONG ties.

I produced ownership of property in Canada, a substanial bank account, loans to a bank in Canada, family ties, and even proof of a scheduled return trip to Canada as a visit to maintain such ties

What ties does she have to Nigeria?

good luck

[PurpleSky 19]

She is only 22. She still lives at home with Papa. She has no children but she does have a job. That's about it. Here's the deal:

Their mother passed away when FSIL was just a child. She is their mother's last born (the baby of 8 children). Because of this it was the older siblings' responsibility to take care of her and provide her with a better life. My FBIL as the oldest overall, paid for her high school education and it was supposed to be the 2nd oldest brother's responsibility to pay for her university schooling. She has been out of high school for 3 years and the 2nd oldest (who lives in Spain) refuses to now live up to his responsibility. So she is stuck in their village with an education that is pretty much going to waste. She really wants to be a nurse and the rest of us have decided to chip in to pay for it, but would want her to be safe and cared for (without having to travel back and forth or live by herself) so we thought to have her go to school here so she can get a better education as well as experience and not have to worry about where her next meal would come from or where she would live. The added thing is that since both my cousin (who's married to the eldest brother) and myself both have medical backgrounds we would be able to help her with her studies. FSIL has no desire to stay here in America because she wants to stay with Papa and she wants to go back home (to Nigeria) to help her people with getting a higher level of care. She said she would like to start a children's hospital/orphanage for all the street kids there.

What ties would she even be able to show since she's so young? Should she write a statement and have it notorized regarding her plans once she returns home with her Nursing Degree? Should we purchase a return ticket for her to go back home when the school year is over? How would we even do that if we don't know if the visa would be approved? She also doesn't have a large bank account (she does have a little savings though), I would think that a 22 year old Nigerian girl having a substantial amount of money in a bank account would not look right.

I am at a loss here

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I'm really sorry but a 22 year old Nigerian girl will need a LOT more ties than simply a notarized statement saying that she intends to return - especially one with family in the US. Once she is accepted into a school and has proven the financial requirement, she can always apply with whatever you have - the worst case is a denial.

Have you tried calling the consulate to find out what they are looking for?

I just know what I had to produce and I'm from a very liberal country with regards to issuing visas to the US

Good luck

[PurpleSky 19]

Thank you!!

Figured as much. I will send them an email tonight to see what she would need. It's good that we are looking into this now rather than waiting and being VERY disappointed. If America doesn't work out for her we will look into Belgium where one of her sisters lives.

[Boiler 45,487]

A 4 year nursing degree in the US is going to cost mega bucks.

Would not a local option be a much better bet?

Edited March 22, 2011 by Boiler

[PurpleSky 19]

A 4 year nursing degree in the US is going to cost mega bucks.

Would not a local option be a much better bet?

This was one of the things we considered. In our state nurses are in high demand and many of the community colleges have nursing programs so we thought that we would have her start with that and if she wanted to get an actual BSN there are private scholarships that she could apply for.

The ones that are "local" to her would require hours of travel (if she were to live at home with Papa) or would require her living off by herself which we are not very keen on (due to safety issues most especially penchant for human trafficking there) . We have not completely ruled this out but we would feel much better with her being with family.

[patient2010 93]

I agree with the earlier post about producing ample amount of documents especially when it comes to Naija. to get any kind of visa out of Lagos is tuff. However a student visa you might have a slim chance but you will need much more than her savings to prove she is coming back. You will also need on your end to show proof you have the funds to pay or have already paid for her school and some schools require you have medical insurance for them as well. The later might not apply but I know here in my state when a friend was sending for her sister through a student visa the community college requested those things it might not be the same in your state...good luck to you guys

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

I would suggest that you start checking with the schools to see what are their requirements are, before you waste energy on trying to show ties. Some community colleges are requiring that the student has $10,000.00 US dollars in the bank before they would even start the process to assist with a student visa. The $10,000 doesn't include the cost of tuition.

As I stated, this is a reference from some schools, every school have their own requirements.

The cost of an international student for a university can run quite high, that's why many students who come to the US starts out in a BS program for nursing, but ends up doing a assisting aid program at a 2 year credential program. I know you are just researching right now, so I would cautious you to look at the big picture.

Good luck....

Edited March 22, 2011 by LIFE'SJOURNEY