ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING

I applied for a US tourist visa in November 2012.

I got to the US Embassy in Lagos around 7:30. After going through the procedure before the interview proper, it was time to meet with my interviewer. I sat down waiting impatiently for my number to come up. There were 3 men and 2 women. I kept praying not to end up at the women's cubicles.

I met 3 of my ex school mates there and 2 of them got visas but the third did not. However, I continued to wait impatiently for my number. Eventually it came up it was at a male consular cubicle.

-He asked why I was going to the US and I said wanted to have my next holiday in New York City. Just to basically discover a new city, sight see, Shop etc.

-have you ever been to the US? Nope

-Have you ever traveled outside Nigeria? Yes

-where and where? England several times, Dubai a few times.

-how much I earn? I said it and I quickly added that I get bonuses from time to time since I'm a political appointee.

-how did you get such a job? Mum is related to persons in government in that state.

-where did you get your degree from? University of Lagos Nigerian law school.

In my DS160,I already wrote that I dint have any friends or family in the US and I just got a hotel reservation.

Then he went on his computer for a longtime...........................

Then he said please take your passport we would contact you. I was dazed!!!!! I thought the interview went well, he dint even ask to see my document. I asked if it was a refusal and he said no it isn't, we would contact you. Then he handed me a letter that had ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING boldly written on it. The letter basically meant that they still needed to investigate something’s about me.

I was scared and disappointed especially because I had never been refused a visa. I got on my computer and goggled it; I then realized that it was because my first and last names were Muslim names. They had to send it for clearance with some terrorist units.

About a month after I got a phone call from the Embassy to come and pick up my visa. I got 2 years multiple entries!

PS: I intend travelling next week. I have a slight issue, I don\'t want to go to New York anymore. I want to go to Maryland; I heard I might have issues with the Immigration @ the port of entry because of that. Can anyone shed more light on this for me please?

Kinks xxxx