With New Book, The Visa Whisperer, Travel Expert, Morounke Orunesajo Simplifies The Daunting Visa Process

With a passion to simplifying the visa application processes and demystifying the root causes of visa rejections for Nigerians, travel expert, Mrs Morounke Orunesajo over the weekend launched The Visa Whisperer, a visa application guide.

She poured decades of experience into the book all in the aim of simplifying the visa processes and helping more Nigerians secure the much elusive visa,

Speaking over the weekend at the launch of the book on Sunday, May 18, 2025 which also doubled as her birthday, she disclosed that the passion to write the book was ignited due to how talented individuals with scholarships, people seeking urgent medical treatment, proud parents wanting to visit their children abroad were denied visas and made to return home empty-handed.

The final push to write the book came when she lost a client. The client, a stage 2 cancer clinical trial patient decided to return home to Nigeria briefly for a family function and was denied re-entry to the US, she died shortly as she couldn’t continue her treatment, that loss haunted Morounke Orunesajo for a while giving her the final push to document her expertise in a book form.

Hear her, “The world of visas began on June 8, 1998, when I arrived the U.S. Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria to start my career. It wasn’t just a new job; it was a whole new world. A world filled with laws, processes, and assumptions that were as foreign to me as they were to the applicants I saw every day.

“I was shocked and also saddened by what I witnessed. Talented individuals with scholarships, people seeking urgent medical treatment, proud parents wanting to visit their children abroad. Many of them walked away empty-handed, and I kept asking, why? In time, I found the answer.

“It wasn’t about the school, or the hospital, or even the relatives waiting on the other side. It was about the applicants’ ties to their home country. It was about how immigration laws, particularly the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 214b, instructs every consular officer to presume that the applicant standing before them intends to immigrate.

“And the burden of proof, it falls entirely on the applicant. That revelation transformed me. It helped me understand the logic of the system, and then in turn help others navigate it.

“But it wasn’t until I lost a client, someone I had come to care about deeply, that I knew I had to write this book. She had traveled to the U.S. for medical treatment. Diagnosed with stage 2 cancer, she was doing well, responding to treatment, and receiving injections every six weeks as part of a clinical trial.

“But one day, she decided to return home briefly for a family function. I asked her if she had filed for an extension of stay. She said the doctor told her not to worry.

“I knew better, but I didn’t push her enough. When she tried to return to the U.S., she was denied re-entry. The visa officer saw her overstay and made a decision based on the law.

“She passed away in Nigeria shortly after. Treatment interrupted; her life cut short. That loss haunts me.

“It was the final push I needed to write this book” she began at the book launch.

Continuing, Mrs Orunesajo disclosed that the book, The Visa Whisperer is her attempt to break the massive information gap between applicants and the visa system they must face while explaining the laws, the expectations, the cultural nuances, and the myths that often derail people’s chances before they even begin.

She disclosed that too often, applicants rely on hearsay, on someone else’s experience, or they try to transfer the rules from one country to another while disclosing that every embassy has its own requirements, its own regulations.

“I wrote this book for those who can’t visit my office, for those who can’t afford expensive consultants, for the students, the patients, the tourists, the professionals, for every person standing in line outside an embassy wondering what they did wrong the last time.

“I want readers to understand that it’s not about how badly you want to travel, it’s about how well you can prove you will return.

“That’s what non-immigrant visas are about. Ties, family, economic, financial, patterns, consistency, credibility, and above all, honesty. Because while some visa refusals are temporary, a lie can create a permanent barrier” she added.

She also had a word of advice for applicants on how to avoid being denied visas.

“A misrepresentation today could deny you a life-changing opportunity tomorrow. So, I urge everyone, don’t fake it. Don’t invent children or marriages.

“Don’t forge documents. Tell your truth, even if it means waiting a little longer for your yes. Tonight, I launch the Visa Whisperer, not just as a book, but as a mission.

“To educate, to empower, and to demystify. To the people who have trusted me with their visa journeys, thank you. To my clients whose story gave me the courage to write this book, this is for you” she noted.

Reviewing the book, Ms Fisayo Orunesajo described the book as not just a how-to, but a survival guide, a strategy manual and a confidence booster for anyone who’s ever had to face a visa interview with their heart pounding in their chest.

“The book is incredibly clear and practical, which is what I really love about it. Whether you’re applying for a visitor visa, a student visa, a work permit, or trying to join Family Abroad, this book walks you through each step.

“It explains the forms, the supporting documents, the red flags to avoid, and all in plain accessible language. What I found especially powerful is that it doesn’t just focus on paperwork. It talks about mindset.

“It helps you understand that visa officers are really looking for. It explains what it means to prove ties to your home country; a phrase we hear all the time but rarely know how to demonstrate. It also talks about failure, how to bounce back from a denial, how to request your case notes from the Canadian government, and how to prepare even better next time.

“These are things many people don’t know that they can do. But beyond the advice, what really makes this book matter, especially for a Nigerian audience, is that it speaks to our experience. As Nigerians, a lot of times, for various reasons, education, family, business, medical care, or even new beginnings, we also face a level of scrutiny that makes visa processing feel like a battle, which a lot of you would have experienced.

“We can have the money, the documents, the qualifications, and unfortunately still be denied. The Visa Whisperer understands that reality, it gives us tools, it gives us language, it gives us power. And it’s arriving at exactly the right time.

“Immigration systems are becoming more digital, more automated, and frankly, more rigid. This book teaches you how to adapt, how to show up prepared, informed, and ready. So, whether you’re applying for a visa, guiding your child through school abroad, considering permanent residency, or just tired of the guesswork, this book is your road map” she noted.

She expressed deep appreciation to the author, Mrs Morounke Orunesajo for taking decades of insights and turning it into something tangible, readable, and deeply helpful while expressing confidence that “if visas have ever stood between you and your goals, this book is your whisperer, your translator, your coach”.

The virtual book launch drew hundreds of participants from all over the world as family members, friends, former colleagues, grateful clients who have benefitted from Mrs Orunesajo’s expertise took turn to eulogise her and testify to her amazing expertise.

According to Deepak Kumar of MakeStudy, he felicitated the author on her birthday and launch of the book while extolling her professionalism.

“MakeStudy takes immense pride in our association with a highly intellectual and seasoned professional like you. Your deep industry knowledge and passion for helping others shine through in every initiative you lead.

“This book, The Visa Whisperer, is truly a gift to visa aspirants around the world. It is more than a guide—it is a powerful collection of your experiences, insights, and strategies that will inspire and support many on their relocation journeys. We wish this book great success—your message deserves to go beyond borders and reach every corner of the globe. Warm wishes and congratulations once again, From Deepak & the entire MakeStudy Team” he wrote.

A former colleague, Mrs Bola Odiaka also had nothing but effusive testimony about Mrs Orunesajo describing her as a doting mother, a loyal friend, a lover of God and a reservoir of knowledge on the visa processes an attribute that makes her the right person to write the book.

“I want to say that for as many of you that are here tonight, that book is a go-to for you. Make sure you get it. Because I know she has the experience.

“In fact, when we were in that embassy, she was such a versatile person. She knew everything about the entire consulate. Talk about immigrant visa, talk about non-immigrant visa, talk about citizenship.

“Because she’s so brilliant. Everybody wanted her to be part of the system. I even want to say that she is the right person to write this book.

“I haven’t seen any book on visa anywhere. But I want to assure you that this particular one is one book that if you launch it with her today, and you buy it or you give it to your friends, they will come back to thank you. Ronke, congratulations” she enthused.

Several speakers including Mr Soore Orunesajo, the author’s first son, Mrs Seun Animashaun, the author’s sister, amongst other also spoke glowingly about Mrs Orunesajo.

The event which was chaired by Mr Olugboyega Oluyomi and anchored by Mrs Chinwe Kalu climaxed with a vote of thanks from Mr Boluwatito Orunesajo.

The book is available for purchase on Lulu.com and other e-commerce websites and prominent book shops across the country while copies can also be bought at the author’s consultancy outfit, Sofyt Agency Limited located at 5A, Millennium Housing Estate, Gbagada Lagos.