General UK Visa Enquiries

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Nairaland Forum  |  General Discussion  |  Travel (Moderator: Siena)  |  General UK Visa Enquiries
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Author Topic: General UK Visa Enquiries  (Read 2667 views)
big_bumper (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #32 on: April 19, 2008, 02:26 PM »

@guseman#

stop cluttering the Visa section and get your arse out of here pronto. Grin Grin Grin
Siena (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #33 on: April 19, 2008, 02:56 PM »

Quote from: big_bumper on April 19, 2008, 02:24 PM
Talking of arses;

In awe and utmost and admiration of your maturity, [b]evolved[b] sense of humour and commonsense.

I for that thick bakassi of yours, I bet it's hot to trot like bumpers.


Small_Bumper, you're nuts!  Grin
babycool (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #34 on: April 19, 2008, 04:41 PM »

Hi Funkybaby,

My questions are as regards to the students's visa requirement.

If the applicant has a very competent sponsor, would he or she still be  required to to forward their personal statement of account along with the sponsor's?
puyaca
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #35 on: April 19, 2008, 04:51 PM »

Can this work?My Aunty is sponsoring my student visa apllication.Her accounts statement is in dollars,but then money has not gone into the account for some time.But the account has more than enough money to take care of my espenses and tuition.Please let me know if the statement will be a good back up documment.Tanks
puyaca
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #36 on: April 19, 2008, 04:56 PM »

Can this work?My Aunty is sponsoring my student visa apllication.Her accounts statement is in dollars,but then money has not gone into the account for some time.But the account has more than enough money to take care of my espenses and tuition.Please let me know if the statement will be a good back up documment.Tanks
funkybaby (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #37 on: April 19, 2008, 04:59 PM »

@babycool
It depends on if the applicant has a stable job/earning reasonable income. For example, if the applicant earns say 20k monthly, his bank statement will most definitely look 'miserable' so in such case, its alot safer to present solely the sponsor's account.

I'll post some important information on sponsors regarding visa applications later today.
babycool (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #38 on: April 19, 2008, 05:01 PM »

Thanks Funkybaby, that would be cool, looking forward to that! Cheesy
funkybaby (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #39 on: April 19, 2008, 05:09 PM »

@puyaca
Which country is your aunt based in? Is your aunt's account a fixed deposit account? Does she have a steady job that clearly explains/reflects the money in her account? Were lump sums of money deposited into the account within short or long intervals? Does she have any account she runs regularly and is she willing to give you the bank statement? Please answer these questions before i can state my opinion/suggestion. 
Mr. Pataki
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #40 on: April 19, 2008, 11:52 PM »

@ Puyaca,

Please answer Funkybaby's question.

In addition, for how long has the account been dormant? Is it a current account or savings account? What exactly does she do? What other utility bills are you submitting in respect to the student application?
funkybaby (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #41 on: April 20, 2008, 03:55 PM »

BASIC IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON CHOICE OF SPONSOR

If an applicant intends using the bank statement of a sponsor for any cartegory of visa application, the following should be taken into consideration

* The sponsor must be well informed on all the basic info about the applicant,  full names, date of birth, occupation of the applicant at that time, house address, school the applicant intends applying to, etc. This is particularly important in cases of 3rd party sponsors (not really close relatives). The ECOs can call the sponsor at anytime to confirm certain information reagrding the applicant so it is best the sponsor is well informed.

*The sponsor must write a letter addressed to the embassy stating clearly his address, functional phone number/email address, relationship to the the applicant and that he will be solely responsible for the cost of the outward and return journey of the applicant, school expenses (where applicable) and any other expenses that the applicant might incur.

*The sponsor must  state clearly that the funds in the account will be made available to the applicant upon the receipt of the visa.

*Copies of the sponsor's ID card or international passport (as applicable) should be submitted along with the applicant's application.

*The bank account  of the  sponsor must be well run - no debit balances and then sudden credit balances, no lump deposits of money.  The balance in the bank account as at the time of submitting the application should depend largely on the cartegory of the visa being applied for. I have seen in several cases where account statements in a little of over 500,000 naira had been submitted for visting visas and the applicants had their visas granted . (Personally, i recommend Naija bank accounts -ECOs are fond of picking holes in foreign bank statements submitted along with applications - other people might think differently though).

*It is advisable for the sponsor to inform the bank that he has authorised the use of his bank statement by the applicant for the visa application. When this is done, the bank keeps this in their records.


JOINT SPONSORSHIP


Situations where applicants intend including their bank statements with that of a competent sponsor in  their application, factors to consider include the job of the applicant at the time of the application, monthly salary and the applicant's account balance.
mamaput (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #42 on: April 20, 2008, 04:04 PM »

Mr. Pataki
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #43 on: April 20, 2008, 04:12 PM »

@ mamaput,

Simply give the weblink and whatever information you do wish to leave therein. I personally to not take to long posts, that have no single paragraphs in it.

Thanks.
funkybaby (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #44 on: April 20, 2008, 04:41 PM »

SPONSORS ABROAD

For some categories of visas, you will need to present  sponsor abroad .eg. family visit visa. Sponsors abroad could make or mar a visa application. There are severalllllllllllllll instances where ECOs pick on loopholes from the sponsor's end @ UK to deny a visa application.

The ECO assesses a well prepared visa application, he is convinced on the genuinely of the documents and the intentions of the applicant, he then picks up the phone to call the sponsor in UK to finally confirm, if he or she is ready to accommodate the applicant. At this point many things could go wrong. they include :

*the sponsor's phone is switched off and he cannot be reached on the phone by the ECO.

*the sponsor refuses to pick the call for whatsoever reasons.

*the sponsor cannot answer basic questions put to him by  the ECO. For example, the applicant is a student at University of Ibadan but when the sponsor is asked, he cannot remember the name of the applicant's institution or course of study. this sometimes happens maybe if the sponsor at that point in time is tensed, busy at work, etc.

*sponsors sometimes intentionally flunk all the questions put across to them by the ECO.

Cases where the sponsor is reluctant to invite the applicant over  and after undue pressure from people to give all necessary documents, he gives in only to intentionally wrongly answer the ECOs questions.

There was a case in my extended family recently where a very unruly cousin in Naija (he was always getting into trouble) wanted to travel abroad at all cost. After much pleading, our 'Egbon' released all documentation.

The ECO then called  'Egbon' and asked him the name of the applicant's mother (his younger sister), Egbon stuttered, mumbled and gave wrong names.

He was asked other questions and he did the same.
The ECO thanked him and hung up.
Of course the applicant was refused.

However, where 'Egbon's' deed was discovered was in the refusal letter where the ECO clearly stated that he called 'Egbon' and he could not remember his sister's name. The chap in question later reapplied but the ECO still referred to the initial refusal and still stood his grounds that he was not convinced that the applicant was related to the sponsor(Egbon) and the guy was again refused.

There are sooo many cases like this but the sponsors will never tell you that they forgot your first name and only remembered your nickname or they could not remember the course you studied in UNI. The applicant will only get to VFS to meet a refusal stamp on his passport and keep wondering where he erred in his application.

*Inconsistencies in the information given by the applicant on the sponsor. eg. occupation, etc.

*Several phone numbers linked to the same sponsor name on the same house

*The sponsor's credibility 'history'. People he or she had invited to the UK and whether or not their applications were successful. For instance, in the new visa forms is a space where the applicant must state the names, dates of birth of all individuals the sponsor has invited to the UK within a particular period of time (I think its a 2years history). A case where the sponsor has invited say 5people in a period of 2/3months and the ECO has a record of only one spare bedroom in the sponsor's house - and the sponsor still keeps giving invitation letters - then where are they all going to stay.

*Some sponsors do not tell the applicants their true status in the UK. For instance a single mum with two kids living in a council flat (say 2bedroom) and depending fully on benefits. An invitation letter from such individual might result in a visa refusal







[/i]I'll be back to post some more[i]
salsera (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #45 on: April 20, 2008, 05:59 PM »

Hi all,


Remember me

i was on the appeal thread, proud to say I am a success story.
Anyways I didnt get the 6 months visa and i travelled to the UK twice with it.
I t expired early this year

I want to apply for a new visiting visa but i wonder if i have to submit the same documents as if i did the last time

secondly with the new changes i hear about how does that affect new applicants

thirdly, i had wanted to apply for two year visiting visa this time then i realised I need to get the ECOWAS passport next year so i'm considering applying for 1year or even another six months.
Mr. Pataki
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #46 on: April 20, 2008, 06:08 PM »

@ Salsera,

How are you doing? I remember you very well. You are not applying for a new visiting visa, rather you are applying to renew your visa.

You are entitled to a two year visa at the moment, and I suggest you apply for that. It does not stop you from acquiring your ECOWAS passport for next year. Yes you submit with the same documents if your circumstance still remains the same, and if your circumstances has changed much impressively, include such with documents in your application.

Funkybaby will have more ideas on this subject matter.
funkybaby (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #47 on: April 20, 2008, 06:36 PM »

Quote from: salsera on April 20, 2008, 05:59 PM
Hi all,


Remember me

i was on the appeal thread, proud to say I am a success story.
Anyways I didnt get the 6 months visa and i travelled to the UK twice with it.
I t expired early this year

I want to apply for a new visiting visa but i wonder if i have to submit the same documents as if i did the last time

secondly with the new changes i hear about how does that affect new applicants

thirdly, i had wanted to apply for two year visiting visa this time then i realised I need to get the ECOWAS passport next year so i'm considering applying for 1year or even another six months.

Hello dear. How can i forget you? Kiss

You want to apply again for another 6 months or 1 year ''pere''?  Shocked Application fee for 1year multiple is 55,000 thousand naira (or  52k, can't remember ) and it is the same fee for 2yrs visa and even 5yrs visa. You wan dey dash BHC money every year?? apply for 2years jare.  Grin Grin

Regarding  documents - nothing spectacular. Just the basics, use your discretion excluding letter of invitation though. In my own opinion, it is the new visa form that is rather tasking  Undecided  (have you seen it)
IncaGold
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #48 on: April 21, 2008, 07:29 PM »

@funkybaby,
You didnt get back to me again. I knw this thread is for visa enquiries,I don't want to start a one liner thread, since most of threads in the education section are not direct enough or rather repetitive. At least when the admission bit is sorted, i'll definitely get some tips from this columns. kind regards,
puyaca
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #49 on: April 22, 2008, 10:36 AM »

@Funkybaby
She's based in Nigeria ,but she travels to the Uk every summer,its a fixed deposit ,sometin she got from her late husband.Yes she has another accont she's willin to give me but the money's not as big as the former.She also says since the acc is a fixed deposit that the bank sort of give statement when ever there is a transaction.The last one she got was in 2006.Wel,she's just told me her only son is a signatory too,but it wont be any problem getin him to sign off the acc.
LondonCool (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #50 on: April 22, 2008, 04:11 PM »

Quote from: puyaca on April 22, 2008, 10:36 AM
@Funkybaby
She's based in Nigeria ,but she travels to the UK every summer,its a fixed deposit ,sometin she got from her late husband.Yes she has another account she's willing to give me but the money's not as big as the former.She also says since the AC is a fixed deposit that the bank sort of give statement when ever there is a transaction.The last one she got was in 2006.Well,she's just told me her only son is a signatory too,but it wont be any problem getting him to sign off the acc.

Sorry to poke my nose here. Whenever you want to submit details of finances to back up a visa application make sure it is a current account. Fixed Accounts ,Savings account, Bonds,CSCS a/c's etc do not add any advantage because the money is not readily available to you (this is what ECO's consider-immediate accessibility to the funds). When submitting bank statements for current accounts we look to see that the income/deposits are commensurate with the annual salary or annual income of the account holder. They will also check to see that the COT/VAT/Witholding Tax deductions on the bank account are caluclated correctly. (Most Nigerians who forge bank statements normally get caught out just because they failed to consider this aspect and when they do they usually get  their calculations wrong). Any sudden bulk deposits/large payments over short period will be questioned.

When submitting bank statements for the purpose of sponsoring student visa's,  the closing balance in the account should be enough to cover the school fees and the cost of living in UK (i.e transportation, shopping, aaccommodationand feeding) as they are factored into the big picture. Where a mortgage deed is included then the cost of aaccommodationis reduced from the overall financial picture.

Submitting Nigerian bank statements does not give anyone an advantage over the personwho submits a UK bank statement.The truth is most UK sponsors have overdrafts on their current account so by the time they submit the statement before the entry for salary has been added the statement usually shows a debit balance-which is not a good thing.It all depends on how easy it is to raise the funds.Is it easier for a UK ssponsorto raise a loan of £10,000 and spread it over a period of 4-6 months into his current account? or is it easier for a Nigerian based sponsor to raise N2,000,000 and spread it into his current account over a 6 month period to show that they have the requisite finances in place?

The ECO does not phone bank managers enquiring the about authenticity of bank statements, it is the job of a separate unit of Forgery specialists (mostly with local knowledge) who work in the Risk Assessment Unit. They make the findings and report back to the ECO's
Funky Boy
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #51 on: April 22, 2008, 09:27 PM »

HOW CAN I OPNE A THREAD?Huh THERE IS NO BUTTON ON MY SCREEN HOW TO OPNE A THREAD!!!
Siena (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #52 on: April 22, 2008, 09:57 PM »

Quote from: Funky Boy on April 22, 2008, 09:27 PM
HOW CAN I OPNE A THREAD?Huh THERE IS NO BUTTON ON MY SCREEN HOW TO OPNE A THREAD!!!

Welcome aboard!

Wrong section, but I won't move it till you get an answer at:

http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-1517.0.html

Post your question there, and Admin will certainly respond.

Good luck!
ty4real (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #53 on: April 23, 2008, 08:34 AM »

@Londoncool!

Sorry to poke my nose here. Whenever you want to submit details of finances to back up a visa application make sure it is a current account. Fixed Accounts ,Savings account, Bonds,CSCS a/c's etc do not add any advantage because the money is not readily available to you (this is what ECO's consider-immediate accessibility to the funds). When submitting bank statements for current accounts we look to see that the income/deposits are commensurate with the annual salary or annual income of the account holder. They will also check to see that the COT/VAT/Witholding Tax deductions on the bank account are caluclated correctly. (Most Nigerians who forge bank statements normally get caught out just because they failed to consider this aspect and when they do they usually get  their calculations wrong). Any sudden bulk deposits/large payments over short period will be questioned.

When submitting bank statements for the purpose of sponsoring student visa's,  the closing balance in the account should be enough to cover the school fees and the cost of living in UK (i.e transportation, shopping, aaccommodationand feeding) as they are factored into the big picture. Where a mortgage deed is included then the cost of aaccommodationis reduced from the overall financial picture.

Submitting Nigerian bank statements does not give anyone an advantage over the personwho submits a UK bank statement.The truth is most UK sponsors have overdrafts on their current account so by the time they submit the statement before the entry for salary has been added the statement usually shows a debit balance-which is not a good thing.It all depends on how easy it is to raise the funds.Is it easier for a UK ssponsorto raise a loan of £10,000 and spread it over a period of 4-6 months into his current account? or is it easier for a Nigerian based sponsor to raise N2,000,000 and spread it into his current account over a 6 month period to show that they have the requisite finances in place?

The ECO does not phone bank managers enquiring the about authenticity of bank statements, it is the job of a separate unit of Forgery specialists (mostly with local knowledge) who work in the Risk Assessment Unit. They make the findings and report back to the ECO's.


Are you a ECO or Visa Officer? ;D ;D
LondonCool (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #54 on: April 23, 2008, 12:22 PM »

Quote from: ty4real on April 23, 2008, 08:34 AM
@Londoncool!

Are you a ECO or Visa Officer?


Firstly, Is that a Question or a statement?
Secondly, why would you want to know?
jayon (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #55 on: April 23, 2008, 12:27 PM »

 Grin Grin Grin jayon is back travllers informations are readily cooked for ya all
salsera (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #56 on: April 23, 2008, 11:10 PM »

@pataki


Bros, I dey O! under the hot sun in obodo naija

Please explain how I can still have a 2yr visa and then get ECOWAS passport, will I then travel with both passports


@funkybaby
i've been around i just read up on the posts, its a great thread/section. Thumbs up for the regulars who keep people informed. una dey try!

Sista no be say I wan dash them my hard-earned e no easy cash but I just wanted to know how getting ECOWAS passport would affect it.

But seriously do I need an invitation letter, I'm staying with relatives but I'm paying for the trip
I never see the new visa form- i hope its not long because even the other one sef was too long as far as i was concerned
ty4real (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #57 on: April 24, 2008, 09:21 AM »

Quote from: LondonCool on April 23, 2008, 12:22 PM
Firstly, Is that a Question or a statement?
Secondly, why would you want to know?

First,it is a question.
And you are not under obligation to answer me,just wanted to know,nothing big about.
But on a second thought,I have gotten my the answer,thanks Grin Grin
Akolawole (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #58 on: April 24, 2008, 09:53 AM »

@Ty4real

You see

The way you answer question sef
timx (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #59 on: April 24, 2008, 10:33 PM »

Hi all, i have just recieved the determination letter from the AIT, unfortunately they dismissed my appeal so i am back to the drawing board. No ill feelings though but i wont relent 'because i have this feeling that i'll get it right this time around. Please i will like funkybaby, Akolawole, Vicjustice e.t.c to assist in giving me a comprehensive list of documents to prepare for this years application. Your efforts will be highly appreciated,
walexy (m)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #60 on: April 25, 2008, 07:17 AM »


Hi good people,

My own question is a s regards UK visa renewal
My 6 months tourist visa just expired and i intend renewing it soonest
Someone told me all i need for the renewal are;

*My Interpassport
*Boarding pass
*Letter of intro from my company
*Leave letter
*confirmed hotel reservation

Just want to know your views and suggestions as per the above mentioned issue
Counting on you as i anticipate to have your usual support.




funkybaby (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #61 on: April 25, 2008, 01:41 PM »

@walexy
For TOURIST VISA renewal, you can ignore boarding pass but you must definately need to include your bank statement.
funkybaby (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #62 on: April 25, 2008, 01:57 PM »

@timx

So sorry to hear that your appeal was unsuccessful. Just as akolawole has stated in the previous thread, we cannot suggest or advice on anything without knowing the full details of your previous refusal and the documents you submitted back then.
funkybaby (f)
Re: General UK Visa Enquiries
« #63 on: April 25, 2008, 11:21 PM »

@salsera

Getting the new ECOWAS passport will in no way affect your application. Just take both passports (new and old ) along with you to vfs. You could staple/pin it together but DO NOT staple the data page of the ecowas passport oh.

The new visa forms, **sighs** long,boring, too many questions, too detailed, lol. 

I'll post the links to the forms here this weekend.
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