₦airaland Forum

Visa Alert!!!

First, I would like to sincerely appreciate Cashmadam, who has been exceptionally helpful and responsive to all my questions and concerns throughout this visa application process. My gratitude also goes to Giselle and all the other gurus here whose guidance has been invaluable.

I’m sharing my experience in the hope that it might help someone who may be in a similar situation.

Between 2018 and 2019, I had three visa refusals in this order: Canada, the UK (2018), and the US (early 2019). I later reapplied for the Canadian visa and was granted. Subsequently, I applied to the UK but was refused. Nonetheless, I travelled to Canada and returned after about 3–4 days. These trips were all for a global fellowship I had been admitted into, with the organisers sponsoring my travel.

From 2019 onwards, things took a positive turn. I successfully obtained visas and travelled to Belgium (2019), Italy (2022), and the Netherlands (2023), all for conferences sponsored by my current employer. In 2024, I also stayed in Paris on my Schengen (Netherlands) visa before travelling to Morocco. Earlier this year, I attended a conference in South Africa.
Now to my most recent application: I applied for a UK visa to attend a professional summer school. My biometrics were done in Abuja on 16 July, and I picked up my visa today, 19 August.

I must admit that my application was not flawless. I made a few mistakes:

1. Typographical Error in Child’s Name
I mistakenly listed my third son’s name as the same as my second son’s. However, their dates of birth were correctly and distinctly stated.

2. Errors in Visa Refusal Timeline
I disclosed all my previous refusals with the correct reference numbers, but I misstated some dates:
o I listed the date of my Canadian visa refusal as July 2019 instead of July 2018.
o I also misstated the date of my fellowship selection as September 2019 instead of September 2018.

3. Income and Expenses Declaration
Although I earn above one million monthly, I declared my monthly expenses as ₦500,000. A review of my salary account, however, would show that I spend nearly twice that. Consequently, my closing balance at the time of application was less than ₦100,000.

4. USD Account Disclosure
I also submitted my USD account, which had a closing balance above $7,000 but with only one visible inflow of about $900, without any accompanying explanation.

On 8 August, I received an email from UKVI stating: “We are unable to make a decision on your application within published visa processing times.” Naturally, I was worried. When I reached out to Cashmadam, she reassured me that this was a normal occurrence and likely meant they were verifying my documents.

For reference, here are the documents I submitted:
• Employer’s sponsorship letter for this trip
• Letter of employment (since 2010)
• Letter of promotion
• Letter of salary increment
• 6-month salary account statement
• 6-month USD account statement
• 6-month pension account statement
• Visa invitation letter from the summer school organisers
• Copies of all visas from 2009 to date (before my refusals, I had already travelled to Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Kenya, South Africa, and the UK—all before 2010)
• Self-introduction letter detailing my travel purpose, sponsorship, duration of stay, accommodation, activities in the UK, and availability of $500 personal funds outside the sponsorship.

Thankfully, I received a message for passport pick-up and today I have my visa in hand, a 6-month multiple-entry visa. I should be travelling by next week.

Once again, my heartfelt thanks to Cashmadam and all the gurus in this group. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need clarification about my experience.

Cashmadam:
Honestly, you just have to be positive and pray the outcome is favourable.

Based on the information you provided, you are likely to get the visa as it is an official trip sponsored by your employer. Your personal circumstances will come into play but previous refusals do not prevent you from getting a visa.

They are most likely trying to verify some of the information you provided.

Keep us informed on your progress.

Many thanks for pointing that out. You are absolutely right!

Taal17:
Context is key na
You applied from the US in July 30th

So both of you can still be right we are in August

Many thanks Cashmadam. Maybe I am just unnecessarily paranoid. .

I appreciate the feedback. Will definitely provide an update here. Have a great week ahead.

Cashmadam:
Honestly, you just have to be positive and pray the outcome is favourable.

Based on the information you provided, you are likely to get the visa as it is an official trip sponsored by your employer. Your personal circumstances will come into play but previous refusals do not prevent you from getting a visa.

They are most likely trying to verify some of the information you provided.

Keep us informed on your progress.

Thank you very much, Cashmadam, for your response.

To be honest, I am a bit concerned. Here's some background information: I completed the second part of my postgraduate studies as an exchange student in the UK in 2009, studying at a German university. Unfortunately, subsequent visa refusals, particularly my UK visa refusal in 2018, when my family of four also applied, were quite discouraging and have led me to avoid travelling or applying to the UK since then.

I have also been reflecting on my current application in light of our discussions here. I earn over ₦1 million monthly but declared ₦500,000 as my monthly expenses. In reality, my monthly expenditure is roughly double that, based on my salary account. Additionally, I maintain a USD savings account with a closing balance of over $7,000, for which I submitted a six-month statement. This account has not received any inflows in the past six months, apart from a $900 per diem paid earlier this year by my employer’s accountant for a work trip to South Africa. Although I mentioned in my cover letter that this account represents my savings, I did not go into further detail. Reading that “unexplained deposits” or “declared monthly expenses significantly lower than actual expenses” could influence the outcome of a visa application has given me pause. Although in this case, my employer is sponsoring me, and I presented their statement of account in the last 6 months. The opening balance was over 100 million, while the closing balance was about half that. Although, as a professional services firm, there were several inflows and debits from that account.

My hope is that my application will be assessed solely on its merits and not on any unfounded or unverified assumptions.

Cashmadam:
You are welcome.

It's a basic letter to inform you that your application is still under consideration and to alert you that it might take longer than the standard 15 working days.

Nothing to worry about. Or is there any particular reason you are worried?

Dear Cashmadam. Thank you for your response the last time. I truly appreciate your guidance.

To you and other experienced members of this group, I received the attached email this morning and would like to seek your advice. In your experience, has anyone who received a similar letter subsequently had their visa approved?

I must admit I am beginning to feel a bit concerned, and I would be grateful for any insights or reassurance you can provide.

Cashmadam:
I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

Your previous trips to Europe will help your case. Travel history to other African Countries don't usually add much value.

My guess is that case workers don't always double check the facts of your previous refusals - especially if the refusal is not from the UK (in your case, the refusal was from Canada). That is my guess and I am not saying this is a fact.

If you included copies of your children's birth certificates, then the innocent error will be obvious. If you didn't, let's hope the case worker will quickly understand that it was an innocent mistake.

Don't worry. Just hope for the best and pray. Keep us informed. Good luck!

Many thanks. I appreciate the feedback. Will keep this community posted as things turn out. Cheers!!!!

Cashmadam:
I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

Your previous trips to Europe will help your case. Travel history to other African Countries don't usually add much value.

My guess is that case workers don't always double check the facts of your previous refusals - especially if the refusal is not from the UK (in your case, the refusal was from Canada). That is my guess and I am not saying this is a fact.

If you included copies of your children's birth certificates, then the innocent error will be obvious. If you didn't, let's hope the case worker will quickly understand that it was an innocent mistake.

Don't worry. Just hope for the best and pray. Keep us informed. Good luck!

Dear Nairalanders,

I sincerely thank you for the invaluable insights and guidance you continue to provide on this platform.

I recently submitted an application for a UK visitor visa to attend a two-day professional course. I have completed my biometrics and submitted all relevant documentation earlier this week.

However, upon reviewing my application form, I noticed a few inadvertent errors which I would like to clarify:

1. Typographical Error in Child’s Name:
I mistakenly listed the name of my third son (my last child) as the same as that of my second son, although their dates of birth were correctly stated and differ.

2. Errors in Visa Refusal Timeline:
I correctly disclosed in the visa declaration section that I had previously been refused visas to Canada, the UK, and the US between 2018 and 2019. I also included the correct reference numbers for each application. However, I made two date-related errors:
o I stated the date of my Canadian visa refusal as July 2019 instead of the correct date, July 2018.
o I also misstated the date I was selected for a fellowship programme (which necessitated those visa applications) as September 2019 instead of September 2018.

To provide further context, following the initial visa refusal by Canada, I reapplied, was granted a visa, and travelled to Canada and returned to Nigeria. Since then, I have travelled for professional engagements to several countries, majority of these trips sponsored by my employer:
• Europe: Belgium (2019), Italy (2022), Netherlands (2023), and France (2024/I slept overnight from Morocco to catch a connecting flight to Nigeria).
• Africa: Kenya and Morocco (both in 2024) and South Africa (February 2025).
(While returning from Morocco, I had an overnight layover in Paris as my Schengen visa was still valid.)

4 of these trips were for short professional programmes on the same subject matter as the one I intend to attend in the UK, and they were fully sponsored by my employer.

My Questions Are As Follows:
1. Are these errors considered material and likely to adversely affect the outcome of my current visa application?
2. Given that the substantive facts (including the correct visa refusal reference numbers and the nature of the programmes) were accurately disclosed, is it reasonable to hope that the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) would view the date errors as genuine and non-material?
3. Alternatively, would it be advisable for me to notify the UK visa authorities about these errors? If so, what is the appropriate channel or procedure for submitting such a correction or clarification?

I would greatly appreciate your kind advice on this matter, as well as any follow-up questions or suggestions from members of this community that could be helpful.

Thank you once again for your time and support.

Champora:
9jaLaw in your business visa did you submit a conference invitation letter that took the format of the one TLS contact has on their website: https://static.tlscontact.com/media/ng/lgv/it/modello_di_invito_per_affari_nuovo.pdf

Or did you use the invitation letter the conference provided by themselves with their letter heads I assume. I want to apply for a business visa and want to know if the organization needs to provide this TLS’s format in addition to their own invitation letter. Thank you.

Sorry this is coming late. Someone here may find value in my response.
I used the invitation letter provided by the conference organisers.

My thoughts exactly. Cancer or chronic kidney failure.

seborrhic:
They probably using the stroke story to cover up something much more chronic and fatal.
With a stroke,no matter your recovery rate,you would still manifest some level of weakness if not outright paralysis of any of your limbs or a speech defect.This is a man with full use of his limbs and no obvious mouth or face distortion.
Severe,drastic weight loss is also not a classical symptom of stroke.
Though I am not saying it is,but without a fuller,more truthful information,from his appearance and forced bubbly nature,it looks like a man that has been diagnosed with a terminal illness,has accepted the terminal nature of his diagnosis and is doing all his best to live the remaining years of his life with as much fun as he can.
It could also be testicular cancer and the severe weight loss is coming from the disease and the aggressive nature of the treatment he has been receiving.

pufframmy:
wow kindly share document submitted bro
help others too

Bros, the document dey their website. Choose the one that applies to you. I travelled to attend a conference, the documentary requirements would be different from those intending to travel for tourism. The place na fashion centre sha, this people like clothes shopping die. Had to do some shopping for my family as soon as I arrived before checking in to my hotel. Omo, never have I seen so much enthusiasm for shopping from people there and so much product and outlets to choose from.

Priceless200:
Why is this thread so slow. No one is going to Italy??

People still dey go ohh. I applied for short stay business visa to attend a law conference in Florence, Italy. Application received on the 11 August at TLSContact in Abuja. Passport and visa collected today. I dey Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja dey type so, arriving Italy tomorrow by 10am. The conference is on Friday and Saturday, at some point I was concerned that I wouldn't get the visa and kept bombarding them with emails especially as the travel date got closer. Funny thing, I applied on same day with my boss and his wife and their passports were collected last week Friday. But then, between both of them, they racked up travel history that would make the Atlas jealous. Mine na only a handful of countries including Canada, Belgium, Germany. Anyways I thank God I won't miss the conference as my employer who is sponsoring me had already paid in excess of 1000 EUR as conference registration fee which is unlikely to be refunded if my visa application was refused. These days its very difficult to read the mind of the ECO.

Toju200:
Nigerian SOF operator

What service branch?

shadowprimezero:
NA SSG troops training in Pakistan.

M4Carbine abi na AR type rifle?

shadowprimezero:
NAF QRF

MARPAT!

shadowprimezero:
NAF field doctor attending to a refugee

Wow, NAF field doctor dey hold Tavor. Is he a recon corpsman?

careerwoman:
Great news! Congratulations Do enjoy your stay.

I appreciate. Many thanks!

OK. I just picked up my passport with a visa from the Belgium embassy. I applied for professional visa on the 1st of September and got an SMS to pick up my passport on the 13 of September while I was out of Abuja. Just like careerwoman said I guess applications are processed on a case by case basis, and more importantly the quality of the visa application matters a lot.

careerwoman:
Hi
Email: visa.abuja@diplobel.fed.be

Your travel history is very good. I think applications are treated on case by case basis. You should send them a mail, hopefully yours will be fast tracked too. Wishing you success with your visa application.

Many thanks!

careerwoman:
Ok guys... so I stumbled on this thread 14 days after I had submitted my Schegen visa application to Belgium.
I was shook that I didn’t do my research well..
Well, I started sending them mails to expedite my visa since it was past 14 days.
Glory to God, they processed my app within 19 days and returned my passport with visa in it way past my travel dates.
Summary: Belgium Embassy was really efficient and replied my mails very promptly (within minutes, no jokes)
Best experience I’ve had so far.
So if you’re genuine and you have real docs, please don’t get discouraged

Hi, please to what email address did you message the Belgium embassy, and secondly I guess you also have recent/prior travel history to EU and/or North America prior to your Belgium visa application. I intend to apply for a Belgium visa to attend a law training my organisation is sponsoring me for, and I am concerned about the visa wait time, as I have barely 6 weeks from date of application to date of training. I recently travelled to Canada and had my graduate degrees in Germany and UK (about 10 years ago). I am wondering if mine would be expedited just like your case?

Many thanks in advance!!!

slimthugchimee:
A simple advice dude





Run for cover.......there is heavy artillery bombardment from all angles in this thread right now...........total thread meltdown.........better dock...

Oops, looks like every thing has gone Skraa here. Everybody has gone batshit insane.

I greet every body!!! Thanks to all the posters. My question is apart from the NA, what other (para)military arm is operationally deployed as part of a ground unit in the NE. Are they in the front lines or in support roles. I am a fan of everything military

Very inspirational. If you believe, you certainly can.

Writing english skills:0%, editing skills:0%, narrative skills 1000%

experimentist: The guy in blue inmates short came through with a book in his hand. He was calling names. He called about five names but my name wasn't among and time is almost up for bails or visitations. "Chai! Wetin dey happen na? Abi dem never bail us again? Abi dat guy no sabi read, why my name no go dey dat list na" I asked myself endless questions. "No, dem must bail us today. Maybe d guy dey go bring another list come" I answered myself like a mad man. Talking to myself. Suddenly I saw Iman coming towards us and yelling at me "bros dem don call ur name oh, no be ur name be......?" He asked me swiftly. "O boy na me oh, aah ope o finally thank God o" I thank God as I proceed to head to the main gate area. I shook hand with sunday, yahaya and other guys "I no leave una oh" I said to them smiling. "Abeg skul no forget us oh, try help us inform dem" they pleaded again. "No worry d adres dey my hand I go help una" I assured them again. Iman followed me as I walked very fast as if the bail may expire soon. "Bro make I hold that pam na mek I dey tek am do fine boy here na" iman begged. No dis one na my only. Sandals o, I no get another one abeg no vex" i pleaded back with him, I pulled off my blue polo top and handed it over to him. "Abeg help me manage dis one , I go come dey visit u once in a while now worry" I promised him. Promise which I didn't keep till he was released. Iman collected the top and thanked me. He liked it. I went straight to the small office and they confirm my name and my picture.

PS: before we enter the prison all our belts were collected and kept somewhere. No one is allowed to enter with a belt. Me we no get waist all dem come collct my belt join. I cried.

There was a heap of belts on the ground I searched and searched for my belt but couldnt find it. There was another heap of belt "omo see as belts for hia oh? Abi dem dey sell belts here?" I tot to myself. I saw one brown belt that looks like mine, I grabbed it and drew it out, it was mine. My jean was already falling off my waist, I immediately put the belt on and fasten it to my skinny waist. We waited and waited in the room for decades. "Which kain delay be dis one, abeg make dem answer us make I comot here oh" I was impatience. I just wanted to see outside. They opened this file and opened that file, sign this and sign that. Any make una wan do, me sha gats to comot here now. Soon everthing was done, time to go. I look out through the windows of the room, many inmates are watching us my the outside. They begging us to drop our belongings to them since we are going out to the outside world. Out of the underworld! I, AA and Uche walk slowly to the gate escorted by a warder, I looked back and saw yahaya and sunday watching I walk away. I wave at them and the wave me back. We go to the inner part of the gate where properties were dropped at the counter. Uche and AA collceted their stuffs I waited for them cos I don't have anything at the counter. "Bad boys, una don free now abi? Make una no come here again oh if una try am eh" one of the warders yelled as we walked out "thunder fire you sir!" I said as I step out of the miserable place.

I said goodbye to prison!
Goodbye to the underworld!
Goodbye, federal palace hotel!
I shall not lodge here again!
Insteand I will go to eko hotel and suites victoria island.

As I got outside I was embraced with a warm hug from my home boys z and others. "Omo e be like say dis place fit you oh, see as u just fresh die" one of them said laughing. "Thunder fire you, na u d place go fit" I cursed and we all laughed. "Omo how their beans be na? I hear e dey sweet." Z asked jokingly. "e dey sweet na, u sef go chop am" I replied. "Omo dat place na hell oh, make none of una pray to enter there oh, na die!" I preached to them. "How far hw e go be na, where we dey go like dis" I asked sounding confused. They all laughed "abi u wan go back there" zz said. "Abeg I no wan go house now, I wan make night do befo I go house. I no wan make people see me, see as my cloths be na" I complained. "Ok make we go [name of place witheld] na I get one SK here make we go blow before night come" z said bringing out one green type skunk. "Oya make we e don tey wey I smoke weed sef, na so so cigar we dey smoke there. If u open my chest na cigar u see there" I said as we walk to where we goin to relax. It was a very cool place where we use to hang out and smoke most times. It's not a weed joint but you can bring your stuff and do ur thing there. It's our safe spot. "Na here I for even come that day dem for na catch me oh" I regretted. We all sat there and talked I told them some things in the prsion they laughed and laughed. They me five alive juice and shawarma I chop like hungry lion. "Chei e don tey wey I don eat beta food oh. Na so so garbage we dey chop there oh. I said with my mouth full of food.

It almost 8pm and I went home get me full bucket of water and I took my bath washed my dirty self very well. After I took some antibiotic and other vitamins and slept the fork off. Few days later I went to VI to check for yahaya and sundays people, I couldnt find yahaya's brother but I saw a guy that knows him so I gave him the gist and he promised to look for hsi brother and tell him. I saw 2 sunday"s friend and told them everything. They said they have been looking for him for long. They guys collected my number and I told them to go to the magistrate court igbosere to proceed wit his release. They went there the next day and they briefed about the bail terms and conditions. They arrange everything and some days later sunday was also released. He later travelled home cos he has been telling me that he left his newly married wife at home to come and buy stuffs in lagos and go back before he was arrested and ended up in jail.
Some weekkss later I was at bar beach when suddenly I saw a guy that looks like yahaya, I walked up to hime and lo and behold it was him. He said he has been release like 2 weeks ago. That means the guy I saw and told about him finally found his brother and explain to him. I was happy I also helped those guys, I thanked God for the experience, at least without me going ther those guy woulda been roasting in that shi'it hole till now.

THE END


I want to thank every one that followed this thread from the beginning to the end. I'm so grateful and thankful to your prayers and motivations. God bless yall!

See you in real life

GMB4REAL: @9jaLaw, tnx 4 d info. Dont kill d hop, keep it alive & always pray, u'll neva know. U cud get through even when it appears very difficult. I go wit brosiye99's opinion. Gudluck 2 every 1

Thanks dude. True.

This is the position of things now for the HQ recruitment. According to a NERC Commissioner, NERC held a meeting some weeks back and agreed that cut off mark will be 50, unfortunately I made 40 percent , the highest score for the position I applied is 52. I wish all best of luck!!!

Google buzz just settled a class action privacy lawsuit, FB recently upgraded their user privacy options.

Do we really have any privacy concerns about using NL. Lets share our thoughts here so that Seun & Co can provide better services to us.

@ Netotse, According to New Generation, their concern is that back in the middle east, they are embroiled in terrorism investigation and it would be difficult for them to transfer such a huge sum within the original time frame without financial authorities suspecting it as a terror fund, hence they will be needing the extra 20 days granted them to enable them to convince the relevant authorities that its clean money indeed

Q. What is the procedure for Liquidating an Incorporated Company in Nigeria?


• A statutory declaration declaring that the company intended to be liquidated is able to pay off all its debits within 12 months of commencing the liquidation, is issued by the directors (or the majority of them) within 5 weeks prior to the passage of a special resolution authorizing the liquidation;

• A general meeting is called where the special resolution for the liquidation of the company is passed;

• At the general meeting, one or more liquidators are appointed; after the appointment of the liquidator, the powers of the directors shall cease, except as far as the company in general meeting or with the approval of the liquidator;

• Within 14 days of his appointment, the liquidation must publish in a gazette and 2 daily newspapers a notice of his appointment and also send notification of his appointment to the CAC.

• Where the liquidator is of the opinion that the company will not be able to pay up its debt within the period stated in the solvency declaration, he is obliged to summon a meeting of the creditors and lay before them, a statement of the assets and liabilities of the company;

• where the liquidation will continue for more than one year, the liquidator is obliged to summon a general meeting of the company at the end of the first year from the commencement of the date the resolution was passed and of each succeeding year, or at the first convenient date within three months from the year or such other date the C.A.C. shall allow; laying before the meeting, an account of his dealings and the conduct of the liquidation during the preceding year ;

• when the affairs of the company have been wound up, the liquidator shall call a general meeting by notice published in gazette and in some newspaper printed in Nigeria and circulating in the locality where the meeting is being called, and lay an account - giving an explanation thereof - of the conduct of liquidation and how the property was disposed; and within 7 days, send a copy of the account to the C.A.C.

• as soon as the liquidation is completed, the liquidator shall prepare and send to every member of the company, financial accounts showing the conduct of the liquidation and the results of any trading done by the company; and convene a general meeting to lay before the members and explain the accounts; and within 7 days after the meeting, forward to the C.A.C. for registration, copies of the account and a statement of the meeting and the date it was held;

• prior to the laying of the accounts before the general meeting, the account should be audited by the auditor (s) of the company, who are obliged to also annex a report to the effect that, in their opinion and to the best of their information, they obtained all the information necessary for the audit, and proper records were maintained by the liquidator, and also that the accounts were in accordance;

• Three months after the registration of the statement of account of the liquidation with the CAC, the company is officially liquidated and will cease to exist.

Q. What are the various forms of companies in Nigeria

(i) Sole proprietorship or sole trader;
(ii) Partnership; and
(iii) Incorporated company.

Sole Proprietorship
The sole proprietorship form of doing business is typically used by an individual intending to do business on his account. In general, this form of business is open to anyone in Nigeria wishing to engage in any kind of lawful business activity. The major statutory requirement for this form of business is registration of the business name where a name other than the name of the owner is to be used as the trade name.

Partnership
A partnership generally is "the relationship existing between persons carrying on a business in common with a view to make profit. Partnerships can either be ordinary, i.e., general partnership or limited partnership. Limited partnerships exist only in Lagos State and must be registered at the State's Limited Partnership Registry.
The partners are the joint owners of the partnership property and are personally liable (both jointly and severally) for the debts and obligations of the firm. The surname and initials of all the partners must be disclosed on letter head papers and trade circulars of the firm.

Incorporated Companies
In Nigeria, the word "company" is used to describe a company incorporated with limited or unlimited liability and registered under the Nigerian Companies and Allied Matters Act. Subject to certain exceptions, the CAMA
provides that no foreign company shall carry on business in Nigeria unless it is incorporated in Nigeria. There are three primary types of incorporated companies - an unlimited liability company, a company limited by guarantee and a company limited by shares. An unlimited liability company has no limit on the liability of its members and, therefore, has little attraction for investors. A company limited by guarantee limits its members' liability to the amount of their respective guarantees. This type of company is generally not for commercial purposes. By far, the most common type of company is company limited by shares whereby the members' liability is limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by them.