₦airaland Forum

hunee:
File for the boss of all bosses. 🙌

With this your travel history, na Yankee remain o
🇺🇸

Above all, I said pray for Grace.

You see ehn, there's that connection at some point , because I tell people, it is when you give up, then the blessings stops.

Visa's are determined by humans.

May we see favor in eyes of these Vo's.

I prolly share a story here some day, I am not ready for it.

But I really want to encourage alot of people , whilst you are working on your accounts, also get your documents right then hope for the best.

All these connections together, can make bring about a positive results.

Absolutely! Account na just one part of the process. Social, family and economic ties are another critical angles they look at.

You can have all the money, if you don't have a strong reason that'll bring you back to Nigeria, you no go get the visa.

ADDENDUM:- I recommend you read the visa codes. These people know the extent applicants will go to get a visa. They know that sometimes family members or friends will arrange employment letters so their person can get a visa. One of the reasons the US doesn't look at documents is because they know that these documents can be easily obtained - so they just want you to convince them during the face to face interview. These things are written in their handbooks and yearly reports.

hunee:
File for the boss of all bosses. 🙌

With this your travel history, na Yankee remain o

Abeg abeg I no be boss.

Insha Allah, I go get Yankee before end of the year, if I see transport go SA, na there I wan apply from. I get appointment first week of December.

Yes, we spoke about it in South Africa visa section. Which is exactly why I said "Schengen no dey operate like those our other people", I was referring to SA in the statement. I'd gotten a visa from SA with 120k balance. Two visas from Morocco with less than ₦1 million.

However, around 2013, I was denied a visa to France with a balance of about 800k. The refusal note was "insufficient form of subsistence". Does this not tell you account balance is important? Also consider the exchange rate as at 2013, for a 10-day trip.

First issued Schengen visa was Germany (2014), with a closing balance of ₦3m. After then, I'd gotten from Italy and France with lesser balance of a little over ₦2m.

UK in 2021 denied me a 6 months visa (I didn't have enough money to apply for 5 years). Prior to this application, I had been issued a 6 and 2 years visa. Reason for denial? I didn't have enough money to fall back to after my trip.

If you remember, in Canada visa section I shared how I was denied. There was over ₦12m closing balance over a period of four months, and the only deposits were my salary. Reason for denial was that they acknowledged I had sufficient funds, but couldn't ascertain the origin of these funds. I reapplied with the same documents (same account statement generated over 3 months ago) and drew their attention to the fact that all deposits where salary payments which was clearly written on my account statement. Visa was approved.

For Japan, I studied their visa code handbook, and a particular sentence caught my attention, "a visa will be granted to a person who is not a pauper". This should mean something.

So, account balance is important.

hunee:
Kel, my previous visas. I had a very low balance in my account not even in hundreds of thousands.

You and I spoke about these things in the South African visa section

Whilst I acknowledge account balance as key, it doesn't end up being the determinant for visa success.

Pray for Grace abeg,

Maybe for Study visa , work , Yes.

But you see all those tourist visas brother, na documents.

Over time, I had emphasised the need to always put documents together and get their applications right.
These things matter alongside building a clean travel history.

I wish everyone the best.

AKAyomide:
Around June of this year; I saw a comment whereas someone got his Visa issued for tourist with a close balance of 3M on dot and the person applied for two weeks. I personally, I applied for 7 day’s tourist visa with a closing balance of 6.150M. With my calculation, the trip shouldn’t cost more than 4M.

I will ignore your reference to the person in June, as I do not know what their travel frequency is. Was this their first Schengen visa? Do they have visas for UK, Canada, US, Japan, New Zealand or Australia?

LETS LOOK AT YOUR APPLICATION:-
You had ₦6.150m closing balance, and planned to spend 7 days in France. Very reasonable balance, for a reasonably short visit. Notice I ignored the ₦4m you had put out personally as your budget. A Schengen visa officer will usually ignore this, and focus on wether or not you meet their own requirement. UK visa officers won't ignore.

According to the French visa application requirement, an applicant needs to show that they have at least €120 per day as living cost in France.

In your case, €120 x 7 = €840. At an exchange rate of ₦2000/€1. It means a 7-day stay in France will cost you ₦1,680,000. So from your account balance, you had over 3.65 times the required amount for your visit.

Lol Ayo, Schengen no dey operate like those our other people. Account balance is important.

Article 21, No. 6.6.2 of the Schengen visa code handbook (the only authorised material used by Schengen visa officers) states that "The consulate should estimate both the amount of sufficient financial means necessary for the stay and the reliability of the FINANCIAL RESOURCES presented. (emphasis mine). The reliability of the means of subsistence presented should always be accessed according to the local contexts"

"The consulate should request financial resources ABOVE that estimate when the purpose of travel is luxury tourism... (Emphasis in original)."

"If the applicant covers the expenses of the journey himself, HE SHOULD PRESENT PROOF OF POSSESSING PERSONALLY THE REQUIRED RESOURCES (emphasis mine), eg, by salary slips, bank statements. The consulate may check the reliability and stability of the amounts credited to a bank statement in case of doubt".

hunee:
Those of us that had multiple visas without one kobo in the account dont even know what God did for us

I laugh when i hear of account balance this and that. For schengen, especially, documentations is key to note first, before your balance.

Take note!

Japan, Morroco and Algeria

1. I've not come across any classification of traveller status on VFS website for SA visas. However, I am well aware that on ground at VFS office, if you have obtained at least two SA visas in the past, your application will be treated as frequent traveller.

2. There's no minimum account balance. Just have enough money to sponsor the trip, and some change left afterwards.

3. Processing times vary, it can take 2 days to 3 months.

Adaokolo96:
Hello everyone,
I will be applying for the sticker visa and I have some questions. My first question is on the vfs appointment page, what is the difference between First time traveller tourist and Frequent traveller tourist. Also, is there any minimum account balance required for the bank statement. Lastly, what is the visa processing time like this period? Thank you so much for your assistance.

icu4:
hello everyone and experienced SA travellers, is 5 days okay for a visit visa application. i intend to travel with my family around xmas. Applying for the sticker visa.

5 days is sufficient

There's no golden rule for visa applications, however it is important that an applicant demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover the trip, which is €120 per day for France or an average of €3000 closing balance. Closing balance play a critical role in the adjudication of a visa application especially for first time travellers.

A visa officer will naturally see that it makes no sense that you present an account balance of ₦5m for example, and want to spend all or ₦4m on a trip of 5 days. That visa is likely to be denied on the grounds that "the information submitted was not reliable" - except the applicant demonstrates that they can easily lay their hands on additional funds in case of emergencies.

The scrutiny for frequent travellers are usually more relaxed.

AKAyomide:
For God's sake, this isn’t a UK visa application for a tourist visa. It’s France and the maximum amount of money that’s needed to budget for the 5 days should be around €600. As I know; what matters is that you need to present a bank statement that has a good inflow and out of money. You can have 5M in your account and still be issued. I would love to ask you a question; applicant who applied for a long visiting visa of 10 years in Canada, are you saying that he needs to present a bank statement that will make the applicant go and come back within the duration of the visa to present a bank statement that will speak that is the applicant goes to the Canada territory within the duration then there should be money for the applicant to come on to spend after the elapsed of the visa

Move your flight to Wednesday

TLE900:
Hi Nairalanders. Please am going for a conference in Johannesburg. My flight has been booked and also hotel reservation. I just update from vfs that my application has been dispatched via courier yesterday. This means I just have only today to receive it.
Meanwhile I submitted in Lagos while am based in Abuja.

My flight is tomorrow morning.

I need guidance on how I can address this my issue.

Again I will also want to know the Courier service that is been used. I'm yet to receive call from the courier company.

Please I need help.

Send an email to lagos.visa@esteri.it explaining the urgent need for your passport. They'll respond. At least it worked for me in the past.

Alternatively, you can go to TLS with the collection slip they gave you, fill out and sign the withdrawal column, they'll have your passport sent back to you.

Lion123:
Hello everyone. Pls how do I withdraw my Italy Tourist visa application and get my passport immediately? I don't want again. They have frustrated me for no reason and they can keep their stupid Visa and just send me my passport as I need to travel to the U.S on a work assignment. They can't keep treating people this way. I applied since the 17th of September at the TLS office in Abuja. I am a frequent international traveller and I have a 5-year U.S. Visa and 10-Year U.K Visa, so I am not looking to japa and hide in their country. I applied for a 1-week single entry visa because I had some free time and just wanted to visit Italy for the first time in October for a week as I saw flight tickets were affordable. I included everything in my application - CAC documents, personal tax certificate, travel itinerary, flight and accommodation booking, health insurance, a healthy personal bank statement of mid 6-figures in USD and 7 figures in cumulative inflow and outflow over the past 6 months. I have been to Switzerland in the past so I'm not a first timer in the Schengen area. They have still held on to my passport for more than 30 business days. I have called them, they don't pick up. I have sent like 10 emails in the past 5 days to their Abuja and Lagos embassies and copied the Lagos visa email address, telling them to send back my passport, that they should keep their visa, they still haven't responded. I'm supposed to go to Houston this weekend. What do I do? I'm almost losing my mind. These f*cktards are holding me and my passport hostage. Pls help.

akinola12345:
Can someone use opay or kuda bank statements for evisa

No.

1. While there's no written rule as to the amount of money you need in your bank account, I personally think ₦2m is too small for a 2-year MSC Programme, even if you are on scholarship, this amount is still too small to show as living cost for two years. Irrespective of my personal opinion, it is the VO that'll decide whether or not to grant your visa on the balance of probabilities.

2. Yes

Ramwab94:
Thank you very much for your response.

I’ll be glad if you can also respond to the first and third questions too.

1. Is 1.5 - 2 million naira enough as bank balance?
2. Can I spend from the bank balance after submitting my application?

I’ll also appreciate contributions from other experts.
cc; @hunee, @Africankel

Kind regards.

hotice1954:
Good afternoon KINGS. My application for tourist visa was granted today for me and my son. But the entry and expiry date on mine who is the main applicant is 15/12/24 to 18/01/25 and my son who is a minor is 12/01/25 to 18/01/25. Has anyone had this issue? How can I address it. We are supposed to travel together to see my husband for Christmas. I don’t know what to do now

You should alert DHA immediately

You'll still get a visa even though you didn't use a previously granted one. However, in your next application, do not remain silent as to why you didn't use the previous one. Personally I've had two back-to-back visas I didn't use, I was still granted another upon reapplication.

At least, this works for SA. Some countries like Morocco frown at unused visas.

JaySterling:
I got my South African visa
But I’m looking at flights and it’s expensive

Please, if I don’t use my visa, will I still be able to get one again in future?

I’m seriously thinking of canceling my travel plans

Economy is hard and things don cost

Desmondola2020:
I already paid for the appointment. Hopefully it flys. Can you recommend an affordable insurance company to buy travel insurance from?

I use AXA

Belgium is very strict/stingy with visa issuance, even for a frequent traveller.

Desmondola2020:
Nothing really. Someone recommended it as appointment date is open. Is it not a good embassy to apply to?

Each application is decided on its own merit. However, being married and you as the sponsor, your profile will in some way aid hers, as she already has an "okay" profile.

Why Belgium though? If you are unable to get an appointment for France, I'd suggest Italy, Spain, Portugal or Finland.

Desmondola2020:
So guys I have decided I will apply to Belgium since they have appointment date for end of this month and travel date is in Dec. I’m getting married to my gf few days to submitting our application. What is my wife chance of getting the visa ? She’s employed & have a business. Her salary is like N1m. Me on the other hand is a business owner with monthly turnover of 30-60m monthly. I have had a sweden schegen visa, have a valid 5 years USA visa, have a 10yrs Canada visa and have been to uk like 10 times or more. Will my profile help her. She’s 27yrs old and I’m 31.

Dittoxcx:
Please does anyone know anything about Switzerland visa?

Application is submitted in person directly to the Embassy in Abuja. You also have to call or email the embassy to schedule an appointment. On the day of appointment, you'll be required to present originals and copies of your documents.

Note: Switzerland is an expensive country, if you decide to apply, you'll need to show sufficient means of subsistence.

Zoey1:
Did you read the part that said “the manager said no one reached out”
“And the applicant isn’t a first time “?

In verifying a hotel reservation, the visa issuing authority simply checks on the hotel website with the reservation code provided.

The manager saying he wasn't contacted, might be correct. However the booking couldn't be verified online.

What kind of blatant lie is this? I personally saw Yahaya Bello at EFCC HQ today where I went for private business. Damn it!

It is always important to prove your intention to leave the country after your studies. Although many countries do not require return tickets from students, it is unpredictable with SA. I'll advise you buy a refundable return ticket and cancel once you are in the country.

meagainstdem:
Good day All.

Please is it a must that round trip flight ticket be booked for Postdoc study lasting two years?

I booked my one-way flight trip today since I would be staying till July 2026 in SA. I was given multiple entry visitor's visa till July 31 2026.


Need clarification please🙏

Doesn't take more than two days, depending on your location. In my case I once got back my passport the next day. Another time it took two days.

missyojo:
Ohh... Okay!

Have resent it but since you responded here already let me ask the question I wanted to ask.

After you received a mail to bring your passport at vfs, like how many weeks did it take before your visa came out?

Congratulobia!

Bring kwulikwuli for us o. 😁😁

Genes1s:
Hello sirs,
The visa is out and i got it. Special thanks to Zoey1 Hunee, and Africankel who answered my questions.
FYI: e/Visa from DHA, charged 24$ applied on 16th August.
I applied for 6 days and I got a month with a chance for multiple entries. I will be coming back on the 6th day though.

Attjusty:
I submitted my documents at vfs 27th of August. I was given an invoice and my passport. The persona that attended to me said, when I receive a mail from them. I should bring the passport and invoice I was given. I'm yet to receive any mail from them though. Please has anyone experienced this before? What's the next stage after this and do I need to pay for any fee on my next visit. Thank you.

You'll get a mail within 3 months requesting for your passport. No additional fee is required.

hunee:
I passed the embassy one time i had something to do around there. It is in Asokoro. Anyone planning to visit should board keke marwa from AYA to Ty Danjuma, it is around T junction towards Asokoro Village

Goodluck guys and i also intend to get a namibian visa too in the future
I heard the country is neat but not sure as i have been to Rwanda ; i sure can tell you Kigali that country is clean.

It is very neat and beautiful. But Kigali clean pass am.

Zoey1:
Shuo!
Na only one office dem get?

Yes 😁

Zoey1:
Hello, Where and How did you apply for the Namibian visa.
Thanks

TY Danjuma, Asokoro.

Paraman:
Why can't she be deported? Is she born in Canada? If she's not born in Canada, she can be deported

Doesn't matter if she's born in Canada or not, as long as she holds a Canadian passport, she WILL NOT be deported.

RisenJoe:
Good day all, I want to make inquiries on how lucrative Botswana is for immigration and if E VISA is the best way to go there.

Pls I'll need your opinion and suggestions on the best way to go about this.

If you have money, investing in Botswana is your best. You can start a business there, as they encourage foreigners to come and invest in their country.

The first time I visited, I was encouraged to visit one business something something office (I can't remember the name), to explore business opportunities. The second time, the High Commissioner in Abuja was "lobbying" me to buy land there. So obviously, they need investors.

bobodudu100:
Hey fam. I just checked now. I got the visa. Super excited. Cant thank yall enough. Special thanks to ogas at the top @africankel @hunee @zoey1. Yall are the best. So for context i applied on the 5th of August and the visa came in today. Thanks once again. las las we go all go this SA

Congratulations

bablojnr:
Good morning everyone
Please i want to aplly fot a south African visa since i am going by road and i want to cross from botswana or Namibia.
Its part of a road trip through all mainland african countries
I assume I am to submit these at the visa application center in Abuja. How long does it take to process. Am i supposed to still book an appointment afterwards online. The security guard was quite unhelpful. I would also be getting an invitation letter from the south african red cross or a similar body. I assume that should help right?

Follow the application checklist, ensure to add flight and hotel reservation. On your application, do not mention that you are entering SA through the land border. Having gotten your visa, you can change your travel plan.