₦airaland Forum

I had a similar experience with Wakanow over a simple name change issue. They kept changing their quotation even when the airline said it was free. Emirates had to intervene in the end.

@philipcoxb I like to use skyscanner and Google flights as my aggregator to compare flights and then head directly to the airline site to purchase. I can't stand these websites because initiating changes can be hell. The only issue you might face dealing directly with airlines is the USD spending cap. Good luck!

giselle237:
@philipcox avoid travelstart. Any issue with the ticket or any slight changes and you will hate ever contracting business with them. Le worst travel agency. You will cry to get your refund even though they have received refund from the airline. To reach the company you will spend unending hours speaking to whatsapp bot etc.

@ummys sorry about this. Fix this by-
1 Opening a company account and transacting all your business in that account. - Make sure the business is active on the CAC website.
2 Pay yourself a salary into your personal account and that should be the primary income there.
3 Do not resort to inflation again, sending through large deposits within a month or even in the six-month period.
4 Spend as you normally would in your personal account, leaving some each month so that is accumulated to a healthy balance.
5 Review the statement first before you indicate your income, expenditure, and budget. Make sure the annual income matches the statement income. Annual income should ideally be X2 of your 6month statement. The expenditure should also follow the same principles.
6 Budget for the trip should ideally not exceed 2 months’ income. There is no hard and fast rule here, but people have been rejected for a budget that was X4 their income.
7 However, ensure this budget has covered your 11-day trip. Breakdown flight, accommodation, food, transport and a little bit for shopping and entertainment (not mandatory).

ummys:
Hello,Attached is my refusal letter.bio 17th Nov.

Sorry about this. The ECO actually wrote 8,000,000 but in the exchange to pounds, put 1400 GBP instead of 14k. I believe that's the key issue. You can write a complaint pointing out this error. As, if they had taken into account your yearly other income of #14k GBP, your monthly goes to over 2600 and so the 6k budget would only be X2.2 of your monthly income. I suggest you complain about that and also reattach your proof about every single one of the transfers. If that doesn't work,

1. Reapply and ensure there are no large deposits just your monthly fixed salary.
2. Reduce the budget from 6k so it doesn't put too much pressure on you.
3. Highlight every deposit into the account, number it and in your cover letter use bullet points to outline every deposit with the corresponding number, date and explain it and also add proof. Also include your company statement.

Have you travelled elsewhere before and was this a first time application to the UK? Sometimes, I feel like they nitpick based on a nudge they have which they can't really put a finger on so they just look out for whatever.

verygudbadguy:
Greetings to y’all. I just received a refusal letter. I think the ECO made a mistake. He/she took 8,000,000 for 800,000 in my yearly investment income and based the judgement on the fact that my travel budget is 4x my monthly income which is not true.

I also submitted a cover letter stating that the funds i moved into my personal account are from my corporate account and are incomes from my own business.

Pros in the house, kindly advise.

@cutebear @giselle237 @leef2022 @AmeliaT @Debbieeee @Nwaogwukings03

I think it’s 48 hours before take off; not arrival. So, you should be good. I do my tests at Medbury, Lekki and they usually have it ready by 3am the following day and if you do it first thing in the morning, you can ask to have it back the same day.

Let’s imagine your test is on Friday morning, you can still do the test on Wednesday morning or even Wednesday evening and get the results on Thursday morning. You can also push for Thursday morning and get the results the same day incase you want 24 hour validity.

Dinoforyou00:
@Amelia and @leef2022

I was told the 48hours for the covid test before arrival starts counting from collection time at the lab. How do I go about it if I’ll be spending about 20hours on board. I’ll have to be at the airport 3hours before departure time. So I’ll just be left with about 25hours. How do I manage to get my test done and get the result within these hours left, and I was told the result takes 24hours to be out

Thank you so much for the clarity. @kuntash, I hope you’ve noted this and all the other feedback.

Chiall:
Very true. I got a Netherlands Transit visa enroute London I had a schengen visa but was not valid for travel before I left for the UK So yes Nigerians need a transit visa if using KLM/ Airfrance.

cutebear:
But they clearly wrote it in your refusal letter that you can appeal
Just make the required changes as @leef had advised

Is this confirmed? Remember we are in the post Brexit era. Before that was the case but since Brexit, it looks like the rules have changed. Please see below or if you have contrary information, please confirm.

Traveling to the United Kingdom
Reintroduction of Airport Transit Visa Requirement for certain nationalities.
As of January 1 2021, citizens of the following countries who are holders of a British visa, long-stay visa or a residence permit issued by the British authorities will need to be in possession of an airport transit visa (ATV) if they transit through the Netherlands:

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic republic of Congo, Chad, Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican republic, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia (only Russians coming from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Turkey or Egypt), Senegal, Syria, Palestinians with refugee travel documents, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan and South Sudan and Sri Lanka.

kuntash:
KLM and Air France doesn't require transit Visa enrout the UK from Nigeria ?

Virgin Atlantic
British Airways
Royal Air Maroc (If still flying to the UK)
Kenyan Airways
South African Airways
Emirates
Qatar
Just stay away from European owned airlines- KLM, Air France.

Dinoforyou00:
@AmeliaT and @leef2022

Which flight/airline would you suggest that doesn’t require a transit visa from Lagos to Manchester, UK. And which would not be a direct flight

1. Perhaps wait another 6 months and review/increase the budget.
2. I think you should make corrections and add documents such as your own payslips etc. Please include budget breakdown and make sure there are no errors in the form like last time.
3. Either way is fine but include documents to back up your own financial status.
4. I have seen people here pass with 3 months but 6 is good to be safe as others have been refused for submitting such a short statement.
I however think you can raise a complaint to say that there was only 1 deposit made and you already explained what it was. In this, also include the total breakdown of the 1.9m.

I wish you all the best!

Gentlesoul3268:
1.When can I re apply for them ?

2.How can I review why they are refused or not necessary since we knew the reason they are refused just to make a correction?

3.Can we wait to let the 1.5m I transferred into my wife account wave from the statement account ?

4.If I wanted to sponsor them in their next application can I submit 3 month bank statement or is it mandatory to submit 6 month bank statement?

Please need more insight....

Thanks everyone

For the UK, there are two types on transit visas.
1. Direct Airside Transit Visa- This is for someone with a connecting flight that leaves the same day. You can't arrive today and take your next flight tomorrow. It needs to be on the same day.
You will remain within the departure area of the terminal and so your luggage must automatically be transferred from your arrival flight to the connecting one. This means that if you land with Emirates and want to connect through Virgin, you can't use this visa because you will need to collect your luggage from one flight and check into another.

2. Visitor in Transit Visa. This is valid for 48 hours and is for people who want to transit through but perhaps the connecting flight is the next day or they are flying two different airlines so they need to clear immigration, pick up luggage and check in again. This allows you the opportunity to do that and perhaps check into an airport hotel for the night and continue your journey or proceed to visit friends for the day and return.

Info here- https://www.gov.uk/transit-visa

leef2022:
Dear AmeliaT,
Pls explain why you can't recheck if you have the transit visas, I would have thought that is one of its purpose(s)?

So if for instance you depart LOS with Air france or if Rynna air or whichever, and your connecting flight to the Uk or final destination is Lufthansa or another carrier or such you have multiple stop overs, would Air france or Lufthansa do the re-checking for the traveler?

You can't re-check in luggage with an airport or airside transit visa. To recheck in your luggage, you need a city transit or visitor in transit visa as you will need to exit the departure area, clear immigration etc.

leef2022:
There are two types transit visas
Airport transit visas, means you would remain within the airport (i.e area for international departure), whilst waiting for a connecting flight to your final destination, mostly needed if you would require to re-check your luggage and your stop-over time exceeds 2hrs waiting time if not mistaking.
City transit visa means you can leave the airport, enter the city for duration of your transit visa (usually very limited and this type is ideal if you are travelling by road/land) and you wish to pass through a third state or more to your final destination. (mainly the EU, USA, UK, etc would require Nigeria passport holders have a transit visa. which ever of you choose to apply for is your choice and the ONUS would be on you to show you merit the transit visa.

No, not all countries/flights require transit visas for Nigerian passport holders and a transit visa is determined by a country's policy for immigrants and not the airline (note; diplomatic passport holders are in most cases excluded) Turkey, Dubai, Ethiopia, and more do not require you to have a transit visas for stop-overs.

The UK, America and most European countries require Nigerians to either have a specific transit visa or a visitor visa for a country of similar status. E.g. If you have an American visa, you can transit through Europe without a Schenghen transit but if you don't have one, you need the transit visa. The visitor visa can also be used to transit.

For the UK, there are two types on transit visas.
1. Direct Airside Transit Visa- This is for someone with a connecting flight that leaves the same day. You can't arrive today and take your next flight tomorrow. It needs to be on the same day.
You will remain within the departure area of the terminal and so your luggage must automatically be transferred from your arrival flight to the connecting one. This means that if you land with Emirates and want to connect through Virgin, you can't use this visa because you will need to collect your luggage from one flight and check into another.

2. Visitor in Transit Visa. This is valid for 48 hours and is for people who want to transit through but perhaps the connecting flight is the next day or they are flying two different airlines so they need to clear immigration, pick up luggage and check in again. This allows you the opportunity to do that and perhaps check into an airport hotel for the night and continue your journey or proceed to visit friends for the day and return.

Option 1 is easier to get because there's minimal to zero chance of absconding but with option 2, the candidate gets access to the city so can actually abscond.

Dinoforyou00:
Please can someone explain transit visa. And is it all the flight that has stop overs in another country that will require transit visa

Sorry about this. I see two issues here.

They didn't really get the breakdown of what you said regarding 400k to 3 kids and additional 300k for her. To them, they have taken it that she only had 400k for the trip of which that is not enough as the flight would have consumed most of that. Depending on the age of your kids, under 2, or 2-11 or 12+, the 400k may also not go a long way beyond their ticket. It's important to mentally breakdown flight, food, transport per person and per day (mandatories) and possibly shopping and entertainment (optional). Infact, you can include this in the application. A friend of mine did this, she broke down the budget for her family of four and my husband did the same. This will help you see what amount is credible to claim as your expected budget. It also seems there were other unexplained deposits. I would advise that next time perhaps, she present her account as is (without any large deposits from you) while you present your sponsorship letter, bank statement and evidence of your income as long as your account is also clean.

I also noticed that the way Nigerians express themselves is very different. Sometimes, other nationalities are unable to grasp the motive behind their words. So, the cover letters need to be written very clearly; using plain language that's easy to understand and use bullet points to explain these deposits. You can highlight the deposits on the statement, number them and then reference them by number, date and description in the cover letter so the ECO is left in no doubt. I have only just noticed your sponsorship letter; so I think you did this well so I'm not sure what else they require.

I also think that when candidates have previous travel history that's strong and the ECO deems the application as credible and healthy, they sometimes overlook all these minor details. It's when they are not satisfied that they nitpick these little things. The two issues here are the insufficient budget for a family of 4 to travel and other unexplained deposits in her account. You can easily fix this and reapply.

Gentlesoul3268:
Hello house I applied for my wife and my 3 kids on Nov 11 , the refusal letter just drop now very funny lol, although I transferred 1.5 million to my wife account and wrote sponsorship letter and what the money meant for to support my kids and my wife.

Out of the 1.5m I support my wife with 300k and the 3 kids with 400k each.

Note: my wife personally stated that she I'll adding 400k from her money plus 300k sponsorship from me out of hr 1.5m, making 700k for her trip cost

I wrote a sponsorship letter for each of them


I even wrote inside Extral information in application form that I transferred 1.5m to my wife acct



See the below refusal letter

If it's nothing urgent then you will have to wait till 2024.
Wait for a cancelation or someone who has a spot.
Or if the event is of significant importance, apply for an expedited appointment.

Lakseg:
what about someone traveling to USA for event through invitation letter in any given date this year? .. Earliest date is 2024 for interviews... Kindly respond coz 2024 is too far

Wow. So sorry to hear about your mum's health.

Are you able to share a transcript of the interview where you were refused? I'm sure you don't remember word for a word but a summary as well as the ECO's feedback so we have an idea why it was refused and can preempt this next application.

In any case, I suggest you apply with her and ask for an expedited appointment based on these extenuating medical circumstances. I would suggest your cousin helps to get the hospital, doctor and some appointments booked incase they ask questions relating to this. I wish you all the best and pray her surgery is successful.

cris83:
Hello to everyone in this group and happy new year to you all. I would like to seek your advice / opinion on this: In 2016 my mom and I were successfully renewed our visa the first time via dropdox but the second time (2018) it was denied when we went for an interview for renewal (dropbox was cancelled). Now she has a serious medical issue (broken femur with total knee replacement degradation) and needs surgery and my uncle (her younger brother) who is a citizen has advised we bring her to the states for the surgery. My question is should i apply with her again or should her cousin (a lady with children) apply with her. I am weighing the chances of her getting a visa. Our last interview i was being asked all the questions and none was thrown towards my mom at the time and we were denied. My mom's cousin has never travelled before but my mom has been to the states twice and spent a month during both periods. Her travel history is India and US.

Sorry about this. Keep hitting them with emails. Hope and pray!

Osondubueze:
Ok
I did mine on 25th of October at VI also and just left there this morning and they said my passport isn't ready for collection cos they haven't received it.
What should I do cos am tired of the wait.

My husband did on the 20th of October 2021 in VI. He received it 12 weeks later on the 12th of January 2022.

Osondubueze:
Please anyone who did biometric for UK Visiting Visa at Victoria Island during the month of October?

My British/Nigerian friend got married to a Nigerian in Croatia and the wedding had over 200 guests from Nigeria who were all issued visas and their reason for the visit was the wedding. My husband's first ever visa was granted to attend a wedding in America.

A wedding of a relative or friend should indeed be a strong enough reason as any to want to travel to a country afterall, many of us have flown in to other countries just for a friend's wedding. What makes or breaks the application is all the other supporting info or documents; not the wedding invitation or lack of. The entire application will be reviewed on its own merit, I believe. The reason is not enough to justify an approval or rejection; the entirety of the application is key.

Escalate to the UKVI for an answer. Wishing you all the best!

Kristina22:
He was still in Nigeria. He only left in November.

So sorry but there are so many points and loopholes. I will try to address a few. I’m sure @cutebear and others will also chime in.

1. 23 days and #650 don’t go together. Remembers Daily means of substinence. Something we ignore is that a lot of European countries have an amount they expect the average genuine tourist to spend per day based on the country of visit's standard of living- This includes accommodation, food, transport, and basic entertainment.
The flight alone is at least #600 which has consumed your entire claimed budget for 23 days.
Food- At least 20 per day which is 460
Transport- 15 a day which is 345.
Entertainment- 20 a day which is 460
Shopping- Dependent on your earnings but at least 400
This brings it to a total of about 2,200 for a 23-day visit and this is excluding accommodation as I assume you must have a friend to stay with. Add accommodation and that goes to 50 per day.
So, your budget showed minimal planning and preparation. Any genuine visitor will have plans to go out, explore, spend money, sight see and have fun.

2 The information about USA interview, birthday in the USA, pregnancy is TMI! Too much information and very unnecessary and shot you in the foot.

3 23 days is a long time to claim to go on holiday especially with no itinerary and very little funds. Try not to claim more than 14 days; you can eventually spend more time.

4 To prove business profitability, you should have included the 6-month bank statement as that is the only proof they recognize; not just receipts which can be doctored. Use your company letter head for the cover letter and ensure your digital footprint is up to date and included on the letter head.

5 The total income you claim to have is
1.1m from your job
2m from your business
151k from the pension
Bringing it to a total of 3.25m and you had more than double that in your account which doesn’t seem realistic based on what you claim to be your earnings.

Next steps
Open a business account for your organization.
Pay yourself a salary every month of about 200k based on the business income you claim.
This will take your monthly income to about 300k. You can save 200k each month and within 12 months, this would have accumulated to 2.4m and then you can reapply with a clean statement and apply for a stay of just 7-14 days.

7031646386:
I also just got denied. I did my biometric on the 3rd of November.
Pls kindly check the refusal letter for any candid advice/ resolutions and how soon should I reapply.

Since the wedding is for 1 day, 3 days max for traditional wedding, pre wedding dinner and then wedding day. You would usually stay for 7-14 days. Eventually, you can stay longer if need be but on the form, try not to go above 14 days.

Oneguy03:
Thanks for this detailed response. The circumstance however is that the application is based on an invitation for a wedding. Does this make any difference on these things I need to consider?

Congratulations!! Awesome stuff. When did you cancel and when was the visa stamped?

Dinoforyou00:
God is so so so wonderful guys!!
Infact I’m very speechless. I was here on Thursday asking questions on how to cancel application. It was after 48WD that I canceled my application on the website and also send a mail to them to cancel my application. But to my greatest surprise, I got a collection mail yesterday, I thought it was just my passport. DHL brought it right now and lo and behold I was saw the visa vignette on my passport.


Biometric done November 3,2021
Collection mail January 17
Dhl delivered just now


I’m so excited guys. Please don’t let us loose hope in God

Conversation history, hotel stays, flights, pictures should be dated, try to show a robust overview of your relationship over an extended period. Not just recent photos but old photos. Records of gifts etc.

People have transactional marriages so a marriage certification isn't enough. Make it detailed and put dates and locations. Ensure you include photos of yourselves with other friends and family as well and make sure you include old ones (if any); not just recent ones.

Dichimma:
Good day house,
This is the message I got for NSF, during application, I submitted my some pictures, marriage certificate for our marriage evidence. Please, what again do they want us to submit, please help

This was what they sent : please provide further evidence of your relationship to the main applicant as you have only submitted a marriage certificate dated 10/07/2021. The fact you have demonstrated your marriage took place doesn't act as independent corroboration you are in an ongoing, subsisting relationship.

Wow! So sorry about this. Kindly post the refusal email so the team can collectively advise on the corrective actions and timeline to reapply.

The first two weeks were filled with celebration and all of a sudden there's a rush of rejection emails. This is really sad. I pray that this shall be the last of such and when you all reapply, it shall be approved and for the others waiting, it shall be a rush of good news and congratulations. May the Lord see our sincerity and purity of heart and answer all our prayers. Henceforth, it shall be a rush of approval emails for all genuine visitors.

beautyuche:
Hi Guys I got refused Friday last week. How long should i wait to reapply

Oh no. I’m so sorry about this but this can be fixed within 6 months and then you’re off again.

1. Reactivate the business name at CAC and always check before you apply.
2. Open a company account; even a business name is entitled to this.
3. Pay yourself a salary every month from the business account into your personal account on the same day each month.
4. Spend from that personal account whilst saving an amount each month to cumulate the bank balance that’s enough to sustain you for your trip and sustain you upon return.
5. Do not make any large cash deposits into the account just before application otherwise it’s a red flag.
6. You can write your cover letter on your company letter head. Ensure you also have your website and/or social media footprint so if they decide to search for your business, it’s visible.

I would never have guessed that they would go to the extent of checking CAC website. This is a lesson for us all.

Sus4:
Am so downcast, I just got a refusal mail

Could you please shed more light on what happened to you too?

Sus4:
Lol! Am sure the reason he wants to know is that , maybe he's tapered with the money in the account so much. So he's scared of the fact that If they find out it might affect the decision, because it happened to me too

Inspired by recent events.

Debbieeeeeee:
You said he should not stay 3 months

Ofcourse hotel, flight; amongst other things but the bill for 7 days is different from 14 days or 28 days. That is the point @cutebear and I are making.

Flight- Fixed
Hotel- Per day
Food- Per day
Transport- Per Day
Entertainment- Per Day

The longer you stay, the higher the cost and requirement for funds in the account. I created an excel sheet, once I enter how long my husband is going for, it tells me the required amount he needs to spend per category and then the total as well as the minimum balance he should have in his account based on that. It's just something I use based on logic.

Gentlesoul3268:
Hotel and flight is the main thing that will determine the cost of your trip