₦airaland Forum

Hello everyone,

Please is £1500 enough for a five day visit to the UK. I have £8000 in savings and earn 1.5m monthly.

My monthly expenditure is 400,000.

In my first application I was refused because I spent more than by stated monthly expenditure in July, but I explained it was a one off payment and non reoccurring debit in my cover letter, I paid 650k for my annual rent and 500k for my hotel booking trip to Ghana, but the VO called it a discrepancy and singled out those two dates from my bank statement.

Now, I want to submit my statement from August to October which does not have any discrepancy. It still hurts me because that's the only reason my application was refused despite all the many evidence I supplied.

By my calculation the £1500 converted to naira is less than 2 months of my disposable income. So I need your advice:

So that I won't submit a new application after addressing the reason for denial and what has changed in my circumstances, and THEN they will pick another reason for refusal in this new application.

I will appreciate your responses, gurus and expert. My savings comes from my rental property, investments and my beauty business brands and I intend to resubmit all the other documents I used in my first attempt, aside from my updated bank statement without any high one off debit.

My concern is , I don't want to reapply now , and they will find another reason.so I need our advice, is £1500 okay for a five day trip?

Huge Congratulations!

Please can you be kind enough to share the list of documents you submitted?

Thank you!

Gippeum:
Just as an update, I've gotten the visa!!!!

Biometrics: September 24
VAC email: September 25
Decision and collection VFS email: October 6
Passport and visa collected: October 7

Hello experts, I just paid my visa fee and got taken to vfs page, but the language seems unclear, please what do I do next

Good morning experts,

Please for hotel booking confirmation, the hotels I am seeing are having £1000 total for five days .

My visa application is for five days for tourism and my entire proposed budget is £1300 is it too small?

How can I get cheaper hotel booking confirmation so I attach with my application?

Hello everyone,

I need your opinion on my application. I am close to submission but regarding the question I asked some days back, am still yet to get any concrete response on my explaining my financial situation in non-confusing and non-contradictory terms to the ECO;

I have included the page of my financial situation on the application:

My salary is 500k monthly after tax.
But I have additional earnings from my hair and makeup studio, rental payments and investments, and it's reflected on my bank statement.
But I spend more than the 500k salary monthly.

For my UK trip, I estimated my expenses to be £1000 for a week trip. Hope it's not too much or small?
My savings as reflected on my 4 month bank statement is what I put on the portal as well. It has a large opening balance.

Looking at the details below, do you think the financial situation is easy to understand or logical enough for the ECO?.

I will be spending less than 15% of my total savings for the trip.

My economic ties are my job, family, my business, and the 2 piece of property I have. I receive rent for one why the other is being developed.

Hello everyone I need your honest response and review on the explanation of my financial situation. First time applicant.

I wrote that I earn 500,000 monthly after tax as asked on the application portal. And this is also reflected on my payslip from my regular 9-5.

But I also have additional sources of income from my registered Make-up and wig selling beauty parlour, Rent payment from my tenants, and an investment with an investment company and the income surpasses my salary.

Now, after ticking additional sources of Income to be Investment and another Income on the portal,

I was asked how much is my total regular additional income Annually. I indicated 13million.

To the part of my monthly expenses, I spend around 600k a month as reflected on my bank statement....this actually outweighs my regular salary of 500k and that is because I have other sources of income that come in monthly. and I have seen here that monthly expense is a crucial factor for approval or denial. My current closing balance as reflected on my 4 month Bank statement is 14milllion. and opening balance of 10m.

My question is, is it okay to put a figure that is more than my regular salary as monthly expenses? Especially because I earn more than the 500k salary monthly. And add proofs

Or do I add my additional income with the normal salary and put in that box for monthly income after tax.?


Thank you , as I await your response.

Hello everyone I need your honest response and review on the explanation of my financial situation. First time applicant.

I wrote that I earn 500,000 monthly after tax as asked on the application portal. And this is also reflected on my payslip from my regular 9-5.

But I also have additional sources of income from my registered Make-up and wig selling beauty parlour, Rent payment from my tenants, and an investment with an investment company and the income surpasses my salary.

Now, after ticking additional sources of Income to be Investment and another Income on the portal,

I was asked how much is my total regular additional income Annually. I indicated 13million.

To the part of my monthly expenses, I spend around 600k a month as reflected on my bank statement....this actually outweighs my regular salary of 500k and that is because I have other sources of income that come in monthly. and I have seen here that monthly expense is a crucial factor for approval or denial. My current closing balance as reflected on my 4 month Bank statement is 14milllion. and opening balance of 10m.

My question is, is it okay to put a figure that is more than my regular salary as monthly expenses? Especially because I earn more than the 500k salary monthly. And add proofs

Or do I add my additional income with the normal salary and put in that box for monthly income after tax.?


Thank you , as I await your response.

Good evening everyone. Experts in the house, pls help.

Can someone with , 6.5m total actual savings but locked with Piggy vest and earns 350k monthly, get a UK visit visa? Works as a data analyst.

Plan is to apply for a week visit, tourism to London. Has the following:
Piggyvest account statement
official leave letter
Letter of employment
Runs an NGO that helps out of school children and has evidence of their achievements
Bank statement showing salary earnings

Should the person move the savings to the normal bank account? The 6.5m is the person's savings.

Single and unmarried.

Do they stand a chance.

No travel history, 1 US study visa denial.

Thank you for your response and offering a recommendation.
Yes, I have a business account, and it's registered with CAC, and I have tax clearance certificate from FIRS for the business, I don't know if it counts. I receive large payments into it as well. Yes, my salary is low, but my major expenses are from my other sources of income: the rental property, my fashion and beauty business.

Okay, do you advise I use my business account for the bank statement? Or submit more than one statement.

Cause my company opened a salary account for us, but I don't use that account as much. Just my personal account and business account have large transactions. I receive the rent payments into my personal account. And business payments into the business account

I'd appreciate your opinion on this.

Cashmadam:
Your low salary will be an issue.

Why not use your business instead? Is it registered and do you have a seperate bank account for the business?

Your previous travel history won't add much value as far as UK visa officers are concerned.

As an adult, you are expected to have your own money. So, the focus will be on you and your finances and not your sponsor.

giselle237:
@ayobami227
1. What is the purpose of the trip
2. What is your age? You can state a range.
3. What is the importance of this trip particularly as you can not afford it?

You have a very risky profile.
Travel history is non existent. Dubai, south Africa etc is practically not valuable here.
60k income… nah! If you get in you would seek asylum as you can decide to work cash in hand jobs which would pay you more whilst waiting for your asylum to materialise.
If you decide to use the business angle… le worst.
No husband, no dependent children to drag your conscience to return quickly .. risk
I genuinely don’t see how you can get away with the issues in your profile.

My age range is 28-35.

The purpose of this trip is for tourism only and to strengthen my travel history.

Although I earn 60k from my salary,

I make above 800k monthly from my business. I sell fashion items, and also do bridal make up and event planning almost every weekend. I also receive annual rent payments of 1m naira into my personal account from my 2bedroom housing.

These are my other sources of income. Beyond the low salary threshold

My immediate family are all based here in Nigeria.

My travel history doesn't count because of the countries? I went there on vacation and also have my travel stamps on my passport, I thought it counted for something.

Please enlighten me, that's why I posted my profile here

Hello everyone, I want to apply for UK visit visa for one week this month. this is my profile and I need your opinion.

I work as an analyst and earn 60k. (Very low,I know)
I have my business registered and active with a CAC for sale of fashion products and have a business account.
I have a landed property with documents.
I have been to Dubai, Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa. These trips were alone but sponsored by my Mum.
I have obtained leave letter, six months pay slips and introduction letter from my employer.

The issue is the financing
My mum wants to sponsor the trip, but she has to put the money in my account. It will be a lump sum and we are looking at putting it in my personal account between 7-8m.
My mum has the money.
I have a salary account, a business account and my personal account. The personal has majority of my transactions.

Do I submit my bank statement alone with the funds and my mum's profile, or should I just submit her profile with her OWN statement. I am.thinking the funds should be in my account.

But I am concerned of the lump sum thing

But I have read here that if you trip exceeds three times your salary, the ECO will refuse such.
My trip will exceed my salary by a large gap but I can explain the source of the funds.

What can I do?.

Where are you having your interview is it in Lagos? And are you fully funded? Or using personal or/and family funds?

I asked the above just to get your context more.

Here's my advice:
Prepare to show your commitment/non-immigration intent early in your interview. Unlike many mock sessions, the VOs in the Lagos embassy are recently not been direct with their questions on post-study plans or even home ties (noticed this in my case).

If you're asked any questions on:

What will this program do for you?
Why are you going back to school now/for a Master's now?
What do you need this program for?
(These questions are to check your post study plans and home ties). Your responses must demonstrate them.

You can follow a method of very direct and straightforward point/sentence then expatiate/expound on it later.

This is what I mean: put your strongest points FIRST. Be calm, don't rush! Practice over and over. For Abuja, some of the approval/AP transcripts I have seen, the questions on post study plans were direct. But for Lagos, it's different. Ensure your strongest points comes first and explain further if you have the time.

DO NOT MAKE THE MISTAKE OF ASSUMING THE VO WILL DEFINITELY ASK YOU QUESTIONS IN A PARTICULAR FORMAT, then delay your nonimmigrant intentions responses to a particular time waiting for the question that will allow you say those responses( I hope you get this). Show home ties, professional commitments and nonprofessional engagements if you have as soon as you're able to.

Here are some practice questions to help:

How many schools did you apply to?

Why this program?

What year did you graduate?

Why this course?

Who is funding this trip?

How did you get this assistantship?

Why this school?

How did you find about the school?

What will this program do for you?

What do you need this program for?

Why are you going back to school now?

What's your plan after this program?

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE in a naturally flowing format. Don't cram. Have a simple and
believable story behind your purpose, plans and what the degree will do for you in Nigeria.

I wish you all the best and I pray you get your approval on a FIRST ATTEMPT. This is now crucial because of the pause of new appointments for F-1 interviews. A denial will be too hurtful.

petreli08:
Good evening everyone.

I’d be going for my interview mid-June and I’d appreciate any help during my preparation. I’d be happy if anyone could share an interview general preparation groups on WhatsApp or Telegram 🙏🏽🙏🏽

You omitted the question at the end.

Efetobore1980:
Hello Ayobami.

Dont yell at me plz 🙏

Your session with the consular reveals ; (a) You brag or focus on your academic feat. (b) You talk out of the way and over talk. (c). Your academic intention is personal and (d) you have rehearsed your answers.


Let's Go :

(1) _The other chubby lady attending to people suddenly closed her window for an extended period. so only the white male vo was attending to people. Only 2 Vos were attending to F-1, J-1 and M-1 applicants_. I was surprised.

*** She was summoned by the supervisor or her time is up to take up another role ie in biometric office etc. Embassy staffs does not have a static/stationary duty.


(2). V.O: How many schools did you apply for? (In my mind I said this English correct so?, "apply for" or apply to?"

*** Most Americans English usage is funny unlike the Britons but they believe in skills and qualifications... dont let us go further on this.



(3) V.O: Why Kansas

Me: I chose Kansas Master's in Communication program for three reasons. First the program components emphasize a areas that addresses my skill gap in Communication methods for organizational growth and change. it also aligns with my career interests as a corporate communications officer upon return to Nigeria. I also chose it because unlike the other schools, Kansas allow dual specializations for its graduate student,And this will afford me a more robust, diverse and comprehensive learning experience in the field.
Finally, the faculty's research focus and experience aligns with my career goals and research interests.

(I was like this man has not interrupted me yet,God Abeg o)


*** Two out of your three (3) reasons talked about why you have chosen your program of study (meanwhile you were asked why have you chosen Kansas as a University) and the only point that narrated why you have chosen Kansas is a common rehearsed answer which usually ends with " Upon my return to Nigeria.


(4). V.0. when did you graduate?

Me: 2019. I have been working ever since.

**** Why not stop at 2019 ? I have been working ever since is counted as over talking out of desperation.


(5). V.O. why are you going for the program now?

Me: I'm going for a Master's in Communication now because as a young professional in the private sector I recognized a gap in my skill sets on communication methods for organizational growth and change, especially in navigating complex Communication issues within a diverse workforce. This program will address this gap by equipping me with skills in strategic and risk communication, Reputational Management,PR and advertising techniques as well as the impact of emerging technologies on hybrid and remote work models. It will also serve as a sprint board for my career advancement upon return to Nigeria.


***. Look up your number 3 answer. You are repeating same thing here and concluded with the same upon my return to Nigeria. Here , the VO concludes that your answers are not natural and honest but they are pre-meditated.


(6). V.O: Who is funding this trip?

Me: The Graduate School will fund my studies.i was awarded a graduate teaching Assistantship that covers my tuition, living expenses,book and supplies and insurance. I secured this assistantship after two interviews,first with program coordinator, Prof Sean, and the other with the admissions committee. I spoke on my research experience, academic background and career goals. I also submitted reference letter from 3 professors from my undergrad, high test scores and my writing sample which got me the assistantship.


***. This answer is too long , it is one of the characteristic of a rehearsed answers .

( Why not say ; I have secured full funding but my employer, or my parents or i have saved up some money in order to sort out any unexpected expenses during my 1st year ?).


(7). *V.O is typing*

Me: do I tell you about my research?

V.O: No, keeps typing.

*** VO was busy typing but you just felt like happy-go merry and interrupted him , why ? Be quiet next time.

(. Me: English Language and Literature from **** University.

V.O: Bachelor's in English, got it!

***. You wanted to start another story but the VO had to cut you off by correcting you openly . The VO indirectly told you that your answer should be ( Bachelor's in English) brief next time.


(9). V.O: How did you find out about Kansas?

Me: I found out through LinkedIn and also joined the virtual information session where I realized the program components will benefit me significantly when I return to Nigeria.

***. You did not find out by alma mater , not by employer , not by a former school mate or recommended by your former HOD (as an outstanding student/future scholar) but you found out on LinkedIn. You eventually added the phrase " Upon my retun to Nigeria making it 3-times you repeated it to the consular.


Summary : The consular saw you as a would-be scholar who has not fully matured her interest in Academics or Academia but motivated by friends or family to use her academic prowess in gaining entry into America.

Note: Linkedin is a very good professional and social platform but the circumstances in the Op's case is different. 👍

*F-1 Visa*
*May 7th 2025*
*Window 3*
*Lagos*
*First Attempt*

It's well

bayocanny:
Good afternoon everyone

What is the cause of Administrative Processing that has been rampant this year?

This is WHY

https://tandslaw.com/state-department-sends-cable-to-consulates-requiring-social-media-review-of-all-f-m-and-j-visa-applicants/

Donald Trump through the department of State has issued a thorough and two level scrutiny of the social media profiles of f-1, j, B1/B2 and M visa applicants to the US

That link provides more details.

If you have any politically related stuff on your social media especially as pertaining the US, it's advisable to take it down.

Administrative Processing is the new step before approval.

Don't panic, there's nothing wrong with your application.

I did mine using the Pay4me App and it worked. I received my receipt a week later.i didn't have anyone in the US to pay for me, so I had to go with what I had... especially after checking into several banks and they said they don't do western union payments.

Ibroguy121:
Hi, who can assist with SEVIS FEE payment please

Most people pay through bank as the online one may not work.

Best256:
Greetings everyone.

Can I go ahead paying online via Avits site or go to bank to pay for it?

Thanks.

May 2025 is available for LAGOS p! Log in to your portal and schedule appointment ASAP!

You can join the active date search group here:
https:///FOnmQ0CVpBY0yH62MAK6Xh

On Tuesday, during the search and posting of available dates that was when someone noticed a lot of dates became available for Abuja and people quickly booked appointment.
Hopefully, dates for Lagos open up soon too.

Before you JOIN, note that, you're going to actively search for dates too based on the time given. If you don't, you will be removed.

kennyjam:
I have not gotten yet

Can someone also do this if the start date is August 2025?
I understand it's not 90 days to resumption yet but there are no close dates available for Lagos.

And I'm thinking of going through the expedited route.

Can someone request to expedite when the resumption is August. I noticed you mentioned May.

LCMedia:
Select the earliest date available then you’d see a button on your appointment confirmation page to request for an expedited appointment. Click the button, explain why you are making the request, indicate your program start date and SEVIS ID in the content of the request, and attach your signed I-20 form.

Yes, it's normal. It could take up to 4 weeks or more and in other cases lesser.

However, if your resumption date is very close, and you chose Lagos, send a mail in this format:


Send an email to : LagosNIV@state.gov

Subject of Email: V44 - Unable to Schedule Appointment on AVITS

Dear Consular,

Name: (Your name)

DS-160 Confirmation Number: (the number)

Passport Number: (the number)

I am (your name) and I am applying for an F-1 visa to study in the US at (school name)

I have been unable to schedule a visa appointment on the portal since (date you paid) after I paid the MRV fees.

Kindly find attached the proof of my payment. (YOU MUST ATTACH PAYMENT RECEIPT!)

I need your help as regards solving this issue.

My resumption date is (put the date) and it's less than 50 days away. I need your help in resolving this issue.


IN 72 hours, you will get a response.

Waposh:
I have been on this pre approval on the avits portal for three weeks plus now, how long does this thing really takes and is this even normal ?

Yes! Of course, I don't mind. Gotten your I-20 yet?

Chaton30:
Hi Ayobami, are you going for the fall term?I would like to connect if you don’t mind!!

Yes, you can include it. I included it for mine, got I-20 a week later. AQ Miller School of Media and Communication. I knew from the stipend amount.

Chaton30:
Hello everyone, how do I indicate the statement below on my affidavit of support document to request for i20. It’s a full tuition waiver. Can the stipend be included on the support form?


I am attaching our Graduate Teaching Assistantship offer, which comes with a tuition waiver and an annual stipend of $12,600. If you accept our offer, please sign the attached form and e-mail it to me and to our office