emeldamicheals:
18 workings days? Starting from Biometrics day or ....?

@ekpotek Thanks for the sound advice. My decision made status was ticked yesterday evening marking 18 working days. I got the passport ready for collection notification this morning on my way to work.

Despite all the concerns I had, my application was successful; 2 yrs visit visa. I guess my travel history bailed me out. Thank God I didn't withdraw lol. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my earlier post.

Yes. I submitted on the 3rd of May. I think the delay is due to the season and also if I'm not mistaken UK had 2 holidays over the period. I know this past Monday was a holiday in the UK. Don't forget that the UKVI does not work during local holidays.

I called and I was informed a decision was made late afternoon Tuesday of the 22nd.

Now this is my own opinion. Totally unscientific but it proved right for me.

Studying timelines from documented applications I noticed that most applications were released 4 days upon decision. Friday was a holiday in Ghana and Monday was a holiday. So I was expecting my notification today and lo and behold I got the notification this morning. This is Ghana though.

ekpotek:


I don’t feel you should withdraw the application. You have good travel history to the UK and the fund for the ECO to overlook these lapses. I will suggest that you wait for the decision. If it’s negative and the reasons are based on these lapses, you can easily correct it and reapply. Having said that, you are permitted to withdraw you application at anytime before a decision is made. However, you will not get a refund. Refund are only possible before your appointment and biometric collection.

@ekpotek Thanks for the sound advice. My decision made status was ticked yesterday evening marking 18 working days. I got the passport ready for collection notification this morning on my way to work.

Despite all the concerns I had, my application was successful; 2 yrs visit visa. I guess my travel history bailed me out. Thank God I didn't withdraw lol. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on my earlier post.

Thanks. I didn't know a withdrawal meant your fees wouldn't be refunded. I guess I'll ride it out and see how it goes. I dunno what happened this time. I'm usually extremely thorough when it comes to my applications.

We'll see how it goes. Today is the 11th working day so I guess collection isn't too far away.

ekpotek:


I don’t feel you should withdraw the application. You have good travel history to the UK and the fund for the ECO to overlook these lapses. I will suggest that you wait for the decision. If it’s negative and the reasons are based on these lapses, you can easily correct it and reapply. Having said that, you are permitted to withdraw you application at anytime before a decision is made. However, you will not get a refund. Refund are only possible before your appointment and biometric collection.

Hi gurus,

Good morning to you all. I applied for a UK Visa 11 working days ago and I made a crucial error of not doing much research before I applied. Post my application I've been reading through this site and truthfully I don't fancy my chances of having a successful application at all.

It seems I just got complacent due to my travel history and didn't put much effort into my application. I'm considering withdrawing And reworking the application for resubmission. Up to which point can you withdraw? Today is the 11th working day. Can I still withdraw if a decision has been made but I'm yet to receive my passport?

This was my application details;

Travel history:
- Been to the UK 6 times. The last time in 2014 on a 2 yr visa where I spent 5 days.

- I have a valid US Visa and visited last year in July for 14 days.

- Was in Europe (Netherlands) in August last year for 6 days.


This application;
- I applied for 2 yrs visit visa
-Reason: To attend a friend's graduation and 10 yr marriage anniversary party.

Documents submitted ( this is where I feel I erred)

- Intro letter from company ( employed for almost 10 yrs)
- 4 months salary slips
- 4 month bank statement with 3,400,00 naira balance
- Treasury bills investiment proof (7,300,000)
- invitation letter from host
- tenancy agreement from host
- passport scan of host and wife
- marriage certificate of host and wife

That's it. Reading through the site i've realised where my application is lacking;

- I didn't add any proof of our friendship/relationship
- I indicated my trip will cost me 2,300 pounds. This is because I intend to do a lot of shopping but I didn't state this in trip reasons. Considering a trip duration of 16 days with no accommodation costs this seems quite high. I earn 520,000 a month.
- I'm 34, single with no landed property or dependants.

What do you guys think? Are my chances ok and it too late to withdraw now. I'm seriously considering withdrawing and adding the proof of relationship as well as having my host get graduation invitation.

Any thoughts? Super thanks in advanve.

LadyGuinivere:

My 2 cents. Depends on the mood of the VO and how composed you are to answer what you filled in your form. My 29 year old single female and widely travelled friend just got 2 years. (She even posted here). They are aware that single people are also genuine travellers.
Just fill your form properly and do the needful as per arranging your accomodation and making sure the purpose of your travel is cogent. My 2 cents

Hi Guys,

It would be remiss of me if i don't come back to this forum to provide feedback. I've read every single page on here and must say that the trove of knowledge shared here is immeasurable. I applied yesterday without a hitch. The VO had refused about 10 people before my turn and i hadn't seen her crack a smile yet. How she was interacting with the applicants was actually bordering on rude. Surprisingly she flashed a big smile when i approached the counter..*does this chick dig me or what, because admittedly I was looking quite dapper in my suit* My session lasted all but 58 seconds and went thus;

VO; Hello
Me: Hi..
*scanning my barcode*
VO: I can see the last time you were here was 2011
Me: Not at all. I've never been here
VO: Are u sure
Me: Most definite
VO: Please place your right hand on the scanner
*I comply*
VO:Thank you
VO: Whats the purpose of your trip
Me: Business meeting
VO: How long will you stay
Me: 6 days
VO: What do you do
Me: I'm................
VO: Married?
Me: No
VO: How much do you earn
Me: xxxxxx
VO: Where have you been before?
Me: *Booyah..You've brought yourself* UK, France, Belgium, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal.....
VO: Ok.. OK... come please come back on xx for your passport

That was it.

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your commitment towards these insightful interactions. My question is quite straightforward. I am a widely traveled 31 year old single man. Over the past year, I've been on about 5 business trips to the UK mainly and other European countries as well. It has become necessary to visit the United States for the purpose of business meetings in February. Now my growing concern as I read through this extensive thread and others on this site is the fact that the embassy seems to places a lot of stock on your marital status as this establishes adequately, your tie to your home country. Can my extensive travel history make up for the fact that I'm unmarried or this would still raise eyebrows and dent my chances of a successful application. Thanks in advance.

Hi VO,

Many thanks for your commitment towards these insightful interactions. My question is quite straightforward. I am a widely traveled 31 year old single man. Over the past year, I've been on about 5 business trips to the UK mainly and other European countries as well. It has become necessary to visit the United States for the purpose of business meetings in February. Now my growing concern as I read through this extensive thread and others on this site is the fact that the embassy seems to places a lot of stock on your marital status as this establishes adequately, your tie to your home country. Can my extensive travel history make up for the fact that I'm unmarried or this would still raise eyebrows and dent my chances of a successful application. Thanks in advance.

Bobby_z:

Thanks for responses vicjustice. Visa was acquiredd with no issues. Actually checked with hrmc myself and all was in order. Funny enough I managed to track my pal down and he laughed at me so hard as he didn't even know what I was on about.

Quick one, i'll be most definitely going on frequent business trips. However, i want to know if i can make some trips to primarily visit friends or family with this business visa. As i'm in europe a lot i may want to make a quick stop to see family even when i dont have business to attend to. Is this possible or i'll have an issue at ther border. Note that I listed these friends on my application and indicated that I won't be visiting them this first trip, which is true as it'll be strictly business. Thanks in advance.

Hi Justwise and Vicjustice. Would very much appreciate it if you could address my post above. Thanks.

Vicjustice:
It won't be deemed appropriate for you to apply for a 2 years visa at this stage, long term visas are issued on the basis of necessity, for regular travellers who are constantly in need of visa renewal.
And YES, a visa applicant with NI will 99.9% be subjected to a background check: But hey, if visa officers go through stress to check Nigerians with Nigerian documents that are difficult to verify, you really do think they won't have the time to enter your UK issued NI into their computer and see its record?

Thanks for responses vicjustice. Visa was acquiredd with no issues. Actually checked with hrmc myself and all was in order. Funny enough I managed to track my pal down and he laughed at me so hard as he didn't even know what I was on about.

Quick one, i'll be most definitely going on frequent business trips. However, i want to know if i can make some trips to primarily visit friends or family with this business visa. As i'm in europe a lot i may want to make a quick stop to see family even when i dont have business to attend to. Is this possible or i'll have an issue at ther border. Note that I listed these friends on my application and indicated that I won't be visiting them this first trip, which is true as it'll be strictly business. Thanks in advance.

Vicjustice:
First, why not find from your "friend" what you NI has been
involved in?

Thanks for the prompt response vicjustice. I've lost touch with him. He came back from the UK a few months after I did so let's say july 2006. I just remembered this fact today as it's been 7 years. Are n.i checks conducted with every single application that has an n.i stated? Also, what are your thoughts on the visa duration/type? Thanks

Hi all. Did i goof? I've applied for a 2 year business visa and now i'm thinking i was over-ambitious or shouldnt have applied at all. The last time i was in the uk was april 2006. I was in a working holiday visa then. I left 3 weeks before my visa expired. Last year I travelled 5 times to the schengen area: netherlands and sweden on business. I still have a valid schengen visa in my passport. Now the reasons for my apprehension:

1. I recalled that i stupidly handed my n.i. details to a friend after i left the uk. He may or may not have used it for employment purposes. This was back in 2006. Either way, what are the ramifications as n.i. details are requested during the application.

2. On hindsight maybe my 2 year business application is too optimistic as I've not been to the uk in a while.

Justwise,vicjustice and co. Please chime in. Thanks in advance

Vicjustice: If his passport carries a refusal stamp, then i thing you're right with your recommendation otherwise (if there is no refusal stamp to explain) then, he is cleared

Hi just wise and vicjustice. Many thanks for the feedback. I do not have a refusal stamp in may passport. If you're familiar with the Schengeen visa, u know they place the application date on the visa as well. Upon checking my visa from the overturned refusal, they actually have my application date from 3 months before. I think both of you are right. It's harmless not to mention because the application was eventually granted but it hurts nothing to mention it as well. I've had another schengen visa since then so the credibility is intact.

@vcjustice. On the matter of the lump sum, yes that was my worry. But I've since purchased teeasury bonds with it. Can showing proof of recent investments (not the bank account, just the investment documentation) hurt or build?

Maybe I'm being pedantic for nothing but not having been to the uk in a while, I domt want to leave nothing to chance. Thanks once again, just wise and vicjustice for the responses.
(please pardon typos. Typing and spellcheck on a tablet can be a nightmare)

Hi Justwise and all the visa experts. Greetings! Would very much appreciate your input and recommendations. I first visited the UK in 2003 on a 6 months visa. Then 2 additional times on a 2 yr working holiday visa, which expired in 2006. I've not been to the UK since. From the beginning of this year, I've visited Germany twice on business. I have two further trips planned before December. I'm hoping to acquire a uk visa so I can pay some short visits to friends and family whilst residing in Germany on official duties. I have 3 questions;

1. Which visa should I go for? Is it ambitious going for a 2 yr visa since I've not been to the uk in

2. During my 1st Schengen application, I was refused but appealed and was granted. Had no issues with my second one. I'm positive i'll have a 2 mnth valid schengen during my visa application. Concerning the question which asks whether you have been refused a visa for any other country, do I respond with yes or no? Since the decision was overturned.

3. Finally I have 2 accounts; my active account with 700,000naira. My salary passes through this account. Then my dormant account which till 2 weeks ago had just 200,000. My brother repaid a loan to the tune of 1,000,000 so now this account has 1.2 mil. Wary of how suspicious the embassy operates, I plan not to include this account during my application. I'll be purchasing treasury bonds with this account . My query is will it help buttress my economic standing if i add this investment slip or will still ignite suspicion. During application I'll provide proof of this recent investment but not the bank account since it will seem ballooned.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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