₦airaland Forum

guardian09: Finally got my visa 2day @ calabar via ups(courier) ,I applied and did my interview @ abuja vfs office last Monday

Congratulations bro! Do have safe trip when you travel.

royalsweetness: please when filling out my application, what is the difference between place of issue and issuing authority of your passport, secondly, can i select tier 4 student (general) as type of visa, even though I'm using my dad's account to apply

Place of Issue is the state where your passport was issued, followed by country e.g. Abuja, Nigeria.
Issuing Authority is: Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Whosoever's account you're using, you're still a tier-4 (general) applicant my dear.

Guzye: So how do I prove it's mine?

miz Gene: Actually dt is not right. Prospective students dnt hv to prove how they got their funds . If u ask me, it is an obvious fact that over 90% of students don't sponsor themselves,usually relatives or companies or well wishers are d sponsors so it shdnt be surprising to see a large lodgement. also it is specifically stated on the ukba site that proof of source of funds isn't needed for students.

Worry 359 generalised on his answer. Tier-4 visa applicants do NOT need to show proof of source of funds. Also, that another person made the deposit is not a problem. As long as your money is complete and stayed for at least 28 days in your account.

xteeeee: Once again I printed my bank statement on 28 of November it dates 28 October to 28 November but the problem is there was no transaction after 23 November therefore I printed another one d next day from 20 October to 29th November, pls which do u suggest I should use ?

I guess you already had your interview. As long as both statements show the initial deposit that made your required money complete and there's at least 28 days between that transaction date and today, both will be usable.

bunburized: ...

Don't worry about the timing of your submitted application. Although they seem to have made a change to their website but I believe you'll be fine since the "Application Date" is the date you pay for your visa application (you're paying on the 5th.)
Didn't even know you're female. Smart Casual is the ideal dress code. You know what they say about the way one dresses.

xteeeee: But previously someone mention dat she added the hand filled VAF9 form to her application, so I guess it's jus as u said

The Visa Application Form (VAF)9 is the online application and once you fill it online and submit and print off a copy, that print off is what you should submit, not a hand-filled VAF9.

bunburized: My course start date is Jan 20th. I filled this as the date I will like to travel. I am beginning to think that was an error on my part as i would av preferred arriving UK atleast a week earlier. Will the approved visa length take this into consideration or they will just issue based on what I filled in the form?
Since you say I can fill the VAF9 form can I write a different choice of arrival date there?

Hello! Are you coming to the UK to study law? You're quite good with asking questions. That's just by the way though. Many of your questions are answered already so that's the reason I didn't reply your former post since I was offline for a while. NO, you do not need to submit a paper VAF9 if you have submitted your online application. printing off your online application is your VAF9 and you should not submit a hand-filled version. So, just submit the printed VAF9, your filled VAF9-APP8 form, your bank statement, your passport and all the documents listed on your CAS. Since you have chosen Jan 20th for your arrival date, you can't change it, so don't bother about it. Hopefully the ECO may let your clearance begin from 16th or 17th.
As for your phone number that is not on your VAF9, my advice is that you may write an introductory letter which you will submit with your application. It will just be a formal letter introducing yourself and stating that your phone number is not on the form and then you provide it. The reason I am saying this is that, recently, someone from this thread was contacted by UKBA to supply his phone number. Just to avoid any form of delay.

royalsweetness: I paid with my GTB debit card at the beginning of this week, and I was charged 266 naira per GBP, it broke my heart. Not such a money-wise option afterall

lol. Well, you are right about the rate GTB have been using lately. Lets consider another option: Buy pounds from Aboki/BDC at #268/£ (and that's if you get all the required money from one person). Then pay it into your Dorm Account and then pay over #10,000 as charges for offshore transfer. And then wait for about 48 hours or more to confirm your payment. You'll agree with me that online payment solution is fairer. Although information has it that new generation banks (First Bank precisely) offer much lower rates as compared to GTB.

wilzz26: @house what is the best way to pay tuition fee payment. The banks in Nigeria sucks. Buying pounds sterling @265 is too expensive . what can I do I want to make my tuition fee payment to my school.how best can I do this with out putting a hole in my pocket.

The best money-wise option any day is to pay online with your debit card. Ask your school about the available options they allow and then make your choice.

bunburized: Thanks so much. This was very thorough.
However, should I make a transaction same day before printing as has been suggested by some here or should such transaction be made on 2nd Dec while I print 3rd Dec?
Secondly, what are the likely questions I should expect at VFS when I go to submit my application?
Finally, after vfs is it mandatory for every applicant to be called by BHC for interview?
Please your further assistance is needed in these regards.

If you have not been making transactions on the account within the 28 days, the best thing is to make at least one transaction on the 2nd of Dec. Even if it is 500 naira. It helps to make the statement clear.
Your application date is not only for application submission but also Interview. And yes, it is compulsory to have the interview that day.
The questions are pretty basic: You'll be asked about yourself, your background, the course you studied in school, work experience(they may not ask this), why you want to study in the UK, why you chose the MSc course you applied for, why you chose your university, why you didn't consider other related course your university offers and you'll be asked if you understand the questions you were asked. Just speak good English and answer reasonably and precisely.

abbakacici: same here during the weekends if am unlucky i don't meet any of flatmate in the kitchen can spend like 36 hours without talking to any one and the annoying thing is that i have class only on mon and wed and the funny is that among the things i do for funny is meeting my course mate in the library on tue, thurday and friday for reading and group discussion, they have club in the uni but like almost 80% of the song is British rock music, and to matter worst i don't drink and the only thing i observed is most British both black and white the best they drink they can do for you is to invited for drinks

...And here I am thinking I am not-so-lucky that I may not see any of my 6 flatmates in one day. If I see a particular one today, the next time might be in 4 days but I will surely see another one the next day. I really don't understand why it is like that though. Imagine Nigeria where your neighbour will actually come and knock your gate if they don't see you in 2 days..lol. I bet you can still find some interesting ways to get involved especially by joining societies, doing some sport at the sport centre and relating with like-minded coursemates.
I agree with the drink thing and that's the reason I avoid going out with the locals I have as friends - they drink beer and alcohol like it's the oxygen they breathe in. God help us all in this land.

bunburized: I made a deposit to cover my maintenance money as well as balance tuition fee on Nov 5th into my account and hope to print out the statement on Dec 3rd as advised here by someone(is the calculation correct?).
I was discussing with my account officer today and told him I will be coming for my account statement as I need to include it in my visa application.
The dude seem to be confused as he was saying I will need a 6 months statement which I vehemently oppose.
I told him I just need a statement beginning from Nov 5th and ending Dec 3rd which is the day I hope to print.
Please gurus in the house what specific instruction should I tell them at the bank and do I need a cover letter? If yes hw should the cover note be worded as I have no clue on that.
I have read people making references to a cover letter here as well as the statement of account and will appreciate further enlightenment.
The money is in my zenith bank naira savings account if this will help in your response. Thanks.

The person who told you 3rd Dec. was right. Your Day 1 of count is 6th Nov., so what will the 28th day be?
Well, using a 6-month statement will not disqualify you but it is not necessary since the target is to show 28-day period not more than one month after your application date. I usually advice you print a 30-day period to ensure your initial deposit is well reflected. So, Just let the bank know you need it for student visa and 30 days is all you need (Nov 4 - Dec3).
As for the cover letter; If the statement will be well detailed (showing all dates and balances after every reflected transactions) and carry the logo and official stamp of bank, you do not need the letter. But since the letter would not disqualify you and if you like adding too much unnecessary jara, you may decide to add it. The letter would be written by your bank attesting to the fact that you're a legitimate customer of theirs over a certain period and that the bank statement is accurate and correct.

mjan: Good day all nairalanders,
I have checked wakanow.com but the cheapest I can see is Lufthansa for 156,179 and I still feel this is still high but my confusion is now this, am afraid of it increasing as the time of my travel approaches. I intend travelling on either 24/25 of Jan. Should I still hold on and keep observing the prices if I can get something cheaper or should I go ahead and book. If I need to hold on more,for how long? Thank you.

Just do a little research. Some of the airlines have offers around the end of year (December) where tickets may be bought for less (I hear BA currently has an offer). So, just go online and google airline prices for December,2012 and January, 2013 and use that to predict what will happen in the next two months.

kellyemms: thanks so much bro.. U mean wen i get d affidavit i should tender it for visa application instead of d birth certificate right?

Did your dad do a change of name? If he did, I believe all you need is the original document of proof of his Change of Name and the birth certificate.
If he didn't do a Change of Name, then your other option is the Sworn Affidavit that he is your father which typically replaces a Birth Certificate.

^^^^^hehehe. Sadly, nothing more to add truly.

chrisw29: Yeas I guess you are right, how about the TOEFL, if I print the online results do you think that it will be fine? because I talked with ETS guys, they told me that it will take time o deliver the certificate

jcaribie has given you a good advice. More often than not, when you explain things in your application, the ECO will most likely contact you for clarifications than outright visa refusal because they don't understand one thing or the other.
So, you can send in the online print result (which clearly has all your info since they will verify online) and an Introduction letter in which you state the reason you don't have the original result. The email print-off of ETS's reply can be attached too.
As for your wife being your sponsor, I want to believe it is possible so try to make enquiries. Although, it is best if you have the money in your account. All the best.

Guzye: thanks for your help but what accommodation do i need to show at least for the first few nights i'm there before renting my apartment?

Just use your Schools' International office address or that of your school. You may then stay anywhere (like a hotel) while you sort out accommodation.

^^^^^^^You are very right bro! I didn't want to comment earlier until you posted this. People make the mistake of having wrong perceptions about seeking "greener pastures" and eventually live unworthy lives. The design is for man to live in harmony with self and the environment.
Suffice to say, if a foreign land is not giving you the happiness you deserve, then going back home is the best option-except of course there's war/unrest at home.
My point is, I think it is worthy to live in a face-me-face-you house/hut in a village in Nigeria than sleep on the streets of London.

holyboy.com:
longus tempus...... its been 2months since i left for studies. After all the UKBA wahala.. I finally arrived this dry town..... studies here is no beans ooo... why you prepare for visa also think about how your future in Nigeria after studies.... Dont be decieved by friends.. it not as it appears on holidays and television. Its study study study.. except you want to fail and waste your millions....
Wish everyone apply for Visa goodluck and success.... God will grant all our heart desires...

So far God has been faithful to me.... thanks to Don and Justwise....
HolyBoy.Com..... Cardiff

Wow! At last! I replied someone who mentioned you recently about your disappearance on the thread. How's studies? Well, studying has never been a "small" job and that's the reason people open their mouths when you mention a course you're studying especially at a postgraduate level. Nevertheless, one must find balance and do the right things at the right time. That way, you can be on top of your game. All the best bro!

kennyone: pLease where can i get the exchange rate for the different banks in nigeria. GTB and ZENITH to be precise.

Trust me, those rates are not written anywhere except you contact the bank or make a transaction and convert. Besides, the rates keep changing and just one day is big enough to accommodate big difference.

Kayusfity: I do appreciate your comment. My reason for insisting on staying in London is that a close friend of mine studies and has an apartment there too. We both agreed I'd stay with him till I get settled. With £1500 I was told I can survive for 6 months if I'm not paying rent. Please validate or refute the above thanks

To be honest with you, that question doesn't have direct answer. If you don't pay accommodation and other bills (except phone) and if your school is close to your accommodation and you can walk to school, then your primary expense will be food (if you don't drink, smoke or have any other money-zapping "hobby". Then I can say that £250 per month (£1500/6months) is more than enough for you to live on in London.

Kayusfity: guy u are so mean even tho u might be realistic. Remember you're not my God neither are you an immigration officer. Stop this threats of deportation and stop sounding bitter. Besides I wasn't asking you a question I quoted someone more reasonable. It's obvious your deportation rants is the true reflection of what you're indeed going through in london. May God deliver you from your miseries

I initially planned to avoid dropping a comment on your post but had a change of heart. Although honey86 & Dis Guy have told you the truth, I'll just add more. worry 359 was trying to help too.
The UK is not a money-making factory where you can get a job easily and get to work to start taking in money. You CANNOT get a job in your first month resuming in January. It will be winter and the temperature will be below 0 degree celcius so you need a little time to settle and adapt. You also need an NI number if you want to work and that is not something you get in one day. Also, work isn't that easy especially if you're not of many skills and many jobs requiring little or no skills pay average of £8 per hour. Remember you are here to study and that will take a chunk of your time.
The essence of my long story is that, if you step into UK, ensure you have at least the 1st 6 months taken care of.
Like mz Gene told you, research your choice of school well and seek scholarship opportunities. Remain Blessed and all the best.

ochukoccna: Not all Unis accept online payment
Some explicitly tell Nigerian students to use other payment methods
BTW, was your GTB transaction of recent?
I was of the opinion [as supplied by Don Oms] that GTB's rate was like 262 now
I was even waiting for it to drop even further before withdrawing here from my Naija accounts using my ATM cards

Bro, that's why it is called "rate" o. Lol. It is only constant per time but changing over time. It was 264.5 on Monday. And truly, exchange rates are fairer on mid-weeks generally (forex traders will confirm that) although many factors can set in.

mjan: Thank you. I did as you advised and i submitted my application on the 4th and was called up for pick up on 13th making it 7 working days. I was giving a UK student visa to the glory of God. Please my question to all forum members now is to know how to get a cheap flight, how much it can go for and IF I MUST BOOK A RETURN TICKET because I want to book one way? If I must book round trip how long will it take to expire?how do I go about shifting it?and how much that cost as am not certain about when I would come back next year but will definitely do for something very important. I await your responses. THANK YOU.

Return ticket is not compulsory as it is your choice. Though it is often relatively expensive, one-way is better if you're not sure about return date.
As for choice of flight, there are options which include duration of flight and stops. My best advice is for you to go to an agency site like wakanow and type your flight details. Once you have the search results, take a note of them and male a choice. Then go to the website of the airline you picked and book the flight. You can also search for both return and one-way and compare prices.
Congrats on your visa.

mjan: Good day,
I tried making more inquiries concerning how to get my funds along with me and a banker was advising me to open a domiciliary account and acquire a debit card in which they will only charge me for the card but if I go ahead with my normal master card ATM that they would be more charges and that I would be limited to some international transactions from Nigeria to UK or vice versa. Please I need more advise from people that have the experience already. Thank you.

Which funds in particular? Different people have different views about accessing their money in the UK and you can choose any option.
Personally, I left my whole money in my GTB account. I only came to the UK with 300 GBP. I used the Naira Mastercard to pay my fees installmentally since maximum POS transaction is 1 million naira (over £3500) by CBN. I then opened a UK account and withdraw cash from my naira account at the ATM (charges vary btw 240-450 naira per cash withdrawal) and deposited it into my UK account.
To me, that's a better option because offshore transfer through dorm accounts can be "expensive."

Dis Guy: erm na wa oo, you guys should ease up, just some few months in you're already going in hard on your fellow naija

It's not by force to be friends with you just because you are Nigerian
not everyone is sociable- these people you are talking about, you've not really actually interacted with them- but already passing judgment like the typical Nigerian - gbemu gbemu- one of the main reason some people stick to their own clique!

whats so surprising in a British born person saying they don't understand pidgin?? Even some people in naija dont understand pidgin very well, or what of Yorubas/Igbos that cant speak their own language

Are you even sure the black person people you are castigating are Nigerians

hmmm what next; why are they not calling you uncle or chairman?

Well, you spoke well. But I don't think you read the initial comment of Ochukoccna which I replied to. The centre of discussion isn't the idea of making friends, nay, it is the idea of the values in appreciating one's roots and feeling at "home." For example, the other day, I was speaking pidgin with a friend and another Nigerian heard us, he then said hello and we all had a little chat before he went his way. We didn't exchange numbers or anything. But it shows a sense of oneness. If the guy was rushing somewhere, he didn't need to stop of course. He should just go his way. I hate to qoute Awolowo in this context but I have to. "Nigeria is only a mere geographical expression. ...there are no Nigerians as there are French or Germans or Spanish..."
If I speak french around a Frenchperson in the UK, they suddenly pick interest in me and try to chat even though I'm not french. Language means a lot and so does roots. I hope I was able to pass the idea.

ochukoccna: ... Predominantly Nigerian Church, yes and I was even in one over the weekend but want to limit the Church circuit for now and grow in the Word
The white is sceptical about God, the abuses Nigerian churches have done in His name make faith look like a scam and many just tag along embracing religion without checking the manual [Bible] for themselves like our not reading the manuals of our new gadgets before operating or software's terms and conditions
None the less,won't be too far from Church itself
I haven't experienced racism per se [well except from some Chinese 'foreigner' folks, more on that later] but the nauseating attitudes of some Nigerians
I recall my pop telling me that as at the 60's you'd ask someone with 'you fight lion Ibadan' tribal marks in the UK for directions/help and he'd reply pardon like a British man who doesn't comprehend what you are saying
...

BTW, for those who use their Nigerian debit cards here to draw from their home account,what is the recent and current rate of the GBP to the Naira please?
Last time around [about 2 weeks back] Don Oms was saying 260, has it dropped any further?
I recall seeing that $1=173 on the front page yesterday
That is crazy, really is

You had quite a long stuff there so I had to trim it for scrolling sake (Before some NL users begin to pass comments). Yes, to the gist. Although I agree with you we have abused the essence of the church, its importance in one's life cannot be over-emphasized, especially living in a country like this where many of the inhabitants are either agnostics or atheists. Beyond the spiritual importance in terms of growth, there is also the advantage of socializing and development of a sense of worship - which was part of man's creation. In other words, don't consider the 'other sides' of what 'we' have turned the church into and stay closer (like you said you would anyway. I just thought to further encourage you.)
As for the Nigerians who don't like to associate themselves with other Nigerians, I think it is more about the exponential increase in Nigerians living abroad than it is about snobbishness. In other words, there are possibly 'too many' Nigerians living in the UK that some of them don't consider themselves Nigerians any more.
The last rate as at the 12th of Nov, is #262/£ from GTBank. So it's just in that range 260-263 for some time. But I'm not sure of other banks though.

Ola one: Did you have to say this? Was it necessary? Maybe innocuous but also insensitive. Justwise is cool with this, I am sure. After all, it isn't a slur about his people, is it? He's probably waiting for Ola to say something in order to press his ban button

Ola, there was nothing wrong with the comment (and I speak as a typical Yoruba man). He only tried to drive home a point. It's more of a writing device than it is a comment borne of tribalism. And I like that you said you didn't take offense.

Makenzie0133: Hello guys,pls I need Ur advice for my friend.He applied for UK visiting visa to visit his broda in UK bt he was refused with reason dat he is not married and doesn't have anythng that could make him want to return home.The problem now is that he's processing a university admission in UK now against september nxt year.So he want to knw if there could be any problem cos of the initial refusal.Will it not look as if he is desperate to go to UK.Pls I need Ur candid opinion.Thnks

The candid opinion you need is that his history of refusal will not affect the decision of his tier-4 visa application. Let him meet all the requirements, submit all necessary documents and tell UKBA about his former refusal during his application, and I bet he has his visa to study here in the UK, by God's grace of course.

ochukoccna: Bro no be my fault na, dog wey go lost no dey hear hunter whistle
And if e try am for Calabar, no be peppersoup be that?
Binning his visa application fee might be no biggie to him
Do you know if his bank account is pursing Dangote's or Adenuga's?
Holyboy dot com [who was part of this September intake] has practically disappeared in Wales now else he would have advised him better

Na true you talk my bro. You remember Holyboy. The guy enter UK, forget nairaland sharp sharp. I trust he's doing great and I hope he drops by sometime.

JideVince: hey guys!

Mr JideVince, finally!! Cranfield University has lightened the academic weight on you . Welcome back. And how has it been? As for me, I'm just taking it one at a time; can't commit murder!

olumide098: Please House Kindly do me a Favour..am in need of IELTS PRACTICE KIT....If you get one for me kindly forward me to my box please olumide098 at gmail ....i will appreciate it..thanks

I have sent an e-mail to you. All the best.