₦airaland Forum

AMINDA:
So, Dangote should source for dollars and import crude oil from overseas and then refine and sell to Nigerians in naira? Is he Father Christmas? Why is Tinubu failing to fully support Dangote by selling him crude in naira? That was an agreement he reached with the Buhari government before investing in a refinery. Nigeria's importation of less pure Malta-refined crude is still hitting astronomical numbers, while Dangote is constrained to export refined crude outside the country. No be juju be that?

He won't be the only business owner to import raw material using dollar and sell to the nigerian market in naira. Would he have imported a product using naira before?

Zahra29:
Then this message should be passed loudly and collectively to the government, don't you think?

I'm sure their concerns would go away if they knew that there would be zero benefits/public funds claims from the "Boris wave", eg. If there was a law extending no-recourse to any public funds even after ILR.

And you think the government does not know? They have all the data and have decided to pick what they want to please those putting pressure on them. You really think plans to increase the qualifying period to 10 years is to reduce net migration? I am not really a fan of discussing politics but what is happening is that the social welfare system is just becoming unsustainable and until priorities are set right, they will keep looking at the wrong places. People (including legal migrants) are paying taxes, NI and the likes and you are housing illegal immigrants in HOTELS? doing visa and pounds bonanza for Ukrainians and hong kongers. Countries like Germany with one of the biggest economies in the world or france collecting money from the UK and still turning a blind eye on illegals crossings mumu abi? The matter long and I don't believe with the brilliant people we have in parliament don't know what's going on. It's all politics

Zahra29:
Benefits/ public funds such as

- 30 hrs free childcare from 9 months (open to permanent residents earning < £100k)

- child care benefits of nearly £80 a week for 4 children (income threshold £60 - 80k)

- universal credit, housing support and other welfare payments ( in- work allowances to help supplement household incomes where wages are too low or housing costs too high)

Not all benefits are the maligned "giro" payment aka unemployment benefit or free council house lol

There are several in-work benefits/public funds which I don't think most people, including immigrants, earning less than £80k- 100k would turn down.

I saw a thread following the white paper where a group of immigrants were advocating starting a petition to call for the government to decouple all benefits from permanent residence, until another group jumped on and accused them of selling themselves short and signing away their entitlements. So it's not that black and white.

As quoted by someone earlier. The benefits is the least of the factors most people consider for ILR. For me personally I dont think about it. Infact, I am not looking forward to it. Someone with personal purpose and high hopes which many legal immigrant fall into wont hope to be in a position to claim universal credit, job seekers allowance etc. Even the child benefit stuff is a joke of amount. Besides who wouldn't want his household income be above 80k all in the name of benefits that are monitored. Infact, Many immigrants household income (especially those in London and environs) is already above this. Many people paying nursery fees know that the difference between nursery fee even after applying the 15hrs universal free hours to fees without 15hrs is negligible. Nurseries will tell you the government support does not cover things like feeding the child, nappies etc. I don't see how the 30 hours will be or is any different.

I have always maintained that the social welfare system of the country is it's biggest problem. Until funds are channelled towards the real problems which is building additional infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, repairing the roads etc., they will keep running in circles. There are vacancies right, left, centre. It is ILR that is holding most migrants back.

Goke7:
Just a suggestion, you already have an appointment why don’t you wait to attend that first, going on the contactless app might amount to double application unless if there’s a feature on the app that recognises an existing application. Just my thoughts

I stopped sef when I saw $100 as contactless fee in addition to over $200 already paid for the application for the passport itself. Just like u said, since I already have an appointment, I will just honour it. See kent see London lol.
Thanks for the suggestion

Chreze:
Just to add this here.

I used the contactless app and got my passport delivered. It took around 2 weeks and that was cos I didn’t add the great “£20 postal order”, would probably be lesser (maybe a week).

Thank you, I will give this a try today

mizGene:
Maybe don't go for the renewal until you are back from your trip. You will be allowed still.

I appreciate this is also an option but I have been getting reminders from my employer's immigration team to provide my passport once renewed since November last year. The travel can wait if needed. This is the main reason I would prefer to sort the passport renewal out out before travelling

justwise:
You will as i understand that the process is pretty fast now.

I thought you can do this from home now with andriod phone?

I am giving the contactless a thought. my fear is that I have not seen reviews about the outcome of the process from people yet and since my appointment date is close. I am flexible on the travel date to be fair. Moving my flight date won't be an issue.

justwise:
You can also travel with expired passport and renew it in Nigeria

Thanks Justwise. I already have a biometrics for renewal booked in London for April 26. The current passport expires in June and my intended travel date to Naija and back is 9 - 26 May. I fear the current passport will be invalidated after my renewal biometrics.

Chreze:
- Passport is only usable with minimum of 6months validity, anything below that is unusable as a travel document.

- Also when you go for renewal, the old passport is revoked, so you can’t use it again after 26th April.

Good news is you are most likely to get your passport before 9th as they are working with some good processing time now. The timeline is very very close, but just be positive as you already bought tickets and all that.

The chances of getting your passport even tho slim, is still very high. Just make sure your return envelope is next day delivery (express delivery).

Thanks for this. Having the renewed passport before travelling to Naija would be the perfect situation and I am hopeful I to get it. I will ask during the biometrics. If not possible, I will call the airline to change the ticket date a couple of days before my intended flight.

Hello everyone, please at what point is an about to expire Nigerian passport invalidated?

My current passport expire in June and I have an appointment booked already for a renewal on April 26. I plan to travel on the 9th of May to be back in the UK towards the end of May.

Going by the recent updates that people get their renewed passport in just a few days after biometrics, I am hopeful of getting it before I travel but thought to check if I am still able to use my current passport in case I don't receive it on time.

babadydx:
IHS , 1035 times the number of visa years , unless it is visit visa or care visa.

I don too suffer for IHS sha, I have paid more than 8k pounds plus so far.

Hahahaha. I can imagine, that money is hooge! Those on health and care visa don't know what God has done for them

WCUB3:
I heard it's necessary to book a return ticket for a visit visa if not you might have issue with border patrol. House pls which airline has flexible booking that you can easily amend your return date incase of a change in plans?

Not only UK border force. I know british airways won't let you board from lagos without a return booking. I think all major airlines allow date amendment after booking but try to check the ticket conditions before booking and make sure you book direct with the airline and not through agents like wakanow etc

Gbengaeman:
Good evening my boss, please I was given cos on December 3rd and I did biometric on January 8, the Visa was issued on 25th February and I told my employer that I will resume on the 26 this month in which I have already booked my flight. A friend just told me now that cos use to expire if not used within 3 months of issue. Please will this affect me because my cos is more than 3 months now.

At all. The cos has been used for the visa application already and so has a visa attached to it. Only unused COS I.e COS not used to apply for a visa within a certain time expire.

America001:
I honestly feel cheated because this is borderline insane and feels like daylight robbery.
Every single thing they highlighted was clearly explained in the application even the expenses.

I feel like I should raise a complaint or something because I have no assurance that they won’t assign her application to a drunk fellow every time she applies again.

I think you should complain considering what u explained was even called out as unexplained. Her application ought to be straightforward since she is retired and she is travelling to see her daughter and grandchildren. In the last 1 and half years, both of my parents and MIL (twice) have been here with no refusal. They are all retired except my dad that still does business. In all of their applications, I included their bank statements, mine as the sponsor, my payslips, letter of invitation, my BRP and birth certificate to show relationship that's all. I did not even include any further explanation to explain the bank statements.
However, their contribution towards the trip i stated is higher than what you have said. I stated amount enough for them to at least buy flight tickets. Then I did not mention they were coming to help look after the kids.
To give credit to all you have said, it appears this whole UK visit visa application is becoming increasingly difficult either by some ECOs not going through the application well or there is something hidden we are not aware of. I think you should complain, it cost you nothing and their is a slight chance of reconsideration.

From experience on my kids, it should straighten with time and 2 years is still too early to decide to go the surgery route. After year 5 and it is not normal, you may get medical advise.
What I think helped me for my kids was giving them cod liver oils to drink like seven keys or bio sea. Bio sea tastes good and children generally have no problem taking it

Please a quick question on this refusal letter. The applicant has a small business and we explained it is not registered and the income per year does meet the threshold for tax purposes. We submitted a year bank statement and the total inflow was just above N9m. We explained 3 million was a fixed deposit inflow intended for the trip, 1 million from other intra account inflow and 5 million was income from the business.
In hindsight, I think we did not explain the outflows well. My question is should we have added the total debits and divide by twelve to arrive at the monthly expense to be included in the form? This is because part of the inflows were transfers for investment purposes and we thought including investment outflow as an expense did not look quite right. We overlooked the business expenses and only captured personal monthly expenses which was a big mistake.
Your thoughts on these would be helpful as we plan to apply again in April.

Demmybim:
A decision for GWF reference number GWF080341275 was received at the UK Visa Application Centre on 03-01-2025. If a courier return service was purchased from VFS, your passport and notification of the decision will be delivered to the chosen address. If not, your passport can be collected from the UK Visa Application Centre during the designated passport collection times (Please check our website for details). - VFS Global


Pls i got this today, my bio was on the 11th . I didn't get any mail from the ukvi as pwr decision,, what does this mean pls

Congratulations, means you were granted the visa. Please may I ask if this is a visit visa and if it is a first time application. I have someone waiting on decision since her bio on 13th December.

tobland101:
Hello everyone , compliments .
Pls is there anyone that did biometics on dec16 and still hasn’t gotten anything . Someone did 20 and has seen theirs , do they process this things randomly. Pls help !

Sister had on 13 December nothing aside an email stating that they may be unable to meet timelines due to operational restrictions which was received on 17th. Is yours a visit visa as well?

Investorvibess:
Please I sent a paid mail and I got this what does it mean. Approved or refused

Hello brother, any update on this? My sister had a bio for visit visa on 13 December and no update yet. Waiting to send a paid inquiry on 8th January.

LilChamp:
Thanks alot. Will surely do that if I don't hear anything by Friday.

Please any update on your application. Did u later hear back?

Sweetkid:
Does anyone know how to fix the picture issues I am having on the NIS? I am trying to renew my Nigerian passport here in the UK. Uploading my pictures have been an headache for me.

I faced something similar. Firstly make sure the position of your face and the background meets the requirement then try to move the cropping tool around to capture your face well and try a few times.

Investorvibess:
Who else did biometrics on 28th nov and as received decision mail ? Please kindly respond to this message thank you

Today will make it the 14th working day and their timeline for standard application is 15 working days. I appreciate most people get their decision way before this timeline. Maybe you should send them a paid enquiry on Friday if you don't receive a decision by then asking what exactly is causing the delay. In the email you got from UKVI VI when your application got to DMC, did they mention there could be delays?

b31164707:
Is 600 GBP all you have in total as savings? If so, then I can tell you authoritatively that your application will be refused because it's not sensible to plan to spend your entire savings in a week.

It doesn't work like this. You can decide to spend your entire savings in one day. Savings is meant to be spent anyways. It is a common culture in developed countries for people to save towards holidays. Infact travelling is a normal thing for them. As long as the source of funding and how the trip would be funded is explained and in line with your financial circumstances e.g. employment, business etc you should be fine.

Investorvibess:
I really don’t know why within 15 working days is not been met again … really nervous what’s happening

This might be the reason. They are managing expectations at the moment. I won't be surprised if they are currently facing resourcing issues in terms of man power. They don't joke with holidays here and I am 100% sure they will be working at reduced capacity this week and next.

I strongly feel you will get your feedback very soon

This person did biometrics last Friday at Vfs ikeja

NappyMimi:
They didn’t take mine either just the photocopy of the appointment letter

That's right. This was the only thing they took from her

Exceldamsel:
They didn’t collect the checklist from my mum as well, just the courier payment receipt was given to her so it’s fine

Thanks so much. This is helpful

Please may I check with those that have attended appointments at VFS. Did they collect your signed checklist? The checklist says it should not be signed till you get to the appointment. My sister went for her appointment yesterday and she is worried vfs did not collect it from her. Though we uploaded the checklist but it was the unfilled and unsigned version. Also, she was expecting to get a slip to be presented for passport collection like we normally get with TLS but got nothing.

With TLS, the application most times get transferred to UKVI on the date of appointment but VFS application tracker has shown no movement.

I know I have said a lot here but just want to be sure our experience is in line with others and we have not left out any process at the appointment.

domin8:
Hi all,

What are your thoughts on these mortgage deals.

2 year Fixed 5.35% for 25 years or 5 year Fixed 5% for 25 years.

Thanks.

It depends on your financial circumtances and what you are comfortable with. The interest rates are not miles apart so will be inclined to do the 2 years to see what the market will be in 2 years. Rates are projected to reduce though experts are saying current mortgage rates have been set to recognised potential base rate cuts.

I got the option of 2 years Fixed at 5.48% and 5 years Fixed at 4.85% and I picked the latter because the monthly repayment is way below what I currently pay as rent and the difference between the monthly mortgage repayment for both product is like £100 which at least gives me a guaranteed savings of £2,400 for the first 2 years. In addition to this, I will be more comfortable making an overpayment.

Also if it is a house u see yourself in for at least 5 years, it is another factor to consider.

Nelsmannnnnnnnn:
Good evening guys,

Can one suggest a good wifi network for my home for me.... Which is fast and cost efficient?

You may not get an accurate answer as the performance of a network provider vary from location to location. You can try checking the network most people use in that area by try connecting to a WiFi network to see a list of secured and unsecured networks there. Then go to a comparison site to check for deals suitable for you.

Inspirer1:
Uber and Bolt Nigeria should adopt same style like the UK, the money is deducted from your account immediately you confirm the trip.

As in. I keep saying companies treat the Nigerian market differently. Abroad, as a rider you don't even have business with the driver on payment matters. A charge is placed on your card immediately the trip starts. Nothing like cash payment or transfer. Some riders get choke for head.

Lexusgs430:
Imagine that £50,000, went towards mortgage payments......(plus £15,000 equity gained) .........🤣😂😜

Don't mind me o .......🔥😁

My oga let me mind you o. 2025 will not pass me by. The LISA wey Rishi don help me keep sef don do. Lol

solveabode:
I know it's high but they are the only one that offer to give cos of my status. I'm sceptical in going for it but at the same time; the monthly repayment is just £25 higher than my current rent payment.
So I'm in a dilemma.

Your point on the repayment being only £25 above your current rent is very valid and gives you comfort over the next 2 years during which I believe you income will have improved and like you said, property prices will keep going up and the market and economy is uncertain at the moment. One of our legends here will say 'rent money is dead money'. The rent I have paid in 3 years in this country so far is £50k+ (money i will never get back) and I have decided something must happen next year. So if your question was if the rate is high, I think it is. If it is a question of will the decision make sense in the long run, I think It most likely will considering you can afford the repayment.