Jigba:


That you were single before marriage, yea

Is the certificate we get from the registry enough? I'm reading thing online about an ' Apostille Stamp'. Does this have that?

Thanks.

Jigba:

Yea, you still need it
If she lives and resides in Germany, there's no problem.

One of the requirements is ' affidavit* of marital status of the applicant deposed to by one of the parents or head of family if both parents are deceased stating that you were not married prior to your
current marriage

Does that just mean my dad swearing I am single?

or should he mention both me and my fiancee by name?

Thanks

Jigba:


Based on my personal experience
1. Three months or longer, it depends
2. I don't see any problems here
3. It doesn't matter how long. Once you are married, just apply right away
4. Nope, just provide evetything on the checklist
5. Yea learn at least A1
6. I think it doesn't matter where you met as long as she's german
7. Hell yeah! You would be sent back if you don't have that single document. Happened to the wife of Somone I know
8. As long as you two are married. No problems

Thanks a lot bro. appreciate your answers.

When you say apply right away, does that include a week after the wedding? ..
Also, I am over 30, do I really need my parents approval? The only problem is the logistics of getting them to do it.
FInally, she isn't German, but a member of an EU country. Hope that's not a problem.

Thanks again

Hello house, I need some information about German spouse visa and thought this was the best place to ask. If not, apologies.

I have a couple of questions regarding the general process because I have a general mistrust of agents and would love to do this by myself and this forum if possible.

1. Approximately how long does the process take?
2. I recently returned to Nigeria but was refused a Schengen visa, does it count against me if I now apply for a spouse visa?
3. How long (If any?) after our marriage registration do we have to wait before I apply for the spouse visa? I understand they have suspicions about marriage visa applications due to fraudsters.
4. Is there anything not on the official document list provided on the German embassy page which I should provide to strengthen my application? (I ask because I was refused the Schengen visa despite submitting everything on their checklist).
5. Do I need to learn German? There are some exemptions as stated on their website (Graduate with a university degree, Spouse is in a highly qualified job, citizen of EU state) which I believe I qualify for. I intend to register at the Goethe institute in Lagos anyway, but was going to do that while waiting some months for the visa decision.
6. Does it count against me that I met my spouse outside Nigeria or Germany (in the UK)?
7. Do I need an affidavit of marital status sworn by my parents?
8. My spouse would have only been to Nigeria twice before my application. Does that count against us?


Apologies for the long post and thanks in advance to anyone brave enough to tackle my questions.

More might come as I go through the process.

Hello guys, I have a question regarding German Schengen visa application in Nigeria.

I recently returned from the UK after about 6 years and I applied for a Schengen visa to Germany to spend some time with my GF based there but was refused on the ground that I did not show sufficient ties to Nigeria. The lady that accepted my documents actually told me this might happen but we decided to proceed anyway. Her reason was that I should have applied in the UK because I have been there for the past years. I have previously been granted a Schengen visa by the German consulate in the UK but on this occasion was told to apply in Nigeria if I wanted the full 3 months because I haven't renewed my UK residency permit which is running out within a month.

Now my question is how do i show this ties to Nigeria? Essentially all of my family are here in Nigeria including parents. Is there any other documents i can provide to show ties? I've had a job for years but it is in the UK so i dont think that counts.

Also is it advisable to get the required documents and apply straight again? or do i wait for some weeks?

Thanks for your response.

Hello guys, I have a question regarding German Schengen visa. I followed from part 3 but this part 4 seems to be focused on students so please forgive my mistake if this is the wrong place to post this.

I recently returned from the UK after about 6 years and I applied for a Schengen visa to Germany to spend some time with my GF based there but was refused on the ground that I did not show sufficient ties to Nigeria. The lady that accepted my documents actually told me this might happen but we decided to proceed anyway. Her reason was that I should have applied in the UK because I have been there for the past years. I have previously been granted a Schengen visa by the German consulate in the UK but on this occasion was told to apply in Nigeria if I wanted the full 3 months because I haven't renewed my UK residency permit which is running out within a month.

Now my question is how do i show this ties to Nigeria? Essentially all of my family are here in Nigeria including parents. Is there any other documents i can provide to show ties? I've had a job for years but it is in the UK so i dont think that counts.

Thanks for your response.

;DHello house.
Arrived in UK dis morning. D entry smooth wella. I was only asked about meat & fish. lol.
Thanks Justwise et al, u guys are wonderful.


Btw dis Edinburgh cold sha.

wow. wow. wow.
I just collected my visa in Abuja this evening. I applied on the 14th and got the text dis afternoon.
Special thanks to Justwise, Donxavier, Dharkchild etc.... and everybody who helped actively of passively.
This is a fantastic thread and as I understood the first time i came in; You just need 40 points! it really is that straight forward!

BTW anybody heading to Edinburgh?

Ijeawele: My bro is going to Edinburgh Napier University. Msc Marketing.. So which varsity in Edinburgh are you going and which course?..

Hello. I'm goin to uni of Edinburgh. Are u using private accommodation or skool hostel?

Hi all.
Anyone going to any uni in Edinburgh? Naiper, Uni of Edinburgh etc.
Tanx.

Donxavier:

Maybe you should get back to the bank so they can explain what happened to the £10?

Hi, i think the £10 has to do wit the offshore charges. £12 for UK transfers $25 For US transfers. i used Gtb 4 my transfer and when filling the form it gives u d option of taking the charge locally (from ur own account) or from the person u are sending d money to.

salsera:

@Donxavier
What's up - saw ur PM

Thanks my Broda.
its my personal bank account statement i am submitting.

kunlewoye: Errmmm... It's so cliched now but I still have to put it that way... I got my visa today!!! I got there around 10am for collection. Thanks to the heads God used in making this possible. Justwise deserves special mention, A-Zed also who shared the same WAEC cert error predicament with me, Honey86, Names that came along later: DonXavier, Dharkchild, and many others... Manchester, I'll see ya in a bit! Where's that testimony thread again?

congrats. Hope to share mine soon.
could u pls give me a full list of documents u submitted?

Thanks.

Hi all. quick question.
Is a bank reference letter a requirement 4d visa application?
thanks

@justwise n all.
Monday is the d-day. So just checking in case i missed anything.
-Completed application form.
-Bank statement.
-Documents stated on CAS.
Am i missing anything?

Thanks.

Cavenchy: Good to see goodnews from visa applicants on the thread. Kudos to all who've taken time to address some of the issues presented.

When exactly is your start date? You can apply 10th August. Just walk into your bank very early and print the statement for the 28 day period, then quickly get access to the internet and use the closing balance stated to verify the pounds equivalent on oanda.com, print out the conversion page, Then take your other required documents and head for the visa processing center. If you're applying from lagos, processing times is likely to take longer than applying from abuja. So u should start counting 15 working days after application depending on when you receive the alert of ur application being dispatched to abuja. If you apply on friday 10th, start counting 15 working days from monday 13th (though you are likely to get a decision on your application before the 15-day period runs out depending on application traffic and issues spotted on your application status), then check the corresponding 15th working day(excluding weekends and any public holidays within the month). If your school would have already started enrollment before that date, then you have to contact your school informing them of possible delays in your visa acquisition and request for a late enrollment date to avoid anxiety.

Thanks.
My start date is 10th Sept. I'm based in Abuja so I'm applying there.(Hope it'll be faster).

Thanks.

Donxavier: . Why are you in a rush? You still have time bro.

Hello. From the 10th I have only approx a month before my course starts.

justwise:

Oh ok! then its matures on the 10th of August.

Thanks. Does that mean I can apply on the 10th?

Thanks.

EmmaIK: Hello Justwise n all.
I have a quick question coz its confusing me. My maintenance fee was paid into my account on the 13th of July. When is the 28th day? I am planning to apply on the 10th of August. Am I correct?

Thanks.

justwise:

11th of August.

Hello Justwise. Thanks for your answer. I'm still confused coz my closing balance for the 13th of July shows the required maintenance funds and if I count that as day 1, the 28th day would fall on the 9th of August. I had intended to print my statement & submit my on the 10th ( friday). My school starts on the first week of September dats why I'm bothered.

Thanks.

Hello Justwise n all.
I have a quick question coz its confusing me. My maintenance fee was paid into my account on the 13th of July. When is the 28th day? I am planning to apply on the 10th of August. Am I correct?

Thanks.

Cavenchy:

If you leave the funds for 28 days, then you should start counting from the date the money was back up in your account..and from my calculations- 29th of July is not 28 days from 10th july(according to your earlier post refering to when your required funds was restored)

Thanks for you reply.
I actually meant the 29th day (after the 28 days)

Thanks again everybody.

Cavenchy:

@Justwise, taking a 2nd look at this situation don't u think he can print the statement and set the start and end dates as 11th May to 23rd June, so that the closing balance is stated on 23rd june and its presently not up to a month after then(so that he can apply before 23rd July)? Then he prints oanda conversion for 23rd june?
Can Ukba actually find out from the bank, details of his transactions after the closing date of balance on his statement?

Again, this is just an objective consideration post regarding this situation, and as such is not an 'Advice' to Emma but open for deliberation, in otherwords, Emma na suggestion oh, no do am till others don critically analyse. My best advice would be wait till it clocks 28 days again cos I don't think 9th/10th august will b too late to apply depending on ur course start date (most schools start in september)

Thanks for your analysis. This was what was precisely on my mind coz a banker friend with another bank says the UKBA can't confirm transactions done on a personal account except the balance & mayb the 28 days tin. I use Access bank and I can specify from which date range I want printed. So I was able to print when the funds was up to the required level. It also shows my current balance which is way above the required level (even though it dropped for a week).
UKBA rules state that d end of the 28 days should not be more than a month before the visa application and currently my statement is not.

I no go take the risk anyway coz I no get 78k to waste. But I would like to know the position of the house.( It might help someone in a tighter time scale than I am).

Thanks anyway.

Donxavier: . I'm sorry my bro but you can't use it. You have to start counting again. This is because they will check the last 28 days. If it went down on the 24th of June like you said, if u were to print it out today, counting back would mean the money wasn't there for 28 consecutive days. So sorry.

Thanks Bro. I guess it was my mistake. I'll start counting again since I hv 2 months to the start of my course. I just wanted to get all tins settled early to avoid the rush.
But if I leave the funds for 28 days then print the statement on the 29th hope the ECO won't be suspicious?

Thanks.

Donxavier: . Well the rules regarding holding of funds state that you have to have the required amount for 28 consecutive days and then you can apply not later than a month after the 28 days. So if within the last 28 days the money has dropped below the required level, then u need to start counting again when u got the money back to the required level. If within the last 28 days or a month or 2 months all transactions in that account, the money didn't fall below the required amount, then you can use the bank statement straight up.

Thanks for your reply.
I just Checked my Statement again. Here's the situation.
>The required funds was there from the 11th of May till the 23rd of June.
>After that it went below that from the 24th of June till 10th of July.
>But now, it is back up to the require level. I've paid my full tuition and 300 Pounds for hostel.

I am very confused and i even went to PFL and BCIE and the fools said i cant use it.

What do u think?

Thanks.

Afternoon Justwise and all.
I am in a tricky situation concerning my maintenance fund. I had the full amount in my Personal Account for about 2 months(meeting the 28day requirement) but due to unforseen circumstances after about 60 days in my account, the funds dropped below the required level. But about a week later i was able to make up the funds back to the required level.
My question is, Can i still apply using that sam account or do i have to wait another 28 days.

@Justwise; if you haave a personal email, let me know so i can send you a copy of the bank statement.

Thank you.

kunlewoye:

If possible, try to use someone else's Dom acct (I used my sister's) but the incurred charges are over the roof mehn, for GTB o; I was charged about 60Pounds xtra when I transferred my tuition deposit of 3000Pounds, or try to use a certain Airchoice Travels. I was referred to them on this forum as well and I am in no way affiliated with or advocating for them. I called them up to enquire abt their services and was told to transfer the Naira equivalent (I was not in Lagos so I could not go over to their office; they're at Opebi I think)and that they would be forex-ing @ 162Naira/Pound. Thought that was much so I opted for GTB but realized that's much worse..... Best of luck!

Did you pay in Pounds into your sis dorm account or Dollars? I'm having issues too coz even though I have a dorm account its Dollar denominated.

Good day all.
@Justwise, I'm intending to apply for my visa nxt month (June), so I will keep my funds in the bank throughout dis month. Is there any bank I should avoid? Coz I'm hearing that som statements of account from certain banks are not accepted by d UKBA. I'm intending to use Oceanic bank now Eco bank.
Thanks as usual.

@Justwise.
Gudmorning. I have a question about finances. I've had the money for my fees and living expenses in my account for about 6mnths, but so that I won't spend it, I put it in a fixed deposit till april.
The earliest I can apply for my visa is 10th June.
My question is fo I have to leave the funds for another 28 days again? As wen I fixed the funds, it was debited and removed from my account and shows up as ”transfer for investment to Oceanic bank" in my statement of account.

edwrad50:

The private schools have no say regarding d english proficiency test. The embassy set d rule and it should be adhered to. The school might tell u it aint required but the embassys decicion supercedes d schools decision. Your admmision doesn't matter but your visa is what matters. Admission without a study visa is useless. Regarding this PFL people, I'll tell u to be careful with them. Cos I applied for a school through them and when I decided to change to another school they said I'll have to pay another N30,000. Abusurd!! My advise is dat don't make d mistake I made. Everything they do is what u can do too. They don't do anything special. They follow d same procedure d embassy requires and u can do d same too. Just be carefull with all these agents whether they have a big office or not. Just be carefull. Before I applied through PFL, they called me regulary but after I paid the money to them they stoped calling me and barely reply y mails and they aren't straight forward with the required tution fee and part tuition fee deposit. Just be carefull with all these agents cos they won't give u full info and wld hide what cld mnake u not apply through them. I once made enquiries through an agent with a big office in lagos and they were hiding the fact that I couldn't work in a private school from me. I later did my researh and found out everything. Pls be warned

I dont think the school is a private school. Its the University of Aberdeen. Thanks for the advice regarding those PFL people. I got the Admission on my own without their help, i was only thinking of getting their help with regards the visa application.


@Justwise. Thanks a lot.

@Justwise.
Good morning. I'm in a little fix. U kno I have an unconditional offer for september entry.
Recently I went to a Preparation For Life seminar just for fun & I met one of their counselors. After talking for a while he said I have to write an english language Examination for my visa to be approved.
I emailed my school and asked them, but they said I don't have to.
My problem is that dis PFL has been calling me almost daily as he wants me to write Pearson Test Of English. He said to register is 45k.

Pls wat do u think?

justwise:

Where did you get the news from because i can't see it on their website.

Its on the Uk Council for International Student Affairs website.
http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/student/index.php

Immigration changes on 6 April
13 February 2012
The UK Government has published information of the immigration changes it plans to introduce on 6 April. The full details should be available on 15 March. In summary the changes will be:

If you apply on or after 6 April, you must show that you have higher levels of funds. If you study in Inner London, this increases from £800 to £1000 per month. Outside Inner London, the level increases from £600 to £800 per month. Funds for dependants also increase.
If you pay accommodation fees to your Tier 4 sponsor, you will be able to deduct a maximum of £1000 from the maintenance you have to show when you make your application, even if you have paid more than this.
You will be limited to spending five years on courses at degree level. There will be exceptions if:
your undergraduate degree course was four or five years long and you want to study a Master's degree at a higher education institution (recognised body or institution in receipt of public funding)
you want to study a PhD at a higher education institution
you are studying a specific course: architecture, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and science, law, music studied at a conservatoire.
If you are studying a course below degree level and/or you are not at a higher education institution and you apply for leave on or after 6 April, any work placements must be limited to one third of your total course time (currently the limit is 50 per cent).
If you are going to do a pre-sessional course followed by a degree level course and your Tier 4 sponsor wants to assign you one Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) for Studies for both courses, you must have passed a UK Border Agency-approved English language test at the required level before your sponsor can assign a CAS to you. Until 6 April, you did not have to pass an approved test and your sponsor could assess your English in different ways.