₦airaland Forum

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to apply for a French visitor's visa for a family of 5. However, while filling the application form online, I did not see anywhere I had to include the other people embarking on the trip with me. At what point will I be asked to fill the details of the other people we're supposed to travel together? Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated.

It's soothing to know you have hired a legal representative. However, I doubt if they will release the document until they get an official message from your almer mater. I think they suspected the document was doctored, hence, the seizure. However, if they later find out that same was not, they will release it to you or just send it back to your almer mater as that is their modus operandi.

On a side note, I know how frustrating this could be, but I would suggest you don't put all your eggs in one basket. You don't have to put your life on hold because of a visa, however desirous that may seem. Have a backup plan and focus more on clearing your name so you won't be blacklisted on the SIS. Once that is achieved, even if you move elsewhere, you can always reapply for a schengen visa to any of the schengen states and you won't have any problems bothering on fraudulent misrepresentation from the past. All the best!

Talk2Bella:
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. I really appreciate it.

I’ve already hired an immigration lawyer in Germany, and we’re currently appealing the decision. I’ve also formally informed ABU about the situation and shared with them the exact document that was submitted to the embassy. The school is aware and has agreed to send an official verification letter as well.

To be honest, I’m quite upset about the whole process. This has already cost me a lot of money and emotional energy, and it’s frustrating that the embassy did not simply reach out to the university directly for verification before taking this step. That said, my hands are clean, and I’m confident in the authenticity of my documents.

At this point, my main concern is getting my MBA certificate back while the verification and appeal process runs its course. I’m following due process carefully and documenting everything.

Your message was encouraging, especially hearing that things eventually worked out for you. Thank you again for sharing your experience and the reassurance.

Hi poster. Sorry about your experience but all hope is not lost as I have been in a similar situation over a decade ago and it all ended in praise. I would suggest you appeal the decision, but just before that, kindly sort out the issue of your certificate from ABU.

The first step should be to write the relevant department of your alma mater about this development and if possible, provide them with a printout of the original copy with the embassy so they can write an official letter, confirming the document is, for all intent and purposes, genuine. Once you have the document from the institution on their letter head, bearing the email and phone number of the relevant department (exams and records), you can then write a letter, quoting your name, D.O.B, reference number, and if possible, a copy of the rejection letter. Take this letter to the embassy or send it in by courier. The embassy will, most likely send the document withheld back to the institution for confirmation. Once that is sorted out, you can then appeal the decision. However, be ready for back-and-forth letter exchanges with the embassy by courier until all issues have been trashed. In my case, I appealed alongside my defence and it went on for 2 months until I was cleared and asked to re-apply. However, this was in 2014, and I don't know if the process is still the same.

After all issues must have been sorted out, you can always re-apply. If you don't trash this now, your records would be on the Schengen Information System and believe me, you don't want your name blacklisted. Delay is not necessarily denial, but it would be in your best interest to follow due process and sort this out. Your visa is sure waiting for you, just a few glitches here and there. I wish you Goodluck!

Talk2Bella:
Hi everyone,

I wanted to share an update regarding my application, which was rejected for two main reasons.

First, there is a discrepancy between the date of birth on my WAEC certificate and my other documents. I had submitted both an affidavit and a sworn declaration of age to address this. Their position is that I started school too early. I have already sent an email explaining that I come from a teaching household and that I did, in fact, start and complete school quite early. Unfortunately, WAEC no longer corrects dates of birth, so there is nothing further I can do on that end.

Second, they stated that my original MBA certificate was manipulated. I have responded to this and provided them with the official email contact of Ahmadu Bello University so they can verify the certificate directly with the school. I believe this verification should have been done before making such an allegation.

My biggest concern right now is that my original MBA certificate was not returned. It is the only document that was not given back to me. I have written to ask why this was withheld and whether it was intentional. I am really hoping it has not been misplaced.

Who books and pays for a flight when the individual doesn't have a visa yet? You only do a booking on hold just to show itinerary as part of the application documents.

KingWarri:
What about flight cost?

Good day everyone. Can someone guide me on how to go about collecting my passport from the French Consulate? I applied for a visitor's visa since April 19 and I am yet to get a response. Though I called the embassy last Monday and I was asked to send an email which I did and 2 days later I checked in with TLS and I was told my passport was yet to be returned. Now I need that passport very urgently for another trip before the visa expires. How do I go about this?

Visa fees as of April 19 was 123,550. Appointment booking would cost almost 49k then travel health insurance. Just budget like 200k for everything.

LadyCaplin:
Congratulations!

Can someone assist by providing the current visa fees in addition to any other costs charged by TLS?

I applied in 2022 and I am sure this would have changed from then.

Thank you

Not yet o! I called yesterday and TLS said my passport is still at the consulate. I hope your application was approved though. Please share the good news to encourage others.

Chigirl23401:
I hope you have gotten your notification for collection because I have just gotten mine. It was 3 weeks yesterday

I did and the gentleman on the other end gave me an email address to send a message requesting for my passport back. I did and I got an auto response but nothing yet after 48 hrs.

abbeysm:
02014628484

Congratulations!

Ikebabay:
Visa issued. 3 months multiple entry. 30 days per stay. I was surprised to see a French sticker. I thought it would be Netherlands.

Thanks for the update. I hope they revert soonest though.

Ikebabay:
I submitted April 30 and got a notification today that my passport is back at TLS. Note that I applied for Netherlands through France (i.e the French Consulate processes Netherlands visa in Nigeria). My first Schengen application though I have a travel history to over 10 countries.

Hopefully, you get an application update soon.

Thanks. Is it this direct and I will be attended to promptly?

abbeysm:
Call this number to request for ur passport or u go to the embassy at ikoyi and tell them u want ur passport back.

Good evening everyone. Can someone guide me on how to make a formal request for my passport from TLS? Its been 3 weeks after submission already and I need my passport back for something else. Please advise.

I will do as advised...thanks!

Chigirl23401:
About 2 people I know (not personally though) got texts to come for their passports from TLS at 3weeks. So I would suggest you give it till next week Monday then you can check-in with TLS

Good day all,

How do I go about requesting for my passport from the French embassy through TLS as my France visitor's visa application is taking too long and I need to make a trip with the passport later on in the month. Any suggestion?

Tourist actually....would be 3 weeks by Friday and I am supposed to travel in less than 3 weeks from now. Thought it used to be a week before after submission?

Amoza117:
Student visa or tourist ? Takes that long at times.. but you should get a response soon,

Good day all. So I submitted my application 2 weeks ago at TLS in VI and up till now, I am yet to get a feedback. Is this a new development ?

Good day all,

So I submitted my application 2 weeks ago at TLS in VI and up till now, I am yet to get a feedback. Is this a new development ?

Yes, it was a B1/B2 visa. Getting a date overseas is not the same as getting a date in Nigeria where we have many people on the waiting list. Just do the needful and worry less about getting a date as you can get one within a month.

Gentlesoul3268:
Thanks bro, if i may ask do you apply as a tourist? Lastly i hope you quickly see interview date when you applied from Germany

You may wish to wait until you graduate and get a job with your post-study visa/residence permit. Anything that will ensure you return to base. I got one in the past this way too. I only went with the job contract in addition to other documents.

Soraco57:
I have valid Residency permit till Dec 31, how best can I go about it

Kindly ensure you are properly enrolled in school in Canada and have your school ID and Canadian redidence permit handy before you attend the interview. I also got a US visa from Germany barely 5 months I landed as a graduate student despite a previous refusal from Nigeria. The only question I was asked about my studies was the duration and I had 13 more months to go. No venture, no success.....all the very best!

Gentlesoul3268:
I need more insight as a student currently study in Canada wish to go to USA for tourism for just 10days.

Note: I arrived Canada 4 month ago

Thank you very much. What is the passport photo requirement as per size?

donteebalo:
It depends on your location, I paid N9k last month and addressed to ikeja. Yes, you have the option of going to pick your documents without paying for courier.

Hello house. Can someone tell me how much TLS charges for return of passport by courier within Lagos and is there an option to come pick one's documents as soon as it is ready? I have an application to submit in a few days.

Good day all,

I just completed and submitted my France Tourist visa application. How do I book an appointment as I don't seem to be getting anywhere with the appointment booking on TLS's website. Perhaps I'm missing something? I need guidance please.

Good day all,

Is TLS still in charge of accepting France visa applications and where do I begin with the filling of forms and booking an appointment for documents submission?

Much appreciated boss 🙏

SleepingTablets:
@esdajo

Alright it seems you know what you 're doing . Its worth giving a try so go ahead and apply but prepare some of your explanations here in your DS 160 and your questions and answers (mock) training .

Put emphasis on your established businesses (that ties you to MBA) . Meanwhile , I did not say you must write the GRE but if you have time and the resources it's a plus if you write it.

God Bless Nigeria .

@SleepingTablets: Yes I have registered businesses that I am operating here in Nigeria since bagging my LL.M in Germany in 2016. That's why I want to pursue an MBA instead of another LL.M since I am not mentally prepared to pursue a PhD just yet.

My trips to the UK from Germany has 8 months and another 1 year between those trips. I also got my previous US visas from Germany, first as a student and the second was upon graduation and working. I didn't stay up to 3 weeks in the US in each of the previous visits which were towards the expiration of the visas as I was always asked at the POE twice why I was just using the visas and I always answered "I've been busy with work".

As for the Canadian visa, I may or may not use it as I am currently working on a project that requires my physical presence in Nigeria and the visa is to expire in June and I can't abandon the project just to embark on a foreign trip of just 3 weeks maximum.

I have noted your point on taking the GRE and I will work on that. I just want to know if this is worth risking as I don't want to waste any money or even appearing desperate. The last refusal for a B1/B2 visa was in March 2022.

I just want to know if this is worth pursuing or not.

SleepingTablets:
@esdajo.

Not having a GRE score would not have any negative effect on your visa interview outcome , but not having a good excuse (in the case the VO ask why did you not write GRE) or reason for not writing it might have a bad effect on your interview score.

1. You have an LL.M from an European country and you plan to apply for MBA in the US later in the year , are you presently using your LL.M to work as a business manager ? Because you must explain to the VO why going for MBA from law ? Or you want to apply for MBA because the enrollment process is kinda easy and flexible ?

2. You have B1/B2 visa before but you were denied when you wanted to renew ? This looks like you have abused the B1/B2 somehow via over-staying or any other way .

3. You have been to UK thrice , and you presently have a Canada visitors visa and you intend to apply for MBA towards the end of this year .

4. I don't work in the embassy but to me this looks like an old-trick of travel history or visa histories which does not beat the US embassy anymore. The VO will see your previous B1/B2 visa denial as number one bad omen, the number 2 bad omen is that you did not keep to your B1/B2 instead you have changed to F1 which is even not related to your law career .

Your visa chance is 35/100% but God can do wonder ooo.


God Bless Nigeria .

Good day everyone and happy Sunday,

Please, I would like to know if not having a GRE score would have a negative effect on my student visa interview at the U.S embassy. I have an LL.M from an European country (2016) and would like to pursue an MBA in the U.S. later on this year.I have visited the US twice on a B1/B2 and also refused by them when I wanted to renew 2 years ago. Been to the UK thrice and I also have a Canadian vistor's visa that I am yet to use. What are my chances of getting the visa considering my profile? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Good day everyone,

Please, I would like to know the negative effect not having a GRE score would have on a graduate student visa interview at the US embassy. I have an LL.M from Germany (2016) and would like to pursue an MBA in the U.S. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Viking07:
👍✅

Hi,

If someone is going to submit my passport on my behalf, can the person pay for ALL the charges at VFS since its a little trickish getting what the actual fees are due to the changes in exchange rates? Please advise.

Good day,

Is this the current rate as if July 4? I just received an email for passport request and I intend to pursue this route. Kindly advise.

Viking07:
👍✅

giselle237:
pictures, money transfer receipts etc to substantiate proof of relationship.. also no one will penalise u for uploading docs twice.. for d house can use mortgage papers or tenancy agreements..
the problem is not ur husband sponsoring
She must prove her own ties to Nigeria.. anything she can submit to show why she must go back to Nigeria will help. In this case the marriage certificate comes into play for example to prove she is married and will go back to her husband.. and that’s how it continues

She has a full-time job, shes a student and property ownership documents is in our names, family pictures, change of last name, etc. I am even in Nigeria atm so what else do they want? Thanks for your contribution sir. Na them sabi!

Cashmadam:
I feel your frustration.

Yes, if you are a full time house wife, then it is fine. But to the ECO, if you are working, your salary must take you home. If you get my drift.

Sometimes, it is difficult to understand the reason for the refusal. But reasons have been given and you should address them anytime you reapply in future.

Many years ago, you could write a letter to register your displeasure and in some cases, the decision is overturned. In recent times, I haven't heard of anyone that got a feedback after writing a letter. Not even an acknowledgement of the letter.

I know you are very angry and that is understandable. If you can, take your family to Dubai, Seychelles etc. Then try again in future. Good luck.

Thanks ma'am. That's what I intend to do.