Hi, thought to share my experience as a 1st time schengen visa applicant even though it is a while back.
My family and I applied for a schengen visa (for france) in the 1st week of Dec with a paid ticket with travel date in April 24. Took about 1 week of meticulous checking for appointment but we were able to get dates on a wedbesday at 11.30pm for the middle of dec.
We got our passports back 1 week after with visa stickers.

I'd say, keep checking for availabilities especially towards midnight. Also, they seem to release dates in small blocks (rather than availability 2 - 3 months ahead).

Best wishes.

Goodenoch:


Oh I didn’t know it was possible at all to get multiple entries on one’s first shenghen application.

I have (not very wisely, in hindsight) booked a holiday in France and paid the fees in full but I simply can’t get an appointment date. I’ve just been checking but nothing comes up.

Hi, I just got my B1/B2 visa earlier this week in London.

Went for the interview with my ds160 form, passport booklet, passport photograph and BRP (very important).

Took my payslip and work ID card just incase but I didn't need it as it wasn't asked for.

Hope this helps.

DInkMan:
Hi guys, I urgently need your inputs:
Please has anyone gone for US B1/B2 visa interview at London or Belfast. I already have the checklist of documents I must take along on appointment.

Just wanted to clarify what documents you submitted or they viewed during interview. Thanks

Fab, thank you. I was trying to shop for the AIP myself, but following what you've said here, I'd research brokers and use them.

Thanks 😊

Iolo:


Did you get the AIPs directly or through a broker? My advise is to work with a broker who can get you across the line. A lot of people say you can’t buy a house in less than 24 months residency, but you actually can. Just need a broker that can work their contacts in the banks.

Also, the contract role might be the tricky part as lenders will prefer a longer term employment contract than 6 months. In all don’t give up. You’ll find a broker that can help you out.

This is really helpful.

Congratulations and thank you for sharing!

It is super useful for me as I spent last night browsing through AIPs but none of the ones i checked seemed to work even though i already have my 10% deposit ready (20k) as I'm less than 2years in the UK (16months to be exact).

Wondering if anyone has specific lenders that work with less than 2 years residency in application, house hold income is > 100k however, 1 earner is permanent role and the other is on 6 months contract.

Hiya,

The 1st time I relaxed my hair here, I paid about 96pounds for relaxing and trimming with my own relaxer o. I wan craze because it did not make sense and sadly I didn't confirm the price before I started (na me f-up)
2nd time I relaxed my hair, found a cheaper salon and paid about 35 for relaxing, trimming and cornrows
I've never done box braid here but my friend who did paid about 70 pounds for hers.

Hope this helps.

Thewritingnerd:
Biko please, any response to this will be appreciated ? 🥹🙏🏾

Hi, I went for my biometric appointment on Apr 4,
indicative collection date was Jun 1,
Passport delivered and received Jun 14

Adunnishugar:
Hello house,

Please for those that have renewed their passport recently in UK what is the current processing time post appointment date?

Congratulations 🎊 👏 💐

Rapitex:
Finally, offer letter from Barclay bank dropped. Thanking everyone who has answered my questions in this group. We were able to get offer even with a fair credit score.

I believe so.

Someone I know went 3 months after appointment date and was attended to.

opeoyek:
Hi all

I have an appointment for passport renewal in a couple of weeks but I won't be able to attend the appointment. Can I go the day after?

You can use lemonade to send. It is fast and convinent. You can sign up using my referal link below. Thanks


I use Lemonade Finance to send money to Africa. You get 10.00 GBP when you verify your account and send over 100.00 GBP with my referral link - https://referral.lemonade.finance/invite/y28G

nymphomaniac:
Hi guys. Please what app can I use to send GBP to UK from Nigeria?

Page 2 ; e pain me sha but space booked

Passport renewal - 142 USD
Postal order - 20 GBP
Royal mail delivery - 6.85 GBP

hustla:



Thanks boss!

What's the total cost?

My passport expires 29th Aug this year. I applied in for my renewal in Feb and did my biometrics capture in April.

Hope this helps.

hustla:



Can I start my application 6 months to Passport expiry?

HI all,

I just wanted to rant small on my passport biometrics experience at Nigeria Commission, London.

My appointment time was for 11 am today (04.04 23). I arrived there right on time, thinking tops, 2 hours to conclude and leave. After the checks at the entrance, I was given number 3** but once I entered the waiting room, omo, see crowd. They were just receiving documents for number 220 and I was in the mid 300 range. I sha waited until about 1.30 before my documents were collected, this was just stage 1.

After this, to move to stage 2 became war. I observed some people who did not even do the stage 1 submission going straight to enrolment based on IMM (ahh, ayemi temi)! Children were so uncomfortable, crying and wailing up and down, and I definitely wouldn't blame them. After what seemed like an eternity, and after the 'fast track' people were serviced, right about 3.30pm, the coordinator incharge then decided to go back to the order of numbers given at the start and things started moving slowly.
I didn't get called until about 4.30 (for an 11am appointment). My heart went out to those who had to travel back to Wales, Scotland etc same day and had booked their flight/train.
I eventually captured and left the commission at about 5.07pm.
Morale of the rant: you can leave Nigeria but Nigeria will always follow you everywhere you go

*END OF RANT*

Ps: to make your experience slightly better, pls go with the following documents
1. Your C4 special delivery envelope (buy from the post office) cost about £6.85
2. Your 20 pound postal order addressed to the high commission (check their website for the correct addresse)
3. Your NiN print out (must match your passport name and order)
4. Your passport payment slip
5. Your acknowledgement form

The above is correct as at today Apr 4, 2023.

I dont know about coming in with that amount but what i did was come with 700 pounds cash then had the rest transferred to my revolut account (which i opened as soon as i got my UK sim at the airport)

F393:
Hello house.

Compliments of the season / happy new year ( I know January enter wella I great una )

Abeg I want to ask if I come in with cash from Nigeria around 4000 pounds, is there any advice on an account i should open or ways I can get concessions on that deposit .

Any tips on how I can leverage that money to help me I am a single person no kids and I will be coming with work visa

Thank you in anticipation

Glad I could help �

iyatrustee:


Thanks so much! I still can't believe this.

Items sent from Abuja on Friday 6th was delivered today

Shiping cost was very cheap compared to EMS Nipost that takes 4-6weeks sef

Yes I did, stock fish, dried fish, crayfish, spices, egusi, uziza (blended) etc

iyatrustee:


Did you ship food items like dried fish with them?

About 5 working days. Shipped on a Wednesday, delivered to me the following Tuesday morning

meljoe:
Thank you so much , I will check them out , how long did it take before you got your items ?

Hi. I used ship to naija last month to bring in food stuff , books, clothes etc. Found them on IG and they delivered to my door step in the UK

https://instagram.com/shiptonaija?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

meljoe:
Please I need a reliable and trusted courier service that ships foodstuffs and items from Nigeria to Uk . Please if you know any , please drop number , WhatsApp number preferably . Thanks

Right! I somewhat assumed the poster was already/plans on coming to the UK.

Thegamingorca:


Unfortunately ppl without BRP can't use this

I have been using lemonade app to send money home, it has been quite reliable with good rates.
You can use my referral link below to sign up

I use Lemonade Finance to send money to Africa. You get 10.00 GBP when you verify your account and send over 100.00 GBP with my referral link - https://referral.lemonade.finance/invite/y28G

Thegamingorca:
Please are there any alternatives to this ohentpay? The reviews are not encouraging in the slightest


In terms of sending money home and vice versa

Ninja 3-in-1 Food Processor and Blender with Auto-iQ [BN800UK] 1200W, 1.8 L Bowl, 2.1L Jug, 0.7 L Cup, Black/Silver https://amzn.eu/d/eOzy6ji

HollyMadison:


Please do you have a picture, name, model number etc? There are lots of ninja blenders

Ninja blender. Works really well

HollyMadison:
Hi elders. Please can you recommend a blender for beans? i.e akara and moi moi

Skilled worker visa

tundeloveday:
Standard visitor visa or Student visa? and how manage it’s within 20 working days?

Visa alert
TLS VI Lagos
Type: SWV
Biometrics: 1st June
Collection email: 28th June
Pick up : 29th June
Visa for main applicant plus 2 dependants.

Thank you all for your contributions here.

Hello, confirm the document is in pdf format, if not, convert to pdf and try reuploading.

geolan:



Congratulations to those that have gotten their visas and we hope and pray this goodnews will go round.

Please I can’t upload the reference letter I received. It keeps saying an error has occurred and i sho try later. I have been trying since morning. What could be the issue?

Thank you.

giselle237:

Flexi: choose a date, whatever date you pick for biometrics, you can come at any hour on that chosen day and do your biometrics
Primetime: mostly 8am/paid appointmnts on the chosen date. They are locked with arrows when you go on the booking page.

Hello all,

Please what is the difference between flexi appointment and primetime?

Which is better for someone who needs to make their submission urgently to TLS?

Thanks for your response. I presume you are/were in Abuja at the time.

I still haven't gotten mine back since sending my email last week wednesday.

Fingers crossed.

MichaelAyak:
I applied physically to the Abuja office of VFS with my typed withdrawal letter and filled forms and my passport was returned via courier to me two days

Hello all,

Please people who have successfully withdrawn their application/passport, how long did it take you to get your passport back?

I withdrew my application to retrieve my passport via email last week Wednesday and got a response that my request has been sent to the consular on Thursday, I really need my passport back in the next 2 days from Abuja (I'm in Lagos).

Called VFS this morning and they said it would take a minimum of 7 working days.

What can I do?

Please confirm the VAC centre that has this date?

iyaaliyah:
Good morning. Please, is there option of expedited visa application. I have checked n checked on their website but couldn't find any. The earliest biometric date we got is June 3 and it is important I travel in July.
Please, what can one do?

Hello @Ticha,

Please can you send me this spreadsheet too? evagreenfields@gmail.com

Thanks.

Ticha:


I'm assuming you won't be driving into London? Therefore you need to follow the train lines. Based on the time tables, you can see from which stations you can get into central London under an hour then start house hunting there. Be very aware that all those cities will also have a London mark up prices for rental purposes and the closer to the station the property is, the more expensive it will be as well.

The husbot worked in London for 18 months and we wanted to be within an hour's train ride (got in at Euston Station), we ended up in St Neots. It was 42 minutes to Euston and a relatively small market town with everything you need. I think I still have the spreadsheet we created with all the train times/ costs (costs would be wildly different now) and rental cost (also different). If you send me your email address, I'll forward it on to you and it may help you narrow down your choices.