claremont:

This is an ignorant assertion with all due respect.

The British Army treats all soldiers equally regardless of colour or creed, some people might even argue that it positively discriminates in favour of soldiers from the ethic minorities. A commonwealth citizen is not treated any differently from others when it comes to deployments in trouble-spots. On the contrary, most commonwealth citizens are actually more keen to volunteer to deploy as compared to their British-born counterparts because of the perceived rewards of deployments.

I know British soldiers originally from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Gambia, and Nigeria. They are always all deployed to the frontline, and live in constant expectation of death. They tell me how fortunate I am to feel relatively certain I will live the full day.

1 of them was killed in action, but don’t know the fate of the others as I haven’t been in touch for a couple years now.

Even a female doctor Zimbabwean narrowly escaped death, but with injuries, when her base in Iraq was shelled in 2009. I still have close contact with her.

Also, despite their academic qualifications, they do not get the same senior/officer opportunities as the British citizens. Maybe what they tell me is false, so you have to do your own investigations.

However, I know a Nigerian who’s currently at the Falklands, so you’re probably right that it’s not always the case, hence my use of the word ‘likely’.

This Nigerian is well educated to Master’s level, but his experiences in the British army have been humiliating. Again this is some1 I know very well, as he invited me to his wedding last month.

[quote author=Nelly Ghenghen]Easiest way to get British Nationality


Check out this article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9417867/Commonwealth-soldiers-face-deportation.html.

He is a common wealth citizen, and has a British wife and children. Yet after serving the British army for 13 years, the Home Office was trying to deport him from the UK last year.

Overwhelming British opinion in online forums and comments was for him to be deported. It was very shocking. British hatred for immigrants has grown so severe, that sometimes I wonder whether there aren't British immigrants in other countries as well.

I support Obadiah777's cautions. A well-balanced discussion is 1 that is tolerant to opposite views and criticisms. It is TRUE that for many British, joining the Armed forces is an unpopular career move.

I recall trying to join some 3 years ago as a reserve, mainly to learn combat and self defence skills. But my line manager, a British, out of genuine concern, discouraged me, or rather, influenced me in avoiding a potentially regrettable decision.

YOU ARE HIGHLY LIKELY TO BE DEPLOYED TO THE FRONT LINE as a so called common wealth citizen. You are aware of this, but are willing to take the risk.

However, if you are well educated, with a Bachelors or PhD, it really doesn’t make sense to shine boots and allow the British use you, like a worthless piece of killing machine, who is expected not to have his or her own wishes or mind.

It took years to develop your brain and skill set. You are of great value. Why let a British with a lower level of intelligence or education than you dominate you, push you around, and even discriminate against you simply because you are black?

It is admirable to want to die for something you believe in, but why die for Britain of all countries in the world?

Do some unbiased research about Britain’s activities in Africa and other so called savage lands when it was a so called super power, you might be surprise that Britain is not different from Nazi Germany, both in its global ambitions and racial ideology and in its methods of meeting these ends, including genocide.

In general, of all peoples in the world, I find it surprising that Africans like to embrace the Europeans, and indeed white people. Even to the extent of wanting to die for Britain, despite its historical atrocities in Africa? It is just as illogical as the Native Americans or Mexicans wanting to die for the USA, European immigrants who nearly wiped out the entire Native American race.

But at the end of the day, it’s your life and your choice. Only you can decide what is good for you.

Yababoy:

@Donxavier: I'm sorry I don't know anyone studying in Aberdeen for now. I didn't work at all during the course duration because the course was pretty demanding. However, I got a 3 months full time contract job as a Process Analyst almost immediately after I completed my course work. My plan is to continue with this whilst searching for a permanent job in a Consulting firm here and back home. The job prospects might seem deem but there are still opportunities that are worth exploring.

@Yababoy:

Hi,

I followed your previous post. It appears you applied for your MSc in 2011, which means that you completed it around September 2012 if I am correct.

The UKBA closed the PSW visa to all new applicants from 6 April 2012, and a Tier 2 visa requires a permanent job contract. If possible, could you please share what visa you used in securing your 3 months full time contract job as a Process Analyst?

Thanks.

.

[quote author=Dharkchild][/quote]

Thanks for your contributions Donxavier and Dharkchild. You guys are great! All the very best

Donxavier:

People always like to go overboard, that's human nature. Just follow simple instructions. At least you can control what you do and don't worry about others.
You should only provide documents listed in your CAS. Simple
The tendency to go overboard came from people's experience from getting other types of Visas where the applicant is required to show strong ties to Nigeria and provide a litany of evidences. Anyway, this is a point based system and you get the visa if you meet the requirements.

Speaking about documents listed in your CAS,

The school did not list any documents in my CAS.

Here is the info:


'The documentation used as evidence for eligibility to study at The University of Nottingham:

The applicant has satisfied all the requirements for the award of the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from University of Lagos, Nigeria.

We have assessed the English Language ability of this applicant and confirm that we deem it to be equivalent to CEFR Level B2 or higher in each of the four components of language learning. No documents are required to be submitted as evidence of this.

We confirm that their intended Masters programme at The University of Nottingham has a more substantial research element and this specialism in Electrical Engineering is confirmed as academic progression.'


That's it no documents listed.

I've asked the school to tell me the exact documents they've used so that I can include them with my visa application. The reply I keep getting is 'the documentation required is as stated in your CAS'.


I've read through this forum, but it appears nobody else is in a similar situation. Thus I intend to use the documents I sent to the school in securing my offer. What do you guys think?

I welcome your suggestions. Thanks a lot..

Donxavier:

People always like to go overboard, that's human nature. Just follow simple instructions. At least you can control what you do and don't worry about others.
You should only provide documents listed in your CAS. Simple
The tendency to go overboard came from people's experience from getting other types of Visas where the applicant is required to show strong ties to Nigeria and provide a litany of evidences. Anyway, this is a point based system and you get the visa if you meet the requirements.

Thanks Donxavier

donbigboy: Ladies and Gentleman of Nairaland. Pls i'm in a tight corner. I am going for my masters and i have gotting my CAS and every other document needed but my sponsor account has just been credited on 27 july which means i will have to waite till 27 of august before i can print the statement of account and submit. The problem is my school resume on 13 sept and lecture start by 24 sept. Now should i ask for 2 weeks extension or to deferred my admission till january 2013. I'm just confused.

Before the account became credited was the balance enough to cover your maintenance and/or fees? I do not see how extra credit to the account will mean starting all over to wait...

Hello everyone,

If you intend to do a Masters and the school didn't ask for or assess you with WAEC certificate, NECO, etc, why do people include these documents? I notice many people here did. Is it compulsory that Nigerians should include their WAEC, NECO, NYSC, etc?

Your thoughts will be appreciated guys.

Thanks.

Donxavier:

You haven't asked any question. More like you just informed us of your situation. What is your question?

Apologies it wasn't clear enough. I meant does anyone else have a transcript similar to mine which I've described already. If so do you consider it to be original and not a photocopy?

Hello guys,

My degree certificate is not ready, so the only documents I have are transcript and statement of result.

The UKBA says it requires the original transcript, not copies.

Well the official transcript I got from my school is a photocopy, but it contains original stamps and signatures from the Registrar.

Is anyone else in a similar situation?

Thanks.

Donxavier:

Visa application experiences are in one of the recent pages. You can start checking from like page 30. Before you get to this current page, you will hit it.

@Donxavier

That was quick! I'll do that now. Thanks

Hi guys,

Has anyone been to the visa application centre? If so, could you please share your experience?


The VFS confirmation of appointment says:

'Please arrive at the visa application centre not earlier than 10 minutes before the given time. We may not be able to accommodate applicants delayed by more than 20 minutes'.


If your appointment is 10:00am and you need to pay the application fee and take your passport photo there, what time do you need to be there, in view of quoted the statement above?


Your responses will be really appreciated. Thanks.

Just got my new passport. The process was very easy, except it involved me travelling twice to London.

Because I got little or no info online on how to go about the renewal, I've decided to tell my own experience. Perhaps it could help someone.

These are the documents I took to my first appointment:

1) Copy of my completed and signed online application form
2) Copy of my acknowledgement slip
3) Copy of my payment confirmed slip
4) My old passport
5) £20 Postal order
6) 2 photos

Contrary to the info on the application form, there is no need to take 2 photos. This is because the HC would take your picture and biometrics there.


Very important: you have to go on the date of your appointment (as stated in your application form), whether or not that date is after the expiry date on your passport.


I arrived at around 9:45am on the day of my appointment. There was a queue, but it moved very quickly. Some1 at the entrance checked my forms, and particularly highlighted my appointment date. Then, I was directed to a large room, where I was given a ticket number and simply waited until my number was called.

When called, I presented those documents I've listed and then waited again until I was called to go upstairs to do my biometrics + photo.

After this I was given another appointment date for the collection of my new e-passport.

Very easy process. It took about 2 hours on my first appointment, and less than 45 minutes on my next.


By the way, I got this extra info from 1 of the officials there:

Those who are under 18 would need to include a guarantor’s form filled by their parents/guardian. They also have to include a photocopy of the guarantor’s passport data page.

Also, very important: if you already have a Nigerian passport and you did not get it in the UK, they would check for your visas. If they don't find any visa, they would ask you how and where you got your passport.

There’s 1 more point that was made about the passport for another category of people. Unfortunately, I do not remember it right now.


So, this is my experience. Hope it helps someone.

Cheers

Just got my new passport. The process was very easy, except it involved me travelling twice to London.

Because I got little or no info online on how to go about the renewal, I've decided to tell my own experience. Perhaps it could help someone.

These are the documents I took to my first appointment:

1) Copy of my completed and signed online application form
2) Copy of my acknowledgement slip
3) Copy of my payment confirmed slip
4) My old passport
5) £20 Postal order
6) 2 photos

Contrary to the info on the application form, there is no need to take 2 photos. This is because the HC would take your picture and biometrics there.


Very important: you have to go on the date of your appointment (as stated in your application form), whether or not that date is after the expiry date on your passport.


I arrived at around 9:45am on the day of my appointment. There was a queue, but it moved very quickly. Some1 at the entrance checked my forms, and particularly highlighted my appointment date. Then, I was directed to a large room, where I was given a ticket number and simply waited until my number was called.

When called, I presented those documents I've listed and then waited again until I was called to go upstairs to do my biometrics + photo.

After this I was given another appointment date for the collection of my new e-passport.

Very easy process. It took about 2 hours on my first appointment, and less than 45 minutes on my next.


By the way, I got this extra info from 1 of the officials there:

Those who are under 18 would need to include a guarantor’s form filled by their parents/guardian. They also have to include a photocopy of the guarantor’s passport data page.

Also, very important: if you already have a Nigerian passport and you did not get it in the UK, they would check for your visas. If they don't find any visa, they would ask you how and where you got your passport.

There’s 1 more point that was made about the passport for another category of people. Unfortunately, I do not remember it right now.


So, this is my experience. Hope it helps someone.

Cheers

Just got my new passport. The process was very easy, except it involved me travelling twice to London.

Because I got little or no info online on how to go about the renewal, I've decided to tell my own experience. Perhaps it could help someone.

These are the documents I took to my first appointment:

1) Copy of my completed and signed online application form
2) Copy of my acknowledgement slip
3) Copy of my payment confirmed slip
4) My old passport
5) £20 Postal order
6) 2 photos

Contrary to the info on the application form, there is no need to take 2 photos. This is because the HC would take your picture and biometrics there.


Very important: you have to go on the date of your appointment (as stated in your application form), whether or not that date is after the expiry date on your passport.


I arrived at around 9:45am on the day of my appointment. There was a queue, but it moved very quickly. Some1 at the entrance checked my forms, and particularly highlighted my appointment date. Then, I was directed to a large room, where I was given a ticket number and simply waited until my number was called.

When called, I presented those documents I've listed and then waited again until I was called to go upstairs to do my biometrics + photo.

After this I was given another appointment date for the collection of my new e-passport.

Very easy process. It took about 2 hours on my first appointment, and less than 45 minutes on my next.


By the way, I got this extra info from 1 of the officials there:

Those who are under 18 would need to include a guarantor’s form filled by their parents/guardian. They also have to include a photocopy of the guarantor’s passport data page.

Also, very important: if you already have a Nigerian passport and you did not get it in the UK, they would check for your visas. If they don't find any visa, they would ask you how and where you got your passport.

There’s 1 more point that was made about the passport for another category of people. Unfortunately, I do not remember it right now.


So, this is my experience. Hope it helps someone.

Cheers

Just got my new passport. The process was very easy, except it involved me travelling twice to London.

Because I got little or no info online on how to go about the renewal, I've decided to tell my own experience. Perhaps it could help someone.

These are the documents I took to my first appointment:

1) Copy of my completed and signed online application form
2) Copy of my acknowledgement slip
3) Copy of my payment confirmed slip
4) My old passport
5) £20 Postal order
6) 2 photos

Contrary to the info on the application form, there is no need to take 2 photos. This is because the HC would take your picture and biometrics there.


Very important: you have to go on the date of your appointment (as stated in your application form), whether or not that date is after the expiry date on your passport.


I arrived at around 9:45am on the day of my appointment. There was a queue, but it moved very quickly. Some1 at the entrance checked my forms, and particularly highlighted my appointment date. Then, I was directed to a large room, where I was given a ticket number and simply waited until my number was called.

When called, I presented those documents I've listed and then waited again until I was called to go upstairs to do my biometrics + photo.

After this I was given another appointment date for the collection of my new e-passport.

Very easy process. It took about 2 hours on my first appointment, and less than 45 minutes on my next.


By the way, I got this extra info from 1 of the officials there:

Those who are under 18 would need to include a guarantor’s form filled by their parents/guardian. They also have to include a photocopy of the guarantor’s passport data page.

Also, very important: if you already have a Nigerian passport and you did not get it in the UK, they would check for your visas. If they don't find any visa, they would ask you how and where you got your passport.

There’s 1 more point that was made about the passport for another category of people. Unfortunately, I do not remember it right now.


So, this is my experience. Hope it helps someone.

Cheers

Hello,

Has anyone renewed his/her passport successfully in the UK? If so could you please provide me a list of the documents you used?

According to the NIS online application form it says to take printed and signed application forms + 2 recent photos + payment confirmed + acknowledgement slip. I have all of these.

But on the website it also says to take a Guarantor's form sworn before a commissioner of Oaths / Magistrate / High Court Judge + Local Government letter of identification + a Guarantor's (a) Photocopy of Data page of Nigerian standard Passport and (b) Driving License or National Identity Card. I don't have any of these.

Any info or advice from someone who has renewed successfully in the UK will be much appreciated.

Cheers

Hello,

Has anyone renewed his/her passport successfully in the UK? If so could you please provide me a list of the documents you used?

According to the NIS online application form it says to take printed and signed application forms + 2 recent photos + payment confirmed + acknowledgement slip. I have all of these.

But on the website it also says to take a Guarantor's form sworn before a commissioner of Oaths / Magistrate / High Court Judge + Local Government letter of identification + a Guarantor's (a) Photocopy of Data page of Nigerian standard Passport and (b) Driving License or National Identity Card. I don't have any of these.

Any info or advice from someone who has renewed successfully in the UK will be much appreciated.

Cheers

Hello,

Has anyone renewed his/her passport successfully in the UK? If so could you please provide me a list of the documents you used?

According to the NIS online application form it says to take printed and signed application forms + 2 recent photos + payment confirmed + acknowledgement slip. I have all of these.

But on the website it also says to take a Guarantor's form sworn before a commissioner of Oaths / Magistrate / High Court Judge + Local Government letter of identification + a Guarantor's (a) Photocopy of Data page of Nigerian standard Passport and (b) Driving License or National Identity Card. I don't have any of these.

Any info or advice from someone who has renewed successfully in the UK will be much appreciated.

Cheers

Hello fellow Nigerians, I'm trying to renew my passport within the UK and would appreciate your guidance.

My passport will expire in January 2012. I've filled out the online application for an e-passport, but my interview date is in February 2012. I've tried rescheduling it several times, but it keeps reverting to the same date.

I'm concerned about this because my passport would have expired before my interview date, yet I've heard many people complain that they were refused service or entry when they showed up before their interview dates.

What do you guys think I should do to resolve this issue?

I would particularly appreciate the advice and suggestions from someone who has successfully renewed his/her passport within the UK.

Cheers.

Thanks, Eyo, for your input.

Things would've been just fine if one could make direct online transactions with most foreign exam boards. Lately, I discovered that those crooks will not administer the test; so all they did at $500 was register me for TOEFL! I just hope I don't read another post containing credits to Touche LTD.

Is touche a genuine testing agency? If so, why has college board advised Nigerians not to test with touche? It happened that those who took the June 2 SAT I and II with touche had their scores held by college board. And touche has been fabricating one story or the other as to why they cannot give a refund!

What's even the more annoying is that I paid touche $500 for the TOEFL whereas I found out the cost was only $140.

I think touche limited must be crooks, and all the complaints I heard about them points to this fact.