₦airaland Forum

wingeddove:
Am awaiting also.Fifi,are u also going for the Sept entry?I just felt that time is really closing in for resumption.You should try and submit soon also

Will do soon... Since wen did you submit? I should submit by Thursday next week...

wingeddove:
Please,do we still have anyone still awaiting interview call from Abuja?

Bro..hope no issue... Though am yet to submit..

Ojiakor or orjiakor... D..k head

Congrats @ 167 ... Go n make us proud.... @Dbay01 u still dey owe me ooo.. Making two now.. @ name ... How your side... @ Biente ... How is it going... @ Francis.. Thanks for the encouragement....
We shall all succeed 6 more to go...success sha be our...

Good night...n happy new week

For those of us yet to be called for interview or yet to apply at vfs....

Below are some of the questions we may be asked...

Why the course What impact it will have on you How will you use d knowledge gotten in Nigeria know the name and full address of the school Then the contact person in the school, maybe the person in charge of the international students The person’s name and address Also about your sponsor, works and the no of children Your plans after studying that’s whether or not you will stay in Belgium or return to Nigeria. Also they asked what will you do if you fail in the first year Why Belgium? Your occupation too They would also list subjects like biology, geography, and other sec school courses to explain how they relate to your intending course of study A brief of your course outline becos the alloted space is like half a page. 3 reasons why it is belgium. How any of the professional experience relate to your intending course of study. Specify which sector you will like to work after your study. And have you researched on these sectors ? State your future plans . Though the questions are much..these are the ones Tunde n Francis could remember...cheers mate

Meanwhile the scholarship is closed now for 2016/2017 jaar.. If am not mistaken.. I may be wrong
dbay01 can confirm...

Dag..

dbay01:
See my boss dey call me boss. No dey whine your boy o. We go celebrate am for Ghent. No dull am.

I trust you broeder... I dey cool for you...

Danke

dbay01:
Goede morgen bosses! Sorry it's been a while I dropped by... This is to thank y'all for your guidance and support. Got my visa last Friday. I can only but count down days to the 'movement'. By God's grace, we'll get more good news on here within the coming weeks. Can't wait to see y'all in Belgium!

You na boss ... How far na... I still dey wait for my champagne oo... No show your power ooo

oluwamitomisin:
I have some questions :

Do you mean one has to do legalisation at Belgium embassy only and visa application is strictly through vfs? I see you were at the embassy before going to vfs, but no visa application was done other that to legalise docs.

You re right... VFS is responsible for collect/accepting visa applications on behalf of the embassy(agent). Before that, you have to legalise all the official document at the embassy.(all documents u legalised at MOE n MOFA). Legalization at embassy cost 6200 if the exchange rate is maintained ( more or Less exchange rate determines). Meanwhile, it is very important to get your annexe 32 certified n legalised(sufficient Solvency must be written on it)..
According to Gurus dat has gone through this before, its easy to get the visa if all docs re correct n complete...

All fingers are crossed though.. I bet all of us will meet in Belgium...

Cheers...
@dbayo come and share your success story ooo and how long your visa took before granted.. Go to Belgium and Flourish...

oluwamitomisin:
Please don't derail this thread Bro. I didn't bring Malaysia up in my previous post to try make a comparison between the two. But please do some findings about South East Asia and Europe very well before making a decision or advising people. Here are some of my views:

1. Malaysia visa is so cheap but they don't offer a stay after your study. In fact you can't work while studying.
2. A Malaysian lecturer of mine who studied in Belgium advised me to consider Belgium for me next move provided I have the means. He knows what he's saying.
3. Think of quantity versus quality.

For scholarship in Malaysia, be on the lookout for Malaysia international scholarship, it opens between January and March. You'll need have an offer by then, and they require ielts or toefl. Scholarship is only for students in public universities.

Singapore is far more expensive than Malaysia. Studying there is like studying in Australia or UK in terms of cost, and most Malaysians will agree that the quality is better off. You may check A*STAR scholarship for Singapore.

For now, I'm heading to Belgium. I wanna see the world over there too.

I guess you have gotten admission already.. And what do you intend to do next so we can all help you out..

Got a few friends from the thread they have gotten their 6months visa.. Though they are all on scholarship.. Some have applied and waiting decision..
At the end all of us will smile...

generalbush:
I am even thinking of going to Singapore to study...

In Belgium, the job market is down. They don't offer visa extension after study if you don't get a Job euthin your visa stay..

So you will just go and dash them your hard earned money only to come back after studies.

But in most Asain countries, that give you up to 6 months upwards...

How did you get your scholarship... you can help me.

Thanks a lot General you did well... I dont mean to be rude.. But if you check the Topic well it indicated Belgium n not Malaysia or Singapore.. Anyone applying knows the economic in which he or she wishes to apply, so to say..are you saying because UK doesn't give student extension, its not ok to study, and what gives you the impression that he intends to 'park the bus' in the country he wishes to learn.. Please, do not confuse. He that sat and chose a country has a reason for choosing such, this is a Belgium thread..please we will appreciate any information regarding that and not comparison on why one shouldn't study in Belgium.
Have you been to Belgium and have you been to Malaysia.. I have not.. So please dont tell me my decision is wrong.

Everyone has a reason... But don't spew such to break the spirit of one who has gone through stages of processing.

Belgium and Singapore re in two different continents.. You can create a thread for the comparison if you love it..

Thanks bro.

Banta:
@fikki,

Administrative fee is 160 euros for a public university and 215 euros for a private university. U can transfer the fund using a domiciliary account

I will study in KU LEUVEN and I paid 160 euros.

Thanks bro...God will turn it all to joy...

Happy weekend pals...

Enjoy the dag

Franmeme:
Hello fikki1, i would first advice you send VFS Global an email to know your stand about the issue, but my friend not me, had to pay through a friend schooling in Belgium the balance. One thing i'm sure of is that i'm conversant with Belgian laws and lots more. There is no short-route to getting it over there. I decided to chip-in this issue because i felt time has gone and in order for you to avoid further delay. Try to hear from the "horses mouth" (VFS). Although today is Belgian National Day. Good luck

Thanks bro... Wil reach the embassy tomorrow..already called vfs was asked to reach embassy..all well and good, thanks a lot for the eye opening... I sent u pm though...

dbay01:
Hello bosses! Sorry it's been a while I came on here... Been very occupied as a result of my trip to Abuja for processing! To narrate my experience;
Firstly the whole processing thingy is easy. One will definitely start with academic documents authentication at the ministry of education followed by that of the ministry of foreign affairs. It's something everyone can do by him/herself but if you don't have the time, there are agents that can get the job done in little or no time (could be worth it most times). Good thing is that both ministries are close to each other in the central area.

At the ministry of education:
Go to the ministry early with your original academic documents and 3 photocopies each and a waec scratch card and a big brown envelope (they can be purchased there too anyway). You will be given a form to fill at a token of around #150. You then proceed to a cyber cafe to generate a remita payment invoice. Take this to any bank n pay. Change the deposit slip and bank print-out to receipt at the revenue office and proceed for the submission of the form. You will be told wen to come for your documents. (same day when I did mine)

At the ministry of foreign affairs:
This is relatively easier. Generate a remita payment invoice and make payments to any bank (300 multiplied by the number of your documents). Take the bank print-out and deposit slip along with your documents (academic documents must be authenticated first by ministry of education) for submission before 12noon. The documents must be submitted with one photocopy each. (The documents must be submitted in a clear folder else you will have to walk all the way down to get one). You will be told to come back by 2/3pm for collection.

Legalization at the Belgium embassy (9, Usuma Street, Maitama)
Someone has explained this above. Submitting time is strictly between 9-10am and collection anytime from 3pm. Legalization is #6200 per document. Legalization forms can be printed from the vfs website.

Submission at vfs (Lobito Cresent, Wuse 2)
Make 2 photocopies each of your legalized documents (front n back cos legalization is done at the back) and 4 coloured photocopies of the data page and used pages of your international passport. White background 45X35 sized passport photograph (pls try n confirm the size). Can't give the details of the fees but I know the handling fee is #9300, sms service is #400 and FedEx courier service (to return your documents) varies depending on the location with #4500 being the highest amount. There was no interview whatsoever at the vfs centre. You should receive a mail the same day notifying you that your application has been sent to the Belgium Embassy.

Your questions regarding the above are welcome...
Cc them bosses @fikki1 @namebdis @tunde @ccsurplus

You na boss na...abeg did u pay the administrative fee? or u didn't ...if u did, how much? Its urgent ooo

Franmeme:
You can get more information from VFS to clarify but two friends of mine paid 215euros last year and my wife making it the third person, paid same 215euros this year. I just verified now, you are to pay 215euros if you are above 21years. Please find an extract i got from the checklist for those applying for Belgian study visa . I tried uploading but the files are too large
Attention: the visa application must contain the legalized sponsorship form. If the sponsorship form in the visa file is not legalized by the Embassy prior to submission of the file, the sponsor will not be contacted and the visa will most probably be refused.
for the academic year 2015-2016 the sponsor needs to prove a regular income of at least 1617€ monthly. (617€ for the student + 1000€ for the sponsor himself + if applicable 150€ for every person already dependent on the sponsor).
 If you are over 21 (article 58) or over 18 (article 9), a certificate attesting the lack of any convictions for crimes or offences under common law issued not more than six months prior to the date of application (police character certificate). This document has to be legalized.
 A medical certificate issued by a Belgian Embassy approved medical doctor issued not more than six months prior to the date of application. Please check the list of approved medical practitioners.If you are over 21 (article 58) or over 18 (article 9). Please refer to page three (3) and check the "b" part.

Incase bro, how do we balance the payment, since the article numbers ate different, moreover have paid the 160 so how do I pay the balance, is there a document/ form for it or how did u go about your then... Thanks for your chance insight...

Franmeme:
A friend of mine who is currently studying in Belgium paid 160euro last year but VFS asked him to make the balance of 215euros. At VFS office, they will ask you the amount you pay but trust me you will make the balance of 215euros before they will collect your application. My wife is going for studies at Ghent. Anyway, i believe the 160euros is probably for people less than 26years but not lesser than 18 because laws in Belgium gives them right to certain benefits including reduction in amount of certain fee they are to pay. Please check my upload about this. Belgium visa is one of the easiest to get i must confess. make sure your guarantor or sponsor receives nothing less than 500-600K because of exchange rate. The interview is usually written but you may be asked to bring some supporting documents like your NYSC which was my case in 2012. Please take note of the following:
Why the course
What impact it will have
You need to know the name and full address of the school
Then the contact person in the school, maybe the person in charge of the international students
The person name and address
They also asked about your sponsor
Where he or she works and the no. of children
Also about your plans after studying
Also, there was a question that says will you stay back after your studies?
Also they asked what will you do if you fail in the first year
why Belgium?
To mention but few. It's for an hour of more but the rushing "nor be yeh oh"
Good luck

Thanks bro, dats really helpful and lifting, guess most of us re using foreign sponsor.. Will make research on d additional fee, cos we saw it on article 58 if u understand..thanks bro

Franmeme:
Hello Belgium prospective students, just to let you know that legalization at the Royal Embassy of Belgium, Usuma Street, Abuja is now 6,200 naira per document and also application fee at VFS located at Lobito Crescent, Abuja is now 65,500 naira you also need to pay the additional visa fee to the home office in euro (215euro). My wife just submitted and waiting for her interview. I may answer questions too because i had lived in Belgium where i studied in 2012 but came back to Naija because of some personal stuffs although i got admitted this year to a popular university there too this year and another in Czech republic, i've started processing that of Czech already. Advice, try to hold tight to what you have and do not let it go.. Good luck. Belgium is a nice place, friendly people and lovely sights and cities. Brother you can have job while schooling too. Just to mention but few. Good luck to y'all.

Yeah, thanks bro, but the additional fee is 160 as indicated by name or is your wife going to study in a private institution..anyway.. Do you have idea about the visa interview? Though it been long i assume but can you give us insight please. Waiting to submit my application by September... General but necessary info pls..thanks

Diente:
Thank you so much you have been just to helpful!!!

Last question please is it allowed on this forum for you to please share your agents details with me?


I'll appreciate it please.

Otherwise my email is dientebiene@gmail.com


I feel relieved right now!

Ok sir, will do...
Thank u too sir

Diente:
I understand why you mean.....

I am going to work on it all weekend and be in Abuja next week hopefully to sort things out. I called one hospital in Lagos and the medical school is 20k there so I'll do that before leaving.

Thank you so much.

Last question, I don't have any agent because I did all the applications myself and up until this point I have just been going with what I read on the websites. The visa process just seemed so hard until I read up on this thread on nairaland and found others on a similar path.


Are you using an agent or did you also go through the process yourself?

am doing it all maself, but the legalisation I gave it to an agent due to the fact dat I stay in lag, I cant keep going n coming, so I delegate it to her to make my legalisation less tedious on my path... But above that.. I did all myself, don't forget police report, u can do dat in lag before going too...you can do dat in alagbon

Diente:
Thank you so much!


Fikki,

If I got a foreign sponsor would the process be less tedious?

Can you give me a hint as to why a foreign sponsor is preferable? Would the foreign sponsor be asked to go through all this stress? I have an uncle who is an American citizen who also works with the American government who can help. He is however very busy. I'll ask him . Thanks for you help. You guys are making me think there just may be hope

Let me say... Foreign sponsor easily gets their signature n docs recognised and certified, I.e sufficient solvency is easy to attain ... But nigeria sponsor is difficult, in Nigeria, the embassy will want to see an income of 640,000 naira monthly(with 2 dependants) dats about 2000 euros or more depending on number of dependants.. Except the person works in a high n good firm, getting dat amount is tough. But a foreign sponsor can earn dat amount legitimately, if you understand wat I mean..take for instance someone in UK can earn 1800pounds n the person is good to sponsor.. Dats my take.

Diente:
Thank you guys so much for the prompt response.


My Programme starts on 20th September so I have only a few weeks to sort everything out.

Can I go to any ministry of education or all must be done in Abuja?

What do I need to take to the moe and mfa? Is it just the certificates? How long does it take in the ministry?

I want to consolidate all my plans and see if I can submit next week.


My sponsor is very busy and want to delegate his pa with the documents. Do you think with a power of attorney they would be allowed?


Thanks again

Diente

Your sponsor must be present, as there are questions he/she needs to answer and above all he/she need to sign as the signature needs to be legalised...

All document you need to submit must be legalised before embassy will accept it, I.e. All official documents...

Within 2days or 3 u should be done with MOE and MOFA... Den embassy, which can only be done on Tuesdays or Thursdays btw 9-10 am on d specified days


All documents must be done at the ministries in Abuja.....

Note: Express at Moe is around 1k per page, mofa 1500 per page or less depending on your agent, embassy 6200 per legalised document/page....

U can talk or ask Bayo.. He did it himself 300 per page from both ministries...

Your sponsor should be able to proof a monthly income of about 1617 minimum if he/she has no dependant, but incase of dependant multiply 150 euros by number of dependant e.g 150*3(2children n wife) and add it to 1617 euros, dat will make up for the required money(monthly earning) before he/she can act as a sponsor

Personal advise...look for foreign sponsor...
best of luck ...enjoy

Diente:
Dear all,

I had already given up on getting the visa until I saw this thread.

Please help me!!!!

Which ministry of education and foreign affairs did you go to ? Is it in Lagos or Abuja? What is the procedure at the ministry?

Is anyone using a sponsor or blocked funds?

I have a degree from a foreign country can the Nigerian ministry authenticate that or do I go to the embassy of that country first?

Thank you for helping me.

The process is so arduous awwnd confusing for me and all the more dissapointing because I dint get the full scholarship I was hoping for. I am going for an advanced masters Programme at KU Leuven.


Diente

MOE n MOFA in Abj, so dats where its advisable to use...
you legalize all you Nigerian educational Certificates at MOE and proceed to MOFA to legalise the documents you need to apply for visa including the ones from MOE, then you take all your legalised documents to Belgian Embassy for final legalisation before submission for visa.


I am using a sponsor.. So you need annexe 32 in dat regard, it must be legalised and tagged 'sufficient Solvency' by the embassy where your sponsor resides..

From my understanding, I do not think Nigeria Govt has the power to legalise a foreign certificates or diploma, I belief legalisation means the institute is real n d signature is genuine.. So Nig govt only knows abt HER jurisdiction. Though others can clarify this please... I stand to be corrected.

You can check VFS GLOBAL BELGIUM VISA FOR NIGERIANS through google to get enough info..

Hope this help... Expect others to help out too.. Enjoy

Banta:
Pls house, I have an urgent question.
After authentication of documents at MOE and MOFA, Is it possible to legalize documents at VGS office or must the legalization be done at the Embassy?

Your advice is highly welcome...

Bro how far with your legalisation... Heard the embassy is now 6200... A bro did his today... Hope its going on smoothly....
Keep us abreast of any info..please..enjoy...

Cc: Tunde, name, Bayo...et al...

God crown our efforts...Amen

CCsurplus007:
Hi Fikki! Have you legalised your documents at the embassy? If yes please what are procedures. Do I apply at Vfs or at the embassy? How long would it take and would I have to book an appointment first? Thanks.

cc: namebdis4

no appointment is needed, walk in btw 9-10 on tuesdays n thursdays, dats after ur legalisation from MOE en MOFA respectively

eunore1:
Can't people that reside in Abuja travel to Lagos and apply through the French embassy? I don't think Belgium wants to issue visa to anyone so applying through them might be a waste of time.

[/b][b]
Sorry boss, is there any reason for such comment?...

CCsurplus007:
Hi fikki1! I did my medicals today at kamorass and would be going for the police report tomorrow. Would the embassy return the original medical report to me? My coordinator said I would need a copy of the medical report for registration in Belgium and that normally it should be returned to me.

A copy will b given including a disc, then a sealed one is for the embassy, do not open d sealed one abeg, n if the embassy returns dat good, if dey don't, u hv a copy already, no qualms

CCsurplus007:
Thanks bro. How much would the police report cost at Alabgon? Can I also thumprint there? I have filled the form but can't get to buy stamp pad to thumprint where I am now.

You will get all there, it cost less than 10k, Tunde did his today...at Alagbon, if need be, I can introduce you to the officer

Adexfox:
@fikk1 tnx for ur reply i think it's helpful

Uwc bro, don't hesitate to ask any of us questions, we are quite ahead, n we can at least give you info when needed, experience is the best teacher... We dey here

Adexfox:
Fikki1 pls Guide me on this ;
Am graduate of Anatomy but I'll luv to further my study in Belgium to become a Surgeon. What's the possibility and how can I process it.

Bro, first thing first, look for a school, u will love to study in, n mail them or check their site for requirement, though application starts by Oct for schools in Belgium if am right, and before your quest, have it in mind that the school fee has been increased to 5k euro plus, and you must have a good sponsor.
if you beat this, you are good to go..
though others may have a thing or two to add or deduct... Cheers

CCsurplus007:
Thank you very much. My program starts september 19th and I intend travelling anytime from the 5th of sept. I would also be filing in my visa application around third week in July. I hope I'm within the time frame?

Sure thing, a friend has d same time frame with yours, hopefully u both can work things out.. 165

CCsurplus007:
Hi fikki! I need some info about the actual processing time for Belgium visa. The info I am getting is just confusing and I do not want to start something I cant finish. The comments on all Belgium visa thread I found on nairaland is not encouraging at all. Almost everyone kept stressing how long it takes to process the visa. On the downloaded visa checklist just like the one you pasted here its within 4-8 months whereas on vfs website it says 15 working days or 4 weeks. which one am I to go with? Have anyone on this forum actually gotten his/her visa within 4 weeks? Besides, how much should I budget to legalise all my documents? I would be going to lagos this week for medicals and police report before heading to Abuja for the legalisation. Thanks.

I was told at VFS dat it takes a month, n I referred dem to d checklist, but was told to ignore it, never d less, 3months to date of departure is when you can submit your application, I was told to wait till Sept cos I intend travelling Dec,
Legalisation....
Your educational cert must be legalised by MOE and MOFA before Embassy can accept it... All official doc must be legalised by MOFA before embassy will accept it for legalisation, embassy legalisation last time I checked was 4600 per page..
Any more info,lemme know if I can help

namebdis4:
Fikki1 he can drop his application for visa now since he is starting in September 2016. Hope you understand.

Shalom

Do u know when he intends to travel? Am only saying dat so he will put it into consideration wen he wants to apply...