₦airaland Forum

OBTOREPA:
Thank you for your anticipated response.
Do you have any work route gigs?

It depends on your degree, what kind of job you are interesting In? Job seeker used to be open to give access to foreigners to seek jobs but it's been put on hold.

OBTOREPA:
Do I need to know Portuguese before migration to Portugal?
Secondly, what's the average pay in Portugal?

you don't need to know Portuguese before migrating, English is spoken in Portugal as well. average salary is 35k euros but with inflation its gone up now

Portugal is famous for slow visa processing all over the world. With that in mind always budget wisely when applying for a long stay visa. Required documents such as your travel insurance, airline tickets should never be purchased to go in effect less than a month after you submit your documents at vfs. VFS for long stay visas take a minimum of 45 days( rarely do you get approvals in less than a month, they did that with job-seeker visa but that has seized to exist). The exception is if you are applying via the student route then it can be processed faster because they do take into consideration when your classes will begin.

The same goes for accommodation, never pay for accommodation unless you have the visa in hand, you can pre-book without having to pay.
When it comes to your travel insurance, you don't need to get an entire year, 4months is enough as the embassy only issues you visa for 120days regardless of which type of long stay visa you have. When your visa is approved you are likely to see a date on your visa that tells you when you are to meet with Portuguese immigration system(AIMA) in Portugal to formally process and apply for your residency. During this meeting they will ask you for health insurance, accommodation documents showing that you have a tenant agreement with the place you are staying as well as your bank statement which proves you have enough money for an entire year to be able to afford living in Portugal( This doesn't apply if you applied through work visa as they will ask for the employment letter which will determine that you can afford the cost of living). Keep in mind that depending on which kind of long stay visa you applied for will determine the amount of money you need to show the embassy in Abuja. Most of these long stay visas are characterised with numbers such as D2, D7, D8 and so forth. Know which category you fall under to under stand which document you need to file and what you need to present.

Donald6768:
It was submitted by 8th of this month

give it 1-2 months from that time. is it a normal work visa or job seeker? they both take the same time duration but work visa might need some verification but it shouldn't be that long. Also keep in mind VFS for portugal just resumed accepting application again so they may have to finish up with the applicants they already had in their office during their little hiatus from ending of July through beginning of September

Donald6768:
Please how much does it cost to book appointments I'm trying to book it myself but it doesn't open In my browser

sometimes it does that, give it some time and try again. I think its about 53k naira and you pay online but it has to be a local Nigerian bank debit card or credit card to pay from what I know

Donald6768:
Please my agent keep telling me there are no appointments for long stay visa only school visa because I am applying for work and not school..but coming on here I'm seeing that all categories are open..please can anyone tell me if long stay are available now for booking

you can still book for long term visa but not job seeker. Go online and book it yourself or get someone to book it for you

Marvis20:
Thank you bro🙏
I booked my appointment by 9pm , but I saw appointments from 12pm on April 30th , but I couldn’t book, I tried for hours , then I almost gave up and I slept , I woke up by 8pm and I decided to try again and then I was able to book the available for may 24th

how did you make payment on the vfs platform, for some reason my friend is unable to, whenever it goes to the payment section and he inputs his foreign card number, it tells him merchant is not accepting international payment. he is from Ghana but Nigeria is the only place they are allowed to apply for long term Portuguese visa

can anyone assist with an acquaintance of mine, he is trying to book an appointment at the vfs abuja location online, issue is when he wants to pay it tells him merchant isn't accepting international payments right now which is strange. he's not Nigerian obviously but from Ghana. has anyone had this experience before? Urgent assistance or guidance will be appreciated. It's for a long term submission of visa documents....he's trying multiple time, whenever it gets to the section to pay for the vfs fees it doesn't process his card

It is not necessary a bad internal issue, for all those that don't know each year Portugal goes on a two weeks break, often at times leaning towards three weeks. they consider this their yearly summer break. it occurs every august. It is very normal for them to do this. this incudes the government and even companies that are located in Portugal have this factored into their yearly calendar. Rest assured they will resume very soon. August in Portugal is like Christmas in most African countries!

Natural2Heal:
Most business plan that will be approved for the start up visa are TECH business.

The business does not need to fully be technological but it does need to incorporate some form of technology for instance, if you submit a business plan about opening up an agriculture farm, you will be immediately rejected but rather if you submit a business plan about an agriculture technology company that incorporates technology to solve farmers logistics issues as well as help aid in distributing efficiently its products all over a particular city this will likely get a thumbs up from the incubator.

The need to think outside the box is the key for approval in this visa section.

If we are going to dive into this startup segment, we will need to consider the first important discussion, which is the prerequisite for this startup. For now I'm going to focus the prerequisite on Portugal startup visa.

1. The applicant must be 18 years of age and have no criminal background, you cannot also have an already existing Schengen residency in any of the European countries.
2. Your startup innovative project must show the need to expand towards international growth, with focus on technology and knowledge with need to create skilled employments in the foreseeable future.
3. You need to have a well prepared business plan with a pitch deck attached to it(I personally recommend a pitch deck as it allows the committee that will approve your visa a more in-depth understanding of your business plan), this business plan will need to be approved by one or more of the accredited incubators in Portugal. These incubators have an agreement with Portugal startup as this then gives your startup business plan the ability to qualify to the next level which is finally being approved by IAPMEI. which is the company that gives the final approval of your startup company.
4. In your business plan you must demonstrate that your startup company in the future (5 years time), has the ability to make 325,000 euros. keep in mind that this amount can also be assessed in terms of your company's assets hence there are several ways around this after 5 years.

Hello guys, sorry for the absence, I had a few work issues to sort out. Lets kindly resume on this project discussion.

lymelyte:
I am talking about the case of not living south africa for the last 2years..

It doesn't matter if you haven't lived in south Africa for the past 2 years. If you've ever lived in South Africa for more than a year in the past you need a police report from south Africa if you are applying for a long stay in South Africa. Unfortunately that is their rule. If you've never resided In South Africa or any other country for more than a year then you don't need a police report from those countries.

Omix2:
For change of conditions, foreign PCC(s) should cover any country/countries the applicant has resided in, for more than 12 months, within the latest 5 years preceeding the application date.
Only straight renewal applications do not require foreign PCCs.
SA PCC would be paid for at the point of application in both cases.
Thus, applicant needs to provide foreign PCC(s) in respect of the 3 years preceeding the 2 years they have spent within the country.

yes

lymelyte:
police report from SA or from your country?

Depending on the countries you state on your application that you've resided in for more than a year, you will be asked to provide a police report.

lymelyte:
Hi champs,please I need help with clarification from those currently residing in sa. When changing existing visa conditions,is police clearance a must in the listed docs submitted? Even though,one has stepped outside SA for the last 2years?

If you've lived in any place for more than a year, a police report is a must in all those places including South Africa if you've lived there for more than a year.

davidoobge:
the wey i vex as i see this. So why not nigeria too? what is so good about ghana nigeria no fit achieve? no pun intended on my ghana people cuz me too i dey go ghana plenty. the place dey be and their people be cool pass but why only dem they get this favor? like if it wasn't for this i didn't even know ghanaians dey go south africa like that you catch.

You shouldn't be upset about this decision. Truth be told, there's a lot that went on with this negotiation. It wasn't just a matter of weeks but rather years in the making. In fact South Africa had already proposed a visa waiver between Ghana and South Africa in 2019. The only reason it took this long was because Ghana counter offered the deal with needing " 180 days free visit for Ghanaians as well". This is why it took such a long time to finally agree on this deal. Also the bilateral relationship between Ghana and South Africa stands firm and has been for decades now.

Ghanaians do visit South Africa in large numbers to answer your question. Most Ghanaians in South Africa based on data have always been known to follow the rules and regulations. Not to say there aren't a few bad apples but Ghanaians are very respected in South Africa and most of the world. The crime rate of Ghanaians in foreign countries are low to none and most aren't violent offenders.

tannystacey:
Again, i dont like to argue without facts.

South Africa does not have a demand for immigration like Canada or the US or the UK. Canada has multiple immigration schemes running and yet, they have managed to clear a huge bulk. (literally took 90 days from ITA to ppr for me this same year). I got my Us visa appt here in Sa within 2 weeks from application date. I got my visa approved same day. All less than a month. So again which imaginary backlog?

The bulk of SA tourists who really come for tourism do not need visas. Uk, USA, Canada and most schengen citizens can come to SA without a visa. Same goes for key Asian countries.

The pple who need visas are mostly Africans, Nigerians, Indians, Pakistans and a few 3rd world countries. The info is online for anyone.

SA however does not want this people. So they decide to make the process exhausting. Even a lot of post grad who used to come to SA have redirected to other countries.

its not about being victimized. We as a people also have issues with authenticity and sincerity in many of the documentation we present. Not just Us Nigerians, Pakistans, even Indians. Many pple come here for visit and do not go back. That is why they over stretch the visa evaluation process.

But again, its Always a case of a few bad eggs ruining things for a lot of others.

There's no covid 19 backlog anywhere. Its just more scrutiny, and unfair evaluations. And corruption, because again, some pple still pay their way out heavily to get this visa at all costs.

Not to put excessive fire to the pot but I do agree with you on this issue. Sadly it's the hidden truth we've been subjected to. It's a debatable topic but you hold enough valid points for me to side with you.

Abigbo:
Seems you applied for a business visa instead of tourist visa.
Can you remember what you clicked on during your application?

This is to answer Drakke's message: sorry I mistakenly posted on your response rather than his

At this point there's little you can do except to wait until the application automatically gets rejected and then apply again this time choosing tourist visa. You do have the option go going to vfs and physically applying for a South African visa if you feel you can't wait until the evisa automatically cancels out or gets rejected.

Indeed there are numerous startup visas available for most leading countries as of today. The reason I narrowed it down to Portugal is primarily because Portugal is very affordable when you compare it to most leading countries. The amount required alone is substantially high for United States, Canada, UK and others. Also with these countries your idea for a potential startup is rigorously analysed. competitors are on the higher side thus rejections are rendered more.


With Portugal the cost is very low, less than 9,000 euros you need to show that you have such amount in your bank account for a year. Just a year to begin the process. also keep in mind that Portugal is the only country that offers startup visa holders the ability to gain full citizenship after 5 years which is very unheard of.

I have a citizenship from Canada and I must tell you Canada is very expensive to move to as of today and job opportunities aren't that many even though Canada is trying so hard to get immigrants to relocate to its lovely country. Housing crisis alone is on the upper side in Canada.

we will dive further into all the cost and analyses so everyone can have an idea.

Processing time for Portugal is 3-5months due to backlog now, it use to be 40days but as we know things have change lately economically. As far as I'm concern Spain processing time is very fast 2 weeks for business approval for your startup.

Also keep in mind that with Portugal if you have a visitor visa you can visit Portugal and apply for the startup visa while there, you don't need to apply it in your home country, which is a huge benefit. the same applies with Spain

wittywriter:
Fixed...how much is their visas respectively?.


There are fundraiser experts one can pay for their services to get the amount...or you can raise it if your startup has a financially formidable team members...
@koffeed let's delve into documentations ; apart from P.O.F and Business Plan what other documents are required moreso how much is the fee for this visa to poland?.










Wittyness

Hello everyone. we will dive into this further

hunee:
Vfs does not influence visa outcomes. It is ok to create a scene. They can escalate to the embassy. However, if you go to VFS to create a scene and expect visa approval afterwards, it will not work. I do not work for vfs but i am just speaking logic here.

Let's pause for a second and really understand what everyone is trying to say on here or at least what I believe to be the meaning of influencing an outcome with regards to the South African Embassy. I don't think they meant influence as in approval or disapproval but rather influence as in making sure your application was in deed sent to the embassy and not just sitting at VFS. I believe that is what the other members meant by influence. Often at times we get carried away with words so let me define what the other member meant by his words.

I don't think anyone used influence suggesting they have the veto power to give you a visa approval.

The imperfections of our generation eased with the sudden reality of what defines love, has carved our generation to question the meaning behind what it means to love and to be loved. This subject for decades has puzzled writers as well as affectionate endeavours to always dance around the topic.

For a while now I've pondered on the idea of love and why some of us find it in unpleasant realities. What fascinates me the most is the conflicting world love seems to drag us all when the night owl whispers to our daring hearts. As a poet I've sat next to nothing over the uncertainties of it all while wishfully thinking on the night of autumn if love still finds us victims to our many desires?

While time and tales have permitted thy heart to perilous through the corridors of a vintage "capetownian" house I've questioned thyself what thyself what many of us are in search of when asked the sudden question, what "tis" love when reality confronts your thought process?

Members of this forum, those that have engaged in various attributes of life, if it's not too much so ask, can I ask such a thought and if your time isn't too precious to your heart can you spare a few minutes to such a need?

crusader6:
I emailed VfS on the 4th of October requesting to withdraw my application to get my passport back because I submitted it alongside with my documents. And I needed my passport back because my evisa was approved earlier. I just decided to use the two route to have a better chance of getting my visa.
I was sent a withdrawal form, which I did filled and returned to them via email. I did disturb them everyday with calls requesting that I needed my passport back for a business travel and I don't need the visa again. Surprisingly they returned my passport yesterday with an approved sticker visa, multiple entries.

A friend of mine went to VfS last week and cause a scene and after three days his visa was approved.

Another went to VfS on Wednesday, complaining bitterly and that same evening, his HR called to inform him that the embassy has called to confirm if he's working there, meaning they just started processing his file.



I feel VfS has a way of influencing those working at the embassy to process a particular file if they person complains/disturbs them about the delay or something.

Always try to go back to VfS and complain about your delay, or how urgent and important you need the visa, especially if you have a scholarship with an expiry date. They can reach the embassy through call or email and I feel the embassy respect them.

Yes VFS has a tremendous way of influencing South African Embassy, I was trying to let others become aware of this earlier on with a chat I had with one member on this platform. Often at times perseverance can get you far with the outcome. Normally the manager in charge at the vfs section handling applications for South Africa has direct contact with the Consular officer in charge of issuing the visa at the embassy, I Know this because I've had the privilege of dealing with both the Vfs management at Ghana as well as other Vfs representing South Africa on parts of Africa on business negotiations that transpired.

ahnie:
Following

Pleasure!

Rachyekong:
Exactly the point, I argued with them.... From my own understanding, it took 3weeks for my application to get to the High Commission. I hope, it won't take another 3weeks to get response, when the Embassy finalised my application.

Keep an eye on it. For what is best let's always be optimistic about future outcomes.

Cheers as always!

wilcoxz:
Please who knows how South African visa can be fastracked. It's been more than 2 months I applied via VFS office at port Harcourt, haven't gotten any response since then. My scholarship expires in less than 2 months. What do you guys advise I should do?

I think you may want to take a play book from "Rachyekong" and verify if your application has indeed left the vfs office at Port Harcourt, since another member of this site had a similar incident. Pay VFS a visit and double check your sms if your application indeed arrived at the South African High Commission on time. I'm hoping you paid(money wise) a bit to have the sms track, that way you can just verify by going through your text messages.

My biggest concern with South African Embassies with this EVISA issue is sooner or later they are scheduled to put an end to the partnership they've had with VFS Global for years now due to price increase and cutting back on the country's spending. This was primarily why Evisa was created besides trying to digitise everything and make processing applications easier for applicants and the Home Affairs department.

Most countries that have adopted the Evisa approach are intending on doing the same in the near future but from what I've been told South Africa is geared to make a shift as early as next year with all the countries they've approved for Evisa.

Rachyekong:
No.... I only went there to know the exact time, my application was forwarded. They told me, that same day but I argued with them, because, the first two weeks of tracking, I saw... Your application has been forwarded to South African High Commission... I didn't track it throughout the third week... the fourth week, I got... Your application has been received and under accessment at South African High Commission.

I insisted, they should explain.... But, they couldn't even have good explanation... I angrily left them.

Doesn't surprise me. Often at times when they receive your application, they input the information into their computer which then begins processing and sends you an update. Always be cautious that when it says your application has been forwarded to South African High Commission it doesn't mean it has left Vfs, it's just a formality to let you know it's ready to be submitted to SA embassy. Only when you receive the "received and under assessment at South African High Commission", should you believe it's finally at the said location.

This issue is not the first, Vfs not just with Nigeria but most countries tend to make this mistake. Very frustrating