Calypso1234:
Good evening Giselle, Justwise & other great people in here.
Please I applied using “Keep my passport”, so I got a mail from TLS today that a decision had been made & that I should come drop my passport. Pls how long can it take before my passport would be returned to me?

KingsCrossing:
Hello All,

Last week or two I posted the refusal letter of my friend.
They raised the issues of ''opening balance and unexplained credits''. Like i said before all credits were salary credits.
So, we re-applied after few days and she just collected her VISA today (priority- exactly 5 days).

What I noticed from her application;

1. She stated that her net salary was 750,000 Naira but this is not what was reflecting on her statement and payslips.
2. During her explanation on 'what to during her visit in the UK' she made a comment that she would be visiting a friend who recently moved to the UK from Naija.
3. She uploaded 7 month's payslip (which should be okay)

What we did differently:
1. We had to clearly and concisely explained why the variations on salary credits (she receives way above the 750,000 due to site inspection bonus, weekend bonus etc). Did a tabular representation linking each months salary credits to the appropriate payslips)
2. She highlighted that she is submitting the whole of 2019 payslips plus bonus evidence received to explain the 'opening balance - which she submitted. She also did mention the fact that she has been employed since few years ago so should have an opening credit .
3. During reapplication, she removed the part that 'she would be visiting a friend who...…...''
4. We closed all concerns raised with clear evidence.

Somethings i could deduce from this process are as follows:
1. ECO's don't have time to figure out what you meant - it has to be clear and straightforward.
2. You have to carefully complete you visa application form and ensure everything tallies (ur evidence)
3. If you think that you need to further explain anything - do a summary on the added info section of the application form referencing a detailed explanation on your cover letter.

Don't rush, look at it again and ask yourself questions as if you are the ECO.

Mailthaddeus:
What does it feel like to arrive in Australia for the first time?

June 1st, 2019 was my very first time of leaving the shores of Nigeria, I arrived Brisbane, a city in Queensland, Australia for the first time in June 2019. This was the first time EVER, I had been outside my country Nigeria.

The experience was like a dream to me, because it's something I never ever imagined could ever happen following my background. I grew up thinking and believing that traveling/moving overseas was only attainable to a select few elite people. But here I am, debunking my own belief!

I arrived MMA and faced all the anticipated ritual I had read about -the bribery that goes on there. I was determined to scale through without dropping any form of bribe to anybody. I no kuku get shishi. Almost everyone at the Airport feels u are rich and wants a piece of cake from you for doing their job. To stamp your passport, to check ur visa, to scan your bag, etc officers would want you to tip them. But then, they don't know warris going on. I insisted I don't have a dime with me, I remember telling one of the immigration officer that my mother borrowed money to buy my flight ticket.lol. That was how I was able to manoeuvre my way without giving a dime to anyone at the airport.

My flight had 3stops, Lagos-Cairo(5hrs:30mins), Cairo to Abu Dhabi(3hrs 45mins) then Abu Dhabi to Brisbane (13.5hrs). After I boarded the plan headed to Cairo, I couldn't just believe that I am leaving the shores of Nigeria, right there I thanked God in my heart like never before, tears uncontrollably dropping from my eyes, it was like a dream in reality and I can't just explain how God made this awkward dream of mine come to pass.

The journey was smooth and sweet and 34hrs latter I was already on Arrival at the International wing of Brisbane Airport, Immigration officers were totally different from what I saw in Nigeria, they are friendly and thorough. They helped me out with the formalities when I told them it was my first time abroad, and I was a bit scared.

A friend of mine came to pick me up at the airport, once I exited the airport and got into his car, I began to douse in Australia in all its glory. Wider and better roads (compared to what I am used to, in Nigeria), motorists following traffic rules (again, not common in Nigeria), everything so orderly, zero potholes on roads, taller buildings etc. And of course, it was the first time I had been in contact with large number of non-Nigerian in my life.

I got the next big surprise when I got to my friend's house. I never knew that tap water in Australia was fit for drinking, without purifying it first! As in, just open the tap from the wash basin and drink. Even the Airport and public places like library, parks, church, etc had water taps constructed in such a way that you don't need cup to drink from it, you just press a knob and drink directly from it and it's free to everyone..

Australia is unique in the sense that people of different political views can stand in the same queue without fear of violence. Politicians, leaders of businesses, religious leaders and the like do not need to be protected with escorts to the extent that is required in Nigeria.

Since I came here I have never seen any soldier patroling the street only the police. Siren is exclusively reserved for ambulance, fire fighters and the police only when there is an emergency. For the first time in my life I saw a pet ambulance, I saw dog school (yes, a school u take ur pets too for training/learning).


So much more happened in the following days, which I can't really describe here without writing a novel! Getting to understand the terrain, using the public transportation, getting a job, flowing with the ascent,etc. Needless to say, I am still in Australia, and absolutely loving it here!. This is a country that works. Health care is absolutely free for citizens and permanent residents,even if they remove your head and heart and replace with another, u pay $0 for such health service. People with disablity are loved and well cared for, they get support funds from government, nursing mothers and people who are unable to work due to one illness or any other good reason gets stipend from the government . Looking at all these makes me pity for my country. Can we ever get it right in Nigeria?

justwise:


You can email them to notify them about the mistake but since the mistake is only in the form and not in passport and other documents i don't think it will affect the outcome

justwise:


Go on and ask your question

MachineGuy:

Russia accepts foreigners into their army.
France also accepts Foreigners into their French Legion Army.
Israel also accepts Foreigners into their Army but you need to be a Jew or Convert to a Jew in any jewish synagogue that is recognised by the Jewish Agency, in other for them to accept your online application and you easily will be issued visa to come over and begin your training with them in Israel.
As for Russia the only requirements includes, you need to know how to speak Russia, no criminal record in your home country, no critical health challenges. Once you meet those requirement Russia will welcome you with open arms and give you a 5 year contract you will sign and after your service you automatically you become a citizen and receive your Russia passport but you may have to resign your Nigeria citizenship there before the issue it to you.
You can enter Russia Visa free with a Fan ID and join as far as u meet those requirement they will take you in and you then commence training with them.
For France Legion, you need to find a way to come to France by yourself because they don't assist you with any paper work to come but once you come and present yourself at their recruitment center in Paris or Aubagne they will take you in and provide you with accommodation and food all through your stay with them for a Five year Contract. After your contract, you will get a France Passport.
United Kingdom are also recruiting foreigners from Commonwealth countries which Nigeria is also among but you have to come to UK with a Valid Visa in other to join.
Pm me if you need further info.

Cheers...


Thank you for this vital information...pls how can I reach you for better discussion

OmoAlata1:
I am in the US and I have to travel to Nigeria. I was wondering if I will be allow to enter Nigeria with expired passport accompany with a valid US passport. My friend told me, I can travel to Nigeria with an expired passport as long as I have a valid US passport, but I have to renew my passport as soon as I get to Nigeria or else they will not allow me back into US. Is this a true statement?

I don't have time to renew my Nigerian passport in US as I will not receive it before my trip. By the way, i have the old old old passport from the 90s not the new ecowa type.

Beautyaddy:


You shouldn't be making a hasty judgment from just one instance without at least visiting the Nigerian Embassy in Qatar to make such a conclusion.

I want to believe that even in some foreign Embassies in Nigeria there are some Nigerians who work in those Embassies too.

Acheron:

It's 163k when I checked my zenith bank app earlier today.

Sicilyjoe:
How much is 3months dubai visa currently and can someone apply directly with out an agent both here in naija and dubai ?

Ezechinwa:

Thanks, friend, just to confirm one more time, is this service available for Ikeja centre?

Vicas2000:
Quick question....does a traveller needs to travel on the exact date that they filled on their application for the visa given and to the same destination?

i.e. Intended travel date filled in application 20th January 2020 to 3rd of March 2020 (flight from Lagos to Birmingham) while the actual travel date for flight ticket is 21st January 2020 to 6th of March 2020 (Lagos to Heathrow).

Reason: Ticket cheaper on those dates by £300 and is direct flight and less stress as traveller is an older person.

I hope this is not any big problem at point of entry. Any comment will be welcome.

voltron14:
A Major General that knows how it's done.

Salute.

Vicas2000:
Success Story - Applied for a visit visa for my Dad (see my past post) back in 2017, but his application was refused.

I waited two years to put documentation in place to reapply and this time was granted!

Submission of application: 5th Nov
Biometrics: 25th Nov
Decision made on application: 12th Dec
Courier via DHL: 13th of December
Delivered today


Document submitted by me (the sponsor):

1. Mortgage statement

2. Current account And savings account Statement with £5,000 balance (I transfer £1,500 from savings to current and then transferred £800 to my dad's account to support his flight ticket)

3. Letter of invitation (also quoting that i sent him money for flight)

4. Payslip six month

5. Flight itinerary

6. 12 months Proof of monthly stipend receipts that I send monthly to him

7. job offer (as I was in transition of jobs)

8. Birth cert of our baby in the UK (invited dad to come and say hello to his grandson)

My dad submitted:

1. a cover letter addressing the 2017 refusal

2. Six month Bank statement that shows the monthly stipend I send to him

3. Bank statement that shows stipends I send to my mum too

4. A letter from my brother from his school

5. Letter from my mum stating she will care for my brother while my dad is away on this trip

6. Mums letter of support

Please note: I did not submit any proof of address (i.e. tenancy agreement, rent reciept or utilitity bills).

However, both parents bank statement have their home address.

Thank you to everyone who replied my post. I sincerely appreciate.

I am now contemplating wether to book direct flight (Virgin) or shuttle flight (KLM) for my dad. KLM is cheaper though, but I am a bit concerned about the long distance airport transfer in Schipol for a 70 year old!

siegfried99:
Why na

gabson02:
[quote author=VeeVeeMyLuv
My destination is finland... Trying to enter through Denmark

kunzzy4me:
dough in the letter given to me..was told I can appeal if I wish to..but don't even know how to go about that right ...