₦airaland Forum

deyo19:
I Jst received my passport...Nd I was refused..how can these people b dis heartless....pls,what is the procedure for appeal..and what are the necessary documents to submit..thanks in anticipation

Did you go and tell them you’re visiting other countries

DrXavierIyke:
In addition, one thing I know for sure is that France is running out of cash and they reduced employees at the embassy. Something that was done by 4 people is being done by 1 now... It truly sucks.. But hopefully everyone hears back soon... + fact that Abuja doesn't take short term visits no more and only Lagos.. Just compounds the issue.

Bro how can you say that France is running out of cash?? Statement sounds so ignorant that it leaves me to question a lot of other things you’re saying. France is a country, a whole country bro. How can they be running out of cash. I’m sure the delay is caused by something else more reasonable other than running out of cash.

Also you’re talking like you’ve been to the French embassy to see yourself that they have reduced staff. I want to believe you haven’t and like I said before, you’re just making an ignorant statement. Many reasons could contribute to the longer wait time rather than shortage of staff. For example maybe they’re now doing more extensive background checks for people.

But if you are not sure about something why come here and do like the one that knows all. You’re brain washing people. Maybe be adding ‘in my opinion’ or ‘I think’ to your statements.

adela32:
Please does anyone have the direct email address or phone number to contact for passport withdrawal/recall from TLS or the embassy? Thanks.

apparently I heard that they don’t even check the email or answer calls. And that if you’re lucky it will take at least 5 days to get it back

deyo19:
...
Brodally we re on Dsame boat...I also did 14th April ....I'm expectant tho..
Has any April Applicants receivED A Pickup message

But people are waiting 6 weeks to get their visa back. People that submitted in march waited at least 6 weeks. Don’t be expectant till you reach that 6 weeks mark.

This is peak period for applications. You won’t get anything soon

Opeyemi007:
Edakun, how do you book an appointment for France biometrics as a frequent traveler? Tls application page filled, but there are no available dates for the next few months. Is walk-in allowed for frequent travelers?

No special treatment for frequent travelers o. You will wait patiently to see date.

This is the worst period to be applying for French visa because you will wait well. You will wait to find date then you will wait like 7 weeks to get your decision. Next time plan ahead.

Did my own application in January for a trip I’m to have in June. Got passport back after 3 weeks. Also got an appointment date for 2 days after finishing the application form.

Yashita:
If it's for PoF, you have to get it from the bank. There are some necessary information added.

You don’t have to get it from the bank. I’ve applied for French visa twice and gotten approved twice. My bank statement was from my app. Zenith bank, zenith bank usd and PROVIDUS bank. Even my flight confirmation was not real. I literally used photoshop to edit one old real Qatar airways ticket from 2023 flight to usa.

Don’t pressure yourself but just know that approval is not dependent on getting bank statement from your bank or paying for your flight in advance

Schengen visa is like that. You’re just unfortunate to have the wrong person review your application and at the wrong time (maybe he or she was in a bad mood.

Happened to my friend. The same application I used to get 6 months visa. Copied and pasted for my friend and he was denied. These things happen. Next time just apply for simple things like tourist visa etc.

Adaeze205:
The visa was denied.
I wont consider myself a frequent flyer but i have travel history. I have traveled to France, Netherlands, Scotland and England.

Reason given for the denial was "justification for the purpose and conditions of intended stay was not provided".

The visa was to attend a one week annual KBS conference in Lithuania fully funded by the conference organizers. The same France embassy gave me a one week visa to attend the same conference last year but in a different country. They rotate the host country annually. Last year, I attended the conference and came back home. So i was wondering why the denial, this time around even when it's only one week visa i applied for.

I wrote a very detailed cover letter and provided all necessary documents about the conference, my presentation, full funding from the organizers, banks statements, introduction from my work place, leave letter from work, my home ties, flight reservation, travel insurance, hotel reservation, my one week itinerary (from hotel to conference venue) etc literally everything i felt they would need to make a positive decision.

They gave me the option to appeal. A tls staff mentioned they changed staff and advised that maybe I should apply again instead of appealing which will take long. But no need to be wasting money and time when the conference starts on June 1 and my travel date was to be 30 May.

I was shaa happy that the people they attended to before me got their visas. The smiles on their faces as they opened their passport and saw their visas made my day.

Wishing you all the best in yours.

FeyoNadal:
Please has anyone who submitted their application in the 1st week of March received a response yet? I want to believe all late February applicants have been responded to

My guy submitted 2nd march and got his pickup message on Tuesday

Izzyjoy24:
I understand that my question is should the hotel reservation be extended or should the flight reservation be extended.

My answer points towards the fact that you should not do that. Sit back, relax and wait for your visa decision.

If you can cancel and get a refund now that will be the best position for you to be in

Alapereketu:
If a travel date passes, the visa is not automatically rejected; the consulate may issue it with a later start date or request updated travel plans. She should contact the French Consulate/Embassy to inform them of the delay and ask for guidance on submitting new flight and accommodation details.

Do Not Buy New Tickets Yet: Wait to hear from the embassy. If a visa is approved, the authorities can adjust the start date.
Contact the Embassy: Proactively email or call the visa processing center to inform them your travel date has passed, and you are waiting on a decision. Ask if a revised itinerary is required.
Prepare New Documents: If asked, be prepared to submit updated, non-confirmed hotel reservations and a new travel itinerary.
Check Visa Type: If the visa was for a specific, time-sensitive event that has already passed, there is a higher chance of a negative outcome, but communicating to the embassy can sometimes resolve this.

Your sister doesn’t need to do all of this. They won’t even attend to your request to update your itinerary. You’re literally going to call tls, they are not even with your documents and are not going to reach the embassy because (no offense) ‘Sharon’s’ intended travel date has passed, they handle hundreds of applications everyday. The only thing you can call them for is to withdraw your application and receive your passport back immediately in case of urgent travel elsewhere.

Just sit tight and wait. The fact that your travel date has passed doesn’t mean you’ll have a higher chance of denial. They will adjust the valid from date according to the date of approval.

Also, you are not meant to buy flight ticket. A dummy ticket booking is enough for you to present your case and secure your visa.

Taal17:
It's your choice

The ban is in effect so it's highly unlikely you will be issued.a visa. Even then if issued you could be asked to pay a bond

It is not highly unlikely that you will be issued a visa. YOU WILL NOT BE ISSUED A VISA 😂 it is certain that you will not be issued a visa as far as the ban is still on during your interview.

Do not inconvenience yourself going

Mitan7:
So I had my interview today, was unable to reschedule cause my payment was made in 2024 and it has expired.
Literally no one was given a visa, old, young, family, couple...nobody and over 25 people were before me. The only people given while I was there were an Indian couple and I think it's because it's not a Nigerian passport. Their responses for everyone was that we do not qualify and there's a ban on nigerian passports. Even those going for conferences and 1 lady for f1 visa, we were all denied. I also noticed 2 family that were questioned for over 20mins for immigrant visas, they were not given. So my advice is that you wait till the ban is lifted, that was literally what we were all told. Good luck to everyone.

Exactly what I said. It’s better not to even go at all.

It’s better you don’t show than for you to go and then have some sort of denial on your record. Plus the stress and effort to reach the embassy and wait time isn’t worth it.

To think that while I was there on the line visibly seeing everyone getting denied, people behind me were praying and being hopeful they will be given visa even though we could all here the interviewers saying there is a complete ban and no visa will be issued.
Saying this so we all know here that nobody is you going to magically receive a visa by chance during this ban😂 no need to be hopeful or whatever. Don’t just bother going lol

jenifer007:
Sorry about your experience

Since you were given the white paper, why didn't the VO request for you to pay bond since they added Nigeria to the bond list.

Because they said there is a complete ban on b1/b2 and f1. The white paper signifies that based on the interview, you are qualified but due to the ban, visa can’t be issued to you.

It explains the whole visa ban proclamation. And that yiu have to apply again when the ban is lifted

flourishing247:
Gu

So sorry about your experience. Thank you for sharing it. Does it mean you have to pay again? Usually the white paper signified approval. Did they give anyone another colour or everyone got the white paper?

Like i explained earlier, the white paper being received means that you’re qualified, you’re approved, same thing but what is written on the paper is the fact that they can’t issue you visa because of the ban.

So you have to apply again and interview again when the ban is lifted. And to apply again you have to pay again and schedule interview again from scratch.

Honestly if you have a visa interview this period of the ban and you cannot reschedule, don’t just bother going. It’s paining me that I wasted my time. Even tried to prepare small. Got 2 hours of sleep. Got to embassy by 6am cause my interview was 6.30. Lined up. Did my interview around after 8 and nothing.

It was a waste of my time, I would have rather not even gone at all.

Some people there even had hope that magically they will receive the visa even while clearly seeing interviewers telling people there is a full ban

AdisaMighty:
Efe has gone silent 😂

I think his account was even suspended. Bro could have died on the line to defend the fact that it’s not possible for them to stop issuing visas. Yet here we are.

Major update:

Did my interview today and I just wasted my time going

Nobody is being issued visas. At all. They will interview you normally, ask you all the questions they want to ask as if everything is fine then at the end they will tell you that they cannot issue you visa because of the ban, give you a white slip and then tell you to re apply after the ban is lifted.

Wasted my time. Naturally I would’ve postponed my interview but I already used up all the 5 date changes so my sacrifice is for everyone’s benefit here.

Postpone your interviews till later, indefinitely. Nobody is issuing visas to Nigerians. As far as b1/b2, f1 are concerned

Word around is that visas are actually being issued but you can only visit USA for 30 days max

MsAnonymous:
Dropping my POE experience

Washington Dulles Airport

Questions:
Why are you visiting
How long are you here for (visiting friends)
What do your friends do in USA
What’s your occupation in Nigeria
When last did you come to USA
How much money do you have on you
Are you carrying food?

That’s all

I heard that Nigerians can only visit for 30 days limit. Is that true?

AdisaMighty:
They are no longer under the ban.

Oh okay, I was even surprised when they were banned. Because they have a very good relationship with America. Visa still being 5 years and then the fact that they agreed to accept African deportations

AdisaMighty:
Ghana, not Nigeria

But I clearly stated ‘our neighbors’

Looks like interview might actually still be going on and people might be getting visas. Our neighbors have new slots so clearly they’ve been interviewing people before all this while and most likely issuing visas. Even though they were banned like us

agabusta:
Is there anything like paying $15,000 for interview??

What the US authorities said is that if your visa is approved, you then pay $10,000 or $15,000 refundable bond. Refundable upon return to your country.

I’m sure that is what he meant when he asked the question

mane48:
Pls are people still paying $15,000 for the interview?

We are not sure. Do you have an interview soon?

Manlikechims:
READ WHAT I WROTE AGAIN. I intentionally broke it down for easy comprehension so read it again.

Done with this conversation.

Manlikechims:
1. I said you were dishonest about not doing biometrics.

2. The fact that you also don’t know that you’re going to get stamped at whatever Schengen state carrier if you’re transiting ( going to another Schengen state) makes me actually doubt your story. You’ve repeatedly stated that it’s the final entry point you’re getting stamped. I gave the example of going to Switzerland and entering Air France and you said I should have gotten stamped in Switzerland.
The minute I landed in Paris , and passed through the gate to the transit area for my trip to Switzerland, Spain or even Italy for example, I am going through the border police and definitely going to get stamped in. It then becomes like a 'local' flight.
So you clearly don’t know what you’re saying.
Even if you have a single entry visa, you can move around Schengen states freely.


3. IT IS NOT A CHOICE, please don’t confuse or mislead people.
Traveling to none Schengen states is a different thing entirely!
I was traveling with my family to the UK and we had a long layover in Paris- we had a valid Schengen visas and decided to leave the airport to town, ofcourse we would get stamped in and get stamped out when it’s time to go back to catch our flight to the uk.
Their are times that I am flying to the uk and I don’t bother myself, I just simply go to my transfer gate to the UK and their are times that i intentionally do long layovers if I am going outside of the Schengen states.
If I had a transit visa then that would have been a different thing.

Also you’d mostly be scanning boarding passes so it’s difficult to end up at the border control area if what you have is just a transit visa.

If one enters other airlines like Air Maroc, Turkish, Emirates and co then you’re getting stamped at the final Schengen state- so If you’re flying to Germany, then you’re getting stamped in at Germany.

Ok so basically what you’re saying is someone who is using Air France to New York will get stamped when they get to CDG? That is definitely not how it works!

Manlikechims:
You’re actually not being honest or you just don’t know but I’m leaning more on you’re not being honest and you’re misleading people. Or this is a trap set for those who are desperate to get visas.

1. You’d be stamped in at Paris, Frankfurt or Amsterdam depending on which of The Schengen states airline you fly.

2. I have travelled between the uk and Schengen 3 times in the 3 months.

3. For every time you apply, you’d be doing a biometrics regardless of if you applied a month ago and just returned from a trip. Only if it’s a child under 12. Yes there is a rule of if you’ve gotten a visa at certain period but it doesn’t apply. You’d still need to do a biometrics regardless. There isn’t any drop box at TLS- you’d submit and do biometrics

4. Visa duration is at the discretion of the issuing embassy for Schengen- it’s not like the uk where you can pick your visa duration and at an additional cost.

lol, you’re right, I actually did biometrics. I did forget about that because of the exemption they’re always talking about. I was surprised when they told me I have to do the biometrics. So what else now?

Are you also saying I’m being dishonest that I got 6 months visa?

Do you want me to put the visa picture here? Lol

Also, in all my history of traveling, you don’t get stamped at a stopover unless you intentionally want to leave the airport. And for you to intentionally leave the airport, you need to have a valid visa for that stopover country.

So if you’re using Air France (France) to Switzerland you will have a stopover at France, you will not be stamped in less you opt to leave the airport during your stopover. This is possible because Schenghen visa applies to France and Switzerland.

But if you’re using Air France to New York and you don’t have a Schengen visa, there is no way on this earth you are going to be stamped in at France. Why? Because you can’t leave the airport. You have no business approaching immigration at the airport. You are the airport to meet your connecting flight.

The same applies for the earlier example, only difference is that you have a visa that will allow you get stamped it but it is a choice.

Now correct me if I am still wrong about this

It’s also good I drop this update on the group.

I applied for French visa in December. Biometrics date was 22nd to be precise. Actually no biometrics because I just gone one a few months before (my first Schengen), so document drop off.

By the 2nd week of January I received my visa, 6 months multiple entry. What I applied for was one year.

So things were quick that period, now I’m hearing France is holding passports for 6 weeks +

ozymes:
I got a 3 month multiple entry German Schengen visa-First ever Schengen visa application and was granted, destination was Germany, I could not get any flight directly to Germany-Lufthansa was fully booked and not available, I used Air France and landed in Charles De Gaul and I was stamped and admitted into Schengen territory in Paris, France and eventually proceeded to my final destination: Hamburg, Germany.

Why were you stamped in at CDG? Did you leave the airport? Because you’ll only be referred to immigration at the point of exiting the airport or before you get your luggage. If it was a stopover, you have no business getting stamped in. Am I wrong?


Also, have you tried to apply for a Schengen visa after this trip to German? How was it? Were you granted the visa?

Manlikechims:
I am a frequent traveler. Schengen is an open border. Once you get stamped in that’s it. It becomes like a 'local flight'
if you go with airlines like Turkish air, Air maroc and co, then that’s it’s a different case. Youd then have to go to your issuing state.
If you do enter from a Schengen state airline ( KLM, Airfrance, Lufthansa)it’s different. As said if you fly with airfrance then you’re stamped in at CDG and if you decide to fly out with KLM you’re getting stamped out from Amsterdam Schipol.

I’d give an example, I have a Swiss Schengen visa and I enter Airfrance, my first point of entry is Paris( CDG) this is where i am going to get stamped in. Also note that my ticket will show my final destination is say Geneva in Switzerland for example. Once I go through border control and my layover is long in Paris and i decide to come out and play that’s my cup of tea. It’s almost like you’re going from lagos to abuja.

Okay I understand you now but that is not recommended. If you use air France to Switzerland by default, you would not be stamped at your stopover which would be in France. But you can actually decide to leave the airport because it’s still the same visa for France & Switzerland (Schengen) but this is highly discouraged because it is recorded that you entered Schengen through France and not Switzerland. So you may encounter problems when applying for Schengen again.

follygold:
Asking again as previous thread was closed with no response: Interview in august... can someone in nigeria attend?

I think you need to go through the last thread to get updated about what is going on. Read from Jan 1 to date to get more informed answers to your situation.

But to summarize, interviews are still going on at the embassy. By August I believe there will be a significant update in the b1/b2 situation.

Manlikechims:
Ideally, you should. What airline are you traveling with? If you’re going with Airfrance then you’d be stamped in at CDG- Paris. If it’s KLM then it’s Schipol- Amsterdam, if it’s Lufthansa then it’s will be Frankfurt and now depends on where you intend going. What was your initial itinerary when you submitted your application. The border police can be unpredictable, you may get to your first point of entry and it’s easy, if you meet someone who decides to give you grief then that’s another thing.

This is not how it works. If I’m not mistaken with what you are saying. It doesn’t matter what airline you use, you will only be stamped it at your destination and not the stopover.

For the question that was asked earlier, you should enter France first and spend the most time there during your trip. For the sake of renewal. Because your last trip will be observed when reapplying for another Schengen visa