₦airaland Forum

Kenyangirl1:
Two-Year Visitor Visa Approved!

Timeline:

Application: 1st Feb
Biometrics: 6th Feb
Collection email: 13th Feb
Passport received: 14th Feb

NOTE: I did not pay for priority. The lady attending to me at TLS had told me that I would get a decision within a week unless my application wasn't straightforward.

I applied to visit my bf for 4 weeks. This is my second visit visa although I studied in the UK between 2018-2019.

Thank you, as always to everyone who has been of assistance!

A great time to apply.

Biggyman11:
He submitted fake documents and he can be arrested if he goes to the immigration to pick up his passport.

I don't think that's the case, sir. Once your passport is ready for pick up and you don't come to pick after a specified period, the passport is moved to NIS for your pickup. They can't hold on to your passport indefinitely.

Hi guys, I have this Monzo account I opened while visiting the UK last year and I've been throwing cash into it every now and then. Question is, can I tender it as evidence of funds alongside my salary and personal Naija accounts? Applying for a 6months visa for my son.

Thanks

Teegal215:
Hi everyone. Please has anyone submitted 3-month bank statement for tourist visa and gotten approved?

Sure I have, heck I've seen applicants not even submit bank statements and they got granted the visa. Now I'm not saying you should do that, but if they requested for 6months statement then it's best you give them that. Don't be scared about lump sums, provided you can justify them and prove they weren't paid to make your statement look good. If you have a good travel history and you've demonstrated that you aren't a flight risk then I'd say go for the 3-months statement.

The 3months stated refers to your passport not the visa. You must have a minimum of 3months validity on your passport for a visa to be issued.

drladun:
Good day everyone, I have been following everything here but I have a question. I did biometric on the 27th July in Abuja for a 10yrs visa renewal. I sent a paid mail yesterday and got this response: I dont understand because I paid for 10years visa and this mail is telling me 3months. Has anyone experienced this before.....

Ayan (UKVI-TP)

28 Sept 2022, 18:49 BST

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration International Contact Centre.

With regards to your enquiry about the status of your application, our records indicate a decision has been made on your application. We cannot discuss the outcome of your application on-line or by telephone.

If your visa has been granted, a visa vignette (sticker) will be stuck inside your passport with 3 months validity (from the start of your visa) to travel.

You will be contacted by VFS/TLS when your passport is ready for collection, or delivery of your passport.

Please do not attend the VAC until you have been contacted as you won’t be able to collect your passport until it is ready.


Regards,

Ayan​​
UK Visas and Immigration

Chief, if your aunt is the sponsor then all financial proof should be provided by her whether you're an adult or a minor. Have her provide you with her 6months bank statement, evidence she owns a home, her permission to be in the UK (passport bio page), invitation letter, municipal rates, and tax statements, and everything to show legitimacy.

If your personal statement can't help your cause don't include it. I would include it to demonstrate that i can afford the trip by myself but who doesn't love a good gift?

my 2cents

Gynna22:
They asked if I have any other source of income or savings I said No …….now in the cover letter I should write I have an online business which gives me another income aside from what my parents give right ?

Youre right, i did read the previous comments out of curiousity. I'd have been put off as well but i dont think he/she was being malicious. I guess the comments were just infused with passion and some frustration for reasons best known to him/her.

Anyways, congratulations.

Lexyp:
I'm not criticising him,why don't u take your time and check our convo b4 u start judging anyways it is well.

I dont think it will. my most recent application was a mess. Worst i've ever put in. Didn't declared my daughter as a dependant, my intended arrival date in the UK was June 2022 (i applied in July), only about 200k in account, number of UK visits in the last 10yrs i put 20 instead of 18....

You'll be fine

kino47:
Hello house
Please I need ur advise in the form where they ask for travel history I mad a mistake, instead of writing to days visit to USA I wrote 3 weeks.will this be an issue ?

Its a renewal

Meziea:
Yours might be a renewal or skilled worker or student not a first timer visitors application mine is June 9th

This is quite disturbing. There must be a problem somewhere. I did my biometric capture on the 8th of July and I received my collection mail today. I haven't picked it up yet so I don't know the decision. That's about 4weeks and yours is 12? That's really bad.

Babodun090:
Goodday house.

I did my biometric on May 18, no collection email nothing nothing.

First timer, Vistor visa, Family application.... me, my wife and my 5 years old daughter.

Today makes it exactly 12 weeks of waiting.

Please nairalander I'm tired of waiting what can I do?

Never send a paid email before nor track my application.

You can try the VI option, however it comes with a fee. Being that you have to pay 55GBPs to submit, it acts as a deterrent resulting in fewer applicants turning up there.....

my 2cents

Kingacewade:
Hello everyone. Please I am finding it difficult to get a date for my UK student Visa Biometrics in Ikeja, Lagos.
Please what do I do? There are no dates available at the moment. My agent said I should keep checking the website till the date appears. I have been checking for days now. Is there a particular day or time the dates appear?
Do I visit the center in person and make enquires? Kindly share your experience if you have used the Ikeja center before. Thank you all..

Im not even gonnaargue with you. The poster can go ahead and follow your advise.

ekpotek:
You do not know anything about tourism, Everywhere in the UK is a tourist site.

https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/liverpool-eng-mrs-liv.htm

Liverpool? Tourist destination? No way. You can't say you're touring London and stay in Liverpool nah. Can u say you're touring lagos and stay in ondo? Outskirts of London is still better.

ekpotek:
Sorry for the refusal. The ECO must have had a bad day. The reasons are neither here or there. I would encourage you to reapply. The reasons for the refusal can be addressed in a good cover letter.

1. The ECO did not question your finance or the ability to fund the trip - Good
2. Going by your cover letter, ECO could not justified you spending two weeks, in which most of it was devoted to shopping without specific details. There are not too many shopping opportunity in Liverpool. However, this can be explained by listing the shops you want visits.
3. The ECO noted your lack of European tourist experiences. You can tell the ECO, that your choice of the UK was based on language, cultural historical relationship with Nigeria as it's colonial master etc.
4. Your Choice of Liverpool, can be explain too. You prefer to take trips to London (only on two occasions) was because you wanted a quite city, and wanted to enjoy the serene landscape as you have plans to travel to London by train or bus. Liverpool is also central as it allows you to travel north to visit cities like Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
5. The ECO noted that you did not research your visit. Yes you did, there are unique tourist site in Liverpool, like Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Antfield stadium as a Liverpool fan. Liverpool convention centre, the famous Liverpool docks and fishing villages etc

Hope this help when reapplying.

Ah dont oh. Are you not seeing testimonies of delayed processing on this forum? Even the UK site advises not to purchase tickets before a decision is gotten.

AjayiOreofe:
pls did you attach a ticket reservation?

anyone in the house, pls help, is it compulsory to attach a ticket reservation to my application?

funny enough i dont even think the large lodgement is the problem because he explained it. Its the lack of research that gave hin away. Liverpool hotel booking. Liverpool isnt a tourist location per se. In his itinerary he explained he's visiting London sites; liverpool is 2.5hrs away by train!

JPB2:
From reading the first RED FLAG is Your account from SUN TRUST BANK

My dear don't lodge lump sum next time and use banks that don't raise Eye brows

Second was why LIVERPOOL?

Google is your friend.
https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

Click and follow the wizard.

yolemum:
Good morning everyone,
Please i need an advise on the type of visa, I'm to apply for
My spouse recently got his UK resident permit that expires in 2 years time. Can i apply to join him permanently, what type of visa I'm to apply for?
Justwise and the gurus in the house, your response would be appreciated

Your case is extremely tricky. I kinda agree with Giselle in not going the route of telling further lies. In your previous application, there must have been a section where they asked if the application was filled by you. If you answered NO that it was filled by a proxy then things would be easier as you would state there was an error in details provided by the proxy. However, if you claimed you were the one that filled it then its gonna be dicey. You have 2 options or maybe 2 and a half. 1. You come clean and take your chances. 2. You abandon the UK entirely cos this is not an issue time would solve. The half (which i hate to say) is to maintain your story: You are single with no kids. If you venture to apply for a US visa that will be your story (being single) else you are flirting with bans by both nations.

my 2cents

ultim:
Same agent is telling me to furnish my marriage certificate and birth certificates if my children this time. That it was a mere omission.
The truth is that, I went for capturing those days myself but it was late to start redoing the documents to add those. I even paid for expedited process and didnt eventually get to use the Visa partly due to Covid.

I've had -N150k once from a loan that was taken. And i still got the visa. but then, when i was applying i had visited the UK more than 13times in 5yrs (my partner was a Virgin Atlantic staff so cheap tickets ). Once you've demonstrated that you are not a flight risk nor will you use up public funds, you're usually in the green with them.

JPB2:
Wait ✋ ya closing balance was 200k .? Hmmmmm

Some people say they had 18k when they were given but that level of confidence hian

I know someone who didn't submit Account statement and he was given sef 2yrs and he still got the 5 yrs too but he submitted statement for that one..yet he has not even used the visa


But those level of confidence � don't try it o

i also believe it's a waste of resources. They're just setup for enquiries and complaints management. If you're making paid enquiries to find out the reasons for the delay, they just take your money then escalate your enquiry. It's not likely going to change how quickly the decision is arrived at. Anxiety can be a b**tch but you just have to be patient and stop wasting your money. I remember last year when i applied for 6months after the expiration of my 5yr visa. My younger brother also applied, about 3 days after me. He got his decision 3 weeks later. How about mine? i sent multiple paid enquiries till i got tired. It came out when it came out (7weeks later). Its not the paid enquiries that expedited it.

temodent:
Someone once mentioned here that sending a paid mail more or less put more pressure on the UKVI towards an expedited action on your application and that quite agrees with what I thought from reading from others here, though some here believed it's a waste of resources

My application is in it's 9th week and I decided to send a paid mail yesterday, I got a response few minutes ago that my application is yet to be decided with a request for me to forward some listed details for escalation, I wished I had sent the mail after 6 weeks of waiting.

Great comments on preparations for UK visa applications.

I employ you to read this doc I previously posted. It's intended to guide the ECOs on processing visa applications. Gain insight to what they look out for 1st hand.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1019544/Visit.pdf

Thepandaau:
Update!
I collected my passport today with a 6 months visa ��
For those who might need insight into my application process.

I studied in the UK some years ago but applied for 6 months visitors visa to be on the safe side. I uploaded my previous UK visa, 2 invitation letters (one wedding invitation and another from my cousin who is also sponsoring my accommodation), employment letter (I earn 150k per month), pay slips, bank statement for salary, PiggyVest savings account statement and a sponsorship letter from my dad. I intend to stay for 2 weeks so my budget for the trip was roughly £2,000.

Question!
I’ve booked a flight with Turkish Airlines but it seems I need a transit visa.
To: Nigeria to Istanbul to Muğla-Bodrum (Türkiye) then London.
Return: London to Istanbul then Nigeria
Can anyone please advise on the Turkish transit visa application process cause I’m getting confused now.

Thanks in advance ❤️

You don't need a transit visa when passing through turkey. It's not an EU member.

Good afternoon, not sure this has been shared here previously but it gives insight to the decision making process for ECOs.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1019544/Visit.pdf

Stop giving false information.

If you have a valid reason to travel earlier, state it at point of entry. I have never and i repeat never traveled on the stated date on any of my applications. These guys are not stupid, they understand that certain factors can change your itinerary. It is overstaying the allotted visit period that really really concerns them. So if you want to visit Scotland earlier than intended please do so. You have a valid visa, don't you? you cna use it anytime within its validity.

Solatium:
This raises a red flag bro,don't try it oooo,or else they will turn you back,cancel the visa and ban you on top...wait for the day you stated you intend to travel and at the point of entry no tell dem say you wan go Scotland ooo.wait until you gain entry before going places..wish you well

Abiso:
Hello everyone,
My travelling date is 26th but I have not receive any mail to pick up my passport from TLS.
Is it appropriate to walk into their office and request for it and if possible, what are the things needed for collection.
Thanks

Why would you buy your ticket before getting your visa?

OGreene:
Okay. I called one hotel directly and they said I will be charged for the first night on reservation

Best thing to do is search for one that doesn't charge on reservation. When searching, standard criteria i use are:

Free cancellation
Free Parking
Free Wi-fi
Free Breakfast

Yes, in that order. However, in the UK i don't have to stay in a hotel but if i did it'll just be free cancellation and wi-fi.

Cheers

OGreene:
Asides booking.com, has anyone used wakanow to book for a hotel? Just don't feel cool putting my credit card details on der (booking.com) site

Hi,

I'm an avid user of booking.com. You do not have to drop your credit card details; you can use a debit card to secure the booking. You can then pay cash at the hotel when you get there or pay with your card. going forward, i will be paying cash as the last hotel booking in Orlando was advertised for N8k+ but i ended up paying over N10k.

nma01:
Family visit visa are processed in abuja with yellow bag, irrespective of where you submit it. General visitor visa processed in Lagos, Abuja or Sheffield depending on centre of submission. I hope this helps

Not entirely true. My wife's visa was processed in Lagos and it was a Family Visit Visa. Blessedfavour was right when she posted this:

I don't know if the process has changed but what i was told in 2012 was that if its your first time of if you haven't traveled to the UK in the last 2 years, then its Abuja, the frequent and recent travelers gets processed in Lagos which explains the red and black bags, though right now i cant remember which bag goes to Lagos or Abuja.

Though things have changed. The Yellow folders are for visiting visa (all types). Red Folder for settlement visas and Black Folder for study visas. Red and black may e vice versa, cant quite remember; trust me, i asked when i went to submit my application.

justwise:
There is nothing like health treatment visa, the 2years visa your friend has is more than enough for the treatment however, he needs to make an arrangement with a private hospital in the UK, pay the deposit and have the remaining money PLUS additional money for accommodation, feeding and transport. He needs to show that at the POE if asked.

The standard visa covers private medical treatment visitor visa

Justwise, i just read now that there is a visa for private medical treatment and the tenor is no longer than 6 months. Are you sure it's not different?

5p1naz:
A friend is seriously ill and his parents want to fly him to the uk for treatement. Although he has an active 2 year visa on his passport which won't expire until 2017. Someone advised them to get a health treatment visa. Is this really important?

2ndly. If its important to get this health visa, can it be ready before 11th?

I'm no expert but I think you would need to get a Health Visa. A visiting visa does not allow you to receive medical treatment unless in emergencies.

As to the time it takes to process? That is beyond me.

Hope this helps.

Ralphlauren:
You are 100percent wrong.

The visa category you apply for determines where your application will be processed and NOT where you applied within lagos.

All settlement visas are handled at sheffield,UK- irrespective of whether you submit at Ikeja or Abuja.

Most dependent visas (depending on what Tier) are handled at Abuja (a small percentage is processed in lagos)- irrespective of whether you submit at Ikeja or Abuja

All visiting visas are processed and issued at lagos (including the 'almighty' 10yrs visiting visa)- irrespective of whether you submit at Ikeja or VI

Not entirely true.

Mine and my son's 5yr visiting visas were processed in Abuja even though i submitted in Ikeja. My wifey's 5yr visa was processed in Lagos and she submitted at Ikeja. My colleague's initial application (visiting) was processed in Sheffield which included a Skype interview; she submitted at VI. Her 2nd attempt was submitted at Ikeja and she got it. This time the notification email did not state Sheffield.

So only BHC knows what is processed where and for what reasons. We can only speculate.

Cheers

Vicjustice:
Among other reasons, the main is because, some applicants are entitled to rights: especially those who are applying as family members of a UK or an EU citizen

Hmmmmm. Interesting. I applied for Family visit as both of my parents are British. My colleague applied for tourist. Anyways, they have their reasons. Was just curious.

Thanks

Hello Justwise & Vicjustice,

Any particular reason why some visiting visa applications are processed in Sheffield UK and some here in Nigeria? Mine was processed here but a colleague of mine received an email that a decision has been made and that her documents have left Sheffield UK.

Also she had an impromptu interview conducted over Skype and she claimed that others who came to renew went through the interview process as well.

These questions may have been answered previously but i can't seem to find them.

Regards