Visa Approval After 2 previous refusals

Time Lines
1st Refusal 2018
Reason - Lodgement
I had an Inflow from ajo.

2nd Refusal 2023
Reason- Lodgment & salary inconsistency

ECO was lazy and didn't review the account statement properly as salary was consistently received from employer with the correct month tag.

I also provided detailed explanation of all the other inflows; I guess the letter was not even looked at as no reference was made to it. Instead, the ECO was giving contradictory reasons.

I wrote a complaint on this application, which was not treated fully till date. Only received email that it may take a longer period to treat the complaint. I should have done a PAP instead of a complaint as evidence abound that the application was not reviewed properly.

2024 Application
Submission date: 2nd April
Biometrics date: 3rd April (flexi)
Application under consideration email: 8th April
TLS Ready for collection email: 22nd April.
Entry clearance granted.

Things done differently this time around
1. After last year's refusal, travelled to France instead and provided this information among other additional travel history.
2. I kept account sparkling clean (only salary).
3. I reduced my spend budget from the £6,000 I used last year to £3,000 this time around. I was able to achieve this by booking a far cheaper hotel.
4. I submitted Tax Clearance and Pension Account Statement, which clearly shows the name of my employer, since my employment was doubted on the previous application.
5. Ensured my employer status is active on CAC.
6. I made the application pretty easy to understand and straightforward by merging similar documents into PDF files and creating a table of content as previously shared on this platform by corpershun.
7. I also uploaded all the documents by myself ensuring they all follow an easily understood pattern and even saved the documents with names that provides the info in it at one glance.

A big thank you to all the folks freely providing information on this platform.

Break88:


Oh okay your spouse,please forgive my mistake. Do you by any chance know how we can rectify this situation please

I think its just to wait it out.

Although you can also get the email of the embassy and send them emails especially if your intended travel date is close.

I did that to Spain sometimes ago when my application was delayed. I kept bombarding them with emails intimating them about my approaching travel date.

When it was about a week to my travel date, I started sending them daily emails with my flight booking and event registration showing event date.

They finally issued the visa and released my passport just a day to the travel date, eventually making me miss the event, though I still got the visa.

msbaileyz:


Yes there’s no previous travel history because so far that I understand traveling to Ghana wouldn’t equate to a travel history to a Spanish visa consular.

But then again, are we saying that it is impossible for someone without previous travel history but with sufficient ties back home and funds to get a Spanish visa??

Because all legit required and verifiable documents were attached to this application and there’s really no where it is that previous travels is compulsory… I taya for this embassy people o

These refusals can be irritating and vexatious especially with the whole stress of gathering documents, the time and money put into the whole thing and even the psychological effects of the waiting period. I empathise with you madam.

It all depends on how the application was structured. No matter the documents and evidence of funds presented, a refusal simply indicates the Visa Officer was not fully convinced about some areas.

It may be lack of clarity and consistency in how those areas were presented or deficiencies on the part of the person that treated the application.

Most likely despite the family pics, visa officer was probably not convinced there's sufficient home ties.

Is the principal applicant on paid or self employment?

Are some of the funds in the company account part of your budget for the trip? If yes was an explanation provided why company funds are going to be used to fund the holiday?

If you do not have the energy for appeal, maybe you should consider going on short holiday to SA, Morocco or Egpyt, and then apply to Spain again after some months.

I recall a couple of friends going on a fully paid and sponsored tour in 2021 got rejected to the surprise of everyone. The tour was fully paid above £9,000. The tour operator was a UK group. The money was lost as there was no option of refund. The visa officers are not moved by availability of funds atimes. Its just another criteria to be ticked on their checklist.

Hello Guys,

Please what is the process to temporarily withdraw passport from TLS. Is there a cost implication? And any idea on how long it takes to get the passport please?

giselle237
Thegamingorca
yemmywesey
maziemeka2024
sanyaolurilwan

saylawal2003:
Amount fully paid into BLS account and official receipt issued.

Wow, this is quite much.

saylawal2003:
N255,200

This amount probably includes settlement to someone at BLS.

Break88:


Yes I'm a first timer,sorry I thought your friend was a first timer too,please when did your friend apply and passport received.

Not my friend but spouse that we applied together. From what I gathered on this thread, if one of the couple is regarded as a frequent traveller, the other may also be accorded same privilege if they apply together for a joint trip.

I'm not sure how accurate any of this is, but these are what has been shared on this thread over time.

We did biometrics on the 21st of Feb and picked up the passports on the 25th of March. Though I observed from the vignette that the visa was actually issued on the 20th of March.

Break88:

Please how did you do it,because I did my biometric and submitted my passport since 26th of January up until today I've not heard anything from them. Please anyone with any help information please help.

Nothing special. I applied the usual way at TLS, though I used the VIP lounge.

Are you a first timer? From what we have heard on this thread, it seems 1st timer applications takes longer.

mabella123:


Pls how did u resolve this? I have similar issue

TLS is just using unethical practices to make money.

They do not seem busy at all during this period but purposely graded out appointments on their site to nudge people towards paying for either flexi or premium service.

Cool steady Inflow. Once you check balance sheet and see enough money is not being made, the next thing is to tell your Information System Dept to grade out appointments. And there must be a constant stream of desperate/hasty applicants.

mabella123 if you do not have time constraints, then you have to wait and keep on checking weeks from now for a free appointment date.

If you have time constraints, it's better you pay for flexi service. There's no crowd and you'll experience less stress. And if they are uploading for you, the person will be more relaxed and do everything with reduced risk of mistakes.

And if you have done self upload, the process is even faster and you'll spend just a moment there.

The overall turn around time for the entire process may also be less.

mrflow1:
Hello people,

I can't seem to get a free date at ikeja TLS for visa appointment. If I pay flexi, does the mean I can go any date and anytime?

Thank you so much

For the flexi, it seems you still have to select an available prime time. If you select a graded out time, it will advise if you want to go premium. And that's additional payment.
Those guys are just making a ton of money from Naija. It's all sales drive.

Any info if UKVI is familiar with electronic bank statement from Access Bank?

The statment is quite bulky so I'm considering using the electronic format.

Osamagioghowewi:
please can you name the country’s please I was denied a France visa this month

That one is on a marketing pitch. You better ignore.

pufframmy:
congratulations

Thanks. I earlier had France and Spain. I wouldn't know if its better to stick to a particular country to get increase in duration. Or my spouse that I jointly applied with, who's a Schengen 1st timer is the reason they gave me 1 month similar to what was given to her.

pufframmy:
that cool how many month were issued

1 month.

Milito:
It's been so quiet here. Are people tired of applying to Italy?

Anyways did biometrics on the 21st Feb. Still awaiting feedback.

Finally picked up on the 25th of March. More than 1 month processing duration. The Italians and delay eh. If you have time constraints, run from them oh.

HRprof:


First of all
I’m trying to correct a mistake of you calling TLS embassy they are both different.

Meanwhile
Nigerian work at TLS as visa application collection centre so anything can happen with those Nigeria worker with visa agent. Hustle is in our blood even when we know the risk involved we don’t care

When I applied French visa via VFS Abuja a staff of VFS gave me his contact codedly because they are not allowed to do so after I called days later I realize he is into visa agent.

You are right. Some of those guys do runs with appointment slots as well. You can't get appointment online, reach out to them, they'll sort you out. Naija call it smartness, but its actually unethical and fraudulent. They'll keep getting emboldened until getting a slot becomes hard just like that of US visa.

HeyS:
Hello,

Have you gotten your passport back?

Not yet.

There are rumours Italian embassy had some issues and did not work on applications for a while. 🤷🏽‍♂️ 🤷🏽‍♂️

EmirOfBodija:
Hi all,

Please I need kind advice on the visit visa application my mum. I have filled everything about trip and I have also noted I will sponsor her trip with 2500 GPB.

In the section about her trip, I put 20k NGN as the money she will spend as she’s unemployed. I want to ask if it’s important to submit her statement of account or just leave it out cos she took about 135k out last month and might raise concerns. Note: her previous application was rejected due to the statement issue not having any credit during the period we used.

Thanks.

They also want to know her financial circumstance in her home country. If you can accurately demonstrate this without a bank statement, then it may fly. But the ECOs primarily rely on bank statement to demonstrate financial standing. Moreover, you want to state she'll spend 20k on her own. How will you demonstrate evidence that she has 20k?

sanyaolurilwan:
Just to give an update.

I entered France yesterday night via Orly Airport, Paris from London, and I wasn't asked to provide any documents at the POE, I was only asked 2 things: I should show him my visa and where I was coming from. He took my fingerprint and stamped my passport. That's all.

Maybe I wasn't asked for documents because I came in from London.

Thanks.

The experience is usually different. Depends on the official, their mood, the arrival time, how they profile the visitor at first glance, etc.

Both times I've entered the schengen area territory from Naija direct, I was not asked anything. Save when one guy opened to an expired visa and was looking and looking and I had to refer him to the area of the passport where the new visa is stamped.

Queenyetun:


Good evening all. I reapplied for Schengen visa through France after a rejection from them.. as advised by the majority.
The visa was issued 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾 Rejection in January, they approved in March with same documents
Thanks all

Good, I like your never giving up spirit.

Asides using same documents, is there anything you did differently?

spiceeamiee:
Hello everyone, please for those that travelled to Paris for holidays, how did you get internet (not hotel WiFi) that you used for google maps and to get directions to where you were going?.. I’m going to Paris in May and from there to London. I have a UK sim but I don’t think it would work in Paris so I need something to communicate as I can’t always rely on public WiFi to use whatsapp and other social media while out of the hotel

You can buy Euro sim at the airport. Or download this app, AIRALO, and use it with the esim feature of your phone, if your phone has such.

All you need to do is recharge and you are good to go afterwards. Before recharging in dollars, ensure you phone has the esim feature, otherwise money otilo be that. Lol

Hedonisco:
It is a stupid policy, in the context of Nigeria.

You can't be hunting for foreign investors, and then force them to employ your crooks and poor attitude, low competence afflicted fat bellies in the name of local 'talent'.

Build a country where the environment is conducive, the locals are productive and competent, and the market large and buoyant, and then the foreign investors will beg to come at whatever condition.

Small yansh no suppose dey form shake.

The bitter truth is in bold.

adioolayi:
I agree there should be a form of sanity in Expatriate Quota..but then, what FGN rolled out seems too exorbitant and unrealistic..

To be candid

If same is reciprocated to Nigerians abroad, na die be that.

Queengee:
Although I am an Anti-tinubu government policies. I totally agree with this policies.

A lot of our jobs are been taken away by foreigners especially Lebanese ,indians , Chinese, beninese and togolese. .this are most job that can be handle by Nigerians. I work in the hospitality industry and I know what am talking about

Can Nigerians offer same level of expertise?

hunee:
Spain visa fees remain same. You all should also consider these other places, everytime france france.
Spain visa process is also very seamless and straightforward.
You just need use their website to gather info needed
nigeria.blsspainvisa.com

BLS is not efficient. The place is like a local govt office. They too usually hoards appointments.

Anieakan:


Good evening, please did you include your tax clearance certificate.
Not sure if it’s compulsory. Not been able to get mine for a reasonable amount.

Its not compulsory. I actually planned to include it, but later forgot about it till after I submitted my documents

thelma76:


Sure. Please see below:

The Consulate General of France in Lagos
1 Oyinkan Abayomi Road,
Ikoyi
Lagos

Through: VFS
Lagos, Nigeria
Visa Reference No:

Dear Sir/Madam,

COVER LETTER FOR FRANCE TOURIST VISA – NAME (Passport No: xxxxxx)

My name is NAME, a Nigerian National, resident in Lagos, Nigeria. I am applying from Nigeria, for a short-stay(tourist) Schengen visa. I am writing to support my application for a visitor Visa for the primary purpose of annual vacation (tourism) from 24th May 2024 till 29th May 2024.

I am a (Insert Role) professional in full time employment since XXXX (Insert YEAR) with Insert Company. I have approval for a leave of absence from my employer for the duration of my visit. I intend to return to Nigeria on 29th May 2024 at the end of my trip, resuming work effective Friday 30th June 2024.

A list of the supporting documents that have been submitted alongside this letter includes my previous travel history to (Insert previous countries you’ve travelled to) ,Visa and exit stamps from (insert countries), travel itinerary, return flight bookings, hotel/accommodation bookings and all necessary documents from my employer including an introduction letter, employment letter, proof of pension(optional) and my bank statement.

Trip Itinerary:

Day 1 – May 24th Commute to Hotel, unpack and Visit Pantheon, and Luxembourg Gardens
Day 2 – May 25th Visit to Arc de Triomphe
Day 3 – May etc etc Musee d’Orsay and Musee du Louvre

Thank you for your consideration. Please let me know if any further documentation or detail is required from me in respect to this application.

Yours Faithfully,

Name
Email:
M:

Simple and concise.

meljoe:
Is it okay if we both travel directly from Lagos to Spain instead of France ?

Is there a direct flight from Lagos to Spain?

It's been so quiet here. Are people tired of applying to Italy?

Anyways did biometrics on the 21st Feb. Still awaiting feedback.

Nielda234:
Hello,
Has anyone recently applied for a visa using this TLS. I don’t know why they changed it from VSF. This is my 4th visa application and it usually comes out in 3-4 days. It’s been over a week and nothing yet. I’m tracking it and it’s saying processing. I don’t get. Did anyone else’s application take this long?

Oh, so they have totally moved from VSF? I even thought they are running both together.

gabson02:

Please I want to ask if they do walk in at Italy consulate in Walter carrington Lagos… I learnt walk in is meant for first time traveler.

Italian visa application is being handled by a 3rd party company, TLS. I do not have any info if the consulate recieve direct applications.

But I'm sure TLS receive applications on behalf of Italy both for first timers and others. I applied there in 2022 and this year.

TLS is on Ajose Adeogun, VI just after Eko Hotel Roundabout.

Abbaselder71:
How/Where can I get Spanish translation of my Police character certificate? Also, do I need to translate other documents if I want to apply for a Spanish researcher visa?

It seems someone advertised his services in this regard earlier on this thread. Try and check out earlier pages of the thread.