₦airaland Forum

Lycamobile costs between 9p to 12p per minute for calls (depending on your plan) and 19p for SMS to Nigeria. On its £15 plan, Lycamobile also has free 100 minutes to international numbers (but this doesn't include Nigeria) + 6gb data. Calls/texts within the UK are unlimited.
Tesco mobile costs 6p per minute for calls and 0p for SMS to Nigeria (using their international call card or international call app). You can decide to get a line with them if you so wish.

PS: Regardless of what network you're on, you can always download the Tesco app, costs 6p for calls to Nigeria. For example, you can use a Lycamobile line and use the Tesco calling app for your calls to Naija. Just download it from the app or play store and top up as you want. £2.52 will give you 42 mins talk time and unlimited SMS to Naija.
Your Lycamobile number will be what shows up when you call any Naija number.

Canticle:
Please which network offers the best tariffs to call Nigeria from the UK?

Easier to get the money into your account to avoid having to give too many explanations.

But then, you can still use his account and include your birth certificate plus an affidavit stating that he's your father and the same person mentioned as your father on your birth certificate.

comsatellite:
Okay thank you.
One more things, my dads writes his name as Karheem, I write mine as Abdulkareem, is it safe to use his account or just transfer the money to mine.

Visa application opening hours (except public holiday)
Opening hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday
Prime Time Appointments 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Monday to Friday and some Saturday (this is rare)
Passport Return Window Hours 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

docduke:
Pls what's the closing hour of tls and do they work on Saturdays?

Exactly.

justwise:
Come on ! Please let’s not pretend as if we don’t know what’s going on here, It’s fraudulent and it’s that simple. The money you presented as part of your student visa application is to be used in the U.K. and not withdrawn and use in Nigeria after submitting your application.

Yes. Once you have all that's required.

comsatellite:
Well-done guys, you are doing well.
I am preparing to apply against January entry.
If I finish my admission application by Oct 15.
Can I meet up the January entry without having to rush any process?

You'll be allowed in on a one way ticket on a student visa. You don't need a return ticket

Renee25:
Pls guys is it possible to get into the UK with a one-way ticket? I heard one must have a return ticket to be allowed through the border.

You won't get a refund of your IHS fees.

You do not need to notify the embassy, your school will report that you did not turn up as per the process.

Ameera2018:
Hello @justwise and the other guru's in the house, please advise on this my challenge below;

I was issued a Tier 4 visa early August and everything was set for my school this September, unfortunately due to medical reasons i am not able to go for my masters as planned, i have however deferred my admission. My question now is do i need to notify the embassy of this change? will i get a refund for my insurance or i can still use it next year for the masters Inshallah. Please advise me.

Tnx

Your 7th working day is tomorrow counting from the day after you had your biometrics and so far, this year, it's been between 5 and 7-8 working days based on cases I've been privy to.
PS: Try not to post within the quote boxes (I.e [quote author........) so that your responses to comments will be clear.

Okezie86:
Have you received your visa? I am going to coventry. I went for visa interview on the 6th last week and i paid for priority, till now no mail and my course start 17th sept but my latest date is 24th october. I am worried,I thought they said priority only take 5 working days

Amen.
Thank you.

MaEssien:
I must commend you Mimi.. God bless you!

It takes 6 weeks. If you don't get it in 6 weeks, you should send them a mail.

kaad:
Yes I saw this on the website. But my worry is; how long will it take to get the refund?

As available on
https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/refunds

Refunds
You do not need to do anything to get an IHS refund - it’s automatically paid to the account or card you paid with.

You’ll get a full IHS refund if:

you paid twice
your visa application is refused
you withdraw your visa application

kaad:
Pls how do I get NHS (immigration health surcharge) Refund. We had to pay twice for my son.
Thank you

She sounded like she's done her research and has picked something but wants someone to help her check it out because she probably will be getting late to school.
Some agents put houses for rent just to scam people so one needs to be sure before making payment.
Anyway, I might have read her post wrongly.

Phenmeson:
I get wot you mean but she needs to do the research herself because she needs to consider how close the house is to her school or work because not all location gives room of 24/7 transportation. Is advisable for her to get the room tru Letting agent and she can move out 6months after to where she prefer depending on her choice. I will also encourage her to get an apartment were she can have her details on proof of address because some rents are cheap but you can't use the house address

I'm sure that what she means by she needing someone to help her view is that she needs someone that can help her to physically check out the apartment to avoid her getting scammed or renting what she doesn't like. Seeing an apartment online is on thing, physical inspection/viewing is another.

Phenmeson:
Check spareroom.co.uk and type Edinburgh under the location

No, you don't.

Apmix:
Going for submission today, Pls guys do I still need to photocopy my bank statement?

You'll be given at the point of submission.

Apmix:
Pls where do I get the checklist to print. I just paid and submitted my Visa application

Each school has a latest date of arrival which in most cases, is about 2-3 weeks after resumption buy3 this varies from school to school.
Your school should have sent you something about enrolment dates and the last date on which you can enrol.

Apmix:
Pls how do u mean by latest date of arrival? Is it the home office that fix that or I have to choose n decide it myself?

Okay. That was why I said if because I wasn't clear what day the money hit 28 days.
You can print on the 11th then since the closing balance for your 28th day is key.

kaad:
Aug 14 was day1
The money reached the required amount on Aug 13, so the opening balance on 14 was up to what is required.
With this explanation isn't Sept 10 day 28?

Fill in your school address as seen on your CAS.

Renee25:
Hi guys, please what do I fill out in the space required for accommodation details? I dont have information on that yet since I intend to book airbnb while I carry out a search on where to stay permanently.

If you started the count on Aug 14, then your 28th day is Sept 11 and not Sept 10 so you should print on the 12th.

kaad:
28days count started on 14th August and will be completed on 10th September. Can I print the SOA and submit application on 10th September (28th day) or I should wait till 11th?

Congratulations.
www.spareroom.co.uk
www.studenttenant.com
www.rightmove.co.uk
www.gumtree.com
You can check now and book viewings for when you arrive. Don't make payment until you see what you're renting.
You Can also check your school's Facebook page as accommodating listings are sometimes put up there by other students.

Scottiemi:
@Justwise @mimilyrics and all other people that helped I really appreciate it. So now am to travel to Glasgow Scotland on the 17th and I need to sort out my accommodation before hand, pls, what do u advise

In this case, he is technically not your partner since he has a/another family, he's just your child's dad and shouldn't have been listed as your partner on your application. According to UKVI, a partner is someone you're in a dating, sexual relationship with and with whom future marital relationship is likely.
You will need your child's birth certificate with both of your names on it, consent letter from the dad and any custody documents, if applicable. You should also be able to show that there isn't any existing relationship aside coparenting but since
It seems that you listed him as your partner on your application, that might be a tad tricky.

carnal:
THANK YOU, I DIDNT SEE STATEMENT THAT STATES WE MUST HAVE LIVED FOR TWO YEARS TOGETHER, MOREOVER HE HAS A SEPARATE FAMILY, WHAT DO YOU ADVISE PLS?

No. You'll be needing your CAS number. There's a section of the application form that is titled "main applicant"; this section will ask for details about the main applicant including your course start and end dates, whether you're in the UK already or not, relationship between you and the dependant, passport details and other basic information.

kaad:
Thank you mimi
Yes my sponsor gave me hard copy forms to fill which they will use for my online application.

I will fill my dependants online forms and also schedule them for same day and time as mine like you advised

will I be needing any number "say GWF" from my own application to fill their's?

Thanks

I think someone answered you before.
1. Yes but you need to have lived at same address for at least 2 years.
2. No. The UK recognises unmarried partners.
See the extract below, culled from https://www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa/family-members
Family members
Your family members (dependants) might be able to apply to join or remain with you in the UK if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

A dependant is either:

your husband, wife or civil partner
your unmarried or same-sex partner
your child under 18 years old - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

carnal:
The last application of my daughter that was refused and the reason they gave is that the UK Law stipulates that "her both parents are required lawfully to be present in the UK or at the same time be applying for entry clearance under the same category".
The father of my daughter already has a visitor's visa (2 years already),Hence i want to enquire that since we are not LEGALLY married and do not reside in the same house, can he ;
1. apply for a dependant visa on my tier 4 visa
2. is there any UK law that states that he cant apply as dependant on my tier 4 since we are not married. urgent reply pls

Yes, you can as long as your latest date of arrival hasn't passed.
In the meantime, get your TB test done if you haven't and get your payment card ready so that you can fill/submit online on Monday and get your biometrics/interview on Tuesday.
You can start your online application and just fill in the blanks once you get your CAS statement.
Priority takes roughly 1 week to process so that should cover you. If you have the extra cash though, super priority will be just perfect.

Apmix:
Hello all, my school is yet to send my CAS needed for visa app, they said they r processing lot of CAS. They promise to send it by Monday n I will thereafter apply for priority visa app (not super) . My course start by 17th Sept.
My question is, can I still get a visa n travel after my course star date?

@Mimi, justwise n other gurus pls advise me.

Do you mean that your sponsor is filling and submitting your application for you? Normally you're supposed to fill and submit your online application by yourself even if you're a sponsored student. Also, your school will be providing you with your CAS statement which has your CAS number, not a visa reference number. A visa application number (GWF) is generated upon the start of your application and an additional number once your application is received by Sheffield (VAF: Visa application form).
You only get a visa reference number when your application is successful as that will be the number on/of your visa.
1. Yes, you can. Fill out your application and that of your family members with all the required and necessary information, pick same submission time and date
2. It isn't complex and you can do it by yourself via www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk it's easy to fill, make an appointment and pay. An agent is a waste of money that might result in information errors on your application.

kaad:
I am a sponsored student, my sponsor will take care of my visa application
but the issue is this, I will be traveling with my family and i want our bio-metrics/interview done at the same time
if my sponsors provides me with my visa reference number;
1. will I be able to link my dependants application with mine such that we can book for bio-metrics same day

2. Hope this wont be too complex, i mean can i do it myself without using agent

okay, please how do i get this done.

Obrigado!!!

You can't except the person is your family with whom you submitted your application as a group/family.

Faloh:
Good day everyone,

How can I authorize someone to pick my passport on my behalf after the decision has been made.

What is the process like?

Thanks.

All UK-bound flights/airlines.

geekbabanla:
Is this applicable to all airlines or a particular one?

Also, all milk and milk products? Meaning something like powdered Peak Milk sachet of 500g is prohibited?

From non-EU countries the following items are banned:

all meat and meat products
all milk and dairy products
potatoes

From non-EU countries the following items are restricted:

fruit and vegetables - no more than 2kg total weight combined per person travelling bivalves (live), egg products, eggs and honey
fish, bivalves (dead) and fish/fishery products - no more than 20kg total weight (fish must be gutted if fresh, or processed, ie cooked, cured, dried or smoked) 2kg total weight combined per person - certain fruits and vegetables
The rules apply to any products carried in your personal luggage or sent by post (including those ordered online) and even if they’re for yourself, bought in a shop (including at an airport), home-grown/made or vacuum packed.

MaEssien:
Hi guys,
Pls am trying to pack foodstuff for hubby to travel with. He's going to UCL. I want to know if there's any food that is a no no. I know abt meat, chicken related food. Anything else?
I've packed grounded egusi, ogbono , crayfish, stock fish, dry fish, dry ukazi (afang) heard he can use with spinach to make soup.. Guy can cook for Africa
So pls anything I can add will be grateful
Thanks
@justwise @mimilyrics and other gurus

Lol! Biko weigh it first so you know how much excess you have.
Check for cargo companies, you should be able to get a good deal with delivery few days after your arrival in the UK.
Have a safe flight in advance.

Irenenwaka:
Haaaw lool mimi ikr, i have not weighed it oh i am just being discouraged by my too much stuffs i am seeing with my eyes loool....i actually also saw the fee for excess baggage on etihad's site but it seemed too expensive for me, anyways i am due to leave on saturday nd arrive heathrow on sunday 9th september.

I really don't know of any thread that specifically deals with this. When are you due to leave Nig? For Etihad, You can buy excess baggage allowance up to 48 hours before your flight. You get 20% off when you buy while booking your ticket and before the date of your flight. Excess baggage starts from $55 For 2kg, $125 For 5kg and about $100 increment on every additional 5kg.
Alternatively, you can use a cargo company to send whatever excess you have. A cargo company (centrepoint services) I've used before charges N700/kg to send stuff to the UK. You can check for cargo companies that people around you have used before or just chin up and use the excess baggage airport rates as long as you excess baggage is just slightly higher than the accepted kg.
But wait first o, have you weighed it to even know if you're over the baggage allowance?

Irenenwaka:
Hello house, please is there any thread on nairaland that deals with hassles faced in the airport when travelling 2 d uk....especially as regards luggage allowances �

I haveee alloooooottttt to caryyy....so i booked etihad nd we just given 40kg, i have been thinking on what to do.
@justwise @mimilyrics @lajibilik

8 years is a long time for the rules to have changed. Friends and any family member could have sponsored you years ago but not anymore.
If she was appointed as your guardian before you became legal and were legally able to fend for yourself, then there'd be no problem because all you'll have to do will be to present the court papers that appointed her as your guardian.
I have attached 2 pages of the Tier 4 guidance that explicitly deal with this. I asterisked the information in blue
Alternatively, you can download the Tier 4 migrant guidance so she can see for herself.
If she still goes ahead to act as your guardian/parent without the required legal documentation, it's a ground for refusal.

STENON:
when I tried convincing her she said , She acted like a legal sponsor for two of my cousins like 8 years ago with the same procedure but not my own 28 days count

You cannot use her statement as she's neither your mother nor your legal guardian. She'll have to transfer the money to you for the 28 day count.

STENON:
Good day to you all. I got admitted to University of the West of Scotland. My mum sister is my sponsor and she is a permanent resident in UK. I am about applying for visa but she asked me to submit her documents and UK bank statement to UKVI. She has secured an accomodation for me outside campus. But I dont know if it is a red flag for me to submit her documents as my legal sponsor. Must the money be in her account for 28 days?