₦airaland Forum

zozorae:
Hi Nellyjo, I came to Mexico through the UK route last month I had planned to enter Mexico with the UK tourist visa but was queried at the point of entry into the aircraft for other visas (Schengen, US,Mexico) but luckily I had the Canadian visa in my passport. I was told if I didn’t have that I would be denied boarding. Please double check with your airline as well. I came in with British Airways.

u3fine:
Attached is from the Mexico Embassy website in Vietnam

Efetobore1980:
Thank you so much i looked and found a direct flight, though not to the city i want but i can take a local flight from there

**

USA does not have a provision for airside transit (even for 30 minutes ) in which you (a passenger ) can remain in the secure area of the airport without going through the immigration. The summary is that : if your nationality requires a visa to enter the US, you will need a transit visa (C-1) or ESTA.

I would rather you booked a direct flight or the one that will not stop over in the US. 👍

beautyuche:
Just get a mexican visa. They seem to deny UK visa holder entry.

Jon225:
Reply:

1. yes, first time traveler outside of Nigeria.
2. My dad is back home. #Home_Ties
3. yes they both have a house and this was included in the document
4. yes, account statement of 800k. showing pension payment of about 100k.

Okots:
Good day house, please I need clarification,
firstly can I book a ticket and the duration is 2 months plus?
Secondly can i carry foodstuffs in Ghana must go?
Please kindly help a first timer.

Jon225:
Hi all,

I've been a silent reader on this thread, and I just wanted to share a timeline of my mom's UK visa application and how the process went for us:

Biometrics @ VFS Ikeja: 23rd July 2025

Decision Email from UKVI: 29th July 2025
(We were a bit surprised, as we planned for a 3-week wait since it was a standard application.)

Documents Submitted:
We followed the usual list shared by others here, but we paid special attention to:

A well-written introduction letter from my mom

A clear invitation letter from the sponsor in the UK, detailing who’s paying for the trip and how the visit was planned


The crazy part is that UKVI made their decision in just 5 working days, but it took GIG Courier another 3 working days to deliver the passport from Lagos to Benin At some point, I wondered if GIG was also helping UKVI make the decision (Just kidding).

We received the passport today and the visa was approved.

Takeaway:
A clear explanation and healthy account balance seem to matter the most.

Happy to answer questions or help in any small way I can.

Cheers

Goodyfixed:
It is well. Pls how long did it take them from the date you applied ?

mulannoire:
Biometrics 16th July, Decision arrived 21st July -- Standard visitor visa, 2 years. Thank you guys!

Gracey95:
Hello everyone,

I was refused my UK visa last week and I have another event scheduled for 25th of August and my employer will be sponsoring. I have attached the refusal letter. I need guidance please oh how to better apply
What supporting documents do I need to provide. I'm single with no kids. It's another official trip and my company is sponsoring. Please I need all the guidance and help I can get please

icu4:
Sorry about your denial. Were you called for an interview.

Hedgefunds:
Sorry for that , visit or student.

martinwei:
👋 Hello everyone! I just wanted to chime in, as I’ve had the opportunity to assist several Nigerian families during their stay here in Mexico City—mainly by providing safe and reliable mobility through my work with https://mexico-city-private-driver.com/. I’ve seen firsthand the questions and challenges many of you are discussing, so I thought I’d summarize a few key points based on what’s worked for others:

✈️ Visa & Entry to Mexico
Direct Mexican visa from Nigeria?
It’s possible, but often difficult due to long processing times and high rejection rates. Most Nigerians I’ve supported entered Mexico using a valid UK, US, Canada, or Schengen visa, which allows visa-free entry for up to 180 days. Routes like Lagos → UK → Mexico City are quite common.

No travel history yet?
It can be harder to secure those third-country visas, but if you already hold a valid multi-entry UK visa, that’s the smoothest route.

🤰 Arrival Timing
When to travel during pregnancy?
Airlines typically won’t allow travel past 36 weeks, so arriving between 28–32 weeks is safest. It also gives time to settle, adjust, and make medical arrangements.

🏥 Medical Care & Costs
Hospital costs?
In Mexico City, private hospital deliveries generally range from $1,200–$3,500 USD, depending on whether it’s a natural birth or C-section. Reputable hospitals used by many expats include ABC Medical Center and Hospital Angeles.

Booking care in advance?
Highly recommended. Some families contact doctors via WhatsApp before arrival to secure a spot.

🏠 Accommodation & Living
How much does it cost to live in Mexico City?
For safe, central neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma Norte, or Polanco, short-term rentals usually range from $900–$1,500 USD/month. Budget an additional $300–$600 USD/month for groceries, transport, and other living costs.

📄 Documents After Birth
Documents needed?
After birth, you’ll need to get:

Birth certificate

CURP (Mexican ID)

Mexican passport for the baby
These allow you (as the parent) to apply for permanent residency without needing income proof.

Do you need an agent?
Some families handle it themselves, but many prefer using a local facilitator (“gestor”) to save time. If you go solo, make sure to research each step thoroughly and start early.

👨‍👩‍👧 Residency & Long-Term Path
Can parents and grandparents stay permanently?
Yes. Once your child is born in Mexico, both parents—and even grandparents—can apply for permanent residency.

Does it allow international travel?
Residency allows you to live and work in Mexico long-term. It doesn’t replace a passport for visa-free travel, but it’s the first step toward eventual citizenship.

📝 Final Tips
Join active WhatsApp groups or forums for real-time support.

Avoid arriving too late in your pregnancy.

Budget for at least 2–3 months of stay, just in case paperwork takes time.

Bring original documents and certified copies—some need to be apostilled.

Wishing everyone here a smooth and joyful experience. It’s been inspiring to see how prepared and supportive the Nigerian community is when it comes to this journey. I hope these notes help anyone planning ahead!

Martin

Goodyfixed:
Hello everyone,

I would sincerely appreciate some assistance with my inquiry. I’ve been following this thread since last night but still haven’t found clarity on the next steps to take. Here’s my situation:

My wife is five months pregnant, and we’ve been planning for her to give birth in Brazil. However, we’ve encountered challenges with agents attempting to overcharge us, so someone told me to come seek guidance here.

Initially, I wanted to understand the step-by-step process, from applying for the right visa to obtaining residency. But after reading on here about the high denial rates for tourist visas (especially since neither of us has prior travel history, despite having sufficient proof of funds), I’m feeling quite confused.

Now, I’m considering a student visa as an alternative, but I’m unsure if this is the best option given my wife’s pregnancy. At this point, I’d really appreciate any advice on the most viable path forward and the specific steps we should take.

Thank you in advance for your help!

SugarPg:
But it seems convenient to you that people need to travel from their states to Abuja to authenticate and legalize their documents. And also apply for Visas to other countries.

Most times we complain when it affects us personally, we are not really interested in changing the system.

sadegivens0:
You are not lying about the UK. I want to say that we are human, we don’t want anxiety to kill us because 30 - 90 days feels forever and we are going to check status as many times as possible in a day.

I have also read on this thread some people are waiting 6 months plus. While there's no guaranteed exact date, applying nearly 2.5 months in advance significantly increases your chances of having your visa processed in time. Therefore, checking your email regularly is paramount because they might send you an email saying they need you to send something either by courier or email.

sadegivens0:
Let me add this info below:

Based on information from the Brazilian Consulate in Lagos and other visa service providers, here's an estimation for your visa processing:
* Official Stance from the Consulate (Lagos): The Consulate-General of Brazil in Lagos states that due to reduced capacity, the average time to process applications is about 30 to 90 days, depending on the application.

Factors that can affect processing time:
* Completeness of your application: Incomplete or incorrect information will lead to delays.
* Workload of the Consulate: The Lagos consulate specifically mentions reduced capacity.
* Need for additional administrative procedures or interviews: If your application requires further scrutiny, it will take longer.

sadegivens0:
First, your DHL tracking number will show that it was delivered to them. Second, to check status you go to https://formulario-mre.serpro.gov.br

And I am hoping that you received confirmation from them before you sent your documents by courier.
You are not going to get an email from them but if something is missing in your application they will send you email.

See below for an example:

Hello Jan Doe,

Your visa application documents were received in our consulate without the mandatory manual visa application form. It is necessary that you fill out the manual visa application form herewith attached to this email for the continuation of your visa application processing.

Regards,


Consular Section,
Brazilian Consulate-General
Plot 257, Kofo Abayomi Street
P.O. Box 72802 Victoria Island, Lagos
Nigeria.

sadegivens0:
You see what I am saying Nellyjo. Abuja is the capital of Nigeria and you have to mail your documents to Lagos. I really put the blame squarely on 9ja government. I am not so much concern about my application at the moment. Generally, I am just curious because I understand that, while both the Brazilian Embassy and a Brazilian Consulate represent Brazil in a foreign country, they have distinct roles and hierarchies.

Because I know that they have 2 or more Consulate in other countries that are or not populated like ours. It’s the 240million population that baffles me and to expect that there won’t be any delays whatsoever. Nigeria is No. 6 in the world in times of population and in the near future could surpass the United States.

This our government just signed $1 billion agric deal, with Brazil just yesterday or today. I guessed that we should be excited.

Nellyjo, take for instance, =N=144,050 visa fees non refundable X 1000 Nigerians application every month =N=144,050,000

So true, I was honestly surprised that they don't offer consulate services in ABJ. it would have made things faster and all

sadegivens0:
Hello there, I am kind of wondering if there is a Brazilian Consulate in Abuja. Why is it that we don’t apply for Brazilian visas in Abuja ? Because everyone applied in Lagos and we are talking about 240million population it could be the reason why there are too many delays.

Outside of Africa, Brazil has the largest population of people of African descent. Estimates suggest that Brazil has around 55.9 million people of African descent, making it the country with the largest African diaspora population.

The United States also has a significant Black population, with over 46.4 million people of African descent.

Omogbolahandc:
My application was not approved after showing about 16million in pof

sadegivens0:
Thank you for sharing your experience @ lordxxstephen.

In my situation, they requested that I send them through pdf format only 3 months statement of account, flight and hotel reservation. I just finished sending or forwarding it to them through email. I have sent them this same documents prior.

My question is: why do they always ask us to send them, for the same documents that they already have in their possession or that was originally sent to them prior?

I will be very grateful for the answer to my question because I am just curious.

sadegivens0:
Just be patient because the moment you send your documents to them, you are at their mercy. Which means they will get back with you or review your documents whenever they choose. It’s sad but that’s what is happening. Mine took 2 days to get under review after receiving the manual application that I didn’t send to them at first.
Patience is the key when your documents are in the hands of Brazil Consulate. Best of luck.