₦airaland Forum

jimcykhan:
Hi All
Please for self upload on VFS website there's provision for "Proof of application" what does this means or what do I upload here?
Thanks

VAF

Cashmadam:
There is no rule for 6 months statement. However, over time, it became a norm that many people adopted.

I have seen people apply with 2, 3 months. It depends on your personal and financial cirumstances and what the visa officer is looking for...

I use less than a month account statement for my mum her visa is out

Lol really? Do you have a UK travel history?

dewale2k:
I use less than a month account statement for my mum her visa is out

What documents did you submit with your application? I am looking to apply for my mum as well but I don't know what I should include. She is retired and she is going to visit my sister.

dewale2k:
I use less than a month account statement for my mum her visa is out

dewale2k:
I use less than a month account statement for my mum her visa is out

When was her bio metrics?

Exceldamsel:
Just got collection mail

are you picking up at TLS or VFS?

It’s actually my mum’s visa, I stated she will be travelling for 2 months and my husband and I will be sponsoring her

b31164707:
Congratulations! How long are you visiting and what amount did you put on the application as your total budget (including flights and accommodation)? Would you also mind sharing a range for your disposable income? I believe this will help guide prospective applicants. Thanks.

Dispatched through VFS courier

Tosinnnn:
are you picking up at TLS or VFS?

Exceldamsel:
Dispatched through VFS courier

Was her Bio matries in Abuja or lagos?

Ikeja, Lagos

IGIG:
Was her Bio matries in Abuja or lagos?

Please so anybody have an idea if I book klm airline ( Netherland airlines) to the UK without Transit visa ?

Dear all,

Any advice on this cover letter below:

Re: Application for a 6-Month UK Visitor Visa

I am writing to support my application for a UK visitor visa to attend the graduation ceremony of my brother, Adiss ABC, who is graduating from Ola University on 06/06/2025. He has formally invited me to witness this significant milestone in his academic journey.

I plan to visit the UK from 02/2025 to 07/2025, spending a total of six days. My brother will provide accommodation during my stay, and I have budgeted £2,000 to cover the costs of flights, feeding, and transport.

Background and Financial Capacity
My name is Tunde Ade, a Nigerian citizen with permanent residency in South Africa. I previously resided in South Africa, where I established a business and traveled extensively, including visits to Poland, Germany (twice in 2009 and 2010), and the UK in 2010, Twice to UAE in 2019. I returned to Nigeria in 2016 to focus on my business, Doyin Nigeria Limited, which specializes in xcy production.

I currently earn ₦1,000,000 monthly as a salary from my business. Additionally, I have diversified my income streams:

I own a student rental accommodation property with 48 self-contained rooms, generating an annual income of ₦12,800,000. The rental income is paid into my junior brother's bank account, as he oversees the management of the property. His banking details will be provided as supporting evidence.

I operate a mini supermarket managed by my younger sister, providing me with a monthly profit of ₦300,000.

Previously, I established a business in the UAE called Zo Trading, which focused on exporting produce and African stuff. My younger sister managed this business until it was closed in 2021 due to low patronage.

Additionally, I have sold 10 acres out of 50 acres of my lands, and the payments were made directly into my account. This has accumulated to the balance I currently have. I have attached receipts for the land sales as evidence.

These ventures ensure I have a stable and substantial income, enabling me to comfortably fund my short trip to the UK without financial strain.

Travel History and UK Visa Experience
I have a robust travel history, including previous visits to Europe,UAE and the UK. Although my initial UK visa application in Nigeria was refused, the decision was overturned upon review, and I was granted a visa (Visa Number: 7377). Unfortunately, due to pressing business commitments, I could not use the visa before it expired.

Purpose of Visit and Return Commitment
This trip is solely for the purpose of attending my brother's graduation. I have no intention of overstaying my visa or seeking employment in the UK. My thriving businesses, substantial financial obligations, and my family including my wife and three children, aged 10,6,3, ensure my strong ties to Nigeria and guarantee my return after the visit.

To support my application, I have attached the following documents:

Invitation letter from my brother

Proof of accommodation

Financial statements showing available funds

Evidence of business ownership and income (e.g., business registration documents, Instagram adverts, Google my business location,rental income receipts)

Copies of previous visas and travel history

Land sales receipts

Thank you for considering my application. I am committed to complying with all UK immigration laws and look forward to the opportunity to visit your country briefly.

Yours sincerely,
Tunde Ade
------_--------------------------------------

I hope this stands as a cover letter/introduction and if there is anything I need to correct or included I would appreciate any comments or contributions.

Hello I am a Lawyer and thought to chip in. Your letter is well drafted however please re-draft this sentence
FROM-
I plan to visit the UK from 02/2025 to 07/2025 (this implies you want to stay from February to July not six days), spending a total of six days. My brother will provide accommodation during my stay, and I have budgeted £2,000 to cover the costs of flights, feeding, and transport.

TO-
I plan to visit the UK from the 2nd of ........2025 to the 7th of ............... 2025, spending a total of six days. My brother will provide accommodation during my stay, and I have budgeted £2,000 to cover the costs of flights, feeding, and transport.

Gd0007:
Dear all,

Any advice on this cover letter below:

Re: Application for a 6-Month UK Visitor Visa

I am writing to support my application for a UK visitor visa to attend the graduation ceremony of my brother, Adiss ABC, who is graduating from Ola University on 06/06/2025. He has formally invited me to witness this significant milestone in his academic journey.

I plan to visit the UK from 02/2025 to 07/2025, spending a total of six days. My brother will provide accommodation during my stay, and I have budgeted £2,000 to cover the costs of flights, feeding, and transport.

Background and Financial Capacity
My name is Tunde Ade, a Nigerian citizen with permanent residency in South Africa. I previously resided in South Africa, where I established a business and traveled extensively, including visits to Poland, Germany (twice in 2009 and 2010), and the UK in 2010, Twice to UAE in 2019. I returned to Nigeria in 2016 to focus on my business, Doyin Nigeria Limited, which specializes in xcy production.

I currently earn ₦1,000,000 monthly as a salary from my business. Additionally, I have diversified my income streams:

I own a student rental accommodation property with 48 self-contained rooms, generating an annual income of ₦12,800,000. The rental income is paid into my junior brother's bank account, as he oversees the management of the property. His banking details will be provided as supporting evidence.

I operate a mini supermarket managed by my younger sister, providing me with a monthly profit of ₦300,000.

Previously, I established a business in the UAE called Zo Trading, which focused on exporting produce and African stuff. My younger sister managed this business until it was closed in 2021 due to low patronage.

Additionally, I have sold 10 acres out of 50 acres of my lands, and the payments were made directly into my account. This has accumulated to the balance I currently have. I have attached receipts for the land sales as evidence.

These ventures ensure I have a stable and substantial income, enabling me to comfortably fund my short trip to the UK without financial strain.

Travel History and UK Visa Experience
I have a robust travel history, including previous visits to Europe,UAE and the UK. Although my initial UK visa application in Nigeria was refused, the decision was overturned upon review, and I was granted a visa (Visa Number: 7377). Unfortunately, due to pressing business commitments, I could not use the visa before it expired.

Purpose of Visit and Return Commitment
This trip is solely for the purpose of attending my brother's graduation. I have no intention of overstaying my visa or seeking employment in the UK. My thriving businesses, substantial financial obligations, and my family including my wife and three children, aged 10,6,3, ensure my strong ties to Nigeria and guarantee my return after the visit.

To support my application, I have attached the following documents:

Invitation letter from my brother

Proof of accommodation

Financial statements showing available funds

Evidence of business ownership and income (e.g., business registration documents, Instagram adverts, Google my business location,rental income receipts)

Copies of previous visas and travel history

Land sales receipts

Thank you for considering my application. I am committed to complying with all UK immigration laws and look forward to the opportunity to visit your country briefly.

Yours sincerely,
Tunde Ade
------_--------------------------------------

I hope this stands as a cover letter/introduction and if there is anything I need to correct or included I would appreciate any comments or contributions.

Your document Checklist generated from your application will suffice

davodyguy:
VAF

Nkepedia:
I submitted my application on 25th of October, then biometrics on 5 November at Enugu TLS

Was your visa granted ?

Unfortunately, you'll need a transit visa even if you're just transiting through any airport within the Schengen Area for a few hours. When the UK was still in the EU, Nigerians could fly from Lagos or Abuja to the UK via any Schengen country without needing a transit visa, but this is not the case anymore, due to Brexit.

Jamieabi:
Please so anybody have an idea if I book klm airline ( Netherland airlines) to the UK without Transit visa ?

You have a strong profile, which will very likely work in your favor. However, in order to advise accordingly, may I please know what your average monthly disposable income is like? Please provide a range if possible. Since you're planning to spend a total of £2,000 (including flights), your disposable income cannot be significantly less than approx. 2 million Naira (£1,000) per month, or else there might be an issue o because you can't spend more than 2 to 3 times your disposable income.

Gd0007:
Dear all,

Any advice on this cover letter below:

Re: Application for a 6-Month UK Visitor Visa

I am writing to support my application for a UK visitor visa to attend the graduation ceremony of my brother, Adiss ABC, who is graduating from Ola University on 06/06/2025. He has formally invited me to witness this significant milestone in his academic journey.

I plan to visit the UK from 02/2025 to 07/2025, spending a total of six days. My brother will provide accommodation during my stay, and I have budgeted £2,000 to cover the costs of flights, feeding, and transport.

Background and Financial Capacity
My name is Tunde Ade, a Nigerian citizen with permanent residency in South Africa. I previously resided in South Africa, where I established a business and traveled extensively, including visits to Poland, Germany (twice in 2009 and 2010), and the UK in 2010, Twice to UAE in 2019. I returned to Nigeria in 2016 to focus on my business, Doyin Nigeria Limited, which specializes in xcy production.

I currently earn ₦1,000,000 monthly as a salary from my business. Additionally, I have diversified my income streams:

I own a student rental accommodation property with 48 self-contained rooms, generating an annual income of ₦12,800,000. The rental income is paid into my junior brother's bank account, as he oversees the management of the property. His banking details will be provided as supporting evidence.

I operate a mini supermarket managed by my younger sister, providing me with a monthly profit of ₦300,000.

Previously, I established a business in the UAE called Zo Trading, which focused on exporting produce and African stuff. My younger sister managed this business until it was closed in 2021 due to low patronage.

Additionally, I have sold 10 acres out of 50 acres of my lands, and the payments were made directly into my account. This has accumulated to the balance I currently have. I have attached receipts for the land sales as evidence.

These ventures ensure I have a stable and substantial income, enabling me to comfortably fund my short trip to the UK without financial strain.

Travel History and UK Visa Experience
I have a robust travel history, including previous visits to Europe,UAE and the UK. Although my initial UK visa application in Nigeria was refused, the decision was overturned upon review, and I was granted a visa (Visa Number: 7377). Unfortunately, due to pressing business commitments, I could not use the visa before it expired.

Purpose of Visit and Return Commitment
This trip is solely for the purpose of attending my brother's graduation. I have no intention of overstaying my visa or seeking employment in the UK. My thriving businesses, substantial financial obligations, and my family including my wife and three children, aged 10,6,3, ensure my strong ties to Nigeria and guarantee my return after the visit.

To support my application, I have attached the following documents:

Invitation letter from my brother

Proof of accommodation

Financial statements showing available funds

Evidence of business ownership and income (e.g., business registration documents, Instagram adverts, Google my business location,rental income receipts)

Copies of previous visas and travel history

Land sales receipts

Thank you for considering my application. I am committed to complying with all UK immigration laws and look forward to the opportunity to visit your country briefly.

Yours sincerely,
Tunde Ade
------_--------------------------------------

I hope this stands as a cover letter/introduction and if there is anything I need to correct or included I would appreciate any comments or contributions.

Thanks for your advice I appreciate it. I just put that date as example. Going for just 6-7 days.

Can I also include the first school deposit fee I paid for my brother?

Thank you

MiddyO:
Hello I am a Lawyer and thought to chip in. Your letter is well drafted however please re-draft this sentence
FROM-
I plan to visit the UK from 02/2025 to 07/2025 (this implies you want to stay from February to July not six days), spending a total of six days. My brother will provide accommodation during my stay, and I have budgeted £2,000 to cover the costs of flights, feeding, and transport.

TO-
I plan to visit the UK from the 2nd of ........2025 to the 7th of ............... 2025, spending a total of six days. My brother will provide accommodation during my stay, and I have budgeted £2,000 to cover the costs of flights, feeding, and transport.

You have a strong profile, which will very likely work in your favor. However, in order to advise accordingly, may I please know what your average monthly disposable income is like? Please provide a range if possible. Since you're planning to spend a total of £2,000 (including flights), your disposable income cannot be significantly less than approx. 2 million Naira (£1,000) per month, or else there might be an issue o because you can't spend more than 2 to 3 times your disposable income.

Gd0007:
Thanks for your advice I appreciate it. I just put that date as example. Going for just 6-7 days.

Can I also include the first school deposit fee I paid for my brother?

Thank you

Please who knows how I can track passport delivery via VFS courier, no tracking number was provided in the payment receipt and I don’t even know if is DHL that’s their courier partner

Thank you for your time to respond.

My average monthly disposable income ranges between 600,000 Naira and 1,000,000 Naira because it is not fixed. However, I have £5,000- £4,989 available as a bank balance, which demonstrates my ability to cover the travel expenses.

Additionally, I made a school fees deposit from my account to his school then. Can I include this as well ?

b31164707:
You have a strong profile, which will very likely work in your favor. However, in order to advise accordingly, may I please know what your average monthly disposable income is like? Please provide a range if possible. Since you're planning to spend a total of £2,000 (including flights), your disposable income cannot be significantly less than approx. 2 million Naira (£1,000) per month, or else there might be an issue o because you can't spend more than 2 to 3 times your disposable income.

Hello All,

I’m in a bit of fix and I know this might not be the correct thread for this. I urgently need to process intl passport for my 2yrs old here in the UK. She has never had a passport. I have applied and gotten a capture date but it’s in March 2025. I have written the Nigeria embassy here in the UK for earlier date but no response. Does anyone have any lead on how this can be done expeditiously? I will really appreciate any help. I’m even thinking I might have to just go to London and try my luck. But I don’t want to go without an appointment. Please help me.

slimjx:
Hello All,

I’m in a bit of fix and I know this might not be the correct thread for this. I urgently need to process intl passport for my 2yrs old here in the UK. She has never had a passport. I have applied and gotten a capture date but it’s in March 2025. I have written the Nigeria embassy here in the UK for earlier date but no response. Does anyone have any lead on how this can be done expeditiously? I will really appreciate any help. I’m even thinking I might have to just go to London and try my luck. But I don’t want to go without an appointment. Please help me.

No expedition at the High Commission in London…. except it is a matter of life and death….

Gd0007:
Thank you for your time to respond.
My average monthly disposable income ranges between 600,000 Naira and 1,000,000 Naira because it is not fixed. However, I have £5,000- £4,989 available as a bank balance, which demonstrates my ability to cover the travel expenses.
Additionally, I made a school fees deposit from my account to his school then. Can I include this as well ?

It seems you haven't had any ‘relevant’ travel history in the last 10 years, and your financial situation appears inconsistent, particularly regarding rent payments made to your junior brother’s account for income purposes. If I were in your position, I would proceed with caution and focus diligently on the application, as graduation isn’t considered a make-or-break issue by the ECOs.

To elaborate, it seems you're attempting to piece together various income sources to demonstrate economic ties, which might raise red flags for the visa officer. Only you relies on rent, self-employment, a mini supermarket, and the sale of 10 acres anhan…. It can seem suspicious. .. again this is how you derived your account balance… so you can decide to stay away illegally if you get a concrete job in the UK.
If you were genuinely stable financially as you claim, it would be expected that you would have traveled to countries with similar immigration processes to the UK in the past decade, making your narrative more credible. That’s what I’m trying to convey.

Please ensure your supporting documentation is thorough and meticulously organized.
Good luck!

Has anyone experienced this before, or currently? I have been unable to make an appointment with on vfs, Error message every single time we get to the payment part, it has been 4 days of trying and nothing has changed. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Those anyone rendered appointments service, at this point we have used all the computers at home and it’s still same prompt

I encountered same thing, what I did was to avoid anything payment, i was going for VI but I picked Ikeja instead and self upload, courier was paid for at the visa application center

Adekanyin39:
Has anyone experienced this before, or currently? I have been unable to make an appointment with on vfs, Error message every single time we get to the payment part, it has been 4 days of trying and nothing has changed. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Those anyone rendered appointments service, at this point we have used all the computers at home and it’s still same prompt

Adekanyin39:
Has anyone experienced this before, or currently? I have been unable to make an appointment with on vfs, Error message every single time we get to the payment part, it has been 4 days of trying and nothing has changed. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Those anyone rendered appointments service, at this point we have used all the computers at home and it’s still same prompt

Try early in the morning. I think the problem might be from Flutterwave.

Thanks for your response. Since your average monthly disposable income is between 600,000 Naira and 1,000,000 Naira, can you possibly reduce your total budget for the trip to an amount in the £1,000 to £1,950 range to be on the safe side? Given the range of your average monthly disposable income, £2,000 seems a bit excessive.

Gd0007:
Thank you for your time to respond.

My average monthly disposable income ranges between 600,000 Naira and 1,000,000 Naira because it is not fixed. However, I have £5,000- £4,989 available as a bank balance, which demonstrates my ability to cover the travel expenses.

Additionally, I made a school fees deposit from my account to his school then. Can I include this as well ?

Thank you once again for taking the time to respond.

Yes, I will reduce it to £1,200–£1,700.

I truly appreciate your advice and support.

b31164707:
Thanks for your response. Since your average monthly disposable income is between 600,000 Naira and 1,000,000 Naira, can you possibly reduce your total budget for the trip to an amount in the £1,000 to £1,950 range to be on the safe side? Given the range of your average monthly disposable income, £2,000 seems a bit excessive.

Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective.

Regarding the rental income, it is first paid into my brother's account since he manages it, and then it is transferred to me. My business in Nigeria has had an online and physical presence since 2016, with a consistent monthly salary.

Additionally, I held a UAE residency from 2019 to 2022, although I only visited twice, spending 20 days on each occasion. I was also issued a UK visa in 2019, which I couldn’t use due to tight business commitments , so it hasn’t been decades since I last traveled.

The person currently managing my mini market is the same individual who managed my now-closed UAE store. I had her relocated to oversee the mart.

As for the purpose of my visit, it is to attend my brother's graduation. Do you advise changing it to "vacation" in case the ECO does not recognize attending a graduation as a valid reason for visiting?

giselle237:
It seems you haven't had any ‘relevant’ travel history in the last 10 years, and your financial situation appears inconsistent, particularly regarding rent payments made to your junior brother’s account for income purposes. If I were in your position, I would proceed with caution and focus diligently on the application, as graduation isn’t considered a make-or-break issue by the ECOs.

To elaborate, it seems you're attempting to piece together various income sources to demonstrate economic ties, which might raise red flags for the visa officer. Only you relies on rent, self-employment, a mini supermarket, and the sale of 10 acres anhan…. It can seem suspicious. .. again this is how you derived your account balance… so you can decide to stay away illegally if you get a concrete job in the UK.
If you were genuinely stable financially as you claim, it would be expected that you would have traveled to countries with similar immigration processes to the UK in the past decade, making your narrative more credible. That’s what I’m trying to convey.

Please ensure your supporting documentation is thorough and meticulously organized.
Good luck!

Gd0007:
Thank you for taking the time to share your perspective.
Regarding the rental income, it is first paid into my brother's account since he manages it, and then it is transferred to me. My business in Nigeria has had an online and physical presence since 2016, with a consistent monthly salary.Additionally, I held a UAE residency from 2019 to 2022, although I only visited twice, spending 20 days on each occasion. I was also issued a UK visa in 2019, which I couldn’t use due to tight business commitments , so it hasn’t been decades since I last traveled.
The person currently managing my mini market is the same individual who managed my now-closed UAE store. I had her relocated to oversee the mart.
As for the purpose of my visit, it is to attend my brother's graduation. Do you advise changing it to "vacation" in case the ECO does not recognize attending a graduation as a valid reason for visiting?

While Dubai does not share the same immigration profile and isn't currently regarded as ‘relevant’ travel history by the UK or 1st world nations, your RESIDENCY permit could be beneficial.
You can mention graduation as a reason in your application as well as saying how you both have missed each other… If your parents are dead, also use that angle… to explain the emotional aspect. I recommend writing a cover letter. In it, explain how busy you’ve been with business commitments, acknowledging that you intended to travel to the UK in 2019 but couldn't utilize the visa due to those same business obligations. This proactive approach will preemptively address any concerns the ECO may have about your lack of travel history in the last 10 years in the end.
Add all your children’s birth certificates as well as proofs they will be in Nigeria + add your wife’s proof as well that she would be in Nigeria throughout the duration of your trip.

Thank you for your time and for sharing your advice and perspective.

I have elderly parents who are not interested in traveling to the UK for this purpose. As mentioned in my previous cover letters, I highlighted that I have family commitments to return to. I also plan to include details about my children, their yearly group pictures from school, and our family photos, including pictures from my younger brother's wedding before he traveled to the UK for his studies.

I have also addressed the reason why my previous UK visa was not utilized, but if you have a more suitable explanation to include, I would appreciate your suggestions. Additionally, my marriage certificate was not issued in Nigeria nor is it a Nigerian certificate.

Thank you once again for your guidance.

giselle237:
While Dubai does not share the same immigration profile and isn't currently regarded as ‘relevant’ travel history by the UK or 1st world nations, your RESIDENCY permit could be beneficial.
You can mention graduation as a reason in your application as well as saying how you both have missed each other… If your parents are dead, also use that angle… to explain the emotional aspect. I recommend writing a cover letter. In it, explain how busy you’ve been with business commitments, acknowledging that you intended to travel to the UK in 2019 but couldn't utilize the visa due to those same business obligations. This proactive approach will preemptively address any concerns the ECO may have about your lack of travel history in the last 10 years in the end.
Add all your children’s birth certificates as well as proofs they will be in Nigeria + add your wife’s proof as well that she would be in Nigeria throughout the duration of your trip.