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Buy Vodafone sim,quite easy to use for call and browse

KingCassy:
Hello house, can I use my mtn in South Africa to access internet or must I buy another sim over there?

That's what they always do, and I've constantly challenged them.

You'll get an acknowledgement tomorrow.

horlorbah:
Hello house, I went to submit my SA visit visa at Lagos vfs on Monday. I paid #29.4k online before I could book time and date.
On getting to vfs, the guy that attended to me checked my documents and said I will be paying #37.4 then I challenged him to give me a full breakdown of what the 37.4k included. Then he started rambling and saying that's what people pay without asking questions but I still insisted on a breakdown then he wrote on my slip that visa fee was 24k and courier is 9.4k making 33.k instead.

At that point, I was angry and was about raising my voice and asking to see their manager then he quickly brought out POS and punched 19.4k (10.4k for visa fee and 9k for courier which was what I was supposed to pay. Then I paid.

Please you guys should be vigilant because these vfs consulars wants to reap where they did not sow.

BTW, I've not gotten any acknowledgement email or my application reference number from VFS since Monday that I submitted, please is this normal??

Sojeezy247:
Your reference would be on your payment receipt

Thank you

Africankel:
That's what they always do, and I've constantly challenged them.

You'll get an acknowledgement tomorrow.

Thank you. Do you have an idea how Iong it takes for them to respond?

I hope that event does not have a turn around on your application. The people at vfs can be nasty but you are supposed to use diplomacy with them. This thing is not new and i do not support sharp practises but these guys .

hunee:
I hope that event does not have a turn around on your application. The people at vfs can be nasty but you are supposed to use diplomacy with them. This thing is not new and i do not support sharp practises but these guys .

Nah, it won't have any effect on his application. The highest they would have done is to remove an important document, which is an indictment on their part - as they are under obligation not to accept incomplete documents. So where the document come follow loss?

They have done this to me several times, and I usually didn't pay attention. Until recently when I requested to know what I was paying for - the rude staff showed me my receipt and I saw "Premium Lounge", a service I never used. After she gave me my correct bill and I paid, I still requested to see the manager who apologized sincerely.

A similar thing happened at their Denmark section. On the day of my appointment, they just arbitrarily said every applicant for Denmark, Norway, Portugal and Ireland MUST used premium lounge - I refused, and asked to see the manager, apparently he was the one who gave the directive. I was allowed to use the regular service.

horlorbah:
Thank you. Do you have an idea how Iong it takes for them to respond?

There is no set timeline to receive a response, it can range from one week to three months.

Africankel:
Nah, it won't have any effect on his application. The highest they would have done is to remove an important document, which is an indictment on their part - as they are under obligation not to accept incomplete documents. So where the document come follow loss?

They have done this to me several times, and I usually didn't pay attention. Until recently when I requested to know what I was paying for - the rude staff showed me my receipt and I saw "Premium Lounge", a service I never used. After she gave me my correct bill and I paid, I still requested to see the manager who apologized sincerely.

A similar thing happened at their Denmark section. On the day of my appointment, they just arbitrarily said every applicant for Denmark, Norway, Portugal and Ireland MUST used premium lounge - I refused, and asked to see the manager, apparently he was the one who gave the directive. I was allowed to use the regular service.

Thank you. We can't continue to allow these sort of things. Imagine someone who's overcharging and still being rude and acting like he's right while at it. It's totally wrong.

hunee:
I hope that event does not have a turn around on your application. The people at vfs can be nasty but you are supposed to use diplomacy with them. This thing is not new and i do not support sharp practises but these guys .

I understand your point as well but how else can I apply diplomacy if the guy trying to overcharge me is sounding rude and telling me every other person has been paying 37400 without asking questions just because I requested for a breakdown of whatever I'm paying for

Well, being rude is not an exception. One time i had confronted one of them too, later we became friends and they also advised me on my long term tourist visa, i got subsequently. You can make a good situation out of a bad one. I dash them monies, so i dont understand why they may want to be nasty. You see the people at embassies, commercial banks, and those major centers are not to be challenged sometimes.[emotional intelligience] But we learn everyday, I wish you the best on your application.

horlorbah:
I understand your point as well but how else can I apply diplomacy if the guy trying to overcharge me is sounding rude and telling me every other person has been paying 37400 without asking questions just because I requested for a breakdown of whatever I'm paying for

I dont condone extortion but you know that our system is built on these things.

Africankel:
Nah, it won't have any effect on his application. The highest they would have done is to remove an important document, which is an indictment on their part - as they are under obligation not to accept incomplete documents. So where the document come follow loss?

They have done this to me several times, and I usually didn't pay attention. Until recently when I requested to know what I was paying for - the rude staff showed me my receipt and I saw "Premium Lounge", a service I never used. After she gave me my correct bill and I paid, I still requested to see the manager who apologized sincerely.

A similar thing happened at their Denmark section. On the day of my appointment, they just arbitrarily said every applicant for Denmark, Norway, Portugal and Ireland MUST used premium lounge - I refused, and asked to see the manager, apparently he was the one who gave the directive. I was allowed to use the regular service.

I do hope he has a successful outcome in the end.

hunee:
Well, being rude is not an exception. One time i had confronted one of them too, later we became friends and they also advised me on my long term tourist visa, i got subsequently. You can make a good situation out of a bad one. I dash them monies, so i dont understand why they may want to be nasty. You see the people at embassies, commercial banks, and those major centers are not to be challenged sometimes.[emotional intelligience] But we learn everyday, I wish you the best on your application.

I understand your point perfectly well, thank you.

Hello Everyone

I submitted my passport over 2 weeks ago after it was requested from the embassy and I was told it would only take 2-3 days but it has been weeks now no news, has anyone ever faced this issue ? What can I do.. because I called VFS and they said it’s from the embassy

Thank you

Hello house,
I am trying to apply to attend a conference in October in SA. While I tried to pick a date for first time tourist, there are no (VFS) appointment dates. Can I choose frequent traveler tourist?

Imzadal:
Hello Everyone

I submitted my passport over 2 weeks ago after it was requested from the embassy and I was told it would only take 2-3 days but it has been weeks now no news, has anyone ever faced this issue ? What can I do.. because I called VFS and they said it’s from the embassy

Thank you

Go to VFS and find out. It usually shouldn't exceed 5 days including courier delivery.

Africankel:
Go to VFS and find out. It usually shouldn't exceed 5 days including courier delivery.

also what I thought .. I’ll go tomorrow thank you

ajibolag:
Hello house,
I am trying to apply to attend a conference in October in SA. While I tried to pick a date for first time tourist, there are no (VFS) appointment dates. Can I choose frequent traveler tourist?

Hello house, any advise?

ajibolag:
Hello house, any advise?

You only qualify for frequent traveler if you have 2 or more SA visas.

Good morning all. I want to apply for e-visa and based on the website, these are the requirements listed for e-visa:

For Adult:
Valid passport Bio Page which expires in no less than 30 days after expiry of the intended date of departure from the Republic
A valid return air flight ticket or proof of reservation thereof.
Proof of sufficient financial means Recent bank certified statement, for the last three months
Statement, invitation letter or documentation detailing the purpose and duration of the visit
Proof of the residential address and contact details of the intended place of stay within the Republic, and/proof of the business, residential or physical address of the host in the Republic.

Please for those who have done e-visa, could you kindly confirm that these were all you needed to upload/apply. The document requirements for sticker visa is a bit more and I just want to be 100% sure that they won't end up requesting the sticker visa docs before initiating the process. Also, the letter stating our visit purpose, should it be handwritten or typed? I'd appreciate if someone can share a sample, please.

Thanks in advance.

Yellow card
Evidence of employment

Tizzie:
Good morning all. I want to apply for e-visa and based on the website, these are the requirements listed for e-visa:

For Adult:
Valid passport Bio Page which expires in no less than 30 days after expiry of the intended date of departure from the Republic
A valid return air flight ticket or proof of reservation thereof.
Proof of sufficient financial means Recent bank certified statement, for the last three months
Statement, invitation letter or documentation detailing the purpose and duration of the visit
Proof of the residential address and contact details of the intended place of stay within the Republic, and/proof of the business, residential or physical address of the host in the Republic.

Please for those who have done e-visa, could you kindly confirm that these were all you needed to upload/apply. The document requirements for sticker visa is a bit more and I just want to be 100% sure that they won't end up requesting the sticker visa docs before initiating the process.

Thanks in advance.

Africankel:
Yellow card
Evidence of employment

Thank you so much for always. Please, the letter stating our visit purpose, should it be handwritten or typed? I'd appreciate if you can share a sample, please.

Tizzie:
Thank you so much for always. Please, the letter stating our visit purpose, should it be handwritten or typed? I'd appreciate if you can share a sample, please.

It should be typed

Imzadal:
Hello Everyone

I submitted my passport over 2 weeks ago after it was requested from the embassy and I was told it would only take 2-3 days but it has been weeks now no news, has anyone ever faced this issue ? What can I do.. because I called VFS and they said it’s from the embassy

Thank you

Imzadal:
Hello Everyone

I submitted my passport over 2 weeks ago after it was requested from the embassy and I was told it would only take 2-3 days but it has been weeks now no news, has anyone ever faced this issue ? What can I do.. because I called VFS and they said it’s from the embassy

Thank you

Good Morning Everyone, so I went to VFS and they told me that the man handling my application went on leave and I have to wait till he comes back, because his colleague said he won’t handle his applications, because I was sent an email directly from the embassy from one Mr masingie and I can’t reach him and VFS isn’t helping, they said sending a letter or email won’t do anything I have to wait… should I go directly to the consulate or what can I do ? My visa has been processed it’s just to stamp and give it back o

Thank you

Hold

Imzadal:
Good Morning Everyone, so I went to VFS and they told me that the man handling my application went on leave and I have to wait till he comes back, because his colleague said he won’t handle his applications, because I was sent an email directly from the embassy from one Mr masingie and I can’t reach him and VFS isn’t helping, they said sending a letter or email won’t do anything I have to wait… should I go directly to the consulate or what can I do ? My visa has been processed it’s just to stamp and give it back o

Thank you

OMG!! I was about to come and give a detailed report of what happened to me too on Monday the 25th, this exact same thing happened to me, unfortunately, I paid first and after they gave me my receipt i saw VFS charges (paid at centre), which I already paid that online when I was booking my appointment, when I challenged the guy he told me that's how they always charge it, I now asked so what service charge did I pay online and then he started stammering, that I should go to the first guy who attended to me, I kept insisting and asking him to explain exactly what the service charge I paid for online was, before he eventually admitted that he made a mistake on his part and he will refund me.
He eventually refunded the money to my account later that night, from his own personal account. That is how I know that it is a racket they are doing at that VFS centre.

Always question the bill especially when it is confusing, they bank on the fact that people are too desperate or too confused to query what they ask us to pay.

horlorbah:
Hello house, I went to submit my SA visit visa at Lagos vfs on Monday. I paid #29.4k online before I could book time and date.
On getting to vfs, the guy that attended to me checked my documents and said I will be paying #37.4 then I challenged him to give me a full breakdown of what the 37.4k included. Then he started rambling and saying that's what people pay without asking questions but I still insisted on a breakdown then he wrote on my slip that visa fee was 24k and courier is 9.4k making 33.k instead.

At that point, I was angry and was about raising my voice and asking to see their manager then he quickly brought out POS and punched 19.4k (10.4k for visa fee and 9k for courier which was what I was supposed to pay. Then I paid.

Please you guys should be vigilant because these vfs consulars wants to reap where they did not sow.

BTW, I've not gotten any acknowledgement email or my application reference number from VFS since Monday that I submitted, please is this normal??

readandwrite:
OMG!! I was about to come and give a detailed report of what happened to me too on Monday the 25th, this exact same thing happened to me, unfortunately, I paid first and after they gave me my receipt i saw VFS charges (paid at centre), which I already paid that online when I was booking my appointment, when I challenged the guy he told me that's how they always charge it, I now asked so what service charge did I pay online and then he started stammering, that I should go to the first guy who attended to me, I kept insisting and asking him to explain exactly what the service charge I paid for online was, before he eventually admitted that he made a mistake on his part and he will refund me.
He eventually refunded the money to my account later that night, from his own personal account. That is how I know that it is a racket they are doing at that VFS centre.

Always question the bill especially when it is confusing, they bank on the fact that people are too desperate or too confused to query what they ask us to pay.

At this point, it's annoying! Especially the part where they start to act innocent like they don't know what they've done! Imagine paying double for a visa that you are not even sure of yet.
I think they bank on the fact that most people are always scared or shy to ask them for a breakdown of whatever fee they are paying. It's nonsense!

Thanks to everyone for your support, especially @Africankel. My husband and I submitted our e-visa applications on Saturday very seamlessly. Now waiting for their verdict then I will update here.

Tizzie:
Thanks to everyone for your support, especially @Africankel. My husband and I submitted our e-visa applications on Saturday very seamlessly. Now waiting for their verdict then I will update here.

Looking forward to hearing the positive news.

Hello House, please I need your advice.
I got my South African study visa in March. I had my baby in February and applied for his accompanying visa in April. Up till now, I have not gotten any response from the embassy.
In May, I got an email from VFS saying the visa had been sent from the embassy to VFS, but afterward I got a call from VFS telling me not to come, that they would call me again. I later went to VFS in person, and they said the mail was autogenerated.
Right now, I’m very confused because I was supposed to resume my studies in May, but I cannot leave my baby behind.
Please, has anyone experienced this before? What can I do next?
Ps: I applied at VFS Abuja

Zoesweet:
Hello House, please I need your advice.
I got my South African study visa in March. I had my baby in February and applied for his accompanying visa in April. Up till now, I have not gotten any response from the embassy.
In May, I got an email from VFS saying the visa had been sent from the embassy to VFS, but afterward I got a call from VFS telling me not to come, that they would call me again. I later went to VFS in person, and they said the mail was autogenerated.
Right now, I’m very confused because I was supposed to resume my studies in May, but I cannot leave my baby behind.
Please, has anyone experienced this before? What can I do next?
Ps: I applied at VFS Abuja

Write the South African Embassy in Abuja.

They would expedite your case.

@africankel help with further guidance.

Africankel:
Looking forward to hearing the positive news.

Unfortunately, we just got notification of our visa declined status, reason being that they could not confirm our accommodation.

We booked at Radission Blu Cape Town of which we attached the booking and direct email confirmation from the reservations manager. We have written the hotel and they said that they are not sure what could have gone wrong as our booking is confirmed in their records and they’re willing to provide additional support.

We want to appeal this as it’s really baseless. Please what do you think @africankel and others. Thank you.