₦airaland Forum

OGreene:
Wait?

I suppose the 48hr notice should be Friday morning. So if I don't call the hotel by Friday morning to cancel or make changes, I stand a huge chance of being penalized by them charging the whole fee 165k. Haaaaa, it's much ooo.

you should have given yourself at least 14days for your application to be decided.

go and check gov.uk's website to see the stats for applications decided last month. only 17% or so were decided within 7 working days while 99% were decided within 14 working days.

i understand you were denied previously but its not like you were applying to attend a conference or an event so changing your travel dates would not have had any material impact on your application or made it appear like you were inconsistent.

i will just wait till shortly before the deadline to cancel the hotel reservation and then cancel it. pointless forfeiting that amount of money. next time, book hotels that will penalise you for a night stay or two in a case of a 'no show' or late cancellation.

BrainyBell and ogreene

regarding the financial section of the form, i will try as best as possible to explain my own understanding of the requirements. very recently, i helped a relative in completing the form and the application was successful with 10years visa issued.

i will use an illustration to make it easier.

closing balance on bank statement = #1,500,000.

cost of hotel for 10 days = £500 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 175,000naira). Hint: always look for very cheap, budget hotels - as long as they are located within London or any other tourist city.

cost of return ticket = £700 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 245,000 naira)

living expenses (that is feeding for the entire 10days) = with a generous/average budget of £35 a day, you have 3 meals a day so for 10days stay, this works out as £350. (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 122,500 naira).

transportation for the entire 10days = generous estimatation of £150 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 52,500 naira).

adding all the figures above, the total cost of the trip = £1,700.00

therefore, for the section, 'how much is available to you for this trip', i will fill in £2,200.00

for the section, 'what is the cost of this trip personally to you', i will fill in £2,000.00 (the £300 difference is for any 'unexpected expenses')

now convert £2,000 to naira using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira = 700,000k

so from the ECO's point of view, spending 700k from 1.5m isn't too bad as the applicant as 800k left in the bank

finally, for return ticket, there is no point quoting outrageous ticket prices on the form. BA can charge £1k for a return flight and Air Maroc or Arik can charge £500 for the same flight, depending on the season. so always go with the lowest/average air fare. £700 is an average fare for a lagos to london return ticket - even during the busy summer months.

BrainyBell:
Dear all,

Please, kindly assist.

I applied for a UK visa and I was denied with the reason in the attached screenshot below. I planned visiting the UK for only two weeks and my sponsor would be responsible for my accommodation. Upon reviewing the application I submitted, I observed an error in the ECO's decision, which was even unclear as to the real reason behind my denial - too much funds for the trip or insufficient funds?

On the form, I had stated that I had 2,078 Pounds as AVAILABLE for my trip, but only intended spending 1,100 Pounds, which is the COST of the trip to me ( broken down into 700 pounds for flight fares, and 400 pounds for shopping et al). Beyond this balance on my salary account, I also separately attached a fixed deposit certificate which had a balance of 450K.

In denying me, the ECO said I stated 2,078 pounds as the COST of my trip, which is FALSE! It was further stated that I don't have sufficient funds when indeed my salary account showed 650K balance and my fixed deposit account had 450K, totaling 1.1M.

I have decided to reapply instantly and attach a written statement to this, since the basis of denial is so flimsy! However, before I do, what do I need to amend?

Please, kindly drop your comments.

Regards.

@ALL
The question "How much is available for this trip" should be a total of your flight,accommodation and personal expenses and NOT the balance in your bank account. Please stop donating visa fee to BHC.

I am talking from experience and hate seeing people making mistakes that are avoidable after i had made similar mistake. And the less amount you indicate as expenses for the trip the better for you because they will look at that amount based on what you earn.

I hope no one on this forum will read this and still make this mistake again

Ralphlauren:
you should have given yourself at least 14days for your application to be decided.

go and check gov.uk's website to see the stats for applications decided last month. only 17% or so were decided within 7 working days while 99% were decided within 14 working days.

i understand you were denied previously but its not like you were applying to attend a conference or an event so changing your travel dates would not have had any material impact on your application or made it appear like you were inconsistent.

i will just wait till shortly before the deadline to cancel the hotel reservation and then cancel it. pointless forfeiting that amount of money. next time, book hotels that will penalise you for a night stay or two in a case of a 'no show' or late cancellation.

I concur

Ralphlauren:
BrainyBell and ogreene

regarding the financial section of the form, i will try as best as possible to explain my own understanding of the requirements. very recently, i helped a relative in completing the form and the application was successful with 10years visa issued.

i will use an illustration to make it easier.

closing balance on bank statement = #1,500,000.

cost of hotel for 10 days = £500 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 175,000naira). Hint: always look for very cheap, budget hotels - as long as they are located within London or any other tourist city.

cost of return ticket = £700 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 245,000 naira)

living expenses (that is feeding for the entire 10days) = with a generous/average budget of £35 a day, you have 3 meals a day so for 10days stay, this works out as £350. (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 122,500 naira).

transportation for the entire 10days = generous estimatation of £150 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 52,500 naira).

adding all the figures above, the total cost of the trip = £1,700.00

therefore, for the section, 'how much is available to you for this trip', i will fill in £2,200.00

for the section, 'what is the cost of this trip personally to you', i will fill in £2,000.00 (the £300 difference is for any 'unexpected expenses')

now convert £2,000 to naira using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira = 700,000k

so from the ECO's point of view, spending 700k from 1.5m isn't too bad as the applicant as 800k left in the bank

finally, for return ticket, there is no point quoting outrageous ticket prices on the form. BA can charge £1k for a return flight and Air Maroc or Arik can charge £500 for the same flight, depending on the season. so always go with the lowest/average air fare. £700 is an average fare for a lagos to london return ticket - even during the busy summer months.

Your points above are exactly what i have been saying, How much is available for this trip should not be the total in your bank account but total of flight, accommodation and personal expenses.

[quote author=justwise post=36278130]90 days in one trip?

1. How long did you state that you will be staying during your application?

2. Do you work or own a business?


@justwise the applicant owns a business. Most of the time was spent in hotels and short stay holiday rentals,traveled to different cities. Kept receipts and travel tickets.the visa is multiple. Can he go back with it before expiration for a second visit or better to let it lapse and apply anew for a longer term.

Thanks for your input.

Thanks for your comments, esteemed forum members.

I have made up my mind to reapply as soon as possible and also correct the error., since it is negligible. However, would it be a wise idea if I switched application centres?

My first application was submitted at the VI centre and it was denied because I had some inflows into my account which they said couldn't be tied to my monthly salary. I tidied this up after 6 months and re-submitted a second time, also in VI; then this flimsy reason for denial yet again.

I once heard that applications submitted at the Ikeja centre are treated in Nigeria, while those submitted in VI are treated in Sheffield. is this really true? And if not true, do you think switching application centres could help my next application?

Thanks everyone.

It's interesting how many things come to light after one makes a mistake.

If you go thru my posts in July 04, 09 and 10 you will see my questions on hotel reservation and about moving my travel date. I repeated the hotel ques the next day and talked about the problems I was encountering, at the end I had to pick one. Yes, someone suggested booking.com, that was what I used, most of d hotels I clicked wanted to charge for the first night. I even asked here for specific names of hotel(s) for me to do a free booking, but I didn't get that. Well, that's past tense now.

I know the blame will still be on me, but I feel sad because I ASKED! Maybe I should have asked some more. Phew!!

I know many of us are busy. If possible let's try to answer all the questions ppl throw in here, no matter how small, you never know where it's 'hooking' the person asking. And for those asking, if you feel you hvnt gotten the answer, pls keep asking.

I greatly appreciate those that hv taken time to put others thru, and answered my/others questions. Justwise and Eniayo, God bless you for all you hv done for me.

OK. I just called them

Thanks

Beezus:
My sister was in the same situation. She called the hotel to change the date of arrival to a later date. Im sure the hotel was called to ask if she made any reservation with them cos my relatives in her form were called. She did get her visa.

Alright. Do you know of any one that will charge 1st night incase of no show?

Ralphlauren:
you should have given yourself at least 14days for your application to be decided.

go and check gov.uk's website to see the stats for applications decided last month. only 17% or so were decided within 7 working days while 99% were decided within 14 working days.

i understand you were denied previously but its not like you were applying to attend a conference or an event so changing your travel dates would not have had any material impact on your application or made it appear like you were inconsistent.

i will just wait till shortly before the deadline to cancel the hotel reservation and then cancel it. pointless forfeiting that amount of money. next time, book hotels that will penalise you for a night stay or two in a case of a 'no show' or late cancellation.

Noted!

Ralphlauren:
BrainyBell and ogreene

regarding the financial section of the form, i will try as best as possible to explain my own understanding of the requirements. very recently, i helped a relative in completing the form and the application was successful with 10years visa issued.

i will use an illustration to make it easier.

closing balance on bank statement = #1,500,000.

cost of hotel for 10 days = £500 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 175,000naira). Hint: always look for very cheap, budget hotels - as long as they are located within London or any other tourist city.

cost of return ticket = £700 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 245,000 naira)

living expenses (that is feeding for the entire 10days) = with a generous/average budget of £35 a day, you have 3 meals a day so for 10days stay, this works out as £350. (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 122,500 naira).

transportation for the entire 10days = generous estimatation of £150 (using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira, this works out as 52,500 naira).

adding all the figures above, the total cost of the trip = £1,700.00

therefore, for the section, 'how much is available to you for this trip', i will fill in £2,200.00

for the section, 'what is the cost of this trip personally to you', i will fill in £2,000.00 (the £300 difference is for any 'unexpected expenses')

now convert £2,000 to naira using an overly generous exchange rate of £1 to 350naira = 700,000k

so from the ECO's point of view, spending 700k from 1.5m isn't too bad as the applicant as 800k left in the bank

finally, for return ticket, there is no point quoting outrageous ticket prices on the form. BA can charge £1k for a return flight and Air Maroc or Arik can charge £500 for the same flight, depending on the season. so always go with the lowest/average air fare. £700 is an average fare for a lagos to london return ticket - even during the busy summer months.

SweetOlive:
Thanks Vicjustice,

I'm going there to spend my official annual Leave, and Its just a 4weeks holiday.

Also, could you please clarify more on "Evidence of relationship and correspondence"? He's my cousin and we don't bare the same surname. How do I prove to them, he's my cousin?

It is not uncommon for visa officers to hear Nigerians calling anyone a brother, sister, uncle, auntie, cousin, even daddy or mommy, so it is up to you to prove the relationship.
Birth certificate or age declaration document can help, and if he is from your mom's family, then her family name should correspond.

Ralphlauren:
Where did you submit your application? VI or Ikeja?

VI

BrainyBell:
Thanks for your comments, esteemed forum members.

I have made up my mind to reapply as soon as possible and also correct the error., since it is negligible. However, would it be a wise idea if I switched application centres?

My first application was submitted at the VI centre and it was denied because I had some inflows into my account which they said couldn't be tied to my monthly salary. I tidied this up after 6 months and re-submitted a second time, also in VI; then this flimsy reason for denial yet again.

I once heard that applications submitted at the Ikeja centre are treated in Nigeria, while those submitted in VI are treated in Sheffield. is this really true? And if not true, do you think switching application centres could help my next application?

Thanks everyone.

There might be multiple application centres, but yet, they have one database.

OGreene:
Alright. Do you know of any one that will charge 1st night incase of no show?

Bro, go to www.booking.com

You will be spoilt for choice.

Just look out for hotels with "free cancellation". Most allow u cancel without any charge up till 2days before your scheduled arrival. Others will charge for the first night or a fraction of that.

,

Discovered something strange... Logged into my account on the tls site to track my application only to find this strange number showing as mine: GWF030000000

Meanwhile, yesterday few hours after I left the VI office, they called me to log in and reconfirm my GWF number.
Obviously, they were doing everything manually as their site was under repair as they told me.

So now can't track my application on the site. I'v already logged a complaint on there site... Though I don't know if it went through, but I intend to call them tomorrow morning. ... Just negodu dis kind of long story bikonu

@ justwise Please is there normally biometric capturing during transit visa renewal?
cc: justwise

Beezus:
@ Justwise: sorry for my late reply.
my salary is 108k after tax and my commission usually varies. Minimum per month is 50k.

How much did you budget for the trip?

nunaija:
Hello good people. I just found out about this thread. You suggestions would be highly appreciated.
I applied for a student visitor visa in February and was denied. Reasons: I only included my savings account and not my salary account which shows my monthly salary of 250k.
Due to lack of experience I also got the "How much do you have for this trip?" question wrong... I mentioned all I had in my account...was confused
I booked for a hotel for 1 week
I included my payslips for 6 months with the savings account(970k balance).
All other documents were included.
I am married and my monthly take home is 240k excluding project bonus which varies. The course I'm going for is just 1 week and I stated this in my application. I was able to defer the training programme to October and I want to reapply for the visa. Kindly advice on what I should do differently this time.

That is the mistake you need to correct now, you need to add both accounts though

llamidi80:
Hello house
Kudos to the Gurus. Justwise baba,vicjustice and all.please I will love for you to help me through this:
I was banned for a year for misrepresentation,though it is almost 2yrs after d ban.
My ban read***::
ANY FURTHER APPLICATION FOR ENTRY CLEARANCE FOR LEAVE TO ENTER THAT YOU MAKE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE REFUSED FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR from d day u leave d United Kingdom following this refusal.
My question is can I make another application now since a year is past.
Secondly I have been applying for family visit visa past 7yrs and now I will love to stay in d hotel tru my visit,but will only visit just one person but not staying with....i want to kno if my staying in hotel won't be somehow to my application since d family I am to stay with will be accommodating my nephew.
And thirdly my circumstances changed from married to Divorce.
As for my ties
I have landed properties
2 kids.....not travelling with them.
Am a trader
4k in my domiciliary account.
I will be having over a million in my savings acct by d time of application....same saving accounts is use for transaction.,& both account were used for my previous visas in d past
All birth certificate & family pix
Transactions receipts
Shop receipt and personal tax card.
Income not stable monthly but could be access to 120k every month.
What are my chances sirs and Mas or how can I go about this?.
Thanks many much.

1. Yes you can apply now the ban is over.

2. You can stay in hotel if you want but still answer yes when asked if you know anybody in the UK but state that you will not be staying with them

6packdude:
@justwise

Is is possible to sponsor my mom to the UK even though I live in America and she's in Nigeria?

Also will sponsoring her affect me if I'm also visiting at the same time. Although I don't need a visa but I've been told to go with documents needed just like I'm applying for a visa

Lastly, how much is required considering I'm also sponsoring myself? Will that be total estimated amount for the trip?

Thanks bro

Sure you can, nothing wrong with that and you can also visit while she is there

Hmo

BrainyBell:
Respected forum members,

Please, what is the correct interpretation of: How much do you have for your trip? Does it mean, the total amount I want to SPEND for my trip OR the amount I have in my BANK ACCOUNT, and from which I will spend for the trip.

Lastly, must the amount I HAVE for the trip be the same balance on my bank statement or can it be different? For example, can I say I have 1 Million for the trip, but show 2 Million on my bank statement instead? Does this make any sense, please.

Kind regards....

Total money you have for the trip is the amount you want to spend on the trip which is flight+train+hotel+shopping. It is not your account balance but the amount you intend to spend out of your total bank balance. If you are going to be accommodated and fed, just state the flight cost and possibly amount set aside for shopping.

oluwawify:
Hi just wise, I want to apply for a UK visiting visa with my 1year & 7months son, his father is a British citizen by birth and all his simblings including his parents are in UK, I have written the English test and passed I have a total of 1.7million in my account, we are not married legally but we av done our trade marriage so we are engaged, he insisted we do our court in UK which I don't mind, will i be granted visa? thanks

That will entirely depend on documents you will be submitting and the ability to afford the trip comfortably

SweetOlive:
Hi Justwise and other gurus in the house,

I appreciate your good works here. I have been a guest for some time now, so I have decided to register and ask my own question as it were.

I intend visiting my cousin in the UK for the first time(no travel history), he works with the British Army(still serving). He wants to send me Letter of invite, with other required documents and he'll be taking care of my accommodation, and feeding.

- I will be responsible for my Flight Ticket and Shopping ONLY.

- I have a current account which also serve as my salary account with a Balance of 700k (No lump Sum).

- My monthly take home is 65,000

What chances do I have in getting a Visa?

Thank you


CC: worry357

Very low, ticket alone will take more than 4months of your take home salary and that will be an issue

molly14:
well, i wrote 2 pages, maybe that explains y they didnt get some explanations.
leme try to attach the letter


Thank u, please note that the 56k mentioned is just my salary account (how will i submit balance of 56k and expect a visa), i also submitted my savings account that has about 1.1m in it, that wasn't mentioned at all, it is as if it wasn't seen. The transactions in my husbands account are his upfront and quarterly allowances, which were explained in the additional information part and entered as sources of other income, plus written in the cover letter we attached, including evidences of this payment, it showed on his payslips and then we also attached a breakdown of his salary, from his employer, all these things were stated explicitly and we submitted. i just assume maybe because he has applied before they just refused us, his refusal was in 2011 and we were not even married then plus he was working somewhere else.

Any1 please assist, dunno if we should reapply immediately or later on.

SleekMc:
Hi Guys,
please i am in a kind of fix now, i had posted recently about applying for visa to do plab exams, i had gotten a 6 months visa thanks to the gurus in the forum around april, now the problem is that my visa is expiring in Oct 31st, i am thinking of applying for my exam in oct 7th, but the catch now is that after the exam hopefully if i pass then i will need to do some registrations in person with the council and all this will be around early november after my visa is expired. pls kindly advice me on what to do. note i am suppose to travel to Uk sept 11th cos i am supposed to attend some classes before the exam. kinda confussed now what do you guys advice

Apply for renewer and explain why you are doing that considering the fact that you still have valid visa, give brief explanation just like you did here

molly14:
Good day all,
I finally applied o, and got refusal 2day. Explained all sources of funds for my husband and I and still got a refusal based on financial reasons. That I have limited funds in my account, I added my salary account and my savings account, however, it is only the amount in my salary account that was mentioned, they didn't mention it's as if they didn't see my savings account, we also wrote a cover letter to explain all the funds in my husband's account, adding evidence of all the money, and ironically, we were refused because, they didn't see explanation of the money and that's the only reason.
Please what else can I do, I dunno if we should reapply, don't know if we would have chances of getting the Visa

How much is your take home salary and how much did you budget for the trip?

justwise:
How much is your take home salary and how much did you budget for the trip?

My take home is 59k, hubby 177k, however, allowances are about 1.6m paid as two times ayear asides other allowances.
Totalling 4.5m per year. For d whole package.

@justwise, I attached d refusal letter early, mayb u can see it, f ts not too much trouble to go thru later post

BrainyBell:
Dear all,

Please, kindly assist.

I applied for a UK visa and I was denied with the reason in the attached screenshot below. I planned visiting the UK for only two weeks and my sponsor would be responsible for my accommodation. Upon reviewing the application I submitted, I observed an error in the ECO's decision, which was even unclear as to the real reason behind my denial - too much funds for the trip or insufficient funds?

On the form, I had stated that I had 2,078 Pounds as AVAILABLE for my trip, but only intended spending 1,100 Pounds, which is the COST of the trip to me ( broken down into 700 pounds for flight fares, and 400 pounds for shopping et al). Beyond this balance on my salary account, I also separately attached a fixed deposit certificate which had a balance of 450K.

In denying me, the ECO said I stated 2,078 pounds as the COST of my trip, which is FALSE! It was further stated that I don't have sufficient funds when indeed my salary account showed 650K balance and my fixed deposit account had 450K, totaling 1.1M.

I have decided to reapply instantly and attach a written statement to this, since the basis of denial is so flimsy! However, before I do, what do I need to amend?

Please, kindly drop your comments.

Regards.

How much is your actual salary?

BrainyBell:
Respected forum members,

Please, what is the correct interpretation of: How much do you have for your trip? Does it mean, the total amount I want to SPEND for my trip OR the amount I have in my BANK ACCOUNT, and from which I will spend for the trip.

Lastly, must the amount I HAVE for the trip be the same balance on my bank statement or can it be different? For example, can I say I have 1 Million for the trip, but show 2 Million on my bank statement instead? Does this make any sense, please.

Kind regards....

That simply means....how much will you be leaving Nigeria with to the UK.

What is the cost of the trip to you...that is the combination of flight, accommodation, feeding etc.

This is why its important to write down the budget of the trip and attach it to your application

OGreene:
Justwise, we are still waiting for you oooo
Vicjustice, pls attend to questions, u hv been away for long, kilon shele?

House, pls wht do you advise I do now. I hvnt heard from the VO since I submitted. The intended date of travel is Aug 2nd, dis Sunday, I hv booked a hotel as well. Now, I can see dat dis Sunday won't be feasible, it's 3 days away and I hvnt even gotten my visa. The hotel's policy is 48hours to be given for cancellation, and if cancelled later the whole fee will be charged. Pls shud I call the hotel to change the dates or what? I don't want to lose money jus like that.

If I change dates and the ECO is yet to confirm from the hotel mgt, what will happen if the ECO is told I pushed my dates ahead?

Has anyone been in my shoes? I need an urgent response pls, am about to call the hotel

Cancel and rebook if the visa comes out.