Thanks. Doing that right away.

hunee:


send a mail explaining your situation.
info.frng@vfshelpline.com

Dear all,

I booked an appointment for my mum (before coming across this thread) and selected the tourist/private visit option for first time travellers. From the info here, I realise that I should have picked the frequent traveler option as she travelled to the UK in 2019/2020. VFS is not letting me change the category of appointment. Does anybody know if this will cause issues for her during her appointment? Thanks for your response in advance.

Please has anyone who appealed a Join Family Visa in Q4 2021 (October-December) heard back from the embassy in Abuja?

Blueberry111112:
My family’s visas are among those approved. Am grateful to God. 10months wait is over

So happy for you! Congratulations!

Seloverando:
Hi,
Please can someone tell me what is really going on in my own case, I submitted an appeal letter on the 30th, December 2020 to join my wife in Ireland, I have not received any reply letter or mail to my appeal up till now I and and my wife have been worried about the situation we got married 2019 and applied for Long stay Joint visa July 2019, and I received a reply from the embassy December 2020, Our application was denied, We appeal the decision since that December 2020 now one year eight month. each time I called they asked me to send mail and the only reply i get is "your appeal is still pending. Please what do you think I can do.

My family's situation is same. We appealed for my spouse and child in December after being denied in November. Nothing yet till now. This is madness.

PPR!

Submitted May 23rd 2022
PPR today June 20th 2022

I didn't send any emails or web forms.

My application was to attend a (paid) conference in July and I applied through the new portal. I have been previously issued a Canadian visa and I have a valid US visa which I included in my application.

Please can you advise where would be faster to send my passport, Abuja or Lagos? Also, as my biometrics from a few years ago is still valid, I am not very clear about how much to pay and documents to send in. Those who know, kindly clarify. Thanks!

Hi everyone. I've been reading through the thread from January 2022 and I can't seem to find anyone with similar circumstances. I don't have any family members in Canada but want to attend a (paid) conference in Montreal on July 29th for work. I submitted my application for a Visitor's Visa through the new portal on Monday, 23rd May. I've visited Canada on my previous visa a few years ago and my biometrics is still valid. I also have a valid US B1/B2 visa which I showed evidence of in my application.

With the backlog and delays, does anyone know if my visa would be issued in time for the conference? From what I've read, there seems to be an expedited decision process (Can+)for those with valid US visas and/or previous Canadian visas. Does this apply in Nigeria? Please share your inputs. Thanks in advance.

Ebi1:
what airline? i used british and i didn't pay to move it

It's not a flight to the US. I needed to go somewhere else with my passport.

Ebi1:
I moved my flight from today to next week Thursday... my family and I were approved during the interview on May 10th... did you do the interview or dropbox?

I did Dropbox since 28th April. It moved from Application received to Administrative Processing just yesterday, and was issued today. What does the status say when you track it?

TDH1680:


Good morning, my parents are both showing issued. I literally just checked. Wish you the best of luck, as well.

Thank you so much for the update, happy for your good news too! Mine is issued now as well. I am so stressed. Just paid 54k to move my flight

wuki:
Can’t remember timelines.

Thanks, I appreciate your response.

ozymes:
Mine took about 3 or 4 working days

It is finished

TDH1680:


Lucky you. Congrats, once again. My parents submitted theirs in Lagos, though. Cheers for the update.

How far? Mine is showing AP, updated today 18/5

wuki:


Administrative Processing.

Please how long did it take from AP to issued? Apologies for the many questions. Mine just changed to AP today...I have booked a flight for Saturday and want to know whether to cancel it just yet. Thanks

wuki:


My relatives’ application from April 25th just changed to “Issued” about an hour ago.

Oh great news! Did it change from "Application Received" to "Issued" or they were on Administrative Processing at any point?

TDH1680:


Good morning, any update on yours?

No update. Getting ready to move my flight

TDH1680:


Was this checked on CEAC webpage? I don't show anything on mine. When I checked the CEAC webpage, I only show "Application Received". But the "last updated date" is 5/14/2022. So, yours doesn't even show Issued or anything different?

I just tracked my application and its same as yours, updated 14th. I think Ozymes was referring to passport tracking on the ustraveldocs page which just tells you where your passport is but not status of application.

TDH1680:


LOL @Coconut head. Is it an international trip or can you present another form of ID, as proof? I am not sure why it's now taking so long. People that sumbitted, earlier on when the process started, said it took only 2-3 business days. No?

It's an international trip oh, flights booked and all. I really played myself...they kuku told us the process takes 2 months.

TDH1680:


Where was it submitted? My parents submitted via IW on 4/29, in Lagos, and it still showing as "Application Received". Last updated date, has changed twice, with the latest one being 5/11.

In the exact same boat as your parents. Submitted in Lagos on 4/28. My wahala now is that I carried my coconut head and submitted my passport despite having a trip next week, because a few Lagos IW applicants I know who submitted March/early April got their passports back in 2 weeks

Blueberry111112:
Hi,
I understand your pain. Speak with your faculty, you may be able to exit with a Masters (Masters of Research) MRes. This varies though. It becomes a bit more tricky if your research is funded.

It is tricky oh. My research is funded. It's all or nothing. I tried to respond to your PM email but couldn't. It seems like the email NL has for you is incorrect?

Blueberry111112:
Hi,
To be honest, I wont recommend anyone come to Ireland for Phd. Especially if you have family. Dont waste your time and money.
Dont get me wrong Ireland is a good country but from the way the Embassy in Nigeria is treating Nigerians, certainly they dont want Nigerians with family coming to Ireland. The visa process for bringing your family over is slow, not transparent and can best be described as unfair compared to Irish embassies in countries such as India, China, Turkey, even the Russia.

Even for Masters student looking for study visas, the rejection rates is extremely high (at almost 70% rejection week on week) compared to these countries i have mentioned.

Its really sad.

You are very correct. I wish someone had offered me this advice in the beginning. My regret now is that I am already enrolled and progressing in my research and my husband has talked me into continuing despite the challenges. It is a horrible horrible situation. I don't think it is the embassy in Nigeria though...I have heard other discriminatory stories across board. Also, the policies that guide the process seem to be intentionally set up to shut non-EU students with families out of Ireland.

ICaSNg:


This is quite sad. I'm sorry you have to go through this. I think if you have the funds available, your spouse could possibly enroll on a Masters program in the UK possibly in Belfast and he can apply with your baby. Or better yet initiate a visiting visa to IRELAND first and try to figure out if its possible to get an employer to sponsor his work permit.

I hope and pray Line falls in place for you and your family.

Thanks ma'am. We currently have a pending appeal that has been with them since December *sigh* The visiting visa will be the last resort if the appeal doesn't come back positive. For now, my supervisors are supporting me to continue my PhD remotely from Nigeria until all of the visa issues are sorted. Thanks again.

ICaSNg:

As copied from Google via petition link- they requested for a reform on this , if it has been overturned - I'm not sure
"The government of Ireland allows the spouses of non-EU PhD students to accompany them for the duration of their program, between three to five years," says Sidra. "These spouses are usually granted a Stamp 3 visa, which does not allow them to engage in any kind of employment, self-employment, business or trade."Sept 17, 2020

Hi @benmac4sure and @Sholy29ice, ICaS has stated the correct rule. It is firmly in place and has not been overturned...your spouse will not be able to work with a dependent visa. However, I think this is the least of your problems. In case you are not aware, the current policy for Non-EU family reunification in Ireland requires you to show that you will access AT LEAST €511 every week (for a family with 1 child) throughout your stay in Ireland with your family. This amount increases with your number of children. For instance, if you're on a 4-year PhD programme with one child, this means you must show proof of access to at least €106,288 if you want your spouse and 1 child with you for the entire 4 years. Without showing the requisite funds, your family will not be granted visas. It is a rigid rule that now applies to any Non-EU family member going to Ireland to join their Non-EU spouse/parent regardless of whether you are a PhD Student or working professional.

As a PhD student who is currently going through HELL trying to get my baby and husband to get their Irish dependent visas, my candid advise is go anywhere else but Ireland for your PhD, if having your family with you is a priority. Irish student immigration policies are not friendly for mature students with families. If you decide to proceed, please read the Non-EU Reunification Policy, digest it (especially paragraph 17.6) and prepare accordingly for the financial implications.

Sholy29ice:
Hi Purplish

Were you able to travel to Ireland with just your vaccination card or did you do an extra pre-departure PCR testing for boarding?

Thanks

Boarded Turkish Airlines with my vaccination card. The rules of the country you're transiting through might also affect what you need, so best to check with your airline.

jimbson:
Good day everyone!!! I applied for study visa 10th December 2021 and still haven't heard anything from them. Although I was sent a mail to provide some supporting documents 3 weeks ago. Has anyone recieved yet?

Have you checked the list of decisions published this week? - https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/nigeria/our-services/visas/weeklydecisionreports/

Geezle:
Hi, no transit visa is required if one has a 'D' Visa from Ireland which is a long-stay visa. Once one receives the IRP card, also, no need for a transit visa via London Heathrow.

Wow! Thank you very much.

Louiscares:


Hi Purplish,

I am not sure of vaccinated passengers requirements. I think you need to check the airline boarding requirement for all passengers flying from Nigeria.

I did PCR test because without uploading to BA website or showing the front desk staff a negative PCR result as an unvaccinated passenger during checking I wouldn't be allowed to checkin. It is among the checkin requirements of British Airways for passengers flying from Nigeria.

After you have confirmed the requirements from the airline website or call their customer care, you can then refer to Ireland travelling requirement website sent by @nitemi006 ( This can change anytime, so please make sure you check the date the information was updated on the website.)

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/77952-government-advice-on-international-travel/

No worries. Atleast it's the little I can do.

I hope you have sorted your accommodation in Waterford? Did you still contact George for accommodation around WIT? Was he able to help you?

All the best in your study and wishing you safe flight whenever you plan travelling to Ireland.

Kind regards,

Louis

Thanks Louis. I was okay to board with my vaccination card and I arrived safe in Waterford. Please can you confirm if you needed a UK visa to transit through London to Dublin? Or an Irish visa suffices? Wondering because of Brexit

By the way, George was not able to find something suitable for me unfortunately. I am in a temporary room for now and will look to get something more appropriate when I settle.

Thanks again!

Louiscares:


Hello Purplish,

I didn't travel via Turkey but I travelled from Nigeria 6th January 2022 and transited at London Heathrow, then to Dublin.

I am Unvaccinated. I uploaded negative PCR within 48hours before my travel to the airline I was using (British Airways website )


Kind regards,

Louis

Thanks Louis Do you know if vaccinated people were fine to board with just proof of vaccination as the new Irish government rules say? Just want to be double sure...you know our Naija people. BTW, really appreciate all the Waterford/WIT info you shared with me last year! God bless you.

nitemi006:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/77952-government-advice-on-international-travel/

Thanks. I am aware of the statement. Just wanted the perspective of someone who has actually travelled recently.

Please who has travelled to Ireland after January 5th, especially through Istanbul? Is the new rule of "no COVID test requirement" for fully vaccinated passengers being enforced? Kindly confirm please. Thanks.

Honestly! It is borderline annoying...your life on hold just because they want to issue a visa. I sent an email to them already. Thanks.

Alday:
Why not send an enquiry mail to the visa office processing your application and cite your application number alongside your complaint.

I wish you a positive outcome as the wait can be depressing.

Hi everyone

Quick question please.

Has anyone ever experienced a case where applications submitted on the same day as yours have been decided by the embassy, but your application number was not included in the reports on the weekly decision page?

Submitted my study application since September and the embassy is currently treating applications received on 11th October. No news or updates on my application, and I am beginning to get worried because I need my passport back ASAP.