₦airaland Forum

I'm reading that Italy is about to stop biometrics appointments for repeat travellers, just for 1st timers.

This will be a welcome development! I've always wondered why all the biometrics taking every now and then, and still printing evidence of biometrics submissions as if it can be re-used. Hopefully, this will create more appointment slots and faster processing.

deyo19:
..
Wow...Do U mean the Proposed travel date has elapsed?....

Yes! By weeks

Restaurant92:
Collection email for 7th April dropped today. The person applied as frequent traveller.

Something has definitely changed in the approach of the French authorities, despite 2 earlier Schengen and other top tier visas, applicant was still given just 1 month. The indicated travel period has even long gone past due to current processing delays.

Collection email for 7th April dropped today. The person applied as frequent traveller.

Imustreturn:
Good morning people... Reading through this thread ehhh fear dey catch person to apply due to high rate of rejection..

So my bro works with Emirates airlines. Top guy. He wants to apply for tourist visa with his family of 5. The wife has US visa. She travels all the time. She just got back from her last trip. The man hasn't traveled before..

Money no be wahala like that. What kind of advice can you guys give to help the family application?

Thank you guys

You better don't mind all the alarmists. There's no special thing different from other visa applications with that of Canada.

It is simply same process just like other visa applications centred on if you are a genuine visitor that will return to your home/resident country and if you can afford the trip. Everything is anchored on these.

There should be sufficient funds in the account to fund the trip for the total period and enough left over funds that they can fall back to. It is not reasonable for you to say a family wants to spend like 80-90% of their savings/resources on a single trip. Some foreigners do this, but they get away with it as they are regarded to be from low-risk areas in terms of visa abuse.

You must project yourself as a genuine visitor, who will return to your home/resident country. Things that give the vibes that people will likely return include good job/business, family and social ties and property-ownership. History of past travels also add credibility.

And then when you are in good standing with all these, you have to be able to communicate it clearly avoiding ambiguity and room for doubt.

amnotapervert:
Around February March, when IRCC started informing people that no one can issue a FIFA visa except them and that there is no such thing as a special World Cup visa that’s when I realized there was a big problem. I am sure the number of people applying for visas during that period increased significantly.

I am sure Canada has a visa quota that they won’t openly disclose, especially by country. When more people apply during a specific period like for visits it can disrupt that balance.

Just imagine normally, 5 people apply for 1 visa. With something like the World Cup driving demand, it becomes more like 15 people applying for that same one visa slot....and also asylum from a country also increase rejection rate

The annoying thing about this is that it affects genuine applicants who apply during that period.

In the visa application, I think I went through a place it requested to know if it was for the world cup.

DrXavierIyke:
I think you are assuming that the embassy process utilizes FIFO?? You are far from it.. and never did I equate the luck alone to the process... It was vehemently about the success... But anyway hope you get your visa and on time and my peeps too... Godspeed

DrXavierIyke:
I think you are assuming that the embassy process utilizes FIFO?? You are far from it.. and never did I equate the luck alone to the process... It was vehemently about the success... But anyway hope you get your visa and on time and my peeps too... Godspeed

There is an element of FIFO in the processing especially if the required information is accessed or gotten on time. However, some passports can also enjoy accelerated processing with special intervention.

Your initial message says 2 years ago, which I think Dottune missed. Now, it is different. The delay is widespread and has nothing to do with luck. France visa usually comes out in like 1 to 2 weeks years ago. A lot of frequent travellers even get theirs in days. Before, as a frequent traveller, you can get appointment in few days within same week you tried. The situation is different now for everybody.

The delay starts from securing appointment and continues to the visa processing proper. Frequent traveller appointment is now like 1 month ahead unlike before, except by special arrangement. Since mid to late last year, their processing period nose-dived. Frequent travelers' standard processing changed to roughly 1 month. And current situation is indicating that it has even worsened.

Newbie2024:
Hello everyone, please I need some help.

My visitor visa application was successful, but I’m having issues linking it with UKVI. I’ve created an account, downloaded the app, and got to the stage where I need to scan my passport chip. However, I keep getting a “network not connecting” error.

I’ve tried several times with my Redmi Note 13 (it has NFC), but the issue persists.

Has anyone experienced this before? Please share how you resolved it.

I think there are 2 categories in that place. Passport with chip and passport without. I used the option of passport without and everything went through without any hassle.

kaycodes:
9th March here, I never see anything.
I regret applying to France, I should have stuck with Italy.

The Italians are unpredictable. Sometimes, they are quick, other times, they'll just hold on to passports endlessly. With France, at least you have an idea of processing period. Which recently is about 4-6weeks.

Successful application.
Email of 2yrs entry clearance received today 15th Apr
Biometrics was on 7th Apr at Ikeja
Intended trip with spouse who already holds a valid visit visa; application done with the usual documents such as Employment letter, employer letter of intro indicating 800k monthly salary, 6 months naira bank statement with 300k closing balance, $$dom savings account with 8k balance, pictures of past travels, cover letter with explanation for all inflows, copies of expired Schenghen visas and UK 6 months visa.

27autumn:
Hi all,

Are people still requested to drop passports at VFS even with the evisa switch?
If yes, how do one pay for courier services?

Regards

Really? They requested they drop passport? Is it for a visit visa? I went with a family member last week and didnt drop passport. The process was extremely fast. Spent less than 10mins.

They tried to solicit to carry out the E-Visa online registration for the person but we declined and stated we'll do it ourselves.

27autumn:
Hi all,

Are people still requested to drop passports at VFS even with the evisa switch?
If yes, how do one pay for courier services?

Regards

Nope. Your passport is not retained. You take it back with you.
No more courier. Visa is electronic and assessed online.

2 Value Added services VFS has been making money yanked off. I hope they wont start playing games with appointment slots to nudge people to be paying for their flexi and premium lounge appointments.

Restaurant92:
Yes of course. A number of people do that with success stories.




You are always making this a big deal. It's not to genuine visitors. I didn't have to provide any information on "Why Canada?" I've also been involved in 2 other applications that booked hotel and applied as tourists and no thesis-like explanation. Just the usual explanation of purpose and planned activities similar to visa applications to other countries. One of them with few travel history to Europe came out in exactly 1 month while the other came out in less than 3 weeks (this one had active US visa though).

Btw, there's an advert stuff I'm seeing on this my comment, I don't know how it got there oh. Or is it visible to only me?

I've checked the attachment space on the comment and they are all empty 🤷🏽‍♂️ 🤷🏽‍♂️

Chibumalasia:
If u know what is good for u. Don't argue with him. His Gemini AI master. He can lie for Africa. Use your time for another thing

this is hilarious. Thanks for the heads up.

rowlandwhy:
Hello all,

Please i have a question.

Since i do not have any family member in Canada who can issue me an invitation letter and wish to visit the country just for sightseeing, can I apply for a visiting visa as a tourist?

I checked the IRCC visitor's visa page that there is a category for such (see attached) but i just want to throw it open here to see if anyone has apply and received a positive feedback under this category.

Thanks,

Yes of course. A number of people do that with success stories.

amnotapervert:
Yes ...... but you have to make your case strong by answering one key question: Why Canada?

Typically, people don’t visit Canada for vacations (lol, you get what I mean). So if you don’t have family members to send you an invitation letter .....which is not necessarily a problem ....... you need to strengthen your profile in other ways.

If you have a solid travel history, especially multiple trips outside Nigeria, that helps. But regardless, the most important thing is clearly answering that one question:

Why Canada?

Your answer has to be convincing, logical, and aligned with your goals of visiting....don't say world cup if you havenot visited the Uk to watch a foodball match in the past or have a history of going to cities when worldcup is happening in them

You are always making this a big deal. It's not to genuine visitors. I didn't have to provide any information on "Why Canada?" I've also been involved in 2 other applications that booked hotel and applied as tourists and no thesis-like explanation. Just the usual explanation of purpose and planned activities similar to visa applications to other countries. One of them with few travel history to Europe came out in exactly 1 month while the other came out in less than 3 weeks (this one had active US visa though).

yp1files:
35 days

That's quite long. Chai, wetin dey happen. Anyways, the biometrics for the application I was talking about has now been done on 7th April. Fingers crossed. Hopefully, it doesn't stay as long as yours.

K77Pm:
Just saw this somewhere and tried it out. It’s like a visa check thing you answer some questions and it tells you what might be wrong with your application before you apply. Didn’t expect much tbh but it pointed out a couple things I hadn’t even considered and It’s free sha. https://www.usemeridian.app/check

How safe is this site? you didn't drop any caveat. Hope it is not one of those sites that keeps people's personal details for what have you?

yp1files:
Got the passport and visa back yesterday...plenty mails, calls etc...but thank God.

So what was the total duration the process took please?

yp1files:
Same here

Please did you apply with the frequent traveler option? Or 1st timer.

Hello guys, can someone please advise on frequent traveler processing period of recent?
I have a frequent traveler that wants to renew, but concerned about the passport being held for too long as there's another intended trip for month end.

PreciousRbt:
Literally Applied for France visa on Feb 25th for a short trip, travel date is April 6th but till now no update. This is already over 30 calendar days which feels quite long. Wondering why this is even happening

Really? 🤦🏼‍♂️ 🤦🏼‍♂️
France visa used to have the quickest processing period. Is this your first time applying to France?

amnotapervert:
Naira has lost its value in 2017 when I was going to school my CAD35,000 school fees was about 8.5 million naira.....that’s the main problem. someone would has a proof of funds (POF) of 15 to 20 million naira and still plan to spend 4 million naira just on a visit for 2 weeks... does not add up and will likely get a Visa rejection irrespective of the country

Most people traveling will stay with friends or family members yes I know but that's does not still calculate Airfair and other cost....

No immigration officer will look at someone with 15 million naira (about $10,800 USD) or 20 million Naira in savings.....which is likely their life savings.....and believe it makes sense for them to spend 4 million naira on a two-week trip.

It suggests they cannot realistically afford the trip, and regardless of travel history, the visa is likely to be rejected.

I am using France as a case study based on average travel costs, you simply cannot afford that trip with a POF of 15 million naira, or even 20 million naira.

https://www.budgetyourtrip.com/france

I know that's why fake POF document business is working

A lot of people get approval with far less. Take it easy abeg. I shared here recently how approval was obtained with account balance of 8,000 USD and the person stated she was spending 5,000 CAD during the holiday. And its even a joint account not sole.

The financial is important but not the all in all. People with huge amount of money have bagged refusals and and people with average account balance have also gotten approval.

I've gotten a number of France Schenghen visas in the past with less than 5m account balance.

timexkaka:
I don't know what the Validation letter is; I was only sent the Biometric Collection Letter to take to VFS.

It is a letter they usually send before PPR/refusal indicating validity of the biometrics submitted. I observed it was not sent for an application I handled recently, and I observed you didn't mention it as well. It used to be an indication that a decision has been taken on an application in the past.

No big deal, just trying to take note of changes in their approach.

timexkaka:
Solo application (Student in EU country) – Canada Visitor Visa

Submission: 18 Jan 2026
Biometrics: — 28 Jan 2026
PPR: — 18 March 2026

Purpose: FIFA World Cup 2026 ⚽ Purchased 2 World Cup match tickets (Toronto & Vancouver)

Application:

Detailed cover letter (football + tourism purpose)

Confirmed World Cup tickets (Toronto & Vancouver matches)

Paid round-trip flight

Accommodation booked & paid in both cities

Financials:

Self-funded Budget (~€4000 / CAD 6.5k budget)
POF 14K Eur 6-month Bank statement submitted

Strong ties:

Valid study residence permit

CAC CERTIFICATE OF Business (Nigeria) + freelance job

Travel history:

UK, Germany, France, Italy, Croatia, Morocco+ others

Pictures from previous travels at different times

Uploaded proof of football travel history:

Stadium pictures from many matches

Match tickets used in the past

Travel photos from different countries

Cool 👍🏾 👍🏾
It seems they no longer send Biometrics Validation letter. Or were you sent one?

Tcrown2020:
Congratulations @ Restaurant 92. Please, how did you track your application?
I tried registering on the application tracker by inputting my UCI and application number but it's saying record not found ...
The family application was submitted on January 30 ,2026 and nothing is showing on our ircc portal .
Who knows how I can track my application?

You have to create a profile afresh on the tracker site irrespective of your active profile on IRCC site.

The link is presented below:

https://ircc-tracker-suivi.apps.cic.gc.ca/en/login

Click on 'Register now' and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you are copying and pasting your UCI and Application Number, ensure you paste it as plain text and there is no extra space in front of the characters. Also, ensure you are using the Principal applicant's details to create the account on the tracker site.

cucumbar:
Congrats! Did the visa issued cover the validity of your passport?

Passport has been submitted and yet to be collected.

But the visa details on tracker site indicates its to the end of passport validity. You know, the tracker site shows visa details such as number and validity. Infact, its from this details that some know they've been issued visa even before receiving PPR letter.

Spouse solo application few months after husband's successful application.
Submission: 11th Feb
Biometrics: 13th Feb (Lagos)
PPR: 13th Mar

Self-application with following usual documents:

-Detailed cover letter explaining why hubby initially said he'll be travelling alone but now, after getting his visa, wife is applying to travel with him (this gave some concerns during the application but relieved it didn't work against the application).
-Employment letter.
-Employer letter of intro confirming monthly salary of 800k NGN.
-Joint hubby/wife dom Account balance of 8k USD
-hotel reservation (just this, no tours were booked)
-Yet to use hubby's Canada visa issued last year, 2025.
-Average travel history with 3 expired visas on passport but all utilized within the last 3 years. 1 Schengen, 1 UK and another non tier 1 country.
-Pictures from previous travels at different times.
- There was zero visa refusal history (I'm having a feeling this probably made the application processing faster, might be wrong though).

SuperL:
I can only speak for the yellow fever card. You need to get a letter to certify your vaccination from port health center which you will attach to the yellow fever card when submitting your application. And from my assessment your yellow card is still valid.

The verification site of the port health authority in nigeria has been down for sometime now hence the need for the letter.

The yellow fever card I used for my application this year was gotten in 2022 and I didnt get any letter from Port Health.
But it is important to note that I've used same card to obtain SA visa and traveled to SA in the past.

SuperL:
I think you should prepare to celebrate. Congratulations 🎊

Pls what is your visa type? Mine is study visa

Thank you. But no celebration abeg. It's hard-earned money I want to spend into their economy. It is more of a relief that the time and cash put into the process was not wasted.

It's a visit visa. This is my 3rd from SA. DHL delivered today and 6 months was given. I wonder why they can't just give 1 year despite writing that I have another event to attend late next year. And my last visa was even 1 year.

Restaurant92:
Thank you guys, I submitted my application today. I didn't even know South Africa visa is that cheap. All those agents don chop my money in the past. I paid 66k for everything today, which is inclusive of premium lounge and courier return. I was surprised to observe that the actual visa fees asides service fees is just 10k.

I just received email and sms that my passport has been dispatched through courier oh. This is extremely fast. I submitted just last Thur 18th and I received email, today, Tuesday 23rd. Should I be worried??

vibrant99:
Yes, VFS Global for South African visa applications in Nigeria has closed for the year 2025 for submissions as of December 18, 2025, with full closure for holidays, including the South African Consulate, from December 24, 2025, and services (visa submissions/collections) are set to resume on January 5, 2026.

where ever u went to submit your own application is still a mystery.

The mystery should be where you got the above from; probably its not for VFS Lekki, which handles SA as I was physically there to submit and the place was full of people submitting applications for different countries on that day, Thur 18th.

vibrant99:
Thought they went on holiday? how did you submit?

Thought? That is not accurate, always rely on official sources. The whole place (Lagos) was a hive of activity for the different applications they handle for different countries.

Restaurant92:
Hello guys,
I will appreciate if someone can kindly explain the sticker visa application process.
I'm seeing a link to download form on VFS site. Is it actually a paper form one will download and fill? Or this is an old process?
How will one schedule an appointment please? Also, do you have any idea of how early can one secure an appointment?
Is a physical portrait photo required? If yes, how many please? If you also have information on the fees to pay at VFS, kindly share. As one needs all the info one can get before going to those guys, who are notorious with extortionist practices.

I was once issued a 1-year SA visa like 3 years ago, I gave an agent to sort out then. I want to apply by myself this time around, is there anything I need to do to secure this 1-year visa again?

cc:
antzlaive
Bolaji16
hunee
Sojeezy247
Africankel
...and other good samaritans.

Thank you guys, I submitted my application today. I didn't even know South Africa visa is that cheap. All those agents don chop my money in the past. I paid 66k for everything today, which is inclusive of premium lounge and courier return. I was surprised to observe that the actual visa fees asides service fees is just 10k.