₦airaland Forum

[quote author=spiceeamiee post=85790469][/quote]Hello. Sorry for delayed response. Been away.
I emailed them stating the refusal decisions and the reason why I think it was incorrect side by side

I emailed like 3 channels, I'm not sure which worked eventually complaints@homeoffice.gov.uk and public.enquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk. and probably on their website.

May I know what were the reasons for the refusal?

dilodavid:
Hello everyone, I just got my refusal letter. Your contributions on way forward for me would be appreciated. Thanks.

Chief, how many months of payslip did you provide?
What did you say you were going to do on the 7 days of visit?

Thanks a lot, chief. Really appreciate your input.

With regards to 1. The salary reduction was because I no longer pay for my accommodation, the company does now.
2. With regards to spending 2 months instead of one. What actually happened was that I planned to spend 1 month for my mom's graduation which was in October. However, my visa was refused due to erratic judgement from the ECO claiming I did not have enough funds. I contested this refusal and by the time they overturned the decision, it was already past the graduation time and the period specified in the visa. So technically, I never lied about spending 1 month then spend 2. That was not the case. But I do understand what you are saying.

3. Thanks. No, I can't lie and don't intend to. Moreover, the form asks for date of entry and period spent in the UK which I correctly input the 2 months (I am yet to pay or submit until I am back in Nigeria).

4. Point fully noted. Can I just say I'm coming for another 2 months then? Please note that I am not planning to come here until April when my current visa would have almost been over.

5. Point fully noted. Thanks, boss

giselle237:
@Skrskr
This is painful. It’s like you want to get a denial...
1) your salary has drastically reduced so it’s obvious your circumstances have changed and can affect the outcome of your visa. You keep downplaying this part meanwhile herein lies the key to you getting your new visa renewed. Every visa application is assessed on the grounds of your application at that time.
If you are found not to be eligible for a visa, whether you have come to the UK before or not... you will not be given another visa on grounds that you don’t qualify at that time.

2. ‘You also said you didn’t violate your visa as you came to the UK for just two months out of the 6’... pls my dear when u filled the application that got you the visa did you tell them in that same application that you would be staying for 2 months? If no.. this also questions your ties to Nigeria and your credibility and you will need to explain it very well inorder to have a successful renewal. Again, don’t joke as you might have shot your ties to Nigeria slightly in the leg by this act.

3)They have your data of when you left the UK because they have access to the flight details of how you left... please don’t lie in your new application about this as you will be required to fill this part.
Simply explain to them in your new cover letter why you stayed for 2 months... they will overlook it if they feel you didn’t violate anything.

4. What is a 2 years visa? A 2 years visa still doesn’t imply that you can stay for 6 months at a stretch or 3 months at a stretch?
If this happens, that means your ties to Nigeria are weak and that to UK are strong, meaning you are a potential immigrant... what do you think will be the outcome of the application?? refusal!

5. Booking a one way ticket? ahh my friend! This is where you finally kill yourself as it shows that you dont have any plans of coming back, I would be surprised if you pass the border.

Pls re-orientate your mind, don’t allow them to lose trust in you so soon. Approach this application with same dexterity and carefulness as you did the 6 months own and if well done ofcourse you can get a 2 yrs visa ryt now. This is only my opinion as I am not an ECO.

Hi All.
Hope everyone is well?
Few questions today.

My first trip to the UK, my TOTAL trip budget was around £2442, (out of £7k+ savings) and my salary was £800/month.
I planned to travel for a month then for my mom's graduation.
My mom(UK citizen) planned to pay for flight, which i budgeted £800 for
So my contribution was supposed to be about £1642 out of the 2442.

From this same £1642, i budgeted £600 pounds for accomodation as I did not plan to live with my parents as they had a small place.

The visa was however refused on the grounds that i didn't have money which is false so I rejected the decision and complained.

Visa was consequently granted.


Now, I am planning to apply for two years.
I am hoping it will be granted as i didn't violate the terms of my 6 months. I ended up coming to the UK for just 2 months out of the 6.
The main question I want to ask now is... by my next visit(if 2 years is granted), i would like to spend 3 months.
Should I mention that on my application or should I just mention that I am coming for one month and after it is granted, i can book ticket for 3 months?
I know technically I can stay for up to 6 months if I have a 2 years visa but will it be suspicious if I just mentioned on my application that I am coming for 3 months? Will it appear as if I am living in the UK or am I within the visa rights?


Secondly, if visa gets granted, must I book a return ticket or am I allowed to book a one-way ticket given I do not have a specific date of leaving yet or is return ticket a must for visit visa regardless of how long the visa length is.

Lastly, in my first application, I submitted 3 months payslip as my company was new (I earned Naira360,000 - £800) then, but after applying for the visa, my salary has reduced to (Naira 204,000 - £454). Will this affect my new application regardless of the fact that I never overstayed?

Also, when I came to the UK, I ended up staying with my parents and didn't see the need to book a hostel accomodation like I planned to anymore.
For my next trip (if visa is granted), i will stay with them which will significantly reduce my expenditure. Will a budget of £1500 fly ? Given I am no longer paying for accomodation and living expenses is next to nothing?

Now the issue is £1500 is about 3.5 times my monthly earning. So if I claim I am travelling for a month, that's a lot. However, if I claim I am travelling for 2 months, that is still okay since its basically £750 per month.

Should I reduce my budget?
Or should I get my mom to pay for the flights? And only have living expenses to handle?

Also, please note I currently have a savings of £8k (an increment of just 1k since last visa was granted - due to salary) which would have increased by the visa decision time.
I know this is a bit complicated but i hope someone gets what I am trying to say.
Pardon my typos as well.

giselle237:
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa

I saw the link but it is a bit ambiguous. Not sure if it's saying I have to be dependent on my parents to qualify.

Hi Everyone.
Hope y'all doing great?
I have a couple of questions

1. I got a 6-month visit visa in November (Expires May2020). I am using 2 months on my first visit which ends in January and will be back home shortly.
I would like to come back in April-June (Another 2 months) for basically the same purpose I got the 6months visit visa for (to visit family), would also like to attend events relating to my business industry/personal growth as well.
Do I stand a good chance of getting a 2-year visa if I apply for it by February or do I still have to renew for 6 months?? (Remember I only used 2 months from my 6 months and never overstayed).

Secondly, does anyone know about the category called ''Family of a settled person visa''?
My parents are UK citizens but I am not and I am over 18, is there any type of visa that allows me to join them that is not a visit visa?
I have been seeing stuff about it online but the UK GOV website is a bit ambiguous about people over 18 so I wanted to ask if anyone knows about or has experienced it and how they went about it.


Lastly and unrelated, does anyone have experience with Australia visit visa?
I got refused once due to no clear source of funds, lack of travel history and ties to Nig but the situation has since changed with travel history to UAE and UK, payslips with fair salary and evidence of funds for over 6 months.

Do I stand a good chance now? Are there any dos or donts that are different from the UK visit visa process or is it very similar?
Thanks guys.

giselle237:
Hello All,
pls who has ever had a Border officer file a complaint to Home Office for them without them asking.. basically to help the person erase abi na amend a visa refusal history.

P.S the person didn’t ask for it...
anyone with such experience?

Border officer as in Nigerian customs??
Also, I am not sure there is a valid reason for erasing a refusal history.

oak202:
I submitted my passport back with the letter of apology on 27th of September and i received collection message on the 8th October.
But before collection mesage i was sent concluded message on the 2nd of October

ok. Thank you

kazmoj:
..
Thank you...because, I was promoted and my salary was increased to 80% of my initial salary in January 6th due to my project I was embarked on then, the account balance was 900+ but later it rised to 2.2M August ..

Did you include your promotion letter and payslips showing the increment in salary? Does it tally with the money that was deposited into the account?

asamwababy:
1. Two bank statements were submitted for the application( One salary and personal account) with about 400K and 1.2M respectively why no reference was made to the other well funded account i don't know before reaching this decision.


This is becoming a norm by the UK visa office.

Deliberately using the account that has low funds to conclude on visa issuance.

Na their way

justwise:
Those are Backpackers accommodation, shared room with bunk beds, never seen anybody who got a visa with such accommodation.

Years ago while on school picnic i used one in London and Wales , no security, no privacy, infact you take your stuff while going to have a shower because you are sharing a room with strangers.

The price tells you everything.

Whether it will fly remains to be seen.

Lmao @ taking your things while going to shower hahaha

kazmoj:
I was refused on this basis to UK visiting visa ... Please, can someone in the house help me what next do?Check below picture ..thanks

It's called "funds parking" boss.
In April you had 900k, and a few months later, it rose to 2million+. That is an Extra 3000+ pounds.

Did you explain the origin of the funds?

Broadenyourhori:
I completely understand your point. I had the same issue when i applied for my ILR couple of years ago. Even though i went in for a premium same day service at the HO in Croydon,paid £3000 - the guy refused to grant my ILR because i didn't include a document. (document i used for other permits and was not even required) I took notes of all our conversations, his name and staff number, his manager's name and made a complaint. I got an apology letter for the stress and had my ILR issued.

On the other hand, the workload on these guys are too much. Most applications from Africa are handled by High school leavers especially tourist visas. They have a threshold they can't go beyond.

Wow. High school leavers... No wonder.

1blessing:
Hello @skrskr, congrats. Please did you state in your application that you were denied australia visa in your recent UK visa since they can access the info from their database?

I stated all my prior visa refusals (2 to be precise).

The first was in 2007, when I was still a minor, it was a settlement visa to the UK.
The second Australia, May 2019.

I had no cause to not declare it. My situation has since changed.

For example, prior to may, I was just a freelancer, no company, no invoice, just money coming to my account. There was no way to prove that they were legitimate earnings or not.

After that refusal, I set up my limited liability company, separated personal funds from company funds, started earning a salary of 1,000 USD per month. Provided my payslip, evidence of FIRS tax filed for my company. There was a structure. So there is no way, they will say my situation hasn't changed or deny me because Australia denied me. I also travelled to Dubai in July just to build travel history (my first trip outside Nigeria).

When I get back from the UK, I will reapply to Australia again as I do not see any reason why I should be refused if I have two trips under my belt and never overstayed and I would probably be able to provide them about 8 months payslip and some other relevant evidence, maybe real estate or treasury bills.

Last last, i dont think its a good idea to leave out details of previous refusals. If they find out (which I'm sure they will), it will prove to them that you plan to run away on getting to their UK.

I even lowkey feel like having previous refusals can even help you because you can easily prove how your situation has since changed. I guess.

Yuzee:
is there anyway I can know if visa was appproved? I'm getting really impatient ... DHL said estimated date of delivery is Tuesday next week...something that was given to them since Wednesday.

Nah

[quote author=oak202 post=84040793][/quote]Thanks boss. When you returned your passport, how long did they take to return it to you with the 2 year visa? I commend your courage as well for returning the 6 months visa. I know most Nigerians feel visa application is sort of like a lottery/achievement and the officials are gods. No they aren't. Yes, in some cases you may seem to have provided all the documents required and you can still be refused if some things do not add up but all in all. If there's paper trail for all the funds in your accounts and you don't appear to be desperate whether wittingly or unwittingly, they will grant the visa (well, except in cases such as mine where they refused because they didn't check properly).



However, they mailed me again this morning with a robust apology that the presiding officer misinterpreted the documents I provided so the ECM had another ECO review it and my visa has now been granted. But I don't know how long it will take before they return my passport.

Vicas2000:
I am trying to upload documents (self service) and need clarification:

1. Do i put all my sponsors documentation under "sponsor evidence" e.g. my sponsors bank statement, mortgage document, sponsors british passport, sponsor council tax etc under the sponsor evidence category

2. There is another category labelled as financial evidence and not sure if this is for the applicants financial evidence only? i.e. the applicants bank statement, or should this financial evidence contain the sponsors bank statement too?

3. Also under what category should the cover letter be on?

Anyone can advise on this please?

The cover letter should be under " additional information" I think there is a category like that, can't remember. Try to name the files accordingly. For the financial evidence, just put your own finances there. They should see all the sponsors financial evidence under the sponsors category. Sometimes, a document may be applicable to one or more category. Still "chuk am inside"

saintkola:
Congrats. Had the same circumstance in 2011.

Thanks chief. I hope they don't play funny and come up with something else. Haha

Hb1234:
Can you show us the mail format?

After I get my visa haha

Broadenyourhori:
Everyone refused a visa will now be sending emails for a review until the "blow" this opportunity for other people who actually need a review. smh

I understand you but would you prefer there was no avenue for complaint?
Not all refused visas actually do not have merit.
The ECOs are humans and I lowkey feel their job is to deny not grant visas from Nigeria.
When I posted my refusal decision, "gurus" on here (no offence) were asking me to not complain but wait a while till my circumstances change. Nothing needed to possibly change as I had good standings based on their rules. I am pretty certain there would have been a lot of people refused under similar circumstances to mine. Complaint is not an issue especially since it is a paid service.
To avoid everyone complaining, it's best they sit up and do their work to the letter.
I had an Australia visit visa refused in May, I couldn't complain because they refused based on facts. This UK refusal was based on laziness on the part of the ECO. I attached 50 supporting documents and could tell she probably checked two or three. Hence, I had grounds to complain. Who knows if he/she has refused thousands of other people by not checking their application thoroughly? They are not gods abeg. Even if everyone starts to complain, it's as simple as them taking a look and seeing if the complaints had merit. If not, they will probably uphold it.

Janechinem:
Please which email address did you sent your complaint today?

To be honest, i am not sure which one worked, i just bombed them from all angles.



complaints@homeoffice.gov.uk
publicenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk

I also used their paid email service which cost about 5£

Check these links as well https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration/about/complaints-procedure#how-to-complain
https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk/y

But I had good grounds to complain/believe the refusal didn't take my application or proof into consideration and they really made errors.

From all indication, they might be granting me the visa but i dont trust those people, they are also humans and from the looks of things, their defaukt settings is to deny a visa... Those same channels informed me that they were not the right place to complain but i kept following up and luckily, they overturned the decision. All the best to everyone.

Hello guys. In October, was refused a visit visa. But I was not satisfied by the decision as I felt I had a strong application and that the officer did not coheck all 50 documents I provided. I planned to reapply this month.

Although I had no rights of appeal, i did send them a complaint detailing how I believe my application was not properly checked.
At first, they replied to me that they were not the correct channel for complaints.
I didn't have their time since and about 15 days later, which is today, I mailed them again demanding for an explanation / review of the presiding officer's judgement on my visa.

7 hours later, they mailed me that ''my visa decision has been overturned and that I should submit my passport for the new decision ''Please note that your visa decision has been overturned.

Please submit your passport to the Visa Application Centre with a copy of this e-mail.

Once we have confirmation that the passports have been received, we will send out a new decision to be endorsed on your passport.''

Has anyone ever experienced an overturn of refusal decision? Does that mean my visa will now be granted?

I am going to submit my passport tomorrow to them.
Thanks

BizBloke:
[color=#000033]This is still classed as self-employed, my guy. It's a thin line but still.

Shey you're the owner and you employed yourself, correct? Or are you the founder & someone else's the CEO/manager? Do you have shareholders? Do you have a BOD (Board of Directors)?[/color]

Ok, bro. But yeah, there is another shareholder apart from myself.

I am actually not self employed. I am employed by the company and also the owner.
Being self-employed is when you register a business name/sole-proprietorship. My company is an limited liability company. This is also recognized by the UK government her : https://www.gov.uk/working-for-yourself?step-by-step-nav=01ff8dbd-886a-4dbb-872c-d2092b31b2cf
It may sound emotional but fact is, there is a very huge bias towards Nigerians haha.

oluayebenz:
You are self employed nah....
You should have a business account for transactions....

I do. I provided. 4 bank statements.
1 for business, 3 for personal

oluayebenz:
You are self employed nah....
You should have a business account for transactions....

Thanks, boss.
Do you advise I reapply immediately?
The graduation is already past as it was October 7th. But I did include the graduation invite in the previous application
As per accommodation, they have a small apartment was why I decided to book a hotel if given the visa.

Should I apply for two weeks now? Remove the joint account and still use my parents' house as accommodation or should I just book the hotel and reduce my travel expense to half since it will now be for 2 weeks?

Justblow:
You gave too much information. The ECO is not looking for the strong part of your application to make decisions, they are all out for the flaws.

You earn 360k, let's assume your ME. is 100k, u left with a monthly DI. of 260k, twice is 520k, guy, u can package your papers and get the visa.

All u need is get an invite for the graduation, parent give u accommodation and reduce your travel duration to two weeks.

All these mom will give me money as gift, is further complicating the whole thing.

Don't even think of contesting it, remember your company is just five months old.

Follow my lead at the top and you will be fine.

All d best.

giselle237:
Your heart says you should contest the decision... that’s okay however kindly leave out the self employed part... you are self employed because you OWN the company and they are right to refer to you as that..

Thank you. But what would you advise? To reapply or to complain?

giselle237:
Sincerely sorry about the outcome.
Pls who owns the company paying the 360k monthly?

I do.

obiz0819:
I made a complaint not a fresh application. I felt I should correct the wrong judgement before making a fresh application

How long did they take to get back to you?
I need to do the same as well.
Did you complain via calls or through mail?
Kindly let me know the channel that was used.

obiz0819:
capture of the complaint letter I sent to HO

Hello. They made errors on my application as well. Did you complain through a different medium or made a fresh application?

Juliansamuel:
Pls where you sent decision made email?

Yes, I was sent on October 6.
They said decision has been concluded

Hi All.
Visa type: Visit (family)
Timeline: Biometric: sept 17
Concluded: October 6
Passport ready for pick up: October 15.
Outcome: Denied


I applied for a month's visit visa to visit my family - (my parents and brother). One of the reasons was to see them, while the other was for my moms graduation earlier this month.
My parents are citizens while my brother has a permanent residency.
I just picked up my application yesterday and it was denied due to 2 ridiculous reasons.
1. My sponsor (mom) does not have enough money in her joint account with my dad to donate 800 pounds to my flight which was mentioned in my application.
2. I do not have up to the money I claimed I had in my savings.

Now, I say the reasons were ridiculous because, I submitted two accounts for my sponsor (mom) as supporting documents:

1. Joint account with my dad which had 63 pounds balance, which was the one they checked. But the purpose of this was only to show my parents were married and share a joint account.

2. My moms personal account which had enough money about 4000pounds to cover the 800pounds flight cost.

So obviously, they only checked one account and did not check the main account and assumed she does not have any money of her own.


Secondly, in the form, I declared a savings of 7k pounds and I submitted my 3 bank accounts to support this.
They miraculously checked and mentioned only one bank account which had just 4k pounds in it.
And they claimed, the 4k was not up to the 7k savings I claimed.
For Gods sake, I submitted 3 personal bank accounts and 1 company account. They claimed I submitted 2 accounts, 1 for company and 1 personal with the 4k savings.

Also, I did write a brief but comprehensive cover letter detailing everything and the supporting documents attached.

I registered my company in May, and prior to that all business transactions have been going through my personal account. All these was explained, with proof of earnings and the source, but they obviously did not check and of that and only cherry picked what they want and made a decision that does not add up. They claimed I was self-employed, I am not self-employed. I am employed by my company and payslip of monthly salary of 360k per month was attached.

Also, they mentioned they are not satisfied my sponsor will provide financial support to me during my stay. I never said she would.
My mom is only contributing 800pounds to the budget of 2k pounds. The 800 was only for my flight (which isn't a cost I can't even handle myself, she only planned to do that as a gift). I also included in my cover letter than the rest of the travel expense (1.4k pounds) will be covered by me for accommodation and feeding as I planned to rent an hotel close to where they live.

Now, the thing is I am not desperate to go to the UK, I really don't care as it was just to visit my family, however, all the reasons they refused me for were incorrect.

Do you guys advise me to reapply immediately to contest the decision?

I am thinking if I leave it and apply at a later time, it may confirm their thinking that their decision was right and that I and mom really do not have the funds.

Secondly, if I reapply now, how can I ensure that they check all the documents I submitted especially since it is obvious that they do not check a lot of the supporting documents and cover letter? Where should I put the details they failed to check? If I put all this in another cover letter for the new application, what's to say they will check or not even refuse again?


I await your views.
Thanks a lot.