Poanan:


From your statements it looks like you are using business account to apply. if this is the case, you have to change it. Read issues with this. why not pay yourself for 6months and let your budget fall within two months of your disposable income (salary minus all expenses) when you get the visa u can do whatever. Then your business will now be the tie to your home country. Using business account to apply if this is the case, UK most times frowns at it. I think you need to work on your documentation; payslips etc. Make sure any huge cashflow in and out can be explained with evidence.

AmeliaT:
I'm sorry about that. I think they don't trust that your business is legal and there's no way for them to state it. Luckily, you have multiple visas and access to other countries so enjoy! The UK is not the end all be all. I much prefer the US and the Caribbean.

After sometime, you can come back claiming one simple business; not multiple. Clean statements, active CAC, tax payments, audited financial accounts and a strong cover letter. I agree with @cashmadam that your use of superlative words like- "All the countries" "everywhere" "every other country" etc. may be off putting to them. I help my husband with his cover letters and applications and I always state the exact number e.g. 17 countries in Europe. "All", "Everything" are absolute terms that mean exactly that to the UK and if your declared travel history didn't match your statement, it could throw them off.

FYI, At my husband's first US visa interview, he was a first time traveler and someone ahead of him was a frequent traveler and the interviewer was asking him questions that he felt insulted by and the man started reeling out his travel history to Italy, South Africa and he brought out his bank statement which showed over 40 M Naira; my husband could see from where he was standing and this was years ago. My husband said he was nervous as he didn't even have up to 10% of that in his account. The man was still there being questioned when my husband did his interview, got approved and left. The interviewer did not find his cockiness endearing at all. One must be careful.

Wishing you the best!

AmeliaT:
I'm sorry to hear about your refusal. If your travel history is indeed as you said, you shouldn't have issues.

However, making claims like "all Schengen countries" 3 times sounds a little wild. This means you have been to every single one of the 27 Schengen countries, 3 times which is a total of 81 trips. Be careful when making sweeping and absolute statements. I hope you didn't write this on your cover letter and they found this arrogant and inaccurate. Nigerians tend to say things that aren't accurate and the UK will take it as misrepresentation. Just like someone saying the person who invited them is their Uncle. I am British and and an Uncle is your mum or dad's brother. But in Nigeria, an Uncle is basically any elder man in the family. In this particular woman's case, she meant her mum's cousin etc. and the UK disagreed with her on this.

From what I see, your finances do not match up with the persona you portrayed to them so they suspect you're a dubious character who has possibly charmed your way into other countries. That's my take. Clean up your business and personal finances, pay your taxes and present yourself accurately to them.

1 Pay yourself a salary into your personal account every month and that should be the primary income there. Obviously, the salary should be a logical amount that's healthy and not eroding your business revenue/profit.
2 You Should present the personal and business account but make sure your business account is active on CAC.
3 Do not resort to inflation, sending through large deposits within the six-month period.
4 Spend as you normally would in your personal account, leaving some each month so that is accumulated to a healthy balance.
5 Review the statement first before you indicate your income, expenditure, and budget. Make sure the annual income matches the statement income. Annual income should ideally be X2 of your 6month statement. The expenditure should also follow the same principles.
6 Budget for the trip should ideally not exceed 2 months’ income. There is no hard and fast rule about this, but people have been rejected for a budget that was X4 their income. Ensure your taxes are paid.
7 However, ensure this budget covers your entire trip. Breakdown flight, accommodation, food, transport and a little bit for shopping and entertainment (not mandatory).
8 I personally advise that you try to ensure that the available balance in your account is 2X the budget for the trip. Because they expect that you have funds to go back to when you get back home. So, you can use your available balance to work backwards to see the budget you have available for the trip and therefore the number of days you can afford to stay.

These are my thoughts and of course there have been exceptions to the rules, both positive and negative. All the best! Please note that the next application has to be thorough cause they'll find something else to pick on next time.

Cashmadam:


I'm female by the way.

I don't believe your travel history. You said ALL. Now, it's major Countries. If this is how you brag and provide inconsistent information, I'm not surprised about the outcome of your application. I insist that UK will never stress you if you have half of the travel history you claim you have. Never. Take this from someone who has been travelling to the UK since 1977. Yes, 47 years.

Be true to yourself. We don't know you and you don't need to colour the truth. I doubt if you can afford the extensive travel history you claim based on your purported income. Too many holes in your story...

Reapply and present only relevant and genuine documents. I know very few people who have been to more than 15 Schengen Countries - and they are well heeled individuals....

Cashmadam:


I'm female by the way.

I don't believe your travel history. You said ALL. Now, it's major Countries. If this is how you brag and provide inconsistent information, I'm not surprised about the outcome of your application. I insist that UK will never stress you if you have half of the travel history you claim you have. Never. Take this from someone who has been travelling to the UK since 1977. Yes, 47 years.

Be true to yourself. We don't know you and you don't need to colour the truth. I doubt if you can afford the extensive travel history you claim based on your purported income. Too many holes in your story...

Reapply and present only relevant and genuine documents. I know very few people who have been to more than 15 Schengen Countries - and they are well heeled individuals....

Cashmadam:


Sorry about the refusal.

Have you really been to all 27 Schengen Countries 3 times or you simply want to brag? All Schengen Countries 3 times?

I doubt if you have the extensive travel history you claim to have. If you do, UK will not focus on any tax issue. I say this from experience. If you have US and/or Canadian Visa, UK will not stress you. All these valid visas you are bragging about...Something is not adding up....

burk:
Good morning my people. i am a silent reader on this platform. I received my processed passport yesterday with a 3 month visa validity. I applied for 1 month business visa to France and i did 1 month travel insurance for the application to my surpirise i receive my visa with 3 months validity.

i applied last week wednesday and got returned mail this wednesday. thanks for everybody keep the fllag flying.

thanks.

cucumbar:
Anything is possible.. only the consular general can decide.
That was how I almost did not go for my appointment because of some comments here that suggested that it is almost impossible to get a tourist visa as a first timer without prior travel to UK, US , Australia or Canada or having their visa in your passport. I didn’t have any of those.
If no be say I been don pay for the appointment and didn’t want my money to waste, I for dump the idea.
My passport came back in 2days, I thought I had been denied before I got my passport. My application was successful.
Just give it your best shot. Include as many documents as possible, and hope for the best.

QuackZulu:



Nah Gee, it is not a compulsory requirement. I just threw in my SA police clearance certificate for good measure.

It is possible to do it (the one from the Nigerian Police) by proxy, if you have a contact at Alagbon.

They will most likely send you the form and depending on where you are - you will be required to take the finger prints yourself (with the help of someone), if you are in a foreign country at a local police station or you can buy the ink stuff they use and do it (DIY style).

You then scan it to your contact at Alagbon with whatever extra detail they may require.

It most likely won't take a day to get it.

The next step is to arrange for it's collection and delivery to you.

QuackZulu:


Lol, nah Gee. I was gonna do it, but I've been quite busy today

The school is Sciences Po

The documents I submitted:

1. Visa application form, duly dated and signed
2. Receipt France-Visas
3. International Passport (old and new)
4. ID photograph
5. Travel Insurance
6. E-ticket reservation for my flight
7. Letter of enrollment confirming/certifying accommodation reservation for France via sciences po with CITE INTERNATIONALE
UNIVERSITAIRE DE PARIS
8. Admission letter and confirmation of registration from my current university (confirming my status as a research Master's student);
Graduation Certificate for Undergraduate and postgraduate honours degrees
9. Scholarship support letters (Scholarship offer and Scholarship Letter of Invitation from MCFSP Sciences Po as proof of income)
10. Previous passport and Visas (Rwanda and SA)
11. Resume
12. National Identification Number (NIN)
13. Police Clearance certificate
14. E-Vaccination Certificate

QuackZulu:


Hey bro,

When I applied via VFS Abuja the only option when paying was the Long Stay/Short Stay visa (sort of a catch-all category), however, on the France Visas site I chose the short-stay visa; the plan is study and purpose, student/examination entry

I did not use a cover letter since it was not one of the requirements

QuackZulu:
Hi everyone,

I applied for my short stay study visa last week Tuesday and got an update on Friday that it's with the embassy.

Today, my host University called the embassy and they said my passport was picked up yesterday but I am yet to get any update from vfs abuja (via email or text).

I paid for courier as well and I am to travel to France this Sunday.

Do you think my passport will get to me on time?

For those who have applied in the past, how long did it take to get your visa couriered from Abuja to you in states such as Rivers State?

I will also try calling vfs tomorrow, hopefully they will be willing to courier it on time.

Thank you for your help

musiklibrary:


Hi Man,

I am as frustrated as you. 100k on hold and no outcome yet.

But we just have to keep it calm, patient and hopeful all come back to normal ASAP.

Yes, if you get appointment on the 27th you should be able to meet up with your program on the 18th

I wish you all the best.

Donbaba123:


Did you try Abuja vfs yet? Cuz i still help someone to book am appointment yesterday

musiklibrary:


Men, it is quite unfortunate.

They are having issues with their site.
I have spent over 100k on appointment and no success.
They replied my mail saying. I should request for refund which will take them a minimum of one month to refund me.

I guess, we just have to chill for a while before trying the appointment again.

Folarge06:
3 months e visa issued

musiklibrary:
Has anyone been able to successfully book an appointment recently ?

I have tried for severally now, payment successful but appointment declined.

If you did yours successfully, what payment method did you choose?

sharone21:


Hi. Please, I need to reach u for some questions..
If u see this just indicate so I leave my Whatsapp number so we can chat or I can leave a message and u reply later. Thanks in advance