₦airaland Forum

tpain121:
that’s the practice with TLS. They just want to fleece applicants.

When it was handled by VSF, I used an old pics I had taken more than 6 months before and didn’t have issues.

Had to take another picture at the VSF center when I applied for Italian visa.

Almost all the applicants I met there had to retake their passport pictures.

TopZionQueen:
Hello house, I received my Schenghen business visa from the French embassy today (one month visa)

Submitted application on Jan 6th, received collection sms/email today, Jan 14th.

My case is quite peculiar.

Early last year, I won an award with my organization and they decided to sponsor myself and a guest (I picked my mum) to Paris where I would participate as an Olympic torchbearer. I received all relevant info from my company who was a sponsor for Paris 2024 and my mum and I were both denied. I had an active 5-year U.S. visa, which I had used the year before. I also had a previously used Canadian visa and had stamps to Senegal and Gambia. My mum was also actively traveling to Dubai and China for her business, so we were confused.

My organization decided to give me another opportunity as a Paralympics torchbearer and we got letters from the Paris 2024 team, and my organisation's director in Paris and still yet, we were denied again. Emails were also sent to the French embassy from my organisation in Paris but we received no response.

That's how I missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Fast forward to October last year, my company decided to send me to Amsterdam for a training and because I was rejected twice previously, I was scared, but I still applied. Picked up the passport after 2 weeks and discovered they gave me 1 month visa.

Unfortunately, the training was canceled and I couldn't travel and I honestly did not feel like traveling at that time so the visa expired and I didn't use it.

This year, my company decided to send me to Amsterdam to attend a conference in February and because of my terrible history, I was a bit reluctant. However, in my cover letter, I included the reason I couldn't travel (being that the physical training was canceled due to budgetary concerns). I also added a letter from my manager confirming that the training was canceled and including that they were sending me to Amsterdam on the provided dates.

Because I have another trip for Ghana on Jan. 16th, I had asked them to expedite the process in my cover letter, providing the booked flight tickets to and fro Ghana.

I'm just glad that everything worked out and wanted to share here, because I have really benefited by being a silent observer.

To everyone looking to get a visa, I wish you the best of luck.

FADEO:
Good forum and I am so impressed with the level of knowledge acquired here while reading in for the last 4 hours.

Thank you all for all your input and contributions.

Here is my question please. I will like to visit France as a tourist for vacation with my wife and 3 kids (10,8 and 5) by August during the holiday break.

1. Can i start the application process by Feb? , so i can get TLS appointment by April, Since the journey is planned for 3rd week of August?
2. Second option is to see if we can travel during school break in April - Please do you think this can to close since application will start first week of Feb - As passport renewal will be done last week of January?

Thank you in anticipation.

racerve:
If anyone here has used the premium lounge before, was it worth it?

Aheadahead1:
Please help me too abeg.

Hello guys, please I need a guide to the best way to apply for a Greece visit visa ahead of my proposed trip by september 2025. I am currently in Canada on a visit visa and I have also visited Dominican republic before. I am thinking of coming to Naija to apply for a schengen visa. Also I have registered real estate business in Naija, what documents should i apply with. Thanks

Ajalalomo:
He traveled and came back on December 21. How soon can he put in another application because he is planning to travel again around March or April?

Slimbideb:
Hello, please regarding the submission of both original and photocopy documents on the day of the appointment, will the original documents be returned to the applicant on the same day or at a later date? I’m asking because this concerns the submission of all original documents.

Modupe1981:
@Thelma76, Davodyguy and other Gurus in the house

I need you all to guide me on the documents I will use to apply for France tourist visa with virgin passport.. am a business man and my business is register with C.A.C and I also pay my tax with my company name.

Meanwhile in January 2024 I and my family of 3poepel we're refused Spain tourist visa on the reason that the purpose of travelling is not reliable.

But now am planning to apply alone for France tourist visa,pls Gurus in the house I need u to guide me so that I will not be denied

Foxie:
But I'm just curious, is this likely to change? Like is there a possibility that January can show maybe by next week?

Foxie:
Earliest date in Lagos is Feb 13th.

Slimbideb:
Please aside the €90 for the application fee. How much does it cost to book TLS appointment for france? Please how much is it to book standard/normal appointment on TLS website for france ?

Marcgrace:
Hello @thelma76
Thank you for your detailed response. Perhaps I've overlooked something.
Could an inactive Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) company registration status lead to a refusal of the France visa?

mulannoire:
hello guys, i applied for France visa on the 13th and got a Ready for Collection email today...does this mean a refusal as it's been barely one week?

Atinukemi23:
OMG, long written epistle was how I narrated all in WRITING and it was quite alot and having to put all together.

As it seems I believe some thought it was a fabricated story lol.
The fact that we got a phone call doesn't mean someone else will .
I just thought I would help.
Anyway to make this easier I am not the one travelling from Naija, I helped my Uncle and his kids apply here online, easier to use a UK card to make payments and all that, even though my uncle was in doubt they may not be granted due to their non international travel history only to few african countries only, and when he called me shortly after he received the phone call and was narrating how the conversation went I was SURPRISED because we were waiting for pick up email not a CALL, if it was a business visa or spouse or a study visa then maybe but for a short stay ? Who would have thought ? and the call came in from a landline which is 02014628484 ( obviously if you dial the number it will not ring)
I am only few stops away from Eurostar Stpancras station and we are going to join them in France to spend time together before they return to Nigeria.
I just thought it would be better to let others be aware that you MAY be called and in case you get a phone call be prepared, if he had not picked the call we obviously don't know what would
have happened, but I told him he will
Be granted since he has clarified the consular doubts.
But if some still think its a fabricated story, I honestly do not think I have to keep explaining myself, I personally was begining to get worried when the waiting time was getting longer.
But to each of their own.
Thanks to those who reached out to me privately asking about the pick up email as they were concerned and this are people who are frequent travellers and had multiple.
But for my uncle and his kids this is their first international visa, of course some may say it is not a big deal but it is for them.
Even here in England with your BRP france dey chop person eye anyhow, greece is far more better sha make sure you have a valid return tickets with payment confirmation you are good
This one wey schengen visa don turn to Gold alot of us has been in the game since, expecially the family of EEA national days before UK comot, we don't pay a dime.
All the best everyone.
I am out of here.

Chelseaboy101:
Thank you for your input, very well appreciated ... My return flight is from Paris with stop over in brussels... funny enough , I'm in brussels now for the past 2 days ... I will return from Amsterdam to Paris , then fly from Paris back to Kigali with stop over in brussels... lol .

thelma76:
This is so strange. Perhaps there was something else amiss with the application.

I’ve had about 3 or 4 Schengen visas now. The first one I used was Portugal-issued, I used it and in fact Rome was my first point of entry (there’s no direct flight to Lisbon and this was the shortest route). I was worried I wouldn’t get it the second time (since I wasn’t stamped in by Portugal authorities at all)

The next time it was tourist and I used only my statement, I got it from France. Life happened and I didn’t use it because the trip I booked was linked to a London trip and I never got the visa for that so had to cancel it all.

I applied again, I was scared I wouldn’t get it because I didn’t use my first French-issued visa, but I got it (bank balance a little over 2m). I’ve just applied for another one (I even dared to ask for a longer validity in my cover letter) so let’s see how this comes out. Summary is I’m not sure they can deny a visa just because you didn’t use a previous visa but then again, I recall explaining in my cover letter why I didn’t use that visa though.

I don’t think a country should penalize you for not using a tourist visa. The visa fees have been taken from you and if they reject you, it’s non-refundable. In that same vein, you should be allowed to exercise your right to use the visa or not.

Marcgrace:
Hello @vozkini
I've had a similar experience. I used my first visa, but didn't use the second one. I've been denied a France visa three times since then and haven't been able to obtain one.
Did you submit another application after your third France visa rejection?

Milito:
Those Schengen Airports have a special arrangement that when you are are traveling within the the Schengen zone, you won't see immigration that will stamp you out/in. It will just be like a local travel. Same thing at the other schengen country you are traveling to. You'll arrive at the airport and exit from an area that will not ……..

giselle237:
@thelma76. Circumstances change, you can decide not to mention your aunt again as who is to say the relationship has not gone sour, or your aunt has not left the particular city you are now going to be visiting?
Say she was in Manchester and now you intend to holiday in Sheffield and see things in Sheffield, you obviously wont stay with her or might not visit her during this your trip and this is a valid reason.
Since you have 2 previous denials with them, pls try ur best not to lose this opportunity. U can keep ur spending to the barest minimum so that u would have a huge disposable income.. this helps ur case better.
And u can also fully sponsor ur trip.
Create an itinerary for the 1 week
Research on things u want to do and places u want to see that are easily accessible… not visiting one place in london and the next place is in leeds
Book a hotel- that is cancellable
work on the ties u want to present
Is this 1.1m a salaried job? If it is yes then that’s good
Get a leave approval letter stating the exact dates u want to travel and tht they r expecting u back
If you rent a property and ur rent is still ongoing u can add this information
If u own ur own property and assets.. add them
Discover everything you can use as home ties and use it in this application.
The goal is to make them understand that on a balance of probabilities that u can be trusted and that they should take a chance on you that you would return. Your documents and information therefore have to show this

Cashmadam:
. Take your time. I strongly suggest you use your aunt instead of a friend. You just need to prove your relationship. How exactly are you related to her? If you let me know, I can suggest how you can prove your relationship. When UK visa officers want to deny you, they will look for the smallest thing to use against you. You have already mentioned an aunt. It will look suspicious to leave her out in your next application and introduce a friend. With UK, if you are sure of yourself, provide proof of your claims. Insist she is indeed your aunt and prove it. Say you will stay with her - meaning accomodation and feeding will be taken care of. Build your account for the next 6 months and apply early 2025. Leave UK this year. Otherwise, you will look desperate which is a red flag. Good luck![/b]

Dauphine:
Felicitations! 💃🏾

I’ve low-key been waiting for your update, thank you for the encouragement and I wish you speedy processing and a very short EE timeline

Lastbornbuns:
Felicitations! Vous avez ete trop serieuse avec CO cette fois

aurorae1:
The way I moniker-watch this thread for you!
Félicitations ! So happy for you !!You've conquered... C1 in CO this time!

May the rest of the journey from ITA to PPR and beyond be smooth for you.

Alchemist01:
Congrats Thelma,

I have tried sending you mails twice, can you please respond? I want to ask you some questions.

thelma76:
Okay lovely people! The results are out and in exactly one week . As promised, breakdown below:
CO: 448 - B2
CE: 496 - B2
EO: 11 - B2
EE: 10 - B2

If you’re familiar with the requirements, you’d already know I have to rewrite as I needed 10 extra points in CO only, for this result to suffice. All this to say, please practice the past questions to stupor lol. It’s annoying because it’s just one section making me spend this money again and worst, the earliest date is June 3rd. But c’est pas grave, people have had it worse and they didn’t relent so we go again. Thanks for all your support and encouragement. Btw, would try responding again to the moniker who asked for the questions, if this site doesn’t ban me

diabolo:
Collected our Passport and we got Visa of 45day single entry
Biometrics date- 20th May 2024
Collection Email- 3rd June 2024

Am a frequent travel with previous 1 Year Schengen Visa (expired Nov 2023) issued by Italy, Previous 3 Months Schengen Visa Issued by France, Valid US and UK Visa.

While My wife had only Germany Transit visa and Valid UK Visa Hence she is a first timer to Schengen Area.

I was Suprised that we were given just 45days single entry with maximum stay of 30 days .

Anyway we shall manage it, Goodluck everyone :

Gsilk:
Well done! Do you remember your EO and EE questions please? EO especially.

Dauphine:
Thank you for sharing your experience and congratulations in advance. Tbh, you have really done well whether you get the B2 haut or bas, because girl look at how far you’ve come in just seven months! I started earlier than you did in July and I’ve postponed my exam twice now because I don’t feel ready yet 🫣 Dieu m’aide!