₦airaland Forum

agathacally:
Tls in lagos ?

I’m not based in Lagos or Abuja . I submitted at Vfs Victoria island lagos . Which of the TLs office did they go to ? Trying to figure out which of the office I’ll go to

Also when did they go to pick it and do you have any idea whom I’ll speak to when I go there?

It’s only TLS in VI that is currently handling French visa applications. I don’t have the address but if you check the official French embassy website for visa for Nigerians, I think they have provided the update address for TLS there.

I also have no idea with whom you will speak with . Like I said, they also had no idea about this and just went to the passport collection place and requested to pickup

Sorry the response is coming late

agathacally:
Anyone applied for a visa from sept 19th at Vfs and gotten their passport ?

Yet to get any update after the passport received at embassy mail

Yes. My colleagues submitted on this date at VFS for French visa (first time Travellers) and they’ve gotten their passports

Note! Most of them weren’t contacted and I guess this is largely due to the transition to TLS. They just stormed TLS claiming they received phone calls and voila, their passports were there and had been there for a while. They had to do this because their travel dates were so close. One person got a call though out of 8 . So do with this info what you will

Neyopumpin1:
Thanks for quick response. Yes I have. Just damn tired. All I could got is payment refused. And. There is like 2k usd on the card. Some told me it’s ukvi website. Pls have anyone pay for visa fees of recent?

Nigerian dom cards don’t work for UKVI or at least, in my experience. I’ve tried using my GTB dom card for visa fees previously and it didn’t work. Also tried using it for paid mail, same thing, payment declined

Try using a foreign card

xxyy:
Visa Approved!
I got a mail this morning from UKVI - tho I was instructed to wait till I gt contacted by TLS.
I pray God will make yours follow suit. Gracia.

When I'm done, I'll forward the mail I got ystday.

Thanks for the best wishes and congratulations!!

xxyy:
I got a mail around 6.30pm.
Mind if I share it with you via mail?
Kindly check ur mail pls.

I tried responding but it didn’t deliver my replies.

xxyy:
Goodevening mam,
Contacted yet?

Not at all, I don’t think they work over the weekends so I wasn’t expecting anything till this coming week

You?

AbdulAkpan:
Good day all,

I am in Nigeria with my wife and two kids. My wife is about getting a job in one of the African countries.

What kind of visa will be given to her?

What is the possibility of myself and the kids joining her?

Can we travel on the same day as she is afraid of going alone?

Am I permitted to work in the new country as well?

Please, tell me any other thing I need to know before she signs the appointment letter?

I think she should request a quick chat with the HR officer. If they can’t answer these questions easily, then there’s a problem

Also it should be clearly stated in the terms and conditions of the contract what applies to dependents in terms of work visa sponsorship/relocation costs etc otherwise they’re playing and she should not sign.

xxyy:
Hello everyone,

I did my biometric at ikj tls 7th June
Additional document mail dropped 16th June
Document sent & received 19th June
Made a paid call July 6 and was told a decision has being made that I should expect mail anytime this week.
None came was forced to make another paid call yesterday, she was surprised to why I haven't gotten any mail cos a decision has being made a while ago. She insisted I check all my mail & spam. She concluded that TLS in lagos might be the one delaying the mail that she has escalated it tho.
Before the June 6 call, I got a from UKVI to appraise the services rendered.
I send a mail to TLS about the outcome of my call and TLS got back saying the reason I've not gotten a mail from them yet is likely UKVI haven't official informed of the decision taken.

Guys, what next from here?

I’m in the exact “same” situation and I am so upset about this to be honest. Same TLS Ikeja. I made a paid call and the agent said a decision was made 5 days agooo! No email from UKVI or TLS pickup e-mail but I also got a survey to rate UKVI’s services some days ago, probably just after they made the decision. I don’t even know what to do at this point.

Sigh.

puffmama:
I didn't get a refusal mail but 2 travel document ready for collection mail ,upon tracking I see this , does this mean it was approved .
I can't pick up till next week.

Please When was your biometrics ? And what category of visa was it?

KaceeDcontrol:
I certainly agree. What if however, you application is for a month?
Also do you mind confirming the addressee for letters of invitation, introduction, etc? Which of the following should it be please?

Deputy High Commission
British Embassy
11 Walter Carrington Crescent
Victoria Island
Lagos


UK Visa and Immigration
Entry Clearance Officer
Lagos, Nigeria.

Either address works tbh, it’s immaterial.

Truth is if you’re employed/own a business in Nigeria and have only tourist intentions, stating that you’d stay one month outside of the country raises eyebrows that are naturally already raised for Nigerian Visa applications in Nigeria from Nigerian only Citizens (i.e you don’t have citizenship or PR of another country). I hope you understand. Nobody is saying you can’t stay there for one month after getting the visa but like I have said before, the visa scrutiny rule is “guilty until proven innocent”. Long stays, “crazy trip budgets” are indicative of someone who has more interest in the uk than their home country. A red flag. Do with this what you will.

ChiefB:
Your document is ready for collection. Please bring Original Checklist documents
Check our Website for opening days/times.


Please, Elders of the house should help me interpret my fate with this message.

Loool I don’t think anyone can guess correctly again o. This one that people now receive this email only to receive rejection mail later.

Probably better to go pick up for your confirmation. When was your biometrics? And what category of visa?

benjijosh:
Please I need help to answer this question correctly. I am applying for a visit visa and Intend to just stay at any AirBnB close to wherever I would be visiting.

In the application I see:

"Give as much detail as possible of where you intend to stay, for example in a hotel, private housing, or with friends."

Answering with -> An AirBnB sufficient.

Also, I have read on few pages here about the budget of the trip too high or low. My budget is set at 5k GBP (includes ticket) and the total amount I spend in a month is set at 1.5k GBP Monthly income is set at 4.3k GBP Do I need to review?

Thanks

Budget is 5k pounds ke? How many days are you staying and are you travelling with family? I honestly think you should budget 2500-3000 max and reduce number of days you’re staying if you are a single applicant. Remember UKVI doesn’t know where you would eventually be flying from and if you have a discounted ticket so just because websites say tickets may cost you 1500/2000 isn’t enough to quote that as your flight budget. Even though the budget seems okay compared to your DI and monthly income, I still believe you should revise downwards.

jarrot:
Shout out to all comrades dishing out useful information on this thread. I would be applying to France for 15 days tourist Visa next month. What questions are being asked at the embassy? This is my first application and I don't have a travel history.

You don’t go to any embassy for questioning. You send in your applications through the VAC (Visa application center) which in this case is VFS Global. No visa interviews, just fill in the application form online, pay and book your appointment then go and collate your documents according to what is required and submit during your appointment.

The France consulate has a detailed website that explains the process of applying for a tourist visa step by step. Try googling “France tourist visa application for Nigeria” it’s one of the websites listed in results

Emissaryfati:
Hello Everyone,

Discovered this thread after I submitted my visa application but I have found it very helpful. Thank you to the contributors. I had plan to come back to testify but I have been dealt a major surprise.

I have a history of three visa refusals. The first in 2017, I traveled to Dubai after the refusal in the same year.

The second was in 2021, travelled to Ghana post the refusal.

The third refusal was in the 2022. In 2023. I travelled to Ghana and Morocco.

Within the last 10 years, I have also been to Kenya on two occasions.

I have just been denied UK visa for the fourth time, I received the email today the 8th of July,2023.

Purpose of my trip and duration:

10 days
Attend a graduation ceremony for one day and for tourism for the remainder days until my return to Nigeria.

Please see refusal letter below:

You state you will be visiting UK to attend your friend graduation ceremony. You state you are employed and earn xxxxxx monthly. You state you have no additional income or have declared no savings. You state you will personally be spending 2924.52 GBP on your UK trip.

• In support of your application you have provided letter of employment, you payslips, your UK host invitation letter and a savings bank statement in your name.

• You state you will be visiting UK to attend your friend graduation ceremony. In support you have provided documents from your UK host. However, the supporting information does not demonstrate your relation with your UK host as you state. The lack of evidence which can confirm that you have a genuine relation with your UK host leads me to question your stated purpose of visit to UK and weather you will leave UK by the end of your visit.

• You state you are employed at xxxxxxxx as a Senior Manager. I acknowledge that you provided your employment information to support your application. However, open source checks conducted with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in your country of residence, stated that your employer’s company named xxxxx is inactive and not currently registered within Nigeria. This undermines the credibility of your employment circumstances and therefore your financial and personal circumstances in your country of residence.

• This means that, on the evidence before me, and the balance of probabilities, I am not satisfied that you have faithfully presented your circumstances or intentions in wishing to enter the UK. I am not satisfied that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit [
and that you are genuinely seeking entry for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes. Your application is therefore refused under paragraph V 4.2 (a) and (c) [b]of the Immigration Rules.

• Rate of exchange £1 = [987.73 NGN] (reference www.oanda.com on [07/07/2023]

Documents submitted;

Invitation letter from my friend
British passport data page
Invitation from school to attend graduation ceremony.
Introduction letter from my organization (a blue chip company in Nigeria. In the top 5 FMCGs in Nigeria, listed on NSE)
Work ID
Employment letter
Promotion letter
Share award statement (from my organization)
Pay slips (6months)
Bank statement (6 months)
Cover letter detailing my itinerary, income, expenditure.

Any advice or thoughts?

Their point around the company being inactive I find preposterous.

Thank you in anticipation.

Damn this was a painful refusal because it could have been avoided if you came to this thread earlier :’(

The preposterousness is amusing because that’s how I was also speaking English about my company’s CAC status being quoted as a reason for refusal until I checked the portal and it was truly inactive for that year. I’ll say it again, UKVI does not care if your company is top 3 in West Africa if it’s not active on CAC as at the date of verification. I work in a company that literally partners with the FCDO on various projects and they still quoted that inactivity as a factor for refusal.

If you ask me, the only things you need to fix are the CAC status and justify relationship between the invitee and yourself because budgeting ~£2500 to spend on a graduation ceremony for someone who’s not family is an interesting decision to UKVI (it appears they didn’t have issues with your finances but it’s best to double check ahead of your next application if your disposable income and trip budget make sense when compared because trust, that’s the next thing they’ll hang on to if you fix other reasons)

If you can include a cover letter that explicitly explains why you must absolutely attend this graduation (especially if it’s just a friend and not a family member) then that should help a bit. You also need to speak with your company secretary or legal team to fix the CAC status. I literally caused wahala for my own team , I had one other reason for refusal but held on to that CAC one like it was the only reason.

Goodluck! And sorry about the refusal

Emissaryfati:
Hello everyone,

Any advice for someone who hasn’t travelled to any of the shenghen countries. Where should I be looking at?

Travel history- Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and Dubai.
I have been denied visa thrice by the United Kingdom.
First time in 2017, second in 2021 and third in 2022.

I am in paid employment, monthly salary average at N1.67m. I have NGN10m saved in my salary account.

Thank you in anticipation.

Try France or Italy.

ladeonas:
Oh i copy them before renewal, maybe you can just download your US trvael history as adviced

Yes, I think I’d advise anyone to always make a digital copy of their visa pages once’s it’s granted, and the exit and entry stamps. I always do this and I can’t imagine a world where I can’t reference a visa I’ve gotten before because my passport is unavailable. Nah.

kolidave:
anyone know how to book a flight without making payment?

Check for mrschengenvisa on Twitter or Instagram. He provides flight bookings and travel insurance at very cheap rates. I personally use the official travel company for my employer so it’s a complimentary service

mosesadio:
Hello everyone! Is there anyone here who did biometric on 30th May and hasn't got a decision yet?
Thanks.

I did on the 1st June and I am yet to get a decision. I noticed people who did student visas around this day and even +1/2 days after mine, have received their decisions though (VI and ikeja)

directonpc:
My passport was picked up for me today from TLS Abuja.

My visa was granted. I applied for 4 days single entry visa. Got 6 months multi-entry. All glory goes to God.

Wooow! This is awesome!! Was this business or tourism short stay visa?? For Belgium?? It’s almost a miracle. Thank God.

Osoderi:
Hi all. kindly advice. My friend will be coming to the UK , she earns 460k from all her sources of income. in her permanent job she earns 310k and her part time job she earns at least 150k. she did her traveling expenses to estimate 700k. 6nights hotel reservation for 146k: flight is 450k, and the rest for her shopping, feeding and other expenses. she is planning of spending 700k. She currently have 900k in her first account and 700k in her second account. Her visit is for 13days , for 6 nights she will stay in the hotel and for 7 days she will spent it in her friend's house.

please I want to confirm if the 700k is too much for her trip or can she still reduce it. kindly advice. Thank you.

Hello… why can’t she just stay with her friend throughout and reduce trip duration to 7 days max. That way she’s saving on hotel bills and reducing the complication with her application? I can’t tell you if the 700k would be seen as too much because I don’t know how much is saved and spent from her combined income monthly….

directonpc:
Wow, I had no idea. Is this the same as the status on TLS site? It only says passport returned to TLS office.

I asked and they said in the text message you receive, there’s usually an application reference no and I think you check on the Visa on Web(VOW) page. It typically would tell you if it was accepted or rejected. It’s in French

yerilistik:
Does this also apply to France visas?
Yesterday i tracked my application (biometrics on 24 may) and it states the processed passport has been dispatched from the embassy and bla bla bla and i opted for UPS delivery but i don't know how long UPS will take to deliver the passport. Is there a way to check if visa granted or not?

Not for France. You’d have to wait for your passport to be delivered. Please call UPS plus two three four one two seven one three six zero five and give them your tracking ID and ask for the delivery man’s number. The guy who delivered my parcel was practically taking his sweet time and even said “this other package it’s till tomorrow or whenever I have time that I’d deliver”, who knows if it’s the same situation of the rider not prioritizing. Just call them and get them to commit to delivering soon

directonpc:
So 10 days later (and 7 working days) I received a mail from TLS to come pick up my passport.
I didn't get any email from the Belgium Embassy about rejection or approval. Fingers crossed it will be good news

That is record time!! Meanwhile you can check if the visa was granted or not ahead of passport retrieval or delivery on VOW. They usually update statuses of visa decisions

AbigailUkaegbu:
People do not answer questions here like the UK and Us thread. Sad

Vfs appointment date online is showing 19th July 2023 and I plan to travel on the 14th of July 2023. So my question is what should I do? To choose the date and work in for priority service on day of choice? Or what should I do?

You asked a question and one hour later, you’re generalizing and making judgements because you haven’t gotten a response yet you voluntarily came here to seek information probably based on the fact that you noticed it’s a resourceful platform. Smh.

Btw your question is vague. Not every country has a walk-in service at VFS. If you can call VFS to confirm, that’d be great. If it’s Portugal, I know you can email the embassy directly to ask for permission to walk in, granted purpose of trip is justified and serious enough to be given a waiver. Otherwise, look for earliest appointment dates with other countries or shift your travel date.

hunee:
Congratuloba Thelma, I have been awaiting this news. Safe trip

Thank you oooo and thanks for the contributions!!

yerilistik:
Congratulations....when did you do biometrics and where ?

Thank you! I did it at VFS Lagos on Thursday the 18th of May, received a text the next Friday (26th) that it had been dispatched. UPS delivered this morning

AbigailUkaegbu:
I plan to visit Netherlands and Italy with the visa when I get to France. I just do not want to indicate other member states on the application so that I don't have to present alot of flights booking tickets. Hope it won't affect me when I get the visa as single entry?

I applied for single entry and got multiple entry. Besides with a single entry visa, you can visit other Schengen states on the SAME trip window. You just can’t leave the Schengen area completely and return (I.e, you can visit France first, then go to Netherlands, then go to Spain, before coming back to Naija) but you can’t go to France and come back to Naija then go to Netherlands again, ko le work

thelma76:
Just want to share my application summary. I will come back to quote with whatever the status is, once a decision is made.

1. Applied under frequent traveller category to France (previous business Schengen visa to Portugal - 3 weeks validity, granted last year October) submitted copies of all visa stamps (including São Tomé even if it doesn’t count )
2. 6 days travel duration
3. Single entry (keeping things as simple as possible)
4. Hotel bookings attached for all nights (I got this from bookings.com. I had to use a dollar card to get the confirmation)
5. Return flight booking attached
6. Cover letter from employer approving leave and specifying return date (I noticed afterwards that there was a typo in the year for travel dates (2022 instead of 2023) but there’s nothing I can do now but wait and see how that plays out since other documents had the right date as well as confirmation of work resumption date
7. Pensions (RSA) reference letter with account summary
8. Account statement (3months from salary account and Piggyvest) combined balance was 2.3m. I noticed people shy away from stating Acc balances used to apply but once it’s 10m above, people share easily . I’m stating mine so it helps other applicants benchmark in some way.
9. Offer letter, and payslips
10. Travel insurance certificate (2weeks)
12. Visa application form with passports (for passport, just opt for VFS service, those external agents charge higher sometimes and haggling is extra anxiety that can be avoided)
13. Cover letter detailing itinerary and spots to visit

France short stay visa granted! - 1 month multiple entry visa (10 days stay)
I was a bit disappointed (since I had a 1 month previous visa and thought they’d grant a longer one this time) but half donut is better than no bread at all . If you’re expecting your passport via UPS, and it’s taking longer than usual…try calling because those riders sometimes just deprioritize package deliveries based on their mood. Thanks everyone for the contributions! On to the next!

OluOla2019:
Thank you, bro


How much is primetime?

You don’t need to pay for prime time and in my own experience, the TLS contact guys were more than happy to help with the upload even though I initially opted for self service and had done most of it myself. What’s their business? Afterall they’re making extra money off it. All you have to do is pay an additional 12,300 for assisted service so they can upload additional documents if needed. Save your money, if I remember correctly, prime time is almost 40k if not more.

pufframmy:
it will end with praise and joy

Thank you!! And amen!! I really hope So. I got a text notification today saying it’s ready and will be dispatched. This is exactly 6 working days since I applied. Hopefully they deliver before Tuesday because anxiety wants to finish me

Just want to share my application summary. I will come back to quote with whatever the status is, once a decision is made.

1. Applied under frequent traveller category to France (previous business Schengen visa to Portugal - 3 weeks validity, granted last year October) submitted copies of all visa stamps (including São Tomé even if it doesn’t count )
2. 6 days travel duration
3. Single entry (keeping things as simple as possible)
4. Hotel bookings attached for all nights (I got this from bookings.com. I had to use a dollar card to get the confirmation)
5. Return flight booking attached
6. Cover letter from employer approving leave and specifying return date (I noticed afterwards that there was a typo in the year for travel dates (2022 instead of 2023) but there’s nothing I can do now but wait and see how that plays out since other documents had the right date as well as confirmation of work resumption date
7. Pensions (RSA) reference letter with account summary
8. Account statement (3months from salary account and Piggyvest) combined balance was 2.3m. I noticed people shy away from stating Acc balances used to apply but once it’s 10m above, people share easily . I’m stating mine so it helps other applicants benchmark in some way.
9. Offer letter, and payslips
10. Travel insurance certificate (2weeks)
12. Visa application form with passports (for passport, just opt for VFS service, those external agents charge higher sometimes and haggling is extra anxiety that can be avoided)
13. Cover letter detailing itinerary and spots to visit

I’d advise anyone applying to opt for a super early time slot. I was out of VFS Lagos in way less than 30minutes for the entire process and this included printing an extra document and taking passport photographs. It’s exactly one week since I applied so I am awaiting feedback currently. Let’s see how it goes

directonpc:
Submitted my documents today. Patiently waiting

Goodluck! Belgium takes their precious time to respond. But usually update application status via VOW in 3 weeks approximately