TYPOP:

Hi there. Thanks for your detailed explanation.

I'll like to ask for a minor clarification please. I am applying from Diaspora.

At the sign-up stage, they ask for BVN or NIN. Once that is inserted, the system updates the form with my name and Nigerian phone number before going on to ask for more details, including residential address (State, Local Govt and Address). Is this the point where we choose International? I ask because I only see all 36 states of the federation here and there is no "International'.

Should I simply choose a State where I have family in Nigeria or should I reach out to them for help?

nymphomaniac:

During pre registration you can use Nigerian address. Yes, they asked me for proof when they sent me an email.

I just read the post above by nymphomaniac and I believe it answers my question.

Thanks a million.

olumii:
Register on the website www.possap.ng with your email address. Kindly ensure its an email you have access to and use regularly.

Fill the online form and ensure you pick "International " as your location, thats for Nigerians in diaspora.

You will be ask for your international passport data page, passport photograph and proof of address you are abroad( probably ur PR card or other means of identification)

Make the payment of N30,000 ( N25,000 and N5000) and once payment goes through and is confirmed, you will be sent a biometric form to fill and resend back.

The process for those in the diaspora is so straightforward and easy...no bottle neck or room for corruption.

Turn around time for all this process should be 48-72 hours maximum. You could even get lucky and get it done in 24 hours. Cheers.

Hi there. Thanks for your detailed explanation.

I'll like to ask for a minor clarification please. I am applying from Diaspora.

At the sign-up stage, they ask for BVN or NIN. Once that is inserted, the system updates the form with my name and Nigerian phone number before going on to ask for more details, including residential address (State, Local Govt and Address). Is this the point where we choose International? I ask because I only see all 36 states of the federation here and there is no "International'.

Should I simply choose a State where I have family in Nigeria or should I reach out to them for help?

WaleCanada:

Why did you have to wait till this late?? Clicking on submit without uploading all supporting docs might do you great harm. Don't leave things to chance. If you can't get the supporting documents soonest, you could decline ITA.

Thank you so much. The delay was due to circumstances beyond my control.

I'll decline the ITA. I can only hope for another ITA in the nearest future.

Please I need some clarifications.

After completing my PR application online, is it immediately I will be required to upload all the supporting documents?

Today is the last day for me to complete my application. I have intentionally not clicked on submit because I am still waiting for one more document.

If I click on submit and fail to upload all the documents required today (60th day), is the application void?

Thank you.

cucumbar:
will the embassy accept an Airbnb booking?

I'm not sure. These are uncharted territories.

I reckon since payment will be made to AirBnB, you do have a claim to indicate to them that payment has been made. So it may jolly well fly.

Hillybankz:

I was about to ask the same question because I signed the undertaken since june 28.. Up till now av not heard from them.
I hv written to them all to no avail.. Am beginin to tink dt its spiritual.. Lols

Your case is special and should have been attended to if you sent a mail to the addresses given.

Please let me advise at this point that you don't need to send an email to the email addresses given if your application is less than 1 month with VFS. If it is less than a month, then they will stop looking at our emails because there has been no delays up until that point. This is generally for everybody.

But for you Hillbankz, you do have a case. Application since June 28 is unacceptable.

Compose a nice email, not one of those arrogant mails we like to compose in Nigeria (not saying you in particular do that), and send to the Director General. In the mail, explain your situation and request for assistance in finalizing the process.

I had to do the same for my wife's relative visa and I was assisted immediately (applied on 14th of June at VFS, sent mail on 3rd October to the DG, got VFS mail on 4th of October).

Also, once you send a single nice email, relax and let them do their magic. No need sending mails everyday or every hour to the email addresses provided (again, not saying this is you but some people do). Doing such will only frustrate them and they may switch on auto spam for your mails.

Cheers and all the best.

cucumbar:
Someone should please help me on how to make a hotel reservation directly. I hear they don't accept reservations from third parties like bookings.com and hotels.com any longer.

Where are you going in SA?

Geenosko:
@TYPOP
Thanks for all the good work here.
I regard you specially

So kind of you, thank you sir.

I am simply giving back since I was also helped here.

Shoyomi:

Hello,
Thank you for your response. Was at the VFS office today, it cost approximately N34k.
Please another question, how can i certify my Marriage Certificate in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abuja? I was told to go to Abuja but i reside in Lagos. (2) How can i get a medical aid for study in SA for 12 months?
Thank you.

Go to the momentum website and complete the online form. You will get to the payment page. Pay with your card and your medical aid certificate will be emailed to you. Here is the link https://mmsa.momentum.co.za/mmsa/infocentre/studentapp.jsp

I think you have to go to Abuja. I have heard someone here say it can be done elsewhere but I am not too sure of that. Please go back about 10 pages or so and search, you may find the person's response there.

If you opt to go to Abuja, there are touts/agents who will attempt to 'assist' you there at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It should be done in a day.

Cheers and all the best.

Shoyomi:

[Please someone help out with this question... Thank you
quote author=Shoyomi post=82985404]Hello Nairalanders,
Please i will be putting in my application for a study visa tomorrow at the VFS office. How much is the current study visa application fee?
Thank you for your quick reponse.

While the amount could simply be typed out here, I choose to encourage you to do some personal research yourself, particularly since you are coming down here for research.

Here is the link you need https://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/nigeria/study-long.html

Cheers and all the best.

cucumbar:
Please, what’s the modus oparandi in VSF Lagos presently? Can I go anytime and submit?

Last I heard, no super long queues, no email earlier for appointment, no going earlier for physical booking of appointment. Just walk in and apply same day. This is info reaching me as at last week. It may change later once the crowd starts piling up again.

yacha77:
Thanks and noted. Will do the needful because I dont have time to certify them. But just in case can you tell me how its done?

Please check this link https://www.nairaland.com/944102/general-south-africa-visa-enquiries/65#19440619

Cheers and all the best.

padyt007:

Thanks about the information ! please any idea of cost of notarizing a document ! and do i need to notarize every document(eg. copy of my passport,n likes) dat i will submit for student visa

Hi sir/ma'am.

Did you actually read this post? https://www.nairaland.com/944102/general-south-africa-visa-enquiries/573#82803662
You are not notarizing! You are certifying your documents.

You only need to certify your academic certificates.

padyt007:
Esteem landers ! i have a master admission for 2030 ! please how do i go about the legalization the my degree certificate ! who will do it a public notary , court or embassy ?... and how much is okay for sponsor statement of account ? thanks

Are you sure about the date?

I assume you mean 2020. Please check this post for clarification on certification https://www.nairaland.com/944102/general-south-africa-visa-enquiries/65#19440619.

It is difficult to put a figure to the sponsor's statement of account. This is because sometimes, flow of cash may allow someone with little balance presently to be looked at favourably while someone with a less cash flow may need some higher amount of money. How much does your sponsor have in the account? I think that will be a better way to look at this.

Cheers and all the best.

padyt007:
[/quote]
[quote author=CaptainDee post=82818134]
I don't know about your Flight School, but most Flight Schools in SA don't require any school certificate to apply for training as long as you meet the age requirement. So, you don't need to notarize or certify any certificate, transcript or any document for that matter, as you won't be needing them for visa application, unless you are below 18, then your birth certificate has to be.
I also applied for a study visa for flight training 4 weeks ago. I did submit my university certificate and NYSC certificate along, even though I didn't use them in the admission process. And no, they weren't notarized or certified. Cheers

While I agree with CaptainDee about your certificates not being needed (I don't know how flight schools operate), I'll still advise you certify your academic certificates if you will include them. This is to be on the safer side as you don't know the VO that will attend to you and you will be better for it if the VO is looking for such documents and finds them.

The other alternative is to clearly indicate in your letter of self introduction that you didn't include your academic certificates since they are not a requirement for your admission process.

Cheers and all the best.

yacha77:
Hi guys, please what is saqa and what do u mean authentication of documents. How is this done please. Was gonna apply on Thursday at VFS abuja and have all the documents listed.

My letter of acceptance say I will stay at the school accommodation and address stated. Will I need hotel reservation and how can I book a ticket. Pls guys urgent response for a study visa.

No, you don't need to book hotel reservation. The accommodation letter should suffice.

The first part has been cleared earlier.

Cheers and all the best.

padyt007:

i have my saqa , my concern is government hospital accepted ? for d medical n radiography report ...
You mean i have to notarize my degree certificate ?

Incandescent:

Yes..any government hospital is recommended.
You have to notarize.. TYPOP & others pls help guide a fellow nairalander

I agree, the document has to be certified. Please just remember that it is not necessarily notarization. I make this clarity because it is easier to certify a document than it is to notarize it.

Essentially, what you want to do is called Certified True Copy.

Cheers and all the best.

Jonesjoe:
Pls can someone confirm to me if the SA embassy in Lagos is open cos I want to withdraw my passport . I applied for 2 weeks visitor visa since 15 of July and no feedback from them . I need ny oassport urgently .

Did you read the reply from @Incandescent to a similar question to yours?

Incandescent:
Are you sure about this? I was there in the past week & I was attended to

Find it here:
https://www.nairaland.com/944102/general-south-africa-visa-enquiries/571#82435975

Shoyomi:

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your response. I'll be applying in Nigeria for the study visa. Another question, can I use a medical insurance I have with my spouse who is in RSA? He included me on the insurance as a spouse, is it better I get another insurance based on my study visa or can I use that of spouse where he included me as a dependant?
Thank you for being of help.

This depends on the VO attending to your application. I should believe that using your hubby's insurance should be sufficient in all cases. However, since you don't know which side of the bed the VO will wake up from, if you can afford it, I'd say get your own student medical cover. Use this for the application. Once your visa is out, you can cancel the medical aid. Your institution should not have a problem with you using your cover under your hubby's Medical Aid cover. Your money will be refunded to you. That way, you don't worry about being denied on technicalities by an overzealous VO.

Cheers and all the best.

TYPOP:


Updates on submissions in Lagos.

VFS Lagos is confused presently and are trying various systems. Therefore, this may not work in the next few weeks. However, it was what happened last week.

---

* Go to the embassy as early as you can. Please go much before 6am if you can.
* There will be people (majorly touts) issuing numbers (even if you get there at 4am). Get a number and wait around there. This includes if you have an appointment or not. Even if your appointment is for 2pm, please get there before 7:00am.
* Around 7:30, the gate will be opened and everyone will be ushered in. The gate will then be locked. That is it for that day. Nobody that comes after that will be allowed in.
* Once inside, all the applicants will be divided into 3 viz: i) those with appointments, ii) those without appointments but applying for long term visas/important things (conferences, study visas, business visas e.t.c) iii) those travelling for leisure or visits.
* Numbers will be given to everyone in category i. They will surely be assisted. The number will be counted.
* Numbers will likely be given to everyone in category ii. They will surely be assisted. The number will also be counted.
* The remaining will now be on first come first served basis. They were to attend to 150 applicants so the spill-over from Category i & ii will be counted to get to the 150. Once at 150, all the others will be sent out and told to come back another day.

---

Again, this may change in the next few days. Anyone with updated info should please keep us updated.

Cheers and all the best.

Updates on this.

The person that gave me this info already has his visa. He will travel sometime this week.
He applied for visitor's visa with an option to work (it is what Post Docs apply for).
The entire application took 3 weeks and a few days.
He did not have any contact at the embassy nor use any agent.
He applied in Lagos.
I do not know anyone at the embassy, so I am not able to help you in that regard. Just wanted to give you all updates so you may be hopeful.

Shoyomi:
Hello Everyone,
So good to be back on this platform. I remembered making an inquiry on how to join my husband who is on a study visa in South Africa. Unfortunately, when i got to the VFS Office, i was told since my husband was neither a permanent resident or a citizen of South Africa, my visa application might be denied, on this premise, i changed my application immediately to a visitors visa, which i was later granted(for the second time), my question is this, i want to apply for a study visa to do a course whose lectures are just twice in a week for two years. (its a pastoral course)
I need your candid advice, i know all requirements which i got from the VFS website.
How can i go about this? this platform has always helped me out. Your candid opinion is welcome.

As long as the institution will give you a letter that satisfy the conditions stated on the Home Affairs requirements for admission letters, and as long as your admission letter indicates that the program will be for 2 years, you have no problems.

Just note that you will have to apply for your study permit in Nigeria, not South Africa (even if you have Visitor's Visa that has already taken you into the country).

Cheers and all the best.

Incandescent:
I know this question is like a no-brainer but I need your help guys.
Do I need a letter of self-introduction for my 3 months old child who I intend applying for a relative permit for?
TYPOP

I have little experience in this area but I don't think so.

I think what are most important are:
1. Birth certificate
2. Letters from both of you his parent, authorizing the parent that will be travelling with the child to do so.

Please let us know later if they insist that your child needs a letter of self intro.

Thank you.

Cheers and all the best.

queenfav:
Toh, life is per head.. Only a Nigerian will see everywhere else but his country as more better even in the light of killings and hostility. Go on Twitter and see the support from south Africans for the killings going on. So many of them hates Nigerians and don't see anything wrong in their actions towards Nigerians .
.
.
Whereas Nigerians living there are scared for their life daily.A business partner there told me how they were going from door to door to slaughter Nigerians. I can understand the plight of people there, some have businesses and jobs they have worked hard at for years. It won't be so easy coming home to start afresh.


.
However, those that not yet there but still looking for visa to the same SA? What's the motive? Even the embassy is closed for now, so what's the desperation for. No amount of money or degree is worth your peace in life. If it wasn't serious, Airpeace won't offer free flights to Nigerians coming back home from SA. Anyways, I wish u guys all the visas you seek, may God be with u all.

.
.
For the records, my husband has been preparing for go to SA for a marine course. We just wrote the school about the recent happenings and they themselves could not assure him of his safely while in SA. Based on that, a refund of his fees has been processed to his account.

I did not want to comment about the attacks at all but I will do that now, based on this.

It is important to desist from spreading misinformation as this is what engenders more evils.

Business partner told you they are going from house to house, slaughtering Nigerians?

Really?

For the record, so far, no one can claim that 1 Nigerian has been killed in all that happened so far (at least that is as per information reaching me for now). Before you shout me down, I was in MTN taxi rank yesterday, a main hotspot, particularly at the African mall, just to do my normal groceries. The shops were open, business was going on as normal. I'll also be quick to add that yesterday was their first day of opening, since Sunday. They were scared of the attacks also and actually repulsed the attackers when they were coming to loot their shops. I passed through Cosmos City on Wednesday, the heat of the attacks, and there was absolute calm there. However, my people in Nigeria believes that civil war and wanton killings are going on in SA and that we are all hiding in our houses.

To be clear, I did not say some Nigerians did not lose their businesses. However, the same will be said of Pakistanis, Zimbabweans and citizens of other countries who lost their livelihood during the carnage. Nigerians in Nigeria will not know this, but Game stores, Shoprite stores and other South African owned large and small-scale businesses in Johannesburg were also looted and their livelihood destroyed during the madness. These are not foreigners, these are South African businesses.

Secondly, I am curious to see how many Nigerians will board that plane that Air Peace offers free of charge. I promise you, I doubt 10 people will board. This should tell you Nigerians at home that the reports you are reading and watching are largely exaggerated. If it was a return ticket, I'll gladly board that plane so as to say hello to my family and then come back here to Jozi.

Lastly, please, when you get a video, be ABSOLUTELY sure that the video is exactly what the sender says it was. A lot of the time, these things are false.

I'll end with this, for me, Johannesburg is still safer than Nigeria at the moment, so I'll still stay here. When the time is right, I'll leave here.

Enough said.

Lukgaf:
When last did you get your visa renewed because mine was renewed 2 months ago here in SA

Last renewal I did was in 2017. However, I know different people who renew regularly, including up until March this year.

topgun98:
Greetings , Please I would like to find out if NIMC slip;the slip with NIN is an acceptable form of identification for my sponsor if I am applying for a training visa, as my sponsor's passport is currently not valid.

It is dicey. In 2013, I know people who simply used the office ID Cards of their sponsors, and they are still in SA now.
NIMC is a valid form of Identification in Nigeria. However, you only stand a 50-50 chance with it as it depends on the officer that will evaluate your file and make a decision.

If you can get a valid Passport Data page, go ahead.
If you can't, then use the NIMC slip. Also include the invalid Passport data page and include a letter from your sponsor to indicate that he is sending both to them due to the Passport Data being invalid now.

Once you have done that, it will be time to pray for favour. May God favour you.

Cheers and all the best.

nyce55:
Please house where can i do my medical and radiology report in Johannesburg and do I need Nigeria police clearance to renew my spousal visa in South Africa? Please house help

Lukgaf:
Sir, I thinks he needs Nigeria police clearance too if he had traveled to Nigeria recently?

akindele214:
Chief you need Police Clearance Certificate from Nigeria too

Thanks for the feedback guys. However, what he is doing is a renewal, not a first time application. He does not need police clearance from Nigeria even if he stayed there for the past 1 year, as long as he is renewing his existing visa. If it is a fresh application, then it is a different matter. You can get more info from the "Documents Required" page here: https://www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica/relative-visa-content.html

nyce55:
thanks for the information do you have any idea how much it will cost to do it at lister building.

I've forgotten. About R400. Not so sure now.

Cheers and all the best.

nyce55:
Please house where can i do my medical and radiology report in Johannesburg and do I need Nigeria police clearance to renew my spousal visa in South Africa? Please house help

Like Lukgaf said, you can do your medical in any hospital. The Radiological will have to be done in a hospital with X-Ray capabilities. You can try any Netcare hospitals or Lister building (downtown). The Netcare hospitals should accept your Momentum medical aid.

Secondly, if you are renewing, you don't need Nigerian Police Clearance. Your SA Police Clearance will also be done at VFS at the point of renewing your visa, so no need to get any Police Clearance.

DoubleGiant:

Please what does a quotation from the school looks like?..
is it part of the admission letter?

Email the university, tell them to please give you your fees quotation. It will come with your name.

Cheers and all the best.

CaptainDee:

Thanks. But I can't seem to book 2 years ahead. I can only do a year max.

Book a return ticket for anytime. The dates don't matter like Geenosko said. 6 months, 9 months, 11 months, no qualms.

Cheers and all the best.

CaptainDee:
Good day guys. My course in SA is 2 years, is it compulsory I book a return flight before going to submit at vfs, coz it seems I can't book two years in advance here.

Please check https://www.nairaland.com/944102/general-south-africa-visa-enquiries/69#19896643.

Cheers and all the best.

timaji2003:
Will l book before submitting visa application at vfs Lagos?

Updates on submissions in Lagos.

VFS Lagos is confused presently and are trying various systems. Therefore, this may not work in the next few weeks. However, it was what happened last week.

---

* Go to the embassy as early as you can. Please go much before 6am if you can.
* There will be people (majorly touts) issuing numbers (even if you get there at 4am). Get a number and wait around there. This includes if you have an appointment or not. Even if your appointment is for 2pm, please get there before 7:00am.
* Around 7:30, the gate will be opened and everyone will be ushered in. The gate will then be locked. That is it for that day. Nobody that comes after that will be allowed in.
* Once inside, all the applicants will be divided into 3 viz: i) those with appointments, ii) those without appointments but applying for long term visas/important things (conferences, study visas, business visas e.t.c) iii) those travelling for leisure or visits.
* Numbers will be given to everyone in category i. They will surely be assisted. The number will be counted.
* Numbers will likely be given to everyone in category ii. They will surely be assisted. The number will also be counted.
* The remaining will now be on first come first served basis. They were to attend to 150 applicants so the spill-over from Category i & ii will be counted to get to the 150. Once at 150, all the others will be sent out and told to come back another day.

---

Again, this may change in the next few days. Anyone with updated info should please keep us updated.

Cheers and all the best.

yacha77:
Urgent answer needed. Who should the letter of sponsorship be addressed to? And what is the complete address for both Lagos and Abuja as for all other letters. Please someone should help asap as google search is even confusing me right now.

It depends. It can be addressed to you or to the embassy. I suggest you use the embassy. The letter must then be worded appropriately.

If addressing to the embassy, use this (of course, you can change the Abuja to Lagos):

The Consular General,
South African High Commission,
Abuja,
Nigeria.