NewStats: 3,265,395 , 8,186,593 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 06:22 PM 234u68

Actively taking notes! Been on this since December 2021 and it’s time to fire notsonewmary thank you for this thread.

amazinghands:
Hello Everyone,

My mother was recently denied a visiting visa due to a lack of strong home ties. She is over 60 years old and has never traveled outside the country. I am currently a permanent resident and stated in the application that I would be sponsoring her trip. She is a businesswoman who runs a wholesale flour business. However, during her interview, she mentioned that they did not ask to see any of her ing documents.

How can we better demonstrate her strong ties to home in her next application?

The embassy consulars rarely request to see documents unless the situation calls for it. Is there anything you can do? Unfortunately, no. It’s best to wait and try again later. Currently, many individuals over 60 are overstaying their visas, so officers are no longer offering any leniency to the elderly.

Ayodele20484:
[/b]

Many thanks Giselle.

I was just worried they may be asking for letter of consent from the supposed mother or family picture.
I also want to believe that [b]declaring he was born through surrogacy wont raise any concerns, after-all, it's legal here and even there in the UK.

If you had your surrogacy in Nigeria and your child was born in Nigeria, in my opinion this bolded is not necessary information. Try to keep your application as simple and tidy as possible except if extremely necessary.
Don’t answer to what you were not asked, your child is your child.

LadyCaplin:
Hello people.

For those who applied for a visit visa, has anyone received a response recently? Curious to know if May applications are being attended to now.

Please share your timelines to encourage us all.

I heard they’ve been attending to applications swiftly these days by swiftly I mean 8-10 weeks.

readonenaire:


Ah!

Do you mean as i have made complaint, they won't return my port? i have been curious because i have been wondering why i have not received mail from VFS to come collect my port.

if thats the case, there is problem, i have exams in the US in July o! which kain wahala be this

You’ll pick your port up and when they’re ready for you they’ll give you instructions on how to submit
the port

babs4all:
SOS: My uncle and I are bid to travel on the 12th of this month to UK and Canada. He submitted his port for through dropbox on the 19th of May, until this moment, his port has not been returned. What can we do to retrieve the port urgently?

We have booked hotels in London and Canada. Plus flight tickets.

Please help on how to go about it. I did not know that the system has changed. I encouraged him to drop the port

There’s a formal process to retrieve your port if you need it for other pressing purposes

PHEEEMMMY:


Thanks! The travel date is July 1st or 2nd.
Turkish seems cheaper and faster, though it only allows one 23kg bag.
By the way, can one pay in Naira for international flights?

Just a side advise buy a ticket with two bags since you’re going for studies, one suitcase may not be sufficient to pack what you need.

ideranani:
Hello , please I need some clarification. My visa interview is scheduled for 30th of June. However, I have been seeing post on different platforms saying that applicant for US visa interview will need to visit the embassy twice . The first visit will be for submission of documents , while the second will be the interview proper. However, I don't know when to go for the first visit because I am yet to receive a mail to that effect. Moreso, I live in Lagos, my visa interview is booked in Abuja. I want to book my flight to Abuja , I am really confused on which dates to choose for my itinerary. Please, someone should please shed light in this.

It’s immigrant section visitors who go twice. Non immigrant you only go once on the day of your interview.

Latty88:
Good evening house!

I applied for B1/B2 non- immigrant visa in March 2025( she tried dropbox for renewal but was not successful) for my mom to visit my sister in the US who gave birth last year December for Omugwo and was scheduled for an interview in October 2025.

While waiting for her appointment date she underwent another surgery on her eyes ( this will be the 4th time). All surgeries done in Nigeria. We decided she seek another opinion leading us to apply for expedited (emergency) using medical reasons to get a closer date.

ed necessary documents and a closer date was scheduled for today 3/6/2025 which was unfortunately denied.

She has been to the US twice

The visa officer only asked her if she was in the US last year and a year before and the duration for her stay which was 2months and 5months respectively.

We want to reapply again
1) How do we show/prove strong ties back home
2) We are asked to not to repeat what we filled in the original ds-160 form when filling a new one. What do we fill now?
3) Can we still go through the medical route(b2) because she still needs medical attention and a closer date


Thanks in anticipation 🙏

With the news of the 79-year-old woman making rounds on social media, I doubt these people will be merciful to the elderly again. I thought they had left their mean era behind.

@milito I agree, they’re only looking for traps. Vague refusal reasons make no sense.

I think this whole white paper immigration proposal is what’s making these officers misbehave.

Adejuwon26:


You're welcome, took the bus today from Osogbo. We took off at 7am and got here at 5:30.


Bolingo Xpera is worth the hype.

The journey is a long one , you have my sincere best wishes today.

Milito:


In 'my own' opinion, for a single person, this always works:

- A critical role in a high paying job. And this has to be well packaged and communicated.

Also,

- travel history

Someone I know had both they still used address on statement is different from where he currently resides. I laughed because the officer just didn’t want to give. I haven’t updated the address on my since uni and I use it to renew all the time, proof of address is a big thing in the western world but not in our side.

crackcrack:
When you apply for a UK visa, you are paying money for them to consider you and your circumstances. If they deny your application citing circumstances that clearly do not apply to you, then it is an error on their part, period. It is not your responsibility to start guessing what the actual reason for the denial was; you only have what is written in their letter. If they quoted Cedis when you earn in Naira, that’s their error. If they said you are unemployed when you are, in fact, employed with proof, that’s their error. If they said your company has no online presence when it clearly does, that is their error.

Always complain and/or file a PAP. Stop taking these ECOs as infallible gods over your life. They are human, and a lot of them are, quite frankly, dumb as bricks. I’ve seen too many applications overturned at the complaint/PAP stage when the application is reviewed by a more senior (and sensible) person.

Don’t ever be discouraged to complain if you see that your application was clearly not properly considered. The worst that’ll happen is they’ll still say no. But they’ll give a more sensible reason, which can help you in future applications.

I second you with my full chest and gbam. The current refusal rates are overwhelming and filled with errors. I wonder who hired this new group of officers making these mistakes.

Tailadivaaaa:



Good morning. I’m back to give an update. I got my US visa approval today. My first time. I’m grateful to God and to all the contributors here. I also told the visa officer about my travel this Sunday and told her I’d like to keep my port. She gave me a white slip with an address to take it to their office after I return for the visa itself. I thought it will be helpful to give that update for those who may be in my situation. I know @efetobore said it may be unlikely for this to be allowed, but it is allowed. I wish everyone success with their applications.

Congratulations and thank you very much for the update, I’m glad others can learn from this and this should guide advices given out to others also.

afor:
I did my biometrics on the 20th of may at Ikeja. I got an email today stating that I should submit additional documents.

You're fortunate; submit the additional documents as soon as possible. Some impatient officers may deny your application outright instead of asking for additional documents.

jmoore:

Nawa and they approved it.

Congratulations.

I have always thought the applicant must submit his or her bank statement whether there's a sponsor or not.

Like they usually say, each application is judged on it's own merit.

Just hope a reasonable officer reviews your application; two people can submit exactly the same application, and one may be approved while the other is not.

Hello everyone,

Could anyone share their experience if they have recently completed their biometrics in Abuja? Thank you!

How long did it take? From biometrics to conclusion.

cindermum:


Na serious para mode o , right in front of me were 3 ppl with 221G and all 3 were refused although it had nothing to do with childbirth. 2 out of those 3 were women too. I guess they didn't scrutinize your application because you had gone to the embassy twice already and at no point did childbirth come up . It's still going to get better.

2021 was my fifth visa and 2023 being the 6th and earlier in 2017 they’d held me up on suspicion of being pregnant when I wasn’t and issued me 221g in 2019 also and I still wasn’t pregnant so I’m sure they felt let’s not witch hunt her again this time 🤣.
That visa I used to birth I used it very very well for holiday and I told the border officer in Atlanta I was here to give birth.

cindermum:


It was a lot easier back then because I also renewed early January 2023 and I wasn't called for an interview. This was before they started issuing 5yrs visa. I have not seen a lot of women in 2025 without 221G. Someone I know had her baby in 2023 and quickly renewed her visa Aug 2024 and she was issued 5yrs visa. It changed this year, it is not as easy as it was.

I renewed July 2023 when it was 5 years, I was scared I’d be called because I was called in 2019 after I submitted for Dropbox and then I didn’t have a baby so it was just guesswork on their part, 2021 no Dropbox had to do interview they didn’t ask me anything regarding baby thankfully but then also I didn’t have a baby it was the 2021 one I used to birth in 2023 and renewed as soon as soon as I got back.
Since 2024 na para mode embassy Dey.

naivasha:
I was at OIS yesterday to drop my port for visa renewal via IW. The lady who attended to me said in three weeks I should start checking the link to see if my port is ready for pickup. I told her I am aware that these days the visa applications are taking longer than they used to and asked her to just tell me straight the real timelines and she said six weeks. Let's see how it goes.

My mom dropped hers a little over a week ago and she said a lady told her 2-6 weeks.
Let's see how it goes I will update the house but as of two days ago I checked it was “application received”.

jennyhumphrey:
I am sure you renewed before this istration, immediately that pronouncement was made in January 2025, it suddenly became difficult, I have not heard of one person that had a successful renewal after recently birthing . All the people I know where placed on 221g and subsequently refused. The VO didnt even ask about bills, she was just focused on birthing in the US, She can try her luck though, maybe by the time she would renew, the rules would have relaxed. Also, just to let you know, the change of intent didn't have any negative effect on the renewal, infact the embassy responded at a point and suddenly stopped responding.

I respectfully disagree with this perspective, as it seems to have sparked the notion that many Nigerian women are going abroad to give birth. Why are other nationalities not being subjected to the same scrutiny? The trend of sending change of intent letters has undoubtedly played a role in this situation, particularly towards individuals from Nigeria. Vietnamese, Chinese, indians and others even do birth tourism than Nigerians but Nigerians are the most affected even before the crash of our economy.

Yes I renewed my visa in 2023.

humbleboyy:
Hello everyone.

Did my Biometrics 19th May for a priority Visa, yet no as at today.

Did a paid call earlier this week and got an email on Wednesday that it has been escalated to the appropriate ECO and my visa decision and port will be received ASAP.

I'm just here wondering what could be the reason for this delay? I need to travel next weekend

I think it’s better to do the paid email that way you maintain the mail trail pay only once and regularly check in on your application responding to the mail trail.
Please when I tried to do that priority thing I honestly didn’t find the option please did you pay at the VAC? Cab you put me through. Trying to do it for my brother. This vfs move from old has scattered everything.

jennyhumphrey:
She is not misleading anyone, since the new istration came in, its been difficult for people that birth their baby in the USA to renew. I got my visa went on vacation about 8 months after and came back to NAIJA, I had my baby almost 2 years after i got my visa, I even sent change of intent
yet i was refused at renewal. The VO specifically told me giving birth on a B1/B2 is no longer permissible. You can go and give birth o, but the renewal might be an herculean task

Birth tourism didn't stop and truly renewal may be difficult but people were not being smart sending that change of intent letter following the crowd.
If anyone wants to give birth let them go ahead, it's on an individual basis. I renewed my visa with ease after birthing so I won’t expressly tell anyone don’t do it.

GudluckIBB:
[b]The decision
I have refused your application for a visit visa because I am not satisfied that you meet the
requirements of paragraph(s) 4.2 of Appendix V because of the reasons detailed:
• You have applied to visit the UK for 5 days for tourism, and sightseeing.
• You intend to travel with your husband on a visit to the UK.  Your husband was
issued entry clearance as a visitor on 07/02/2025 However, your husband indicated
on his application form that you would not be accompanying him to the UK.  Whilst I
accept that circumstances may change, I must consider that the Entry Clearance
Officer had issued your husband’s visa considering his immediate family
would be remaining in your country of residence. Your family’s travel plans have now
changed just a short time after your husband’s UK visa was issued, and no
explanation for this change of plans has been made in your application.
• The onus is on you, the applicant, to show that you meet the requirements of the
immigration rules based on your overall personal circumstances and that you will
comply with all the conditions associated with any visa.
• To come to my decision, I have considered, not only those documents stated above,
but all the documents you have provided regarding your circumstances. Your
application is therefore refused under paragraph V 4.2 (a) and (c) of the Immigration
Rules[/b]


Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am writing to seek your advice following a recent refusal of UK visitor visa applications for my family of three.

For context, I previously studied in the UK and returned to Nigeria immediately after completing my studies. Earlier this year, I was granted a visitor visa to attend my graduation ceremony in February. I travelled alone and returned to Nigeria just three days after the event. At the time of that application, I clearly indicated that my family would not be accompanying me, as they had ongoing academic and business obligations.

Recently, my family applied for visitor visas with the intention of travelling to the UK for a short vacation, during which I would accompany them using my still-valid visa. However, their applications were refused, and the primary reason cited was that my previous application stated they would not be travelling, implying that our current travel plans raised concerns.

It appears the decision may have been based on a misinterpretation of our changed circumstances, using details from my previous application without context.

I would appreciate your guidance on how best to proceed. Should my family reapply immediately with a detailed explanation of why they didn’t travel with me previously, or would it be wiser to wait some time before reapplying?

Thank you very much for your time and attention. I look forward to your advice

Thank you

These officers are not behaving fairly. Circumstances change, and plans can adapt, but it's important for everyone to remain cautious when submitting. I believe this refusal indicates that the officer suspects you intend to obtain a visa for your entire family to elope. In my opinion, this is quite unfair. They should have issued the visa considering you traveled and returned. Your graduation was in February, and this is now May, are they really saying you can't take a family vacation just because you mentioned you weren’t traveling with them?

Regardless, I urge everyone to learn from this situation. Be clear about your intentions from the beginning. If I were in your position, I would challenge this refusal because it seems both unjustified and debatable its not subjective.

jmoore:

Visa application form and cover letter.

There’s no need to your visa application form again.

charlyduru:
Good day house,
Quick question

What is the best approach to interview for a grandparent who is going for an interview alone and doesn't have good command of the English language ?

Is it possible to have a translator go with him/her ? is that allowed

what other ideas can one use to approach such a situation ?

Thanks in advance.

On the form, there is a section that asks for the languages you speak. Please list the language there; do not write English, as the embassy has its own translator and you cannot bring yours.

onile1975:
Hello good people in the house

The dependent I use in my last application can I remove it and add another dependants,hope it will not raise red flag?

Maybe do away with the dependents to avoid potential complications as you’ve said

kman3000:

How do one them? Their lines are weird

If you live close it’s better to go in person as their communication lines aren’t so efficient or responsive.

kman3000:

Usually when you start the application, you’ll see the option

Funny though I didn’t see it, I just went to begin another dummy application now just to be sure my eyes wasn’t failing me, I didn’t see that option. Usually the option is on the TLS website but in this case I don’t see it anywhere and I emailed VFS but no response.
This transition from TLS to VFS isn’t working well at all, I the transition from VFS to TLS was not this bad in the end of 2013.
Maybe we should return to Walter Carrington days 😂😂.

Manover123:
Hello good people,

Please, I need your assistance. I am currently in Canada under refugee status and living with my partner, who is a Canadian citizen. We have a baby together, and we are planning to get married in November.

My fiancée would like my mother to attend the wedding, which we plan to celebrate in a big way. She has already written an invitation letter stating that she will provide accommodation and cover any financial needs during my mother’s stay in Canada.

My question is:
Is it necessary for me to include my own pay stubs and bank statements in the application, even though my fiancée is the one providing all the required documents and financial ?

I think it’ll be better you don’t insert yourself into their applications. If possible do not.