NewStats: 3,263,705 , 8,181,099 topics. Date: Saturday, 07 June 2025 at 12:35 PM 441d3a

For those that had visas approved recently, how long did it take before you were able to pick up your port from DHL / you were notified of your port availability for pickup?

The consular officer at Lagos told me at the end of the interview that it'd be ready for pickup in a week (which means today); but I didn't get a tracking ID, and upon visitation to the DHL office, I was told that they do not have it yet.

Note that I'm a returning student and my flight is scheduled for Feb 1, but looks like I'd have to cancel the flight, or at best, change the date, but I don't even know what timeline to work with.

Yuzee:
Hi, please what did you eventually do. I can’t find a date even with emergency visa approved.

I canceled my trip

abusigna:


I had a similar experience which i think will be helpful to everyone on this platform.. i applied for emergency request and for two weeks no response to my email of denial or approval and there's no way i can reach out to this people on phone they ll going to direct you to website..

what i did .. i in back to my and click on the ***Provide ** i have to send them a message about whats happening and believe me within 24 hours i got a message on my email that my request is approved.... i suspect there's a lot of work on the desk .. we have to explore every possibility to reach them is whatever means..
hope this story will help

Thank you for sharing your experience. Was it recent? And did you get a date immediately your request was approved?

I have been trying to get a date since the emergency appointment was approved, to no avail. The US Consulate's call rep I talked to mentioned that the date issue is general for now but I should keep checking.

KolaSteven:
Hello folks,

I want to travel on to the US for a week from November 27th to attend the most prestigious academic conference in my field (Artificial Intelligence) and its location changes every year. And I want to know if it's still quite feasible to apply for the needed B-1 visa or if I should save my strength and scrap the plans.

My workshops papers are still under review but if accepted (will.know by Oct. 20), I'll be presenting two research papers at 2 workshops at the conference. I am also invited as a keynote speaker for one of the workshops at the conference. Can I request an expedited appointment slot on this basis?

My profile:
- I am a final-year undergrad in Nigeria
- Previous travels: Italy, , Tunisia - all of them earlier this year, and in the process of getting another Schengen visa to speak at a tech conference in Lithuania in early November.
- Fundings: I'll be funding myself. I might still get a scholarship or something, but I won't know until close to the date.

Considering the close timeline, do I still have a realistic chance of getting an appointment slot/visa in time to go to the US? Looking forward to your response. Thank you!

An update on this is that I got my emergency request approved yesterday, about 3 working days after applying.

One thing I'm a bit puzzled about, though... I was prompted to reschedule and choose one of the new available dates. But upon checking my portal, I kept getting no dates available for over 12 hours now. For those that have expedited before, is this a common occurrence?

meetme01:


Did you later get it sorted? If yes, kindly guide. Thanks

Yes, I did. But I got processed my visit visa via the Italian embassy though. I was in Italy for a week, then went to the second week.

TopZionQueen:


Hello Kola, I’m very familiar with this conference you’ll be attending as I have been accepted as well to present a paper at a workshop and also deliver a speech. I’m looking forward to attending the conference too and I sincerely hope this visa wait time would not be a hinderance.

Do you mind us connecting so we can figure this out together? I’d prefer to work through the processes with someone else than doing it alone.

Here’s my WhatsApp number: 07013370191 and you can send a message, stating the name of the conference and where it would be taking place, so I can confirm it’s you.

Wow! This is really warm! I wasn't so sure that I might find another Nigeria-based Nigerian that's scheduled to attend.

I'll save your number rightaway but due to pressing deadlines, I have my WhatsApp uninstalled right now. I'll drop you a message whenever I log back in, but in the meantime, should we talk via email? kolawolesteven99ATgmailDOTcom is my email address.

Arry110:
check us embassy site for situations that qualify for an emergency appointment to ease your confusion

Thank you for this. I have confirmed myself. I think I qualify for "Urgent business travel". ML Research is my career and the chance to present and speak at the most prestigious conference in my field will be a big boost to my growth.

Arry110:
I don’t think your situation qualifies for an emergency appointment

Myfavour22:

Since you’re a keynote speaker and also presenting papers I think you can be considered for an expedited appointment

I no even know which one to follow

Hello folks,

I want to travel on to the US for a week from November 27th to attend the most prestigious academic conference in my field (Artificial Intelligence) and its location changes every year. And I want to know if it's still quite feasible to apply for the needed B-1 visa or if I should save my strength and scrap the plans.

My workshops papers are still under review but if accepted (will.know by Oct. 20), I'll be presenting two research papers at 2 workshops at the conference. I am also invited as a keynote speaker for one of the workshops at the conference. Can I request an expedited appointment slot on this basis?

My profile:
- I am a final-year undergrad in Nigeria
- Previous travels: Italy, , Tunisia - all of them earlier this year, and in the process of getting another Schengen visa to speak at a tech conference in Lithuania in early November.
- Fundings: I'll be funding myself. Might still get a scholarship or something but I won't know until close to the date.

Considering the close timeline, do I still have a a realistic chance of getting an appointment slot/visa in time to go to the US? Looking forward to your responses. Thank you!

Rinthuspp:
Okay, thanks. I would like to have a from you.

Hi,
So I went today and apparently, walk-in appointments are not for first-timers (those without a previous UK, US or Schengen visa before).
But since I have a very strong reason to go and come back , I stayed to argue with them.
They've suggested that I should come again on Monday before 8am and they'll consider it again, but usually no first-timers for walk-in.

KolaSteven:
Hi,

I am going to TLS for my walk-in appointment tomorrow morning. Happened that I need the coloured photocopy of my port for my business (conference) visa application, but they only do black n white at my location.

I am wondering if there's a place to do coloured photocopies around the location. Thank you

Quoting this because I still need help with this. �Currently on my way to Lagos.

Hi,

I am going to TLS for my walk-in appointment tomorrow morning. Happened that I need the coloured photocopy of my port for my business (conference) visa application, but they only do black n white at my location.

I am wondering if there's a place to do coloured photocopies around the location. Thank you

pastor86:

Yes employment letter, payment slips, tax certificate, bank statement, flight booking, accommodation contract, travel insurance .

I'm wondering... How do one get a tax certificate to submit if one is self-employed?

Rinthuspp:
Did you succeed with the walk-in- application as suggested.
Can any one go for the walk-in-application?

Hi,

I called their customer care line and the representative told me that I can come for a walk-in appointment.
I'm trying to gather all my application documents before going (and getting a no-objection letter from my school has been difficult due to the ongoing strike). I'd go tomorrow but there's holiday so I'd on Friday.

fOFT:

You can do a walk-in application which comes at a cost of maybe 20k.
Try go there tomorrow and apply for the visa so as to have enough time to plan your trip.

Thanks man

Nancyama:
Ooh oh, sorry about that.
Try calling them and explain, you may be lucky to get help. Or go to twitter and state your issue under verified s so that many people can view and comment for solutions.

Will do. Thank you so much!

Modified:
Seems they don't use Twitter, so my other option would be to give them a call.

Nancyama:
Check TLS 's website for more details on this.

Thank you, Nancyama. I just did and turns out that the earliest date for my appointment would be the 26th of May. The conference starts on June 2 so that's way too close since I'd have to allow 15days for visa processing.
Is there anything I could do to fast-track the appointment date or something?

One thing I am confused about... I am going to Italy for a tech conference and the organizers will be footing my accommodation, feeding, and part of my flight fees. I also volunteer to assist with the conference organization so I'd be a conference staff too. What sort of Schengen visa would I be applying for? Business or Tourism?

Goodday NLers,

I have a tech conference coming up in Berlin by June where I'm confirmed to speak and I understand that I'd be needing a Schengen visa for my travels. Due to this, I have been checking the Lagos Embassy's Schengen Visa appointment slot booking page (https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/appointment_showMonth.do) for more than a week, but I always have the "no appointments available at this time" prompt.

How do you folks usually book your Schengen Visa Appointment with the Consulate General in Lagos?

Mide3367:
You said something about delay in getting your international port. I guess that made the visa interview scheduling came late. This is the reasons I do advise young men and woman to always get all basic documents in handy because you never can tell when it will be needed. My first of travelling abroad was in 2018 to UAE for an Aviation conference. It was a week notice I had. Had it been i don't have my port in hand, I am definitely loosing that opportunity. I did my NIN in 2015 for free only to see my mates scrambling to do theirs in 2021 for sim card binding at exorbitant fees. Me no get answer to your question but let's ask Lalasticlala mynd44 Dominique to take to front page for wider view.

Yeah, you are right. I had an inkling that I'd probably travel a lot this year since last year and I duly applied for the port last year's August in Abeokuta. But I went through the DIY route and it got delayed since no immigration official was paid to help me push it forward.

Hopefully, a mod helps push this to the front-page

Commenting on this so it stays up. I'd really appreciate any helpful suggestion RN, thank you.

Hello NLers,

I have a tech conference coming up in Berlin between April 11 to April 13, and I am scheduled as a speaker there. I just got my invitation letter from the organization in charge of the conference a few hours ago (due to my port production being delayed) and I have filled out the Schengen Visa application form. I also understand all the other docs needed for the appointment and how to get them.

Unfortunately, when I tried to schedule an appointment using this link (https://service2.diplo.de/rktermin/extern/appointment_showMonth.do?locationCode=lago&realmId=347&categoryId=564&dateStr=19.03.2022), I discovered that there's no appointment slot right till the end of April.

Is there any other way I could go about this? I already gave my word that I'll be at the conference.

NB: This is the first time I'd be traveling beyond Nigeria - I have mostly had my events virtually due to the pandemic.

Thank you!

Hi NLers,

I'd be traveling to Lafia, Nassarawa from Abeokuta, Ogun by the end of this month for a 3-day AI Summit and I wish to enquire about the most efficient way to travel there while being equally cost-effective (I'm still a student so I'm quite mindful of the costs too ). I'd still need to worry about accommodation too, but a step at a time.

I look forward to your helpful replies. Note that I could do the travel from Lagos too if need be. Thank you!

Hello NLers,

I am currently looking at getting a new phone and I have 150k naira to splurge on a new phone. Any suggestions on a good phone to buy? Note that I prioritize performance and phone's longetivity over camera.

A friend already suggested Poco X3 pro (I find the processor spec quite wonderful, but I wonder if there's another phone out there that might outdo it in other areas without compromising much on processor), and another suggested Redmi Note 11 pro (processor not as great as X3 pro, but other amazing features. A little bit over my budget but might still be doable).

Looking forward to your awesome suggestions and the whys to your suggestions. Thank you!

kennybuluro:
I finally collected my port from the Abeokuta immigration office.

Date captured: 27th August 2021
Mode: strictly DIY

My long wait finally paid off....

Congrats, my man!

I plan to go for mine too on Thursday. What's the issued date on your port?

kennybuluro:


Good evening baba mi, how did it go, I tried your number couple of times you weren't picking up.

Oga mi, no vex jare. I wrote down our names and enrollment ID. Waited till 12 and we still weren't attended to by then and I had to leave. Planning on trying again in the 3rd week of February sha. I plan to devote a full day for them by then.

kennybuluro:


Can you please share me your , so I can call you baba mi?


Mine is 08110193544

Mine is o8165o74121. I'd be leaving there by or before 10am though.

kennybuluro:
Good morning house, please who's going to Abeokuta immigration office, I need to check if my port is ready, I captured since Aug 27th . Have been there myself more than 6 times, I just want to go there again without being sure my port is ready.

I am going in there tomorrow morning. I captured on August 18th. I fully expect it to be ready by now.

A bit urgent!

So I have been following up with the NIS facebook page concerning my fresh port that I have done capturing for since August 18th at the Abeokuta office.
I ranted to the handler yesterday and that I would be needing it very soon (in about a month's time), so the handler suggested that I pay extra for express.

I just want your opinion if this won't be a scam before I proceed. I am honestly tired of waiting. It's already 5 and half months.

kennybuluro:
It’s a cold breezy morning in the ancient city of Abeokuta.
I woke up very early, so I can get to the immigration office , before the morning rush begins, but I couldn’t meet up.
Now I am Sitting in the hall waiting for my fate at the immigration office Abeokuta.

I met two person’s who captured on the 25th of august last year and they just picked up their port. I asked them both if they paid for fast tracking and they said no. Although they wanted to pay , but they decided to hold on a bit.

I captured on the 27th of August, let’s hope today is gonna be the last day am coming here to check for my port. The last day I will hear , their office anthem (who’s the officer helping you?)

I haven't been out of Nigeria before, but the way corruption thrives in every nook and cranny in Nigeria is alarming. But what can I say!!!

An average Nigerian turns a blind eye to corruption if it favors them and they call it divine favor, but if it doesn't then we begin to rant!!!

May God help us all.

Hi, so were you able to get it?