NewStats: 3,261,171 , 8,173,260 topics. Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at 12:18 PM 416659

Probably one of the most repeated questions here since the pandemic.

Canada announced during the pandemic that visitors could apply for work permits inside Canada and this policy expires in Feb 2025.

But the reality on ground suggests that this is harder to achieve than what agents & scam travel agencies . Many have shared on this platform the difficulties of this process & I am yet to see someone from Nairaland confirm they successfully switched; it's mostly been the story of what happened to a friend or a family member. This suggests that this is quite tough to do.

I see you asked another question about long visit visa and I must ask that you exercise caution with that agent. He/she can not give you a job or accomodation and can not assure you of switching a visa.

Tons of folks have been scammed because of this.

Be careful.

Baloemmy23:
Hello people please I want to ask a very important question is it possible to change your visit visa to another visa when you enter Canada?

What you are referring to is the CAN+ programme that offers expedited processing for those who have previously travelled to Canada in the last 10 years or who hold a valid US visa at the time of their Canadian visa application.

If they hold valid US visas, they might benefit from this.

Of course, do note that there have been instances reported on this thread & other forums where processing for CAN+ eligible applicants took as long as processing for those that didn't meet its eligibility criteria.

Johndooe009:
Good afternoon everyone,

I did a visiting visa application for my Parent on Dec 19th, 2023. Biometrics letter came the same day, they did their biometrics on the 2nd of January and it was updated Jan 3rd on the portal.

I heard there's a trend that if the applicants have a US visa either valid or expired, the application get processed faster? I want to confirm this pls.

thank you

The post above you just provided this information.

That agent is not genuine & you should stop paying them immediately and go through the process yourself. It is straightforward and tons of scenarios have been shared on this thread by different applicants.

All you need to do is go through the thread & ask specific questions where you need further guidance.

Ajalalomo:


An applicant's port and biometrics must both be valid for 10 years in order to receive the 10-year visa, and note that IRCC can only issue visas up to the date the applicant's biometrics expire.

For instance, if an applicant's port is valid for ten years and the biometric is valid for six months, then the applicant will only be granted a visa for a maximum of 6 months, not a visa good for 10 years.

The applicant's biometrics expiration date takes precedence over the port expiration date.

Baloemmy23:
Good evening people please I want to ask a question, is there anything like Long visit visa of 5 years in Canada ? Cause an agent who is helping with the process told me the one he is working for me is a long stay visit visa

https://port.immigration.gov.ng/application

Note that prices may differ if applying in person due to bribery requests (as experienced by me).

woffie:
Nigeria quote author=AfahaAbia post=127780925]

port renewal where In UK or Nigeria

Use this calculator to check: https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type

Dejoh123:
Please anyone has an idea how much is the IHS fees and the study visa fees.my MSc program says 18 months?

Congrats & absolutely agree re: how thorough the bank checks are.

I had a very convoluted personal & I rem Giselle suggesting to wait for 6months. Due to the urgency of the trip, I decided to apply with the chaotic bank statement & got the visa really fast (last year visa TAT was about 2 - 3months).

AmeliaT:
*Visa Alert*
For my husband
Biometrics- Wed 13 Dec
Moved to DMC and received by DMC- Wed 13 Dec
Collection email, Returned and received at VAC- Fri 29 Dec
Picked up- Today, Tuesday 2 Jan 2024.

5 year visa. Only one previous UK Visa held for 6 months which was used twice. But he has a current US Visa (third one) and has travel history to over 20 countries; mainly in North America.

Docs submitted
1. 2 page cover letter explaining what he does for a living, number of staff he employs, his travel history, what I do for a living and why he wants a 5 year visa. He also said, “since my last application the following things have changed and he mentioned the growth of the business in staff strength and revenue, the additional countries he’s been to”. He discussed recently acquired property and the rental income from the property.
2. Business reg docs- CAC etc. Business is active on CAC website.
3. 6 months Business statement (balance of just 1m but over 60m volume of transactions in the period)
4. 6 months Personal statements- 2 banks (he has different moneys in and out. We have never cleaned up the because he’s an entrepreneur so it’s not that easy). I find that they are very strict with this only with people who don’t have solid ties and travel history. Balance of circa 3m.
5. 1 year t usd savings and letter from the bank explaining all our holdings and fixed deposits with them.- Over $30k
6. Documentation for the house we own with contract of sale, payment receipts for the home, payment receipts for the deed, change of ownership etc.
7. Copies of previous visas to US, Morocco, UAE etc.
8. Copy of our marriage certificate, a copy of my British port.

*Application details*
Reason for trip- visit family and visit tourist sites. Duration stated for visit is 15 days with a mention of subsequently visiting multiple times a year.
Budget for the trip- Flight - £1,000 Food- £300 Transport- £225 Entertainment/Shopping- £1000
Total Spend- £ 2,517 (N2,528,150) We used the Oando Converter.
Didn’t include accommodation costs as we’ll be staying with family.
Refusals declared- a UK refusal almost 20 years ago when he just graduated.

Goodluck, guys!

These are good. Look for any more ties to add (check with your Mum if she does Ajo etc. & include proof of that).





[quote author=Kunleop post=127735541][/quote]

Here are some of my thoughts:

1. She is a widow. Choose this option if it exists or the closest to it. I don't recall what the options are.

2. She falls under self employment as a tailor but given her age and the host of proof of work you mentioned, you can put those together as employment proof: pictures of her infront and inside her shop, pictures of her working on orders, shop agreement, her ID card etc.

NB: For self employed persons, the general rule of thumb as you already stated is for them to have a dedicated business /CAC/Tax card as well as a personal (where their salaries are paid into). This is important as the VO are looking to confirm if the money you claim to have is readily available for your use if needed. For cases where separate s don't exist, it is difficult to tell how much is available for the hence why some folks get rejected i.e. you are not expected to spend business capital on leisure activities

Scroll back some pages to read examples of rejection letters with cases of VO not convinced about applicants financial status

3. Her application must show that she has a reason to come back to Nigeria e.g. does she have parents/children/grandchildren or emotional animals she takes care of? Does she belong to any religious group or is she an active member in her community?

You can get letters of from her church/mosque/community stating that she is active in any programme to further aid her application.

4. While I understand you send a monthly stipend into her business/personal , I am concerned that her bank statement will read a bit chaotic & recommend you take the next 6 months to clean up before applying. All stipends as well as her 'salary' should go into a separate . This means, if on average she gets paid 70k each month for work, she can pay herself 40k as salary, while your stipend of 30k is also sent into her new . From this, she can then remove 15k or whatever amount you deem necessary as her monthly expense.

To show further financial ties, she can include properties, pension/insurance from late husband etc. if available.

5. Assuming the actual numbers after step 4 are too low to demonstrate adequate financial ties, you can offer to sponsor her. If you are in the UK and have 5 - 8k pounds in your , this is very good. This alongside tenancy agreement, proof of employment proof and other ties will be helpful.

If you are in Nigeria and have a savings of 6 - 10m, that is also a good balance IMO. Include your proof of work, and other ties to her application.

This is your Christmas gift to your mum. Nothing wrong with doing this.

6. Finally, you can use a cover letter to articulate everything I've described.

That said, I must add/warn that irrespective of you sponsoring her, she will be judged based on her own circumstances as an adult & it is imperative that her complete application clearly shows that she is a genuine traveller who will not access public funds/resources while in the UK & will return after her holiday.

Kunleop:
Happy new year, May this new year bring us a lots of joy and happiness to all of us.
@cashmadam, Giselle237, @newbiein2016 @cbn4main and other gurus in the house.

Kindly assist as i'm applying for my mother and she has lost her husband many years ago, on the application what marriage status can i select?

Also she is 59 years old, A tailor back home and i also send money to her monthly, shes not in any paid employment, when i checked the online application i can only see options of employed, self employed, student, retired and unemployed, please which option can i choose, she had her shop but not ed on CAC no tax payment. but i can provide shop agreement, pictures of her working on the shop, hip id card and her transaction carries description of cloths

kindly assist with the question and i'm yet to move forward.

Thank you.,

Doubt it is possible for them to keep the port past their deadline as they have those processes to protect all parties involved in the visa value chain.

them via chat and/or email (their number hasn't connected in a while) for further information as those are the official channels. I don't recommend looking for individuals for this as this is straightforward.

Based on the timeline you shared, your father should be able to make it. If the notification was received on the 29th Dec, your father has till the fourth week of January to pick up (I have included weekends in my calculation of the 30day deadline).

You should ensure he either picks up immediately he is back to Lagos or arrange a VFS courier to pickup a day or two before his arrival to Lagos.

Or is there something else not factored in my calculation?

donmaxman:


Thanks , i am the one who invited my Dad from Canada and handled everything about his application online . The courier option will not work for the village address. I am just trying to see if there is any one's in VFS Lagos i can reach to at least keep his port till he returns back from the village. Thanks everyone.

She needs to provide evidence of maintenance:

- £845 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses in London
- £680 a month (for up to 9 months) for courses outside London

https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/family-

#Fingerscrossed she is able to get the dependent visa given the new rules going into effect from January 2024.

Jimafe31:
I've been in the UK as student for 12 months, course is ending May 2024 and visa expiring Sept 30 2024.

My wife is applying to me. I used the IHS calculator and got £470

Question is do we need to provide evidence for maintenence, and if yes how much?

Unfortunately, it seems you might need to wait things out as there's no way to fast track the application now.

Hopefully you'll get a new date soon.

You could give your school a headsup (incase you need an extension and/or if they can UKVI from their side).

Gm88:
Help please
My student visa bio standard was on 5th December I received empty nsf on 6th till on 22nd I received a mail saying I need to attend online interview on 28th of December by 3:30pm Nigeria time
By 3 :07 I logged in till 8pm no one to interview me.
I sent them mail 3 times as I was waiting and they only reply me with auto mail.
29th I made a paid mail, by 5pm I receive a mail saying my mail has be excalated and a new interview date will be rescheduled in the next 15th working day💔💔who has similar experience and how many day till I can get a rescheduled interview date? My school resume 29th January 2024

I have heard of people who got a 2yr visa on first try but they had extensive travel history to western countries.

If this is her first time, with little or no travel history, don't risk it. Go for the 6months visa.

Additionally, note that visa issuance is indeed at the discretion of the VO, so you might pay for 2yrs & get 6months (and no refund will be issued).

AnthonyAnderson:
Good day Gurus in the house. Please I need clarification on a little issue.

I am trying to apply for a tourist visa for my wife. It will be her first time. Is it okay if I do the 2 years visa or I should stick to the 6months visa. Someone had told me for first timers they wont issue more than 6 months hence my decision to confirm this here.

Appreciate your responses.

You don't need an appointment to pickup. Walk in to VFS between 9am - 3pm for this. I think you might be able to pick-up for him but check the link below for documents needed.

Additionally, you can pay for delivery if that fails.

https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/can/port-submission

donmaxman:
Morning Everyone, My Dad was issued a Canadian visit visa yesterday but would not be able to go to VFS Global Lagos until January third week to pick up his port . He is engaged with multiple commitments in the village now. He mentioned they asked him to come and pick up the visa within 7 days or else the port would be returned after 30 days. Please is there anyone or number at VFS global i can to ask them to hold his port till Janaury 3rd week ? I would appreciate. I have tried scheduling visa pick up appointment but i noticed i can only schedule for Biometric or port Request submission. Thanks to everyone that can advice ?

Hello,

Really important you the airline for this information. I've heard mixed reviews on the layover experience.

A quick check on their website states:
Layover services shall be provided only when enger arrive on last available flight and travel on first available connecting flight.
https://www.egyptair.com/en/fly/check-in/Pages/at-the-airport.aspx

Maikel26:
I booked a stopover flight to UK on 29th of Jan, but I have a 13hrs layover at Cairo in Egypt. Do I need a transist Visa so as to go stay in an hotel when I get to Cairo? Because 13hrs is actually long to just sit at the airport.
Thanks

For better engagement, go to the living in UK thread: https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/7695199/living-uk-life-immigrant-part-3/384

Juwon21:
My people,

Please how can I receive money from USA here in the UK? Can I collect via western union at the post office? Or what other means or option can I use.

It means your application is not straight forward and might take longer to process.

Often times, these emails come with requests for more information or ing documents so maybe wait to see if you get a follow up email. If not, just be patient while they work on your application.

ene12:
Thank you for applying for a UK visa. Your visa application has been received and is under consideration. We aim to process non settlement applications within 15 working days (unless you have opted for the Priority Visa service), and settlement applications within 120 working days.
Unfortunately, the processing of your application has not been straightforward and we will be unable to decide your application within our customer service targets. We are continuing to work on your application and aim to make a decision as soon as possible.
We will write to you again if there is any change to this. Please do not attend the Visa Application Centre until you have been advised that your application has been decided and that your port is ready for collection.
Kind Regards,
UK Decision Making Centre


Pls I got this

Can you double check to make sure it wasn't 15:30 UK time as they are 1hr behind us.

Otherwise, I'd recommend just emailing them to report that the call didn't take place due to no one ing from their side.

Gm88:
How can I miss something I have been preparing for days now

And most of us will never provide blanket statements such as what the OP did.

100% guarantee for an application that needs review when you are not the VO?? As long as that's posted on a public forum, where tons of gullible folks visit, it will be highlighted.

Despite my over 50 countries visit, I was here last year to get advice for a UK visa renewal & will continue to with my knowledge, experience & expertise (including calling out problematic entries).

Thegamingorca:



Don't be mean. Most of us learnt how to do this from our personal experience of how seamless the process is.

Being an expert on these things doesn't require a degree in rocket science. Anyone can advice as long as you have common sense.

You posted recently that someone completed your student visa form & you only had to make the payments (indicating a lack of knowledge and/or confidence in completing the paperwork), yet somehow you are an expert on the intricacies of how visas for leisure travel work?

Hmmm

Born2conquer:

You can follow people's advice. But I am still 100% sure that you will get it.

See here for updated information: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/can/port-submission

Iffylove:
Hello everyone,
Please I need information/procedures to follow in sending port to Lagos for stamping. The applicant did the biometric in Lagos.
Thank you.

Best bet is to request GCMS notes before reapplying.

sanima770:
please, am new here .I underwent my biometrics on August 31 , and unfortunately, last Friday, my visitor visa application was denied. Surprisingly, it was the same agent who handled my application as for my friends who traveled to Canada in June, despite them having no prior travel experience. but to my dismay, it has been refused. I'm uncertain about my options now. The agent mentioned it was merely bad luck maybe l need reapply but he asking some money again , stating he has had a high success rate this year. pls anybody with similar experience or suggestion.

Check your emails and/or school portal for details on the International check-in and enrollment. You should have this information somewhere there.

Because this differs from school to school, only someone going to your school with similar start date can help.

Prigozhin:
Goodday everyone. I was offered ission into De Montfort university UK last month. I have paid my tuition deposit and received my CAS and applied for my visa but the visa is yet to come out. Please anyone who applied and is in the UK now. I read that a one-on-one registration will be done when I get there but I don't know when the registration will close. I would have been in the UK now if not for delay in my Proof of fund. Please I need more info about the registration cause I know it has started.

Cancelling was the best decision as this was getting complicated.

Instead of March, may I suggest you take the next 6 months to just cleanup your . Get an where you pay yourself a monthly salary (could be one of the personal s you mentioned). Do ensure only your salary is being paid in and only your estimated monthly expenditures are being deducted/withdrawn from here.

Whilst your earning potential demonstrates financial ties, there's just a lot going on with your s & given that you don't have a strong travel history to indicate frequent leisure trips of this nature, you need to ensure your application is well put together & can convince the VO that you are a genuine traveller.

Arry110:

You’re very right, it was hurriedly done
I’ve already cancelled, I’d just enjoy Lagos tomorrow and travel back as planned on Friday,
I really appreciate your inputs
Abroad no be something wey dey hungry me like that, wetin dey pain me na the 250k I waste for to&fro flight and hotel



Please I have questions as I’d be applying in March what to I need to avoid.
1. I want to be paying myself salary from this January - how much do you think my opening balance should be?

Start with whatever is currently in the you are designating as your personal i.e. If you choose to use B as your personal & closing balance is 2m, start with that.

2. How much should the opening balance for my business be too?

Same as above

3. How many months before intended travel date should I apply

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before your travel date but given the work you need to do before submission, I recommend you do this in June for a late summer trip.

Thanks
Hunee AmeliaT

Despite several s advising that he owns up it, looks like he went ahead to use the visa as given

Did he report this? It will help his credibility with UKVI.

Lamide123:

My brother applied for a 6-month visa in July this year, but a 2-year visa was affixed to his port. He traveled to the UK for 2 weeks in September, but he is trying to use it again in a few days.

Do you guys think it is okay to travel with it?

Firstly, if you want instant answers, get an immigration lawyer.

No one owes you a response on this crowd-sourced forum. Either you wait till folks with knowledge are online or you pay experts for this.

Let's always be mindful and respectful.

Arry110:
nobody 1 answer me ?

Is there a question that requires this on the form? I don't recall seeing any such thing.

You will be asked about refusals from other countries, but there's no provision to respond to a pending immigrant application.

Now, if you were thinking of including this to demonstrate ties, you might need to provide all documents including a stamped version from the USG stating your approval. But, I understand that you should have an immigrant visa as the evidence of a final approval (if you haven't gotten a greencard yet), so if you are still at the stage pending your interview, I'm unsure how helpful that will be.

Arry110:
Hi please I’m applying for a 6month visa to go to the uk for tourism this January
I wanted to know if it would make sense to notify them of my U.S. immigrant petition, my mother is a U.S. citizen and filed for me in 2019, and it was approved in 2020

Your question: Do I need a transit visa as an EU resident travelling through the UK?

Answer: No, your EU residence status will allow you transit without issues even with an NGA port.

Soraco57:
Good evening, please I need help asap, will really appreciate it, l applied for Irish visa multiple entries but to my surprise I was given 8 days visa, that aside , want to travel btw dec 23 to 26 or 27 and I have a UK valid visa till dec 30 as I have visited the UK severally, the ticket am seeing is trasiting in London on my back to my country of residence, Lithuania, pease do I need a transit visa as I will be ing through UK back to Lithuania,

directonpc:

I'm on this boat now 😂. Got the mail on Wednesday. Paid immediately. Be like say them don go Christmas break sha.

Anyone know when UKVI resumes from Christmas break?

Greetings to all,

Is there a problem with GTB USD card? I have been unable to pay for anything in the last 2 weeks and calls to the call center has been frustrating.

I can't make it to the bank physically for the next few days.

I've heard of someone (very frequent traveller) doing this and it went successfully.

If this is your first time applying to the UK, I encourage you to use atleast 6months to show strong financial ties to your country (alongside other ties).

JulianaAdeyemi:
Good day guys.
How’s everyone doing?
Please I want to ask, is it ok to use 3 months statement for my application or must it be 6 months?
Thank you.

Your thoughts are not facts and to reduce misinformation I have shared the facts.

If you don't want that, don't post on a public forum.

ShootingStar92:


I never said it was. I only explained what our thoughts were. Please stop trying to shut people up and instead engage in conversations constructively. I never gave out any false information instead you just chose not to read and not to understand because you already prepared your response based on your preconceived assumptions about a conversation that has nothing to do with you.

Hmmm, why not use the BIL?

You can also do it yourself & if you indeed read through the other link, you should have found the information you needed & a direction. Anyway, I checked and saw this link for direct application: https://atip-aiprp.apps.gc.ca/atip/requesterInformation

If you truly plan to do this second round yourself madame, you are going to have to read through the thread and research.

Freda23:
Please is possible for my brother in law who is a citizen in Canada to invite my self and my family (family of 4 )

Freda23:
Please how do you request for gcms notes without having anyone in Canada