O. R. SalahudeenHere we analyse to you comprehensively how to avoid visa rejection at various embassies. The rate of visa rejection in some embassies in Nigeria and beyond is at an alarming rate, which makes me believe seriously that some embassies erroneously assume that all visa applicants are seeking permanent relocation into their country if granted a visa, and you have to prove them wrong.
Despite the frustrating experience in planning and preparation involving heavy monetary and time wastage, one can easily conclude that some embassies have turned visa rejection into money-making ventures.
Therefore it is important to educate potential visa applicants and to make a comprehensive analysis of some key factors that may militate against visa rejection.
How To Avoid Visa Rejection
HOW TO AVOID VISA REJECTION
- CAREFULLY FILL THE VISA APPLICATION FORM
- USE A COMPETENT AGENT
- LACK OF ADEQUATE PREPARATION
- CHECK THE GENUINENESS AND VALIDITY OF ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS.
- KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE GOING
- BE IN-CHARGE
- BE HONEST
- YOUR BANK ACCOUNT STATEMENT
- STRONG FAMILY TIE TO YOUR COUNTRY
- PROVIDE EXTRA DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION
Let take them one by one
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1. CAREFULLY FILL THE VISA APPLICATION FORM
Your visa processing commences with the filling of the visa application form. Carefully fill your form, provide correct information without leaving a space unfilled. Do not be in a hurry, be factual without assuming anything.
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2. USE A COMPETENT AGENT
Most visa applicants use the service of agents to facilitate the issuance of the visa. However, it may backfire because immediately some applicants employed an agent they usually went to sleep, forgetting that most agents are only after their earnings. How well are you familiar with the agent of your choice. What is his success rate? It is your duty to seriously keep tap with him/her unrelentingly. Some agents tend to be Mr Know it all, while the opposite is the case, they prepare bogus documents and do not bother to familiarise the applicant with their work.
Although using agents may be the easy way out, it has its implications, avoid agent that is not well learned and have experience in processing visa applications. Packaging and preparing your information and documents is the work of an agent, he is to ask you relevant questions, if you’re not sure of a detail, you must ask him and keep in touch to know exactly what he is preparing for you.
Recently, an applicant who intends to visit a friend in Europe was directed to an agent in Nigeria by a friend in Europe, to assist in preparing documents for the trip. The agent prepared tourism documents instead of visiting, strangely she didn’t familiarise the applicant with the situation until the applicant faced the visa official.
LACK OF ADEQUATE PREPARATION
Regardless of the type of visa, you’re applying for, it is advisable to prepare well ahead of time. Before submitting your documents or appear for an interview get all your information and documents right. Do not give room for errors.
If you’re going for visiting or business visas make sure the person you’re visiting or your business partner send you an original letter of invitation and back it up with photocopies of his identity card or certificate of incorporation. Familiarised yourself with all the facts. Importantly all the correspondence between you and your business partner should be done through your email address. This will prove to the embassy the genuineness of your relationship or business dealings.
CHECK THE GENUINENESS AND VALIDITY OF ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS
It is not only foolish but criminal to present documents you cannot prove or that are not valid. Bear in mind that the visa official will scrutinise all your supporting documents. Errors, fake and invalid documents may not only lead to rejection of visa but could be used against you in court cases. Please note that the presentation of fake or make-up documents nowadays usually leads to banning the person for a minimum of ten years.
KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE GOING
If it is your first time travelling out, please have sound knowledge of the person and place you’re to visit. Keep in touch constantly. Faint familiarity may send a wrong signal to the visa official. Recently a middle-aged woman and her two grown-up sons prepared very well to travel abroad to attend a wedding ceremony of her son and brother respectively, however, when the visa officer asked them to name their in-law, the bride, they fumbled, they don’t know the name of the person their son intend marrying, consequently, their visas were rejected.
If you’re visiting a friend or relation let the person know all the steps you’re taking during the processing and after the acquisition of your visa. Do not make him be in the dark. It is imperative for him to when you’re departing your country, for him to get ready to receive you, it could be risky and lead to refused entry if he is not available when you arrive. Likewise, if he denies knowing that you’re coming, that will be the end of your visit.
BE IN CHARGE
It is important to familiarise yourself with all the details in your information and documents. Never allows an agent to dictate to you anything you cannot prove, it may be very costly. Remember you are the person to face the visa official. Rigmarolling may lead to visa rejection.
BE HONEST
There is no need to make up. In a situation where you’re to make a simple explanation or defend an event in your history, the right thing is to tell as it was, not by making up. Being honest is to present authentic information which you can prove anywhere convincingly. Remember, lack of experience is not a sin.
BANK ACCOUNT STATEMENT
One of the key factors in visa rejection is inadequate financial means. If you don’t have sufficient funds in your account and there is no proof of a genuine sponsor to support your travel, it can easily lead to visa rejection.
A sound Bank statement of the account linked to you indicate that you can take care of yourself in any financial difficulties without being or becoming a public charge.
However, a sudden upsurge in your Bank account statement may indicate that you are trying to make up for the requirements and it may not be acceptable and work against you.
Presenting a bank account statement you cannot defend can lead to visa rejection.
STRONG FAMILY TIE IN YOUR COUNTRY
Provide evidence of strong family tie to your country, such as having a wife, children and parents back home and landed property or holding permanent employment in a reputable company can convince a visa officer that you have important reasons to return to your country at the expiration of your visa.
PROVIDE EXTRA DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION
To further convince the visa official, you have the freedom of bringing along extra documents that you believe can assist in proofing the authenticity of your claim, even if it isn’t part of the official requirements.
These are a few points you have to take into consideration on how to avoid visa rejection.
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