Getting a visa application denied or delayed is one story that is heard over and over again. It is most often caused by one of the many common and usually avoidable mistakes people make during the application process.
A majority of the mistakes people make when it comes to visa applications are not obvious mistakes, but they still carry the heavy weight of visa denial. As you prepare to start applying for a visa, this article will help you avoid what may end up being costly for you.
Mistakes Nigerians Make When Applying for Visas
1. Choosing the Wrong Visa Type
This is one of the most common mistakes Nigerians make when applying for a visa. It occurs when a visa applicant applies for the wrong visa type, either because of carelessness, not understanding the type of visa needed for their travel, or for any other reason.
When you fail to select the right type of visa for your travel, you can be sure that your visa application will be denied.
2. Weak or unclear Purpose of Travel
This is one of the first things that will get your visa application denied. It is important that you clearly state the purpose of your travel without any misunderstanding. When you are traveling for study, tourism, or as a remote worker, ensure to state it clearly without mixing things up.
3. Presenting Unclear Travel Itineraries
It is essential that you provide a well-detailed travel itinerary when applying for a visa. You need to outline your travel plan, providing proof of travel arrangements such as flight, accommodation, and planned activities. The mistake most people make is that they assume that this is not very important. It is.
4. Providing Incomplete Travel History
When applying for a visa, you will be required to supply your travel history. Do this in all honesty, stating the countries you have visited, the purpose of the visit, and how long you stayed there.
You may also want to include your previous visa applications that have been rejected, indicating why they were rejected. Most embassies can go on to check for themselves, and if you leave some parts of your travel history out, that may affect you.
5. Failure to Meet the Visa Requirements
Before applying for a visa, make sure you check and understand all the requirements and that you meet them. Every country has its visa requirements, which are different from others. Ensure you understand that of your destination country without assuming things.
6. Submission of incomplete or inaccurate documents
The first mistake that people make while applying for a visa is that they submit documents that are either incomplete or inaccurate. This can, most of the time, be an honest mistake caused by not paying attention to the details, but it surely hurts your application because it can suggest that you are being evasive.
Always go through your visa application form carefully and ensure that you understand every field before you answer. Unless you are explicitly told to leave a space blank if it doesn’t apply to you, try and fill every field, putting N/A in fields that do not apply to you.
7. Lying on the Application Form
It is easy for individuals to give false information in their application form, believing that they will get away with it. Almost all the time, such lies get exposed because they create inconsistencies in your application, which makes it easy for your application to be denied.
8. Falsified or inadequate financial proof
Before you can be granted a visa, you will be required to submit proof of funds to show that you have the means to support yourself in whatever country you are relocating to.
The first mistake people make when it comes to this is that they fail to show sufficient funds in their account to cover their stay in the destination country.
Secondly, some people provide bank statements that do not cover the specified timeframe. The third mistake some people make is that they falsify this proof and send it. This can get your visa rejected, and other harsher penalties may follow.
See Also: Visa-Free Countries for Nigerian Passport Holders
9. Making use of Outdated Passports
One serious mistake Nigerians make in the process of visa application is making use of outdated or near-expired passports. Most embassies deny visas to individuals whose passport has less than six months to expire, most especially if you are traveling for a long stay.
Apart from having outdated passports, having issues with your passport, which may be in the form of errors, may also impact your visa application process and lead to a denial.
10. Failure to Seek Professional Help
Whether this is your first time applying for a visa or not, it is important to seek professional help when you get confused or unsure. Use immigration experts and lawyers to guide you through the process. Another mistake you must avoid making is using incompetent travel agencies and visa application centers.
11. Applying Late
Many countries do not consider visas that are submitted very late, or a few days before the travel date. You may be fortunate to have your visa processed if you submit it 2 weeks before your travel date.
While you will find people submitting visa applications 3 months before travel date, it is advisable that at least, you should have it submitted 3 weeks or even a month before your travel date.
