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There exist a hoax about visa application for people without travel history here in Africa, it is a nightmare to go to an embassy or consulate(European, North America, some part of Asia) and come back smiling after a schedule Visa appointment. Not that it is a jinx or it is impossible, but lack of orientation and inadequate information makes a lot of people fall victims to incessant visa denial. However, getting a visa shouldn't be that difficult; the important things are having confidence and have all completed required documents with you.
Lack of knowledge and little information gathering skills is a major problem in several cases of visa disapproval. Sheer common mistakes had made African Visa applicants victims to scams from various travel agency and freelance agents, hence proper orientation is paramount to enlighten the masses and individuals, assuring them it is not a rocket science. Briefly from my research and findings, I will share the common mistakes to avoid during visa interviews below.
DON'T BE LATE
A lot of people do not have respect for time, they are late to everywhere including visa interview appointments. Some embassies never condone any form of lateness. For example, the US Embassy in Nigeria opens as early as 6 am therefore no room for being late for your appointment. Getting late for visa interviews makes you extremely nervous and nervousness makes you messy. The exact time, date and location must have been sent to any visa applicant by the particular consulate or embassy applied to, getting there an hour before your appointment could be a confidence booster.
NERVOUSNESS
This could be detrimental to your responses during a visa interview if care is not taken. Being nervous could be as a result of coming late, incomplete documents, not fully prepared and maybe not getting detailed information. Your physical appearance could make you feel nervous as well.
INCOMPLETE DOCUMENTS
Going for a visa interview with less complete documents is one of the major causes of visa denials in several places of the world. This could be as a result of misinformation or unnecessary pieces of information which confused a visa applicant. Ensure that every required documents and papers are completely arranged in a folder weeks before your visa appointment at the embassy. With all papers intact, there is the best chance of getting a visa approval.
FALSE INFORMATION AND ANSWERS
Never give wrong and false information about yourself or sponsor, if asked a question; be sure to understand it well before responding. Over-explaining yourself could ruin your chances at visa approval because the visa officials would not want to waste all the time listening to you. Go straight to the point and don't beat around the bush with sugar-coated responses.
IMPROPER APPEARANCE
Your appearance gives you the first and lasting impression on your interviewer, the way you look and dress, your shoes, shirts, haircuts, cologne or perfume, makeup, body posture etc all counts in a visa interview. Body language is something cruicial this visa officals are trained for, do not ocer dress, use too much makeup or overuse perfume. Any inappropirate appearnce could make a visa official dislike you and deny you a visa, a moderate dressing or a simple one is enough.
SKIPPING QUESTIONS AND IMPROPER ANSWERS
Do not try to avoid questions from a visa official, he or she is a diplomatic representative of a particular country you intend going to, they require an in-depth information with an accurate one about you. It is important to be absolutely prepared for a visa interview; practice well before time to avoid responding to questions with irrelevant or inappropriate answers. Rehearsals and proper planning is required for your visa interview appointment.
AVOID BEING RUDE
Be extremely polite, never talk rashly to the visa official attending to you irrespective of the amount you have in your account. Manners go a long way, it could favor you even if you are less qualified.
DESIST FROM FORGERY
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Forging documents and required papers could bar you from entering a country you have never being to if caught, some of these visa officials are well trained and had spent years working as diplomatic Reps; they could easily spot a forged document. Be smart and be a good African ambassador as you travel and tour the World.
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