Want my fiance's Family in Nigeria to come for Wedding

[lovemyisiaki 0]

Advice welcomed.

My fiance will be married shortly-but we are having our large "Christian Church Wedding" in August of 2011. I have had a group of friends get married recently (maybe that's why we became friends??) who married foreigners and of course they all wanted their families from their native country to be there. In all the cases-all different countries-most in Africa-they were denied. We have some months to plan this, so we want to do whatever is necessary so that 4 of his Nigerian family members can come to our wedding. The usual reason for denying a tourist visa in Nigeria is "not sufficient evidence you have something that will bring you back to Nigeria" His Mom doesn't work-but his Dad's health is too poor for him to come-so I think she's be more likely to pass, but she won't go alone, and his siblings, are either in school (University) or have jobs-like many Nigerians-they are businessmen-so no real issue about them having to get back for their work. What can we do or they do so that it will improve their chances of getting a visa to come to our wedding?

Thanks for any advice! Nigerians-or those with experience with Nigerian visas please respond

I expect to be in the same situation next year...just wondering how things worked out for you guys?

[cerebus407 16]

Not to hijack the thread, but a lot of people are wondering why they don't look at documents. Three reasons: 1) fraud; 2) workload; 3) fraud.

To use the Philippines as an example, there is an area of Manila known as Recto street where you can purchase any document you want. University degrees, letters of employment, bank records, birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, etc. This doesn't even mention the practice of presenting misleading but factually true documents such as bank accounts flush with money that was acquired through family loans or from a loan shark. Fixers are everywhere. There was a company that was operating just across from the embassy that was busted by local authorities recently. For the right price here, you can probably fine a PHL government employee who will give you whatever document you want. I am sure there are similar markets in Nigeria.

Second, work load. CO's have to interview a lot of people everyday and don't have time to thumb through the documents people have brought, most of which are not necessary such as invitation letters.

It is unfortunate that people who use fixers and forgeries ruin it for everyone else, but they do. Visa costs are for the cost of the application, not for an approval of a visa. So if you want CO's to spend more time looking at documents, be prepared for the visa fee to skyrocket (not to mention the wait times for appointments).