7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Visa

I recently received my Japanese Visa and it inspired me to put up this post about some of the common mistakes to avoid during visa applications. I am no stranger to visa applications and the requirements, sometimes, stringent, to visit certain countries.

As a Nigerian Passport holder who loves to travel both leisurely and for work, I have had my fair share of applications. No matter how often I go through the process, I still get very nervous to hear the decision of the visa officer. One thing I make sure to do though, is to pay very close attention to my applications before I submit them.

mistakes to avoid during visa

In this post, I am going to talk about some of the most common reasons for visa rejections and how you can avoid these mistakes to improve your chances of a successful application. Please note that it is ultimately up to the visa officer to grant or reject your visa.

This post does not guarantee a positive response. Its aim is to give you a few ideas about mistakes to avoid during visa applications and how you can strengthen yours.

With that being said, let’s get into the details!

Mistakes to Avoid During Visa Applications: #1 – Having an Incomplete or Incorrect Application Form

This may seem trivial but the fact is that your visa appraisal starts from here and a small mistake here can cost you big time. For some application process, you don’t even get an interview. The decision is made based on the information provided in these forms.

Therefore, when filling out them out, be sure to present information clearly, completely and correctly. If something does than apply to you, rather than leaving the spaces blank, always put “N/A”.

Nigeria to Mexico Mexican Visa Requirements

Missing or incorrect information can often lead to delays in processing times or even rejection.

Mistakes to Avoid During Visa Applications: #2 – Having Insufficient Supporting Documents

The visa officer’s job is to decipher whether you have truthfully stated your intent. When seeking a tourist visa, the official’s role is to scrutinize you through questioning or by examining your paperwork. Their goal? To determine if you’ll actually go back home after your trip ends.

It is your job to provide documents that support your application. Be sure to comb through the requirements on the immigration website of the respective country you’re applying to and include additional documents that may not be stated to show proof of home ties.

Some of the documents to include are your employment and promotion letters, admission letter or one from your school (if you’re a student), marriage certificates, proof of home or business ownership and so on.

Mistakes to Avoid During Visa Applications: #3 – Having Insufficient Proof of Funds

Having insufficient proof of funds is one of the most common reasons for visa rejections. Many people often believe that the balance in your account is the only amount considered during the processing of your visas but this is not always the case.

Mistakes to avoid during visa applications

Many visa officers take a look at your bank transactions in the statements provided over time and make certain decisions based on these transactions. Therefore, it is not enough to have a lump sum amount in your account when you apply.

Your transaction inflows and outflows must also be consistent with your declared income and should prove that you are financially able to cover the costs of your travels.

Mistakes to Avoid During Visa Applications: #4 – Having Unexplained Bulk Sums in your Account

This is one of the most common mistakes to avoid during visa applications – which is transferring a huge sum of money right before your application, intending to convince the visa officer that you have enough to cover your trip.

This is a huge red flag and is often the basis for a rejection. If you unavoidably have such large sums coming into your account, for example, if you’re a homeowner who just received rent, make sure to include a cover letter and accompanying receipts to show the source of this amount.

#5 – Submitting your Passport with Less than 6 months Validity or Less than Two Free Pages

Several embassies or consulates have this as a requirement but sometimes, it is overlooked by travellers and becomes the basis for a visa denial.

Nigerian Passport Yellow Card

This is not the case for every consulate or embassy but to be on the safe side, always ensure that your passport has over 6 months validity and at least two free pages for the visa sticker and stamp.

Mistakes to Avoid During Visa Applications: #6 – Lying about your Travel History or Previous Visa Denials

This one goes without saying. Don’t lie about anything on your application, and most especially, don’t lie about previous visa denials. At best, if that lie is caught (and it will most likely be), the visa will be denied but lying about previous denials may also result in a ban.

Best Egypt Itinerary

It certainly isn’t worth it. If your circumstances have significantly changed between when you received a visa denial and when reapplying, it will be taken into consideration during the visa processing.

Mistakes to Avoid During Visa Applications: #7 – Applying Late or too Close to your Travel Dates

I remember seeing a sign at the South Korean embassy stating that a visa application submitted within 14 days of the travel date would not be considered. The visa did come out in 6 days but it was not worth risking submitting the application late.

As a rule of thumb, you should submit your application at least 3 weeks to your travel date. Many embassies begin to receive applications for up to 3 months before your travel date. The earlier you can apply, the better, as this will save you stress and might also save you money in early flight bookings and hotel deals!

Nara Deer Park in Autumn

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can increase your chances of a smooth and successful visa application process. Once again, these suggestions do not guarantee a positive outcome, that is always only up to the visa officer. Good luck with your next application and I hope you have a wonderful adventure!

Please feel free to share more tips in the comment section below or let me know if you have any questions about visa applications in general!

Unique themed cafes in Seoul
Cheers to successful visa applications!

Enjoyed this post?

  • Help! Why are we losing home and away! 😭🤣 God abeg!

I will resume my complaining once we fix our visa process/make it more accessible for other African travellers!

Side bar: if you have connections in Vietnam, please DM me! 😭😂 I still want to go!
  • Mount Kilimanjaro and giraffes - I could cry! 🥹

If you're looking for a great weekend trip from Nairobi to change the pace, Amboseli National Park is truly one of the best places to visit!

For a road trip that's only about 4-5 hours from Nairobi, you get epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, large elephant herds and if you pick the right lodge, you can watch incredible wildlife come and go, right from the comfort of your dining table or even your room!
  • 💙
  • It was a rainy morning in Nairobi and we went on a walk with the pup 🐶
  • A not-so-hidden gem in South Korea 🇰🇷 

Suncheon Bay National Garden is absolutely worth visiting.😍
  • Everyday is a pleasant surprise! 🌻🥹
Help! Why are we losing home and away! 😭🤣 God abeg! I will resume my complaining once we fix our visa process/make it more accessible for other African travellers! Side bar: if you have connections in Vietnam, please DM me! 😭😂 I still want to go!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Mount Kilimanjaro and giraffes - I could cry! 🥹 If you're looking for a great weekend trip from Nairobi to change the pace, Amboseli National Park is truly one of the best places to visit! For a road trip that's only about 4-5 hours from Nairobi, you get epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, large elephant herds and if you pick the right lodge, you can watch incredible wildlife come and go, right from the comfort of your dining table or even your room!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
💙
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
It was a rainy morning in Nairobi and we went on a walk with the pup 🐶
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
A not-so-hidden gem in South Korea 🇰🇷 Suncheon Bay National Garden is absolutely worth visiting.😍
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
Everyday is a pleasant surprise! 🌻🥹
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

Help fuel more adventures and insights! ☕️ Treat me to a virtual coffee, explore my Instagram for behind-the-scenes peeks, or simply share this post with a fellow traveller. Your support keeps this wanderlust-filled blog thriving! 🌍✈️

I love to hear from you, Leave a comment here!

Close
Help! Why are we losing home and away! 😭🤣 God abeg!

I will resume my complaining once we fix our visa process/make it more accessible for other African travellers!

Side bar: if you have connections in Vietnam, please DM me! 😭😂 I still want to go!
Help! Why are we losing home and away! 😭🤣 God abeg! I will resume my complaining once we fix our visa process/make it more accessible for other African travellers! Side bar: if you have connections in Vietnam, please DM me! 😭😂 I still want to go!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Mount Kilimanjaro and giraffes - I could cry! 🥹

If you're looking for a great weekend trip from Nairobi to change the pace, Amboseli National Park is truly one of the best places to visit!

For a road trip that's only about 4-5 hours from Nairobi, you get epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, large elephant herds and if you pick the right lodge, you can watch incredible wildlife come and go, right from the comfort of your dining table or even your room!
Mount Kilimanjaro and giraffes - I could cry! 🥹 If you're looking for a great weekend trip from Nairobi to change the pace, Amboseli National Park is truly one of the best places to visit! For a road trip that's only about 4-5 hours from Nairobi, you get epic views of Mount Kilimanjaro, large elephant herds and if you pick the right lodge, you can watch incredible wildlife come and go, right from the comfort of your dining table or even your room!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
💙
💙
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
It was a rainy morning in Nairobi and we went on a walk with the pup 🐶
It was a rainy morning in Nairobi and we went on a walk with the pup 🐶
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
A not-so-hidden gem in South Korea 🇰🇷 

Suncheon Bay National Garden is absolutely worth visiting.😍
A not-so-hidden gem in South Korea 🇰🇷 Suncheon Bay National Garden is absolutely worth visiting.😍
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Everyday is a pleasant surprise! 🌻🥹
Everyday is a pleasant surprise! 🌻🥹
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Oh please, add Gyeongju to your South Korean itinerary! 🇰🇷

It's a charming, beautiful and walkable city that I think is worth visiting. 

When I visited the country for the first time, I picked Jeonju over Gyeongju. Not much thought went into that decision. I just did it - no regrets.

Luckily I got to revisit and what a joy! It's magical in every way! ✨️
Oh please, add Gyeongju to your South Korean itinerary! 🇰🇷 It's a charming, beautiful and walkable city that I think is worth visiting. When I visited the country for the first time, I picked Jeonju over Gyeongju. Not much thought went into that decision. I just did it - no regrets. Luckily I got to revisit and what a joy! It's magical in every way! ✨️
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Natural, Unfiltered Beauty! 🌸💙

The cherry blossoms were late but that itself was a blessing. I was happy to get clear, gorgeous views of Mount Fuji!

Oh, this trip - this country! Some places leave a permanent mark. This was one of them!
Natural, Unfiltered Beauty! 🌸💙 The cherry blossoms were late but that itself was a blessing. I was happy to get clear, gorgeous views of Mount Fuji! Oh, this trip - this country! Some places leave a permanent mark. This was one of them!
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Oh, this charming town! 💙

Beautiful cobbled-stone streets, a gorgeous trail that leads to yet another beautiful well-preserved Edo-period post town, temples and shrines... this is Magome-Juku 

If you plan to visit, I recommend staying a night or two. Accommodation is quite limited and everything shuts down by 5pm.

We stayed at Magomechaya for 2 nights. This place has both hostels and private rooms and our stay was absolutely wonderful. I'd definitely revisit!
Oh, this charming town! 💙 Beautiful cobbled-stone streets, a gorgeous trail that leads to yet another beautiful well-preserved Edo-period post town, temples and shrines... this is Magome-Juku If you plan to visit, I recommend staying a night or two. Accommodation is quite limited and everything shuts down by 5pm. We stayed at Magomechaya for 2 nights. This place has both hostels and private rooms and our stay was absolutely wonderful. I'd definitely revisit!
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
Latest Posts
  • 2 Weeks South Korea Travel Itinerary for First Time Visitors

  • Slow Days in Fast-Paced Tokyo

  • A Serene Weekend at Tawi Lodge, Amboseli

  • Top 10 Easiest Countries for Nigerians to Visit (Visa-Free or Easy Visa)

  • 1000 Days of Learning Swahili – I Quit!

Translate
Become an Insider!
Archives
Close

Travel with a Pen

Seek out New Adventures, Travel Differently

Travel with a Pen © Copyright 2025
Close