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Common Mistakes Kenyans Make in Visa Applications
Kenyans seeking to travel to different destinations across the world are always forced to cut short their trips due to Visa-related hitches that can be avoided in the application process.
The issue involving Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinard Omanyala, who is set to take part in 100m championships in Oregon in the US, lifted the lid on the headache and stress most Kenyans face while planning their journeys.
Other than obtaining a passport, some countries require Kenyan travellers to apply for a Visa, which comes at a fee.
The basic requirements in filling visa forms include family and given name, gender, date of birth, country of passport, passport number, passport date of issue and passport date of expiry, as well as place of issue.
Most travellers receive their approved e-Visas within 72 hours of application.
Common Mistakes
Kenyans are in most cases denied Visas due to mistakes made while completing the application forms or for leaving out some crucial information.
Different embassies expect Kenyans to provide exact details that match those in their passports. Any differences in spelling lead to automatic rejection of the application.
Most Kenyans make mistakes when filling in passport number, date of issue and expiry date fields. Mistakes are made when copying the digits and this may deem the whole process null and void.
Most embassies do not accept any applications with missing information.
While completing the Visa form, Kenyan travellers must upload an image of their passport, a recent passport-size photograph, and proof of travel. Failing to fill the form as stated amounts to disqualification.
Embassies reject applications with passports that do not show all the information clearly. The use of flashlights should be avoided as it causes reflections affecting the clarity of communication.
Others miss out by failing to present the correct size of a passport-size photograph, which does not align with the format stated in the application form.
The proof of travel relevant to the applicant’s reason for visiting should be uploaded. Tourists require a hotel reservation and onward flight tickets. Failing to present the evidence of travel calls for immediate disqualification by any given Embassy.
Kenyans travelling for other purposes such as medical and business must also upload corresponding documentation. Failure to do so prevents the Visa from being approved. Read more
Source: https://katakenya.org/common-mistakes-kenyans-make-in-visa-applications/
