From September 1st, foreign students will need €10,236 to apply for a Germany study visa

The Federal Foreign Office of Germany has increased the amount of money that foreign students wishing to study in Germany need to attest owning, for nearly 20%. While up to now, international students needed at least 8,640 euros deposited in a blocked account in a bank in Germany, now the amount has increased to 10,236 euros.

“From 1 January 2020, the presumed annual requirement that must be paid into the blocked account when applying for a visa will increase to 10,236 euros. This increased amount applies to all visa applications submitted from 1 September 2019,” the Federal Foreign Office said in a notice published on their website.

Proof of sufficient financial means is one of the main requirements for a Student Visa for Germany and a Blocked Bank Account is the most common and efficient way to do so. The amount of money required to be deposited is calculated to cover the living expenses, thus meeting the requirement to have the necessary financial means to live in Germany as a student for a year.

Once in Germany, students can then withdraw a certain amount of money monthly. While this amount is currently 720 euros, it will increase to 853 euros from September 1, this year.

The Federal Foreign Office of Germany highlights that a blocked account only ensures that sufficient funds to cover living expenses are always available and it does not entitle the student to withdraw money from the blocked account.

Not every bank in Germany offers the opportunity of opening a blocked bank account for students. One of the banks that do so is Fintiba and the Deutsche Bank.

There is a whole procedure that one must follow in order to open a blocked account, including completing an application form and submitting a few documents to the bank. /Germany-Visa.org

French Visa Application in Nigeria

Applicants from Northern part of Nigeria should apply at our Visa Application Centre in Abuja and applicants from Southern part of Nigeria should apply at our Visa Application Centre in Lagos.

Kenya Airways flight for 12:40 today (18th July 2019) has been cancelled

Dear Sir/Ma, Due to operational reasons, Kenya Airways flight for 12:40 today has been cancelled and transfered to the night flight by 22:10 today as check-in starts by 6pm. We apologise for the inconveniences caused.

Federal Government of Nigeria revokes ALL foreign printing contracts for Nigerian passports

President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled all e-passport printing contracts abroad, saying that it will now be the sole responsibility of the Nigerian Security Printing & Minting Company (NSPMC).

Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, made this known in a statement released on Thursday.

This new directive means all existing contracts concerning printing passports and other documents will not be renewed.

The Nigerian Security Printing & Minting Company (NSPMC), popularly known as The Mint, was established in 1963 and was saddled with the responsibility of printing the nation’s currency and security documents for ministries, departments and agencies of government, banks and other blue-chip companies.

At inception, the Mint was the largest banknote and security documents specialist printing company in West Africa until its performance dwindled.

After his appointment as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele set new targets for the company including zero importation of currency which has been achieved since 2014.

Speaking on the company, Abbas Umar Masanawa, the managing director, said: “The Mint has returned to profitability. From a moribund organization with heavy losses, the company grew from a loss position of N14.6 million in 2014 to a profit of N14.3 billion in 2018. Turnover also grew from N17.8 billion in 2014 to N61.4 billion in 2018.

“Other achievements include enhanced production capacity, revenue diversification, reduced cost of production, the institutionalization of corporate governance, improved staff welfare and industrial harmony, among others.

“We will conserve scarce foreign exchange, improve revenue generation, create job opportunities, and boost acquisition/transfer of technology.”

High Passenger turnout as Air Peace Inaugurates Sharjah, Dubai Flight

CHAIRMAN Air Peace, Allen Onyema has said that the airline’s foray into international operations will help end the short changing of Nigerians flying to Europe and other international destination.

Speaking at the inaugural flight of Air Peace to Dubai, via Sharjah, Onyema empathised with Nigerian travellers stating that they pay far more for international flights than those who fly for three hours more.

The airline which commenced its inaugural operations with over 70% load factor aims at maintaining its startup trajectory and according to its chairman aims at combating the price imbalance in the region.

“Let me tell Nigerians, what you pay to Europe for a 6hour flight , those that fly 9hours from Jo’ burg do not pay that; it’s time to stop the short-changing,” he said.

The AirPeace boss also said that competitors airlines would soon begin to crash their fares when they hear of and see the attractive offer Air Peace has in store but reminded them that these airlines refused to drop those fares initially until they came in.

” As we speak our fares are attractive, we have N180,000 to Dubai via Sharjah on Economy, and we have N650,000 for Business Class while our First Class is N850,000 you won’t get a better offer, in fact for First class you see fromN2million up. I’m sure some airlines will reduce their fares but this is just to ensnare you again and keep ripping you off.”

“I am sure that Air Peace will start and not close shop after some months , I have no doubt this will succeed, it’s not because we have the best pilots or the best aircraft or the best maintenance , it is because of God ,” he said.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Saibu Zackari pledged government’s support to Air Peace stating that government supports all Nigerian Airline and will support Air Peace.

The Permanent Secretary represented by Engineer Azssan Musa, Director Air Traffic Management also hinted that government has helped with its special window for making foreign exchange available as well as aircraft spares.

Turkey National Carrier Connects Athens, Greece with Nigeria via Istanbul

Turkey National Carrier Connects Athens, Greece with Nigeria via Istanbul

Turkish Airlines ( Turkey National Carrier)  on Thursday announced that it has added the city of Port Harcourt in Nigeria to its flight network as its 56th destination in Africa. The carrier will operate four weekly reciprocal flights between Istanbul and Port Harcourt.

Passengers flying from Athens will be able to travel to Port Harcourt via a connection flight in Istanbul.
Already flying to Lagos, Kano and Abuja in Nigeria, Turkish Airlines added Port Harcourt to the list, increasing its flight network to 311 destinations.
“By starting our Port Harcourt flights, we added a new milestone to Turkish Airlines’ mission of growth in Africa,” Turkish Airlines Senior Vice President of Sales (2nd Region), Kerem Sarp, said during the press conference in International Port Harcourt Airport held for the inaugural flight.
With this launch, Turkish Airlines flies to more destinations in Africa than any other carrier.
“With Port Harcourt as our fourth destination in Nigeria, Turkish Airlines continues to be the bridge between cultures,” he added.