Opportunities in US Embassy apart from Visa Application

I have seen that a lot of people visit the US Embassy in their respective countries only in matters related to visa applications . However, there are a lot more to offer at the US Embassy beyond just visa applications.
There are different self-development and exchange programs available, spanning various categories, particularly in the Department of Foreign Affairs, Some of these include: career counseling, guide for studying in US, professional sponsorship programs e.g. sponsoring experience teachers to USA for short course, enlightening students on how to get scholarship to study in USA and a whole lot more.

Ebola: Australia Suspends Visa to Affected Nations

Australia will temporarily suspend immigration from West African countries hit by the outbreak.

Immigration minister Scott Morrison said the Australia parliament will no longer process humanitarian and immigration visa applications from the affected countries in an attempt to stop the disease reaching the country. 

However, permanent visa holders who have not yet arrived in Australia will be required to submit to a 21-day quarantine period before arriving.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) president said the announcement came as a surprise. According to him, the chance of the disease entering the country through a migrant from the region was very low.
He added that "It's not necessarily a very well-focused decision and the government had sought the advice of "very few people,"

Sources: Aljazeera, CNN

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IREX: Home of opportunities

International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally.

Their programs enable local individuals and institutions to build key elements of a vibrant society: quality education, independent media, and strong communities.

PROGRAMS:
To strengthen these sectors, their AREAS OF FOCUS include: Collaborative Technology, Conflict Resolution, Civil Society Strengthening, Media Development, Education, Gender, and youth. So you can be sure to find an area that meets your aspiration and potential.

IMPACT:

IREX has staffs of over 400 professionals worldwide and partners in more than 125 countries. They have benefited people a lot with scholarships, sponsoring students' exchange program, youth empowerment, professional development training, and more.       
As a member of IREX and YALI (Young African Leaders Initiative Network) I implore you to always check their website for upcoming programs you might be eligible for.
CAREER:
You may also be lucky to get a career with them: check job openings here

ONGOING PROGRAMS (as at 29 Oct 2014) [this is just a short list: check website]

Mandela Washington Fellowship Application Information

Due - November 5, 2014

Short-Term Travel Grants (STG) Application

Due - November 17, 2014

Kosovo Undergraduate Exchange Program (Kosovo UGRAD) Application

Due - December 5, 2014

Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA) International Teacher Application

Due - TBD

International Leaders in Education Program (ILEP) International Teachers Application

Due - TBD

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For more information click; http://www.irex.org/

Celebrating Africa's First Female Aviator - Lotfia El-Nadi

Lotfia El-Nadi (1907-2002)

This week, you may have come across this image on Google. It is a portrait in honor of Africa's first and world's second female aviator, Lotfia El-Nadi. Travel Army also joins Google, Africa, Egypt and the world in celebrating her.

**An image of the pilot wearing an aviator helmet appears on Google Egypt's 

homepage on Wednesday, what would be her 107th birthday**

Born in 1907, El-Nadi made news when she became the first Egyptian woman to fly a plane solo from Cairo to Alexandria in 1933 in an international race.
She's considered the second woman to fly solo, after Amelia Earhart.

After graduating from the American College in Cairo, El-Nadi's dream got started when she heard about an aviation school opening in Egypt in 1932, the country's first.

She took a job as a secretary at the school and, without her family knowing, began taking lessons in secret with a French flying instructor, with the support of Kamal Alwi, the head of EgyptAir at the time.

Alwi thought women pilots would be good publicity for both the school and the airline.

She earned her pilot's license after only 67 days of training, at the age of 26.

In 1955, El-Nady travelled to Switzerland for medical treatment and lived there for a long time. She never married.

She died in Cairo in 2002.

Source: ahramonline

Images Courtesy Google

IMPORTANT: Changes to UK Visa Application in Nigeria

           

        

The UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has assigned Teleperformance Ltd the new role of managing its visa application centers in Nigeria. This change is not applicable to Nigeria alone but several other countries like France, Jordan etc.You will recall that VFS Global was the former global commercial partner of UKVI.

Note however that VFS Global still continues to represent visa application for some other partner countries, for example VFS still operates the UK visa application in Saudi Arabia. Thus before applying, be sure to know which company operates in the country where you will be applying.


These changes will be effective from October 1st 2014.

Steps to applying for UK Visa in Nigeria

1. Visit GOV.UK to make your visa application (You can save your application at any stage and complete later. When you save, you are assigned a unique reference number called GWF, write it down safely, you will need it for your appointment)
2. Pay your fee. (VISA and MasterCard are acceptable). You will receive an email confirming your payment, GWF number and appointment details.
3. Book your appointment for Teleperformance visa application center (Abuja, Ikeja and VI)
4. After booking your appointment, visit Teleperformance website here http://www.ge2ng.tpcontact.co.uk/ and register (by creating an account)
5. Prepare your documents for your appointment
6. Attend your appointment on the scheduled date

**Note:Steps 1-3 are completed on gov.uk website.**

How to create an account on Teleperformance website: you will need the following

• Email 
• Password
• GWF followed by 9 digit number (this is given when you apply on gov.uk website)
• Passport number
• Name and family name

**Also included in the changes are Changes in visa application for children under 5 year old. 
View the post here**

New (Teleperformance) Visa Center Locations in Nigeria (Address and Office Hours)

City Lagos - Victoria Island Address UK Visa Application Centre 1st Floor Churchgate Tower 2 Plot PC31 Churchgate Street Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria Visa Application Centre Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (Except for Public Holidays)  Passport Return Window Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (Except for Public Holidays) Services Offered Premium Lounge, Priority Visas, Return Courier Applicants on wheelchair are kindly requested to submit their applications at the Victoria Island VAC rather than the Ikeja VAC

City Abuja Address TLS Contact Processing Services Ltd. 3rd floor El Yakub Plaza Plot 1129 Zakariya Maimalari street opp war college Central Business Area Abuja Nigeria Visa Application Centre Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (Except for Public Holidays)  Passport Return Window Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (Except for Public Holidays) Services Offered Premium Lounge, Priority Visas, Return Courier

City Ikeja Address TLS Contact Processing Services Ltd. Etiebets Place 21 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way Ikeja Lagos Nigeria Visa Application Centre Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (Except for Public Holidays)  Passport Return Window Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (Except for Public Holidays) Services Offered Premium Lounge, Priority Visas, Return Courier Applicants on wheelchair are kindly requested to submit their applications at the Victoria Island VAC rather than the Ikeja VAC

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New UK Visa Application Rules for Children Under 5 years

With effect from 7th July 2014, parents will also need to book an appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre for any children under the age of 5 when applying for a UK visa. 

This is for the purpose of biometric capturing.

A facial image (photograph) will be taken of child applicants as part of the submission process. Children under 5 are however not required to provide fingerprints.

How to Apply for UK Visitors' Visa:

UK VISITORS' VISA            

Interested individual can travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for the specific purpose of visiting friends and family who live in the UK .

UK family members can sponsor the applicant by providing an invitation letter to confirm the relationship, purpose of the visit, and also the support they will be providing in terms of financial assistance and/or accommodation.                                      

Applicants in this category must prove to the UK Immigration Authorities that they can financially maintain and accommodate themselves in the UK with or without assistance from family member(s) living in the UK but without resource to public funding or employment.

Firstly, an individual that intend to apply for a UK Visitors Visa must have an intention to return his or her your home country, choose a specific date of travel, duration of stay and reasons for traveling
                                                 
Below are documents  you would need for a fruitful application:

Sponsor's Documents: this refers to document from someone in UK, that wishes to host you for a visit. This person could be your relatives or friends.

1) 6 months Bank statements
2) 6 months pay slips
3) Address proof : Utility Bill such as Telephone bills, Electric Bill or Council tax notice)
4) Rental Agreement
5) Owner's no objection letter
6) Sponsor's High commission certified letter (e.g. Nigeria High commission in UK)
7) Applicants's passport copy ( Visa page and stamping page)
8) Sponsor's work permit copy
9) Employer's letter for employement proof
10) Letter from Sponsor requesting British High commission for granting visa to visitors.

Recommended but not mandatory Documents  (if sponsor is employed in UK):

11) P60 form
12) NI number letter
13) NHS maternity letter or prescription exemption card
14) Proof of relations/friendship

Visitor's Documents: this implies your own required documents to apply for a visa. This includes;

15) International Passport photo copy (all pages)
16) Proof of address( provide a utility bills of where you live )

Applicant's Financial Documents:

17) Bank statements (all bank accounts that you may hold, higher the account balance, higher the chances of your application being successful.)
18) Any Insurance Premium receipts and Insurance Policy
19) Stocks & Shares in hand proof ( statement from your broker or depository)
20) Credit Card statement.

Reasons for returning to home country:
You will have to clearly state your reasons or bound in your country to affirm that you will return to your home country.
If your reason is having children back home or asset attach these two documents as proof:
21) Children's proofs (passports)
22) Any other investment or asset proof (land / property)

STEPS TO APPLY
To apply for a UK visa in Nigeria you need to:

1. apply online
2. pay your fee
3. book your appointment
4. go to your appointment

A visitor visa usually takes no more than one to 4 weeks. The application is to be made in person, so as to provide biometric. Children below 5 years are not needed to apply in person and can be represented by parents or guardian, whom they would be traveling with.

This visa entitles holders to visit the UK for up to a maximum of six (6) months, opportunities to experience the life and culture in the UK . It may also be allowed for multiple entries into UK during the six (6) month duration.

Visa application centers in Nigeria:
Abuja - Nigeria
VF Global Services Nigeria Ltd.
No 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse II
Abuja - Nigeria
Information for disabled customers

Lagos - (Lekki)
Block - 94, Plot No. 23,
Providence Street,
Lekki EPE Express Way,
Lekki Schemen 1, Lagos.

Lagos - (Ikeja)
Ground and 1 Floor, 16, Billingsway
Oregun Industrial Area, Ikeja.

Once your Visa is granted you can then book a flight to UK. A return ticket is advisable for visitors.
Hence, on arrival, in UK, get a clearance from the immigration desk at the airport. All you need is just a prove to show that you are a genuine 'visitor' with valid documents.

Note: If your visa is of more than 6 months, you will be asked to get a medical clearnce as well before the immigration clearnce is given. Usually just a latest chest X-ray is all that you need to carry along with you and must be handy once you reach the immigration desk at the airport.

Finally, dear readers please note that  the information above may change from time to time, please use the link below for updated documents;      

The UK Border Agency www.ukvisas.gov.uk

The First Ebola case in Mali

The Mali government has confirmed the first case of Ebola in the country.
It said a two-year-old girl had tested positive for the haemorrhagic virus. She recently returned from neighbouring Guinea.  Speaking on state television on Thursday, Malian Health Minister Ousmane Kone said the infected girl was being treated in the western town of Kayes.

She was brought to a local hospital on Wednesday and her blood sample was Ebola-positive, Mr Kone said.

The child and those who have come into contact with her have been put in quarantine.

The girl's mother died in Guinea a few weeks ago and the child was then brought by relatives to Mali, Reuters news agency quoted a health ministry official as saying.

Mali is now the sixth West African country to be affected by the latest Ebola outbreak - however Senegal and Nigeria have since been declared virus-free by the World Health Organization (WHO).   Read more: http://m.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29750723

Young Doctor in his Prime Shares Thoughts on Traveling

Travel Army stumbled upon another young, agile and hardworking Nigerian and we took the opportunity to obtain his view on traveling and migrating.

Travel Army cherish valuable contributions from experienced personalities especially those who are living examples of what we propagate on this blog...traveling safe and migrating legally and responsibly.

It is my pride to introduce an intelligent young man with a golden heart (You only need to spend a moment with him to understand what I mean by golden heart)

Traveling with Children

Children are precious gift from God, they are meant to be nurtured and cared for every single moment. It is however sad that they are sometimes perceived as a burden when it comes to traveling. Parents would often become completely disorganized when they have to go on a trip with their kids.

But, traveling with your children can be a great family fun, creating piles of lifelong memories. Although, its challenges are indeed numerous, you can always develop creative strategies to make it fun. 

Candidly, the cost of traveling with your children could be expensive especially when you have 4 or 5 or more; getting visas, flight tickets etc. Parents equally nurse the headache of how to cope with co-passengers, no matter how cute your children are your co-passengers don't want to have their seat beside you nor in front , because they feel children will always disturb or inconvenience them. 

Children are truly active and restless, these are their natural characters but as a loving and caring parents be prepared and be in-charge of your children activities. Channel the extra energy that is making them to be restless to a productive task. With experience, traveling with them can be so interesting and fulfilling if you can afford all it takes. 

Here are some tips to assist your journey: 

1. Learn

Before your trip, implore your children to learn about the country you are going to, the cities, and people they'll be visiting. Books or articles can provide enough background to pique a child's curiosity. 

2. Medications

Before traveling overseas, see your doctor at least two months before you leave to discuss your plans. Carry everyone's vaccination records, and ask the doctor to note down their blood groups for you. If any of your children has a pre-existing medical condition, ask for help in identifying a doctor in your destination who specialises in the same condition. Take their drugs in its label container along when embarking on your journey. 

3. Travel Documents

Keep their traveling documents i.e International passports, vaccination cards, birth certificate, and the likes separately with proper tags for easy identification at the airport. Remember to take your marriage certificate (if applicable) and a signed attestation consent letter from the other parent confirming you can travel with your child, if you are not both embarking on the trip with them and if the other parent is no longer alive, you may need proof.

4. Packing and Luggage

Let everyone get his or her things packed in their backpack, just few clothes, toys and story books. Give each child a small pack of crayons, by doing this nobody will fight over colors.
Pack toys, coloring books and crayons with the coloring stick attached that can erase and start over. Weigh your luggage and their backpacks to ensure you don't exceed required kilogram (KG) for both hand and check in luggages.

5. Manage your time: 

The main thing you can take – whether at the airport, sightseeing or getting from place to place– is extra time. Children love to explore and don’t care for the time pressures of travel, so you’re more likely to all retain your cool if you factor the children fiddling around, dilly-dallying,toilet stops and hysterics into your time frame.

6. Consider climatic change:
Let the children dress comfortably for the weather, you know it's always cold inside the plane, get them their sweaters, as they are happier in moving to a new environment. Don't forget their gloves, foot wares, paints and hand sanitizer.

7. Let your child have a portable camera: 

If you can afford it, as it will encourage them to observe their surroundings, focus on what interests them and make them more serious. You might be surprised at the results. They are curious and gifted with sound memory, once you give a guide, and emphasis their roles , they we try their best. Don't forget to reinforce, the best out of them.

8. Travel journal: 

For adults, you can get one to read in plane as the airline do keep a copy for passengers, check your front. You can get a travel journal for children and tell them to create their own by drawing and listing things they've seen and interesting foods they've tried, it might even encourage them to try different foods.

9. Other Items: 

Pack snacks, baby cereals and sweets for children. For their toiletries pack diapers, wipes, add three changes of clothes and bags of wet, stinky pants to your hand luggage.

10. Take precautions:
It is always good to be prepared, even if you have the most well-behaved children in the world, things happen: children wander off, or they get separated from you in a crowd. Whenever you're traveling with children in an unfamiliar place, it's good to have a go-to procedure in place in case something happens. Be sure to give each child a tag containing their names , your mobile number (don't forget to roam your number or get a local SIM card at the airport), indicate your final destination on the tag and next of kin address at where you are going. It is very important.

In a crowded situation, having a unique family noise (a call, such as a "shee-shee") that's what I use for my son! It enables you to easily get each other's attention. .

To cap it all, during takeoff and landing of a plane, educate your child on what is happening, and if they are too small to see out the window, play a game to buttress your point. Once you land, let the other passengers get off first. Make sure you have everything and carry baby in carrier until you exit so your hands are free for the other kids.

If you need help, ask. In many airports, those little carts are available to help people traveling with small children. 

Hope this is useful. Do not forget to drop your comment or like our facebook page: www.facebook.com/travelarmy

Travel Safe!

WHO: Nigeria Officially Free of Ebola

A Nigerian health official uses a thermometer to screen a person at the arrival hall of the international airport in Lagos, Nigeria. Sunday Alamba / AP Photo

Nigeria has been declared officially free of Ebola after six weeks with no new cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

WHO representative Rui Gama Vaz, speaking in the capital Abuja, said it was a "spectacular success story".

Nigeria won praise for its swift response after a Liberian diplomat brought the disease there in July.

Meanwhile, the outbreak has killed more than 4,500 people in West Africa, mostly in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. 

Senegal was also declared Ebola-free on Friday.


Source: bbc news

Encounter with Doctor, Makeup Artist and Traveler

Dr Nkiru

Travel Army (TA) recently met with an exceptional lady outside the country, a young Medical Practitioner and Makeup Artist. She shares her opinion on Traveling and Migration

(see pics at bottom)

Travel Army: Can we meet you ma?

Guest: I am Dr. Nkiru Nnama Oluwatosin, a practicing medical doctor, wife, makeup artist, and the creative director of MakeUpbyNkiru, from Nigeria.

Travel Army: Where have you traveled to? 

Dr. Nkiru: I have traveled to a couple of countries including, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United States of America.

Travel Army: That is great! 

Dr. Nkiru: Thanks 

Travel Army: What advantage(s) do you see in traveling?
Dr. Nkiru: the advantages I see in traveling are numerous:
1. Traveling gives a broader perspective with which to view the world and people at large. This is because it exposes one to different people from different cultures and makes one to see new ways of doing things.
2. It helps one to become more tolerant of others because you know there's a whole world out there and it's not just your tribe, race or family that exists.
3.It gives you an opportunity to learn new ideas, new languages, new patterns of thinking
4.It gives you an opportunity to see the world and it's beauty, from natural landscapes, to breathtaking mountains, to refreshing waterfalls, amazingly rare animals, delightful dishes and the list goes on and on!.

Travel Army: What advise can you give to aspiring travelers?

Dr Nkiru

Dr. Nkiru: My advice for travelers are:
1.Take out time to absorb all you can whenever you travel, even if it's for business and not pleasure, because time does go by fast and you may have missed an opportunity that doesn't easily come by.
2.Take lots and lots of pictures!
3. Keep all your travel documents safe
4. Make new friends

Travel Army: it's nice meeting you and sharing from your advise, thank you very much. 

Dr. Nkiru: You are welcome. 

I really enjoyed my brief moment with Dr. Nkiru Nnama Oluwatosin and appreciated her priceless contributions. Her humility is outstanding. A true Nigerian Ambassador.

For more information about our guest on the blog today you can check her out on 

Makeup Artist Directory

Facebook

Some pics of her makeups below:

Before

After

Ebola Fears in America: Woman Wears Hamzat Suit in Airport

When Nigerians went wild on handwash and drinking salt solution to protect against Ebola, many would have thought they've seen the craziest reactions to the Ebola epidemic.

Look at this American woman awaiting to board a flight at Washington Dulles airport dressed in full Hamzat Suit, with mask and gloves! She's relaxed and reading.

See pic here...

2 Dallas Nurses Infected with Ebola Virus Disease

Nina Pham

2 Dallas Nurses have now been confirmed Infected with Ebola: The first is Nina Pham and the second is Amber Joy Vinson. Amber Joy Vinson was diagnosed a day after flying from Ohio to Texas, she was in a group of individuals known to have exposure to Ebola and should not have traveled on a commercial airline. Both Nurses cared for the Liberian Thomas Eric Duncan, the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States.

Wonder how they contracted this deadly virus even after taking all necessary precaution in a hospital environment. We wish them quick recovery and prompt return to their honorable profession

See more pics...

Admission/Exchange Program in Australia's QUT from Nigeria

I talked about ways to avoid scams when seeking admission into foreign universities. One of such ways is to chose a certified educational consultant as your guide.

Introducing MEL Logistics Limited 

This is an official International representative for Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Nigeria. They support client with application and visa processing and also facilitate links between Nigerian Universities and QUT for exchange programs.

What they do

• Prospective students are provided the opportunity to study in Australia, obtain a qualification that is internationally recognized and valued by international employers looking for potential employees
• Liaise and facilitate State Government departments in Nigeria and QUT to provide training exchange programs.

Services

• Education Consultation
• Customer Service
• Exchange program for Undergraduate students
• Exchange program for Nigeria University Lecturer
• Certification of your documents
• Student Visa Application assistant
• Migration Visa Aplication
• Travels and tours for schools and individuals. 

For more information contact; temitravel@gmail.com

How to become a member of EducationUSA and Study easy in the US

Avoid the ill-fated experience of this Nigerian youth who after spending a lot of money to an Educational Agent, was told by the US Visa Officer that "I would have granted you a visa but your admission is a fraud". Here is the easy way:

Travelers and Ebola

I am using this medium to enlighten travelers that currently there is an outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the following West African Countries: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria. 

About Ebola

The Zaire strain of the Ebola virus causes EVD in humans, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. The symptoms of EVD are severe and can include high fever, muscle pain and weakness, headache and sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases, internal and external bleeding. There is currently vaccine trials to prevent Ebola (e.g ZMapp) but there is no proven safe and effective specific treatment for EVD. Care is largely supportive.

Opportunity to participate in 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship

Your opportunity to participate in a life-changing fellowship is coming soon! I’m happy to announce that the application for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship. the flagship program of President Obama's Young African Leaders Initiative, will be available on Tuesday, October 7th, 2014.