I'd happily get a Nigerian passport and did try the last time that we were in Nigeria - no luck though!

Actually the charges for a British citizen are less. $144 instead of $170. And my husband had a UK resident permit, not an Irish one! I do agree that the Home Office remain unchallenged in their fee increases, but at least their fees are the same no matter where you come from. If I was an Iraqi passport holder I would only have to pay $3, yes $3, for my Nigerian visa and if I held a Danish passport then I would pay $88. Just doesn't make sense.

I want to travel to Nigeria in April for my sister in law's wedding. I called the High Commission in London today to ask how much it a visa would cost. I was told that a company called OIS now deal with the all visa and passport applications. When I called them they told me that a single entry visa visa valid for three months would cost me $170 plus a $20 admin fee to be paid to VFS Global! I nearly had a heart attack....the last time I had a visa in 2009 it cost the equivalent of N10,000 plus a £20 admin fee. Just as I was picking my jaw up off of the floor, the OIS chap told me that my application would also be subject to a £72 admin fee payable to OIS and a further £20 admin fee payable to the Nigerian High Commission! He also told me that my bank account would have to show a minimum balance of £500 in credit! I then told the guy that my husband is Nigerian because I was sure that he was mistaken. NO MISTAKE! I think that having such a high fee for the spouse of a Nigerian citizen is disgusting. And before you guys rant on about what the Home Office charge for spouses of British citizens, I'm an Irish citizen and my husband has never had to pay for a visa to accompany me to my country or to any other European country for that matter. And although we live in London, he didn't have to pay for his resident card here either because I'm classed an EU citizen.

Never!

I think that you're going to find it hard to leave Nigeria with your current circumstances to be honest. As Justwise has already mentioned, travelling to any country on a visiting visa would be silly because it will never entitle you to work. Because of holding a HND qualification you are unlikely to qualify for any other visa.....what I mean is that you would need at least a university degree. Best of luck with your efforts though. One never knows when things might change for the better.

Thanks for all the replies/advice!

Just to clarify a few things - I do work already, but only part time. I am currently looking for a full time job. When I leave my daughter with her grandmother she is not looked after properly. My mother in law thinks that chocolate for breakfast, dinner and supper is acceptable. She also thinks that allowing my daughter to wear her pyjamas all day is a good idea! Have spoken to my husband about this particular matter, so perhaps things will improve on that front.

For now, I'm going to tough things out with my mother in law. Hopefully her visa will be granted in the next few months and we can put this whole sorry mess behind us. No point in causing a war and, potentially, doing irreparable damage to my marriage.

However, plenty of lessons have been learnt by me! Holidays of 1 month max for the mother in law from now on! Also, want to mention that my relationship with my mother in law is not bad, it is the situation that's bad. And ultimately, in trying my best to please my husband, I allowed this to happen.

Just hope that I can contain my frustrations for the next few months

Maybe the issue is not Nigerian women but Nigerian men. I feel reluctant to discuss this issue in great detail with my husband because I am also afraid that if I Put my foot down that the marriage would fail. My husband adores his Mum and thinks that she can do no wrong. He tells me that he's Always happy for my parents to come and visit us. And that I should be equally welcomig to his Mum. However, he fails to remember that my parents visit for a maximum of two weeks and that hey are financially independent.

I just feel like his younger brother is taking the p**s by not accommodating this woman. And I feel that my husband is more concerned about saving face with his Mum than he is with ensuring that our nuclear family is happy. But as u said initially, if I do say anything then it's bound to affect my marriage. The trouble is that I am not very good at holding my tongue and I fear that one day soon I will explode and that my mother-in-law will get the brunt of it

Did I mention that my husband and his siblings all work 12 hours a day and that I am the one who is at home with my mother in law all day long..............

Actually, why is your advice different because I'm oyinbo? The only argument that I see that I have over a Nigerian woman is that living with extended family members could in no way be construed to be a cultural norm for me.

I'm not Nigerian! I am oyinbo!

I agreed that his Mum could come to the UK definitely. But our agreement was that she would stay with his younger brother and then visit us once a week or so. I never agreed that she could come and live with us while she was waiting for her residence card to be granted.

I have been married to my husband for 5 years. He is the eldest of a family of five. Even before we got married my husband always told me about his responsibility to he younger siblings and always made it clear that he would like at least one of them to join us here in the UK. I never had a problem with this and actually thought that it would be good for him to have a sibling in the same country that could help to share the family responsibility.

Finally in August 2010 his Mum, his sister and his youngest brother were granted a visiting visa. His sister came to live with us in September 2010 and his brother joined us in December 2010. My husband's Mum visited in December 2010 and stayed for one month before returning to Nigeria. In January 2011 we applied for EEA residence cards for the two siblings and these were granted in May 2011.

My husband's brother lived with us until October 2011 when we asked him to leave because he had been stealing small amounts of money from my purse, ad had also been expecting my husband and I to continue to financially support him even though he a part time job! Anyway, that matter was resolved and things are once again amicable between us and the brother. My husband's sister continues to live with us in our two bedroom house and she shares a bedroom with my daughter.

So far, so manageable.

Fast forward to this Summer. My husband submitted a request for an EEA family permit for his mother and his remaining unmarried sister to join us in the UK. I told my husband that I was unwilling to have financial responsibility for another of his family members. He agreed and said that his Mum and his sister could stay with his younger brother and just come to visit us occasionally. He also said that we would have no financial responsibility towards his Mum and sister and claimed that this would be the taken care of by his younger brother and the sister that lives with us. I felt that this was reasonable and agreed to sponsor the application.

His Mum's visa was granted But his siter's visa was refused. His Mum arrived o. The 01st June 2012 and has been living with us since. We've been financially responsible for her since. When she arrived in London she didn't have 1 kobo to her name. For the first three weeks that she was here, my daughter had to share a room with my husband's Mum and his sister. The sister has moved out temporarily because she has secured work for the Olympic Period. however as soon as the Paralympics finish she will no longer be accommodated by her employer and will have to move back in. I don't know when my mother-in-law will return to Nigeria because We submitted an EEA residence card application to UKBA for her and they have up until the end of December to reply.

So here is the problem - I want my house back. I want to live in it with my husband and my daughter only. I am tired of living with my mother-in-law who speaks very little English. I am tired of her planning how many things she wants to buy before returning to Nigeria (with our money of course). I am tired of her asking when we will invite her remaining daughter to come and live with us. I am also tired of her moaning about how boring life in the UK is. Very very fed up.

Also feel that now that my sister-in-law is working that she should find her own place to live. After all, she's been with us for almost 2 years.

The problem is that my husband thinks that it is entirely normal that I be accepting of his family. He does not understand, or maybe chooses not to understand, when I tell him that I want control of my home.

How can I effectively manage this situation without causing a war with my husband?

Thanks!

I think that it will be particularly interesting to see if a child can be seen to be European Union citizen without actually having the right to be a British citizen, the mind boggles!

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/national-news/court-gives-children-right-to-stay-2571099.html

http://eudo-citizenship.eu/citizenship-news/449-the-zambrano-case-relying-on-union-citizenship-rights-in-internal-situations

Not sure how this case will effect things in the future, but thought that some of you might find it interesting.

Use Air France. They are a dream when travelling with toddlers. I can only compare them to British Airways but even though the journey with AF requires a transit in Paris it was still alot less stressful. They provided my daughter with her own seat despite us having only booked an infant fare. She's a fussy eater and they kept trying until they found her something that she would eat (unlike BA who said she was only entitled to a jar of baby food). Remember that you can always bring your own food and drink for baby but may be required to taste them at security. AF didn't even complain when she wandered into the near empty business class to stretch her legs. Transitting is also easy because they have a special security lane for passengers with children.

Regarding a stroller for London, I'd say that it's a must. It'll be easier for you to get around if you have one. You can take it to the door of the plane and if you travel AF they will store it in the on-board wardrobe so you'll get it back as soon as you land at Lagos.

To keep little one entertained on the flight try bringing her favourite toy, books, small flashlight (works wonders), sweeties (for bribery), in-flight head phones.

Also, instead of keeping your little one with you while your waiting to collect your luggage at Lagos, have someone meet you at the airport and you can leave him/her outside with them instead.

Hope your trip goes well x

http://www.gre.ac.uk/international/countries/nigeria These are the requirements for the University of Greenwich in London, UK. I hope that this at least gives you an idea.

Oh and the festival that I was telling you about is happening on Sat. 2nd October.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTn3dFcMozU To get to St. Cergue you can take the train from Geneva to Nyon (about 15 mins) and then you cross the road when you get out of Nyon station and take the little red train up the mountain to St. Cergue! Ah, memories :-)

Would also recommend a trip up the Saleve just across the border in France. http://www.geneve-tourisme.ch/?rubrique=0000000026&lang=_eng

And of course no trip would be complete without eating some traditional fondue or raclette which you can do at Cafe du Soleil http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g188057-d751711-Reviews-Cafe_du_Soleil-Geneva.html

http://www.excelsior-geneva.ch/

You could try the Excelsior then. It's still 3 star but always a bit more expensive than the Bernina. Also very centrally located. Only a 3 minute walk from the train station.

Hotel Bernina opposite the train station is very reasonable and very central too.

When are u planning on visiting Geneva? It's a great city, with loads to see. If you are going to be there during the 1st weekend in October then do try to get to St. Cergue for the Desalpes Festival. It's when they bring the cows down from the mountains, strange but great entertainment!

Well said Davidylan!

Thanks so much for your kind wishes guys x

Hi guys. Just wanted to thank you all for your advice and let you know that my in-laws collected their passports from the HC today - complete with visa :-) WOOHOO!!!

I must say that my experience of Air France has been completely different. When flying to Nigeria with our, then 1.5 year old, daughter they could not have been more helpful. Check in was seamless and the staff were really friendly. They provided us with a seat for our daughter, although she was supposed to travel on our laps. Can't praise them enough. Would definitely use them again. Far more pleasant experience than flying direct with BA.

how much is Volvo FL7?

We're really hoping that their visas will be granted but don't you think it's strange that Immigration Tribunal sent my husband and I a letter saying that the appeal would be heard in London in October with us present and that then the HC just called my in-laws out of the blue requesting their passports?

Thanks for ur reply Snowdrops. I hope ur right!

Hello All,

My mother-in-law, brother-in-law and sister-in-law applied for visiting visas in January this year with the intention of spending Easter in London with us. Their application was refused and we subsequently appealed. We received a letter from the Immigration Tribunal telling us that the appeal would be heard in October. However, a few weeks ago my mother-in-law received a call asking her to attend the British HC in Abuja. She went with her 2 children last week and was told that their machine was out of order. All 3 passports were collected and they were asked to collect them on the 18th August from the HC in Lagos.

Does this mean that they've changed their mind and have decided to grant them their visas? Find it all very confusing!

Thanks in advance :-)

Thanks Lastpage. I know that the cost of living is supposed to be really high over there. That's why I wanted to get as much info as I can before going there.

I can confirm that I am not the real Mrs. Oyibo that you guys are talking about! However, can we please get back on topic because I really do need info. Don't want to ask family and friends for information at the moment because we haven't made our final decision about moving yet.

Thanks Yommyuk.

Any one else have anything to add?

I'm sick of paying £45 to the Nigerian embassy in London every time I travel to Nigeria. Can u get me a passport pls?

Hello All,
I'm thinking of moving to Ireland (Dublin) with my Nigerian husband. I'm Irish myself, but I've been living in the UK for the past 11 years so I don't really know all that much about what goes on there anymore. Can anyone who actually living in Ireland already let me know what me, my husband and our daughter (16mths old) can expect when we get there please?

What is the cost of living? Food shopping, utility bills, mobile bills etc?
How easy is to find work?
Is registering with the GNIB as straightforward as it appears?
How expensive is childcare?
Will we be able to claim benefits while we're looking for work initially?
What is the best part of Dublin to live in?
What is the average cost of a 2-3 bedroom house? How easy to find one?
Is education still fairly decent there?
How accepting are people of mixed race couples?
If living in Dublin is it necessary to have a car or will public transport suffice?
How easy will it be to open a bank account?

I look forward to your replies!

Must say that Wonderbod is pretty much spot on. Of all of the places that you could go, hmmmm, Dubai just isn't where you would want to find yourself.

But there are loads of other places that offer far better opportunities, do don't be disheartened.