Visa Mistakes That Could Derail Your Move (and How to Avoid Them)
When we applied for my UK spousal visa back in 2016, I was 7 months pregnant, hormonal, and full of hope.
We had done everything ourselves—painstaking research, a thick stack of documents, every box checked (or so we thought).
And then…
Rejected.
To this day, I remember sitting on the floor of my apartment in New Jersey holding the rejection letter. That moment made something very clear: you don’t know what you don’t know. And when it comes to visas, that ignorance can cost you time, money, and emotional energy.
The Most Common Visa Mistakes Families Make
Since then, I’ve moved my family across three countries—and I’ve spoken to dozens of other families who’ve done the same. Here’s what I’ve learned: most people don’t get tripped up by the “hard parts” of immigration. They get tripped up by the assumptions.
Let’s break it down:
1. Waiting Too Long to Start the Process
Many people underestimate how long visa applications take—or how long it takes to collect the documents you’ll need.
Tip: Always reverse-engineer your timeline. If you want to move in 6 months, start your visa prep 9 months out.
2. Not Understanding Country-Specific Rules
Each country has its own quirks. Some require you to apply outside the country. Some require translated documents or notarized letters from employers. Some want physical bank statements (yes, still).
Tip: Double-check which consulate you’re applying through—requirements vary even within the same country.
3. Assuming One Visa Type Fits All
Just because a “digital nomad visa” worked for your friend doesn’t mean it will work for your family of four with a remote job and school-age kids.
Tip: Always choose your visa based on your life, not a trending article.
4. Thinking ‘DIY’ Means ‘Free’
Sure, you can do it yourself—but if you mess it up, the delays (or denials) can cost far more than hiring an expert upfront.
Tip: Know when to outsource. Even a paid consultation with a visa expert can save you months of frustration.
5. Missing the Small Print
Income requirements. Background checks. Timelines. Entry deadlines. They all matter—and one missed detail can derail the entire process.
Tip: Create a checklist for your visa—not a generic one—and have someone else double-check it.
The Visa Summit: Pathways to Global Living
From confusion to clarity — real experts, real answers.
If you’re considering a move abroad, there’s one thing I know for sure: you deserve better than the midnight Google spiral.
That’s why I’m hosting The Visa Summit on August 16, 2025—a one-day virtual event featuring visa experts from:
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇦🇪 Middle East
🇪🇸 Spain
We’re breaking down the visa process by region, lifestyle, and family structure—so you can finally move forward with clarity and confidence.
And yes, we’ll cover exactly how to avoid the mistakes I just walked you through.
🎟️ Tickets go on sale July 28 — and we’re keeping it small with only 30 seats so everyone can get their questions answered.
This is what I wish existed when I started. I created it for you—so you don’t have to figure this out alone.
With you on the journey,
Sonaya
There’s something deeply satisfying about a well-structured 90-day roadmap—especially when life feels like it’s all urgent and none of it important.
I work with people planning big personal transitions (relocation, reinvention, full-on escape plans), and I’ve found that this kind of framework helps only if it leaves room for the messiness—panic days, slow mornings, uncertain timelines.
The balance of clarity + flexibility you’ve laid out here strikes a really helpful tone. Definitely saving this.
(Also, yes to “not urgent and not important” being its own category. That one sneaks in more than we admit.)
This is so painfully familiar. The idea that you can “research your way through it” is such a trap—and one I also fell into.
I’ve written guidebooks for people moving to Italy and Mexico, and the number one message I get back is: “I didn’t even know what I didn’t know.”
Visa chaos is rarely about complexity—it’s about the slow drip of overlooked details.
This breakdown is excellent, especially the reminder that DIY ≠ free. I learned that one the expensive way. Looking forward to hearing more about the Summit.