British embassy clarifies planned stricter visa rules for Nigerians
Amid growing speculation regarding potential changes to United Kingdom visa regulations, the British High Commission in Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating legal migration and legitimate travel while continuing efforts to curb immigration abuse.
Spokesperson for the Commission on Wednesday, stated, “We keep our immigration system under constant review to allow legal migration and legitimate travel while deterring those who may seek to abuse it.”
Emphasising the strength of bilateral ties, the spokesperson added, “Our UK and Nigeria people-to-people links are strong and enduring, and we continue to work closely with the government of Nigeria to tackle irregular migration.”
The Times on Tuesday reported that the UK was considering new immigration measures that could make it harder for citizens of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to obtain visas, citing high rates of overstays and subsequent asylum claims.
According to the information, the UK Home Office was preparing to introduce stricter visa policies targeting nationalities identified as having a greater likelihood of remaining in the country beyond the terms of their visas.
In recent years, Nigerian applicants have faced tighter visa rules, including restrictions on bringing dependents and reduced post-study work opportunities.
As a result, student visa applications from Nigeria have significantly declined, and many are now looking to alternative destinations, including the United States, where visa policies have also become more restrictive.
Data from 2024 revealed a sharp rise in UK visa rejections for Nigerians, with the rejection rate increasing from one in 31 applications in 2022 to one in eight by late 2023. This has led to a 63 percent drop in UK visas issued to Nigerians over the past year.
