In response to increasing speculation about potential changes to UK visa regulations, the British High Commission in Nigeria has clarified that its efforts remain focused on supporting legal migration while addressing abuses within the immigration system.
A spokesperson for the Commission confirmed on Wednesday, “We continuously assess our immigration policies to ensure they support legal migration and legitimate travel, while also deterring those who may attempt to misuse the system.”
The spokesperson further emphasized the importance of UK-Nigeria relations, stating, “The people-to-people ties between the UK and Nigeria are strong and enduring, and we are committed to working closely with the Nigerian government to combat irregular migration.”
This statement follows a report by The Times on Tuesday, which suggested that the UK government was considering implementing stricter visa regulations for countries such as Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The report highlighted concerns over high rates of visa overstays and subsequent asylum applications from citizens of these nations.
The UK’s Home Office is said to be preparing measures targeting nationals from countries with a higher tendency to overstay their visas.
In recent years, Nigerian visa applicants have faced more stringent rules, including limitations on bringing dependents and reduced opportunities for post-study work, contributing to a decline in student visa applications from Nigeria.
As a result, many Nigerian students have turned to alternative destinations like the United States, where visa regulations have also become more restrictive.
Data from 2024 revealed a significant rise in the rejection rate for Nigerian visa applications, with the rate climbing from 1 in 31 applications in 2022 to 1 in 8 by late 2023.
This has led to a 63% reduction in the number of UK visas granted to Nigerians over the past year.
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