Amid growing concerns about potential changes to UK visa policies, the British High Commission in Nigeria has reiterated its focus on promoting legal migration while preventing immigration abuses.
A spokesperson for the Commission clarified on Wednesday, “We regularly review our immigration policies to facilitate legitimate travel and migration, while discouraging attempts to exploit the system.”
The spokesperson further emphasized the importance of UK-Nigeria relations, stating, “The strong and lasting connections between the UK and Nigeria remain a priority, and we continue to work closely with the Nigerian government to address irregular migration.”
This statement comes after The Times reported on Tuesday that the UK is considering introducing stricter visa measures for countries like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, due to high instances of visa overstays and subsequent asylum applications.
The UK Home Office is reportedly preparing to target nationals from countries with higher rates of overstaying their visas.
Over the years, Nigerian applicants have faced stricter regulations, including restrictions on bringing dependents and fewer post-study work opportunities, leading to a decrease in student visa applications from Nigeria.
As a result, many Nigerian students are now looking to other countries like the United States, which also has tougher visa policies.
Recent data from 2024 showed a significant increase in the rejection rate of Nigerian visa applications, rising from 1 in 31 applications in 2022 to 1 in 8 by late 2023.
This change has contributed to a 63% drop in the number of UK visas granted to Nigerians in the past year.