The United Kingdom is set to restrict visa applications from nationals of Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka due to high rates of visa overstaying and asylum claims. Citizens from these countries may face tougher restrictions when applying to work or study in the UK.
According to the Home Office, many nationals from these countries overstay their visas and later seek asylum, with successful requests allowing them to permanently remain in the country.
As a consequence, the Home Office said they may face tougher restrictions when applying to work or study in UK.
“Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a plan to restore order to our broken immigration,” a Home Office spokesperson said.
“To tackle abuse by foreign nationals who arrive on work and study visas and go on to claim asylum, we are building intelligence on the profile of these individuals.
“We keep the system under review and where we detect trends, which may undermine our rules, we will take action.”
Nigerians have been significantly affected by the UK’s immigration reform plans over the past two years, especially in student visas, work permits, and visa approvals.
Following tighter rules on dependents and post-study work opportunities introduced by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, international student applications to the UK have dropped drastically.
Many Nigerians have turned to the US — but even that option is now unsustainable.
President Donald Trump has also increased tighter restrictions, warning even students with valid visas could be deported if the U.S. believes they do not serve its best interest.
A 2024 report showed how Nigerian visa rejection to the UK rose from one in 31 applications in late 2022 to one in eight by late 2023.
This resulted in a 63 per cent cut in visas issued to Nigerians compared to the previous year.
Financial burden of non-refundable fees with higher rejection have intensified pressure on Nigerian applicants.
African economists and development experts are urging nationals of developing nations to contribute to their countries’ development rather than seeking opportunities abroad.
Meanwhile, the UK’s immigration reform plans have significantly affected Nigerians, with a 63% cut in visas issued compared to the previous year. The British government earned over N40 billion processing visas for Nigerian nationals between June 2023 and June 2024. As the Home Office spokesperson said, “Under our plan for change, our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a plan to restore order to our broken immigration system.”
