UK clarifies: No suspension of student, work visas for Nigerians

The United Kingdom Embassy in Nigeria has denied the temporary suspension of study, work, and family visas for Nigerian applicants.

The embassy had in a statement on Tuesday announced the suspension of visas over issues arising from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

It stated that the suspension of the visa applications became necessary as priority was now being placed on applications made under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

However, the embassy in a statement on Wednesday, denied the suspension of study, work, and family visas for Nigerian applicants, noting that only “Priority’/‘Super Priority’ visa services in Nigeria are temporarily suspended”.

The United Kingdom Embassy in Nigeria noted that its visa application centres “remain open and customers can apply for standard visas of any category”.

The statement read: “Following the statement issued by the British High Commission in Nigeria on 15 March ‘temporary suspension of priority visas for student work and family applications’, we are aware of reporting circulating in the Nigerian media and online that the UK has suspended student, work and family visas for Nigerian applicants.

“This is not true. It is still possible to apply for any category of UK visa in the usual way on gov.uk and via our Visa Applications Centres (VAC) in Nigeria.

“Our VACs remain open and customers are welcome to apply for a standard visa of any category in the usual manner, this includes student, family, work, and visit visas.

“However, due to a reprioritisation of resources in response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the invasion of Ukraine, the UK has temporarily suspended its priority visa service.

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“As our 15 March statement, made clear, this temporary suspension only applies to the UKVI’s expedited, added-value ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services.  This suspension is to enable the UKs global visa operation to prioritise applications for the new Ukraine Family Scheme.

“This decision to suspend priority visa services is also clearly stated on UKVI’s guidance page, which sets out the latest decision waiting times for visa applicants outside the UK: www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-decision-waiting-times-applications-outside-the-uk

“On behalf of UKVI, the British High Commission in Nigeria would like to apologise for any inconvenience this development has caused.

“The British High Commission in Nigeria will issue an updated statement the moment ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services resume.”

Priority visa allows applicants to get a decision within five working days after payment of extra £500 in addition to the standard application fee.

Similarly, super priority visa ensures applicants get a decision by the end of the next working day if the appointment is on a weekday or within two working days if appointment is at the weekend or on a bank holiday. The service costs extra £800.

The Star