The United Kingdom may soon introduce stricter visa rules targeting Nigerians and citizens of some other countries, the UK Home Office has revealed.
According to a report by The Times, the UK government is concerned about the rising number of foreign nationals who overstay their visas and later apply for asylum. Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were identified as countries with high rates of such cases.
In response, the UK is planning to tighten visa requirements for citizens from these countries, especially for work and study purposes.
“Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system,” a UK Home Office spokesperson said.
The spokesperson explained that the new policy aims to detect and prevent abuse of the system early by building intelligence around applicants’ backgrounds. The full details of the proposed changes will be made public later in May when the Immigration White Paper is officially released.
In recent years, the UK has become a popular destination for Nigerian students and professionals seeking better opportunities. However, visa rejection rates for Nigerians have increased, raising concerns among many intending travellers.
This move follows a global trend of stricter immigration policies affecting Nigerians, as seen in past U.S. visa crackdowns during the Trump administration.
