“In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories,” Owen said, as quoted by the British High Commission in Lagos.
Abuja, Nigeria – The British government generated over N40 billion from processing visa applications submitted by Nigerians between June 2023 and June 2024, according to official data.
Marc Owen, Director of Visa, Status, and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration, disclosed that over 225,000 UK visa applications from Nigerians were handled during the review period. Owen made this known during the inauguration of Africa’s largest UK visa application centre (VAC) in Lagos.
“In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories,” Owen said, as quoted by the British High Commission in Lagos. “This new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient, and meet the needs of all applicants.”
An analysis based on the UK six-month standard visitor visa fee of $150 per application shows that the British government earned over $34 million from Nigerian applicants during the period. Using an average exchange rate of N1,200 to the dollar, this amounts to over N40 billion. It is worth noting that visa application fees are non-refundable, even in cases where applications are unsuccessful.
High Visa Rejection Rates Recorded
Despite the high volume of applications, Nigeria experienced significant rejection rates. Data from the British government revealed that Nigeria was among five countries with a marked increase in study visa denials in the second half of 2023.
In Q4 2022, one in 31 Nigerian study visa applications was rejected. However, by Q4 2023, this figure had risen to one in eight. Only India recorded more declined applications than Nigeria.
The data also showed a 63% drop in visa issuances to Nigerians when compared to the final three months of 2022. This came amid stricter immigration policies, including tightened rules for dependent visas and adjustments to the graduate route post-study work visa.
Nigerians Shift Focus to the US
The rise in visa rejection rates and policy changes in the UK have pushed many Nigerians to seek opportunities in other countries, particularly the United States.
In the 2023/2024 academic year, Nigeria became the seventh-largest source of international students globally and the highest in Africa, with 20,029 Nigerian students enrolled in US institutions.
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