The United Kingdom is reportedly preparing to impose new visa restrictions on Nigerian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan nationals as part of an aggressive effort to reform its immigration system and curb visa abuse.
According to a report by The Times, the UK Home Office has identified citizens from these countries as among the most likely to overstay their visas and later seek asylum—a move that grants them permanent residency rights if approved.
In response, officials said the affected nationalities may soon face tougher requirements when applying for student or work visas.
“Our upcoming Immigration White Paper will set out a comprehensive plan to restore order to our broken immigration system,” a Home Office spokesperson said.
The Home Office said it is building intelligence systems to identify individuals likely to exploit the visa system early in the process.
“We keep the visa system under constant review, and where we detect trends which may undermine our immigration rules, we will not hesitate to take action,” the statement added.
The full details of the proposed visa changes will be released later in May as part of the UK’s long-awaited Immigration White Paper.
Kicknews has earlier reported that the British High Commission in Nigeria has announced the opening of new UK Visa Application Centres in Enugu and Port Harcourt, aimed at improving access for Nigerian travellers ahead of the busy summer travel season.
According to a statement released in Abuja, the new centres will allow applicants to submit documents and enrol biometrics closer to home, easing the process for residents of Enugu and Rivers States.
The new Premium Application Centres, operated by VFS Global, join the existing facilities in Abuja and Lagos (Ikeja and Victoria Island).
These additional locations are expected to help manage the growing demand for UK visas, particularly during peak periods.
Lord David Hanson, Minister of State at the UK Home Office, confirmed the reopening of the Premium Visa Application Centres in Port Harcourt and Enugu, highlighting their significance amid a surge in visa applications.
“In 2024, we received more than 230,000 visa applications from Nigerian nationals across all visa routes. These new centres will offer greater convenience for applicants and reflect the strength of the UK–Nigeria relationship,” he said.
Alok Singhal, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at VFS Global, said the new centres would maintain the high-quality service standard of the existing locations.
“We are pleased to open these conveniently located touchpoints, which allow us to cater to a larger number of UK-bound travellers from Nigeria,” he said.
Applicants using the new centres can access additional services, including help with document uploads, real-time updates on application status, and courier delivery of documents.
They may also opt for the “Keep My Passport While Applying” service, which allows them to retain their passport after submitting their application and biometrics, only returning it when a decision is ready.
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VFS Global, which has partnered with UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, previously provided services in 58 countries and was awarded a contract in 2023 to expand its operations to 142 countries worldwide.
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