Between 2023 and 2024, the UK Government Received Almost N68 Billion in Visa Fees From Nigerians, Despite the Country's Highest Rejection Rate.

The British government generated over N68 billion from processing visas for Nigerian citizens between June 2023 and June 2024. Marc Owen, the director of visa, status, and information services at UK Visas and Immigration, reported that during this timeframe, at least 225,000 visa applications from Nigeria were processed. Owen made these remarks at the inauguration of Africa's largest UK visa application centre (VAC) in Lagos. "From June 2023 to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across various categories. This new partnership underscores our ongoing commitment to making our visa services accessible, efficient, and responsive to the needs of all applicants," the British High Commission in Lagos cited Owen as stating. "I am pleased to be here in person to commemorate this significant occasion with our customers and partners." While Owen did not indicate whether specific visa categories received a higher volume of applications, it is noted that a standard six-month UK visitor visa costs $150. This implies that the UK earned over $34 million from the 225,000 Nigerian applicants, which translates to approximately N68 billion. It is important to note that visa application fees are non-refundable, even in cases where the application is unsuccessful. In addition to this substantial revenue from Nigerian applicants, earlier this year, data from the British government revealed that Nigeria was among five countries experiencing an increase in study visa rejection rates during the latter half of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2022, one in 31 applications from Nigeria was rejected, whereas in the fourth quarter of 2023, the rejection rate rose to approximately one in eight. Vietnam, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia also faced elevated visa rejection rates, though to a lesser extent. India was the only nation where the number of declined applications exceeded that of Nigeria. The data indicated that visa issuances to Nigerians decreased by 63 percent compared to the last three months of 2022. This rise in rejection rates occurred alongside stricter visa regulations for immigrants in the UK. The British government indicated that modifications to dependent visa policies have generated adverse reactions in both nations, particularly after adjustments were made to the graduate route post-study work visa. As a result, an increasing number of Nigerians are seeking opportunities in the United States. During the 2023/2024 academic year, Nigeria ranked as the seventh largest contributor of international students worldwide and the foremost in Africa, with 20,029 students enrolled in the US. This enrollment figure represents a 13.5 percent rise compared to the previous year for Nigeria.