The British High Commission says student visa applications
are currently taking an average of five weeks due to “enormous pressure” in its
processing system.
Catriona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, said
this in a video shared on the commission’s Twitter page.
Laing recommended that Nigerian students who intend to study
in the United Kingdom in September 2022 should apply for visas as early as
possible to avoid delays.
She disclosed that 96 percent of Nigerians who applied for
student visas were granted those visas.
“My message is directed to those of you who are planning to
study this academic year, September 2022,” she said.
“The UK is a fabulous place to study. Our academic
qualifications are recognised globally as the best, and we welcome students
from around the globe and in particular from Nigeria because we want the
brightest and best.
“We have a transparent point-based system, and 96 percent of
Nigeria who applied for student visas are granted those visas.
“But my message this morning is please, help us to help you
by applying much earlier than you think you need for your visa this year.
“In previous years, it might have been okay to apply in
August for a visa to start your studies in September. This year, that’s going
to be much, much too late.
“So, I appreciate that some of you may still be getting your
paperwork together, your confirmation of acceptance of studies, your
requirement for TB clearance, and of course, your exam results.
“But there is other paperwork that you can be starting to
put together so that you have everything together in one package so you can
just press ‘go’ as soon as all the paperwork is complete.
“The reason for this is that UKVI, our visa immigration
processing system is under enormous pressure. You will all be aware of the
horrible humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and we’ve had to prioritise
processing visas for the people trying to get out of that horrible war zone.
“That means we’ve had to pause our priority and
super-priority visa processing systems. So, it’s really really imperative that
you get your paperwork together as soon as possible and you apply as early as
you can.
“So, please help us to help you, to make sure you get to the
UK in September for your studies which is going to be fabulous. We want you to
have a wonderful time studying in the UK.
“There is going to be lots of information over the coming
weeks and months on our social media channels, on Twitter, Facebook, and
Instagram, and our hashtag is #UKnaijaStudent2022. So, look out for further
information.”
Between March 2020 to March 2022, a total of 58,887 study
visas were granted, up from 17,366 in March 2021.
According to the commission, Nigeria had the third-highest
nationalities granted UK-sponsored study visas after China and India, as of
March 2022.
A student visa in Nigeria costs about $486 (N199,260).
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayPlease watch this important video from the British High Commissioner, @CatrionaLaing1 on #UKNaijaStudent2022 update. https://t.co/iRGhDaEHcD pic.twitter.com/lHTqT3e3o0
— UK in Nigeria🇬🇧🇳🇬 (@UKinNigeria) June 21, 2022
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