Nigeria is 5th On The List Of Student Visa Applicants To The UK

Nigeria is ranked fifth among 20 countries who top the list of those with highest application for students visa into the United Kingdom between 2005 and 2010.

According to a report by the British Parliament’s Committee on Home Affairs  a total of 2,468 Nigerian students applied for British visas between January to March 2010.

Out of these 1,716 were approved  while 1,082 were refused visas.

The report titled, “Student Visas,’’ obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in London, indicated that a total of 54,096 student visas were issued during the period.

Further breakdown showed that a total of 6,856 visas were issued in 2005,  7,036 in 2006 and 8,385 in 2007.

 The report further showed that 9,666 visas were issued in 2008, while 11,205 were issued in 2009 and 10,948 in 2010.

Meanwhile, a UK Border Agency document stated that the new migration cap policy affecting non-EU countries, including a new visa and immigration fees would take effect from April 6.

The statement explained that the fees would allow the British government to generate revenue to be used in funding the UK immigration system and to support wider government objectives.

“The revenue generated will contribute towards securing our borders and controlling migration for the benefit of the UK,’’ the statement said.

According to the new visa regime applicants requiring a short visit visa will now  pay 76 pounds instead of the previous 70 pounds while those who require visa for up to two years will pay 265 up from 245 pounds.

A 10-year visa, according to the new visa regime, will now attract 702 instead of 650 pounds.

Others are short term student visa (12 months) now 140 pounds from 70 pounds.

NAN recalls that the UK government recently unveiled a cap on migration, which aims to reduce net migration from hundreds to tens of thousands over the next four years.

To attain this level, the immigration cap proposal targets non-EU migrants, with a special focus on student visas, which would receive severe cuts.

The new visa regime is expected to affect  fresh applications and those already in the UK seeking post-study work visas.