UK Visa: Only ‘Priority Visa’ is suspended

Topnaija.NG had previously reported that the UK halts visa applications in Nigeria. However, the British High Commission has clarified its statement on halting visa applications.

The commission stated that only priority visa applications are suspended and not student, work and family visas for Nigerian applicants and explained that the development was due to a reprioritization of resources in response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

On Wednesday, the commission made it clear that application for any visa category still remains as it was, on gov.uk and through its Visa Applications Centers.

Standard visa of any category including student, family, work and visit visas can be applied for at anytime in any visa application center as all centers remain opened, the commission said.

The statement read, “Following the statement issued by the British High Commission in Nigeria on 15 March, ‘temporary suspension of priority visas for student, work and family applications,’ we are aware of report circulating in the Nigerian media and online that the UK has suspended student, work and family visas for Nigerian applicants.

“This is not true. It is still possible to apply for any category of the UK visa in the usual way on gov.uk and via our Visa Applications Centers in Nigeria.

“Our VACs remain open and customers are welcome to apply for a standard visa of any category in the usual manner, this includes student, family, work and visit visas.

“However, due to a reprioritization of resources in response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the invasion of Ukraine, the UK has temporarily suspended its priority visa service.

“As our 15 March statement made clear, this temporary suspension only applies to the UKVI’s expedited, added-value ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services.  This suspension is to enable the UKs global visa operation to prioritize applications for the new Ukraine Family Scheme.”

The mission apologized for any inconvenience this development has caused and promised to issue an updated statement the moment ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services resume.