The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has said 96 per cent of Nigerians who applied for student visas were granted.
Laing said this on the British High Commission’s official Twitter page while encouraging Nigerian students who wish to study in the UK by September 2022 to apply for a student visa early.
She disclosed that pressure on its visa processing system has made the application process take an average of five weeks.
Laing said, “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 per cent 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.”
