UK clarifies only ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services are suspended
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigerians can still apply for and obtain any category of United Kingdom visa “in the usual manner”, the British embassy has clarified, saying only “Priority” and “Super Priority” visa services are temporarily suspended.
The clarification came on Wednesday after publication in both the media and online that the embassy had suspended visa issuance to Nigerians to enable the UK prioritise applications for the new Ukraine Family Scheme.
The embassy apologised for the misinterpretation of its statement issued on 15 March and issued another one on 16 March which reconfirmed that, indeed, applications for the Ukrainian Family Scheme are being prioritised.
It clarified, however, that Nigerians can still apply for any category of UK visa “in the usual way on gov.uk and via our Visa Applications Centres (VAC) in Nigeria …. This includes student, family, work and visit visas.”
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Application for standard visa of any category
“We are aware of reporting 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 UK visa in the usual way on gov.uk and via our Visa Applications Centres (VAC) in Nigeria,” the statement said.
“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 re-prioritisation 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 March 15 statement made clear, this temporary suspension only applies to the UKVI’s expedited, added-value ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services.
Decision waiting times for visa
“This suspension is to enable the UKs global visa operation to prioritise applications for the new Ukraine Family Scheme.
“This decision to suspend priority visa services is also clearly stated on UKVI’s guidance page, which sets out the latest decision waiting times for visa applicants outside the UK: www.gov.uk/guidance/visa-decision-waiting-times-applications-outside-the-uk
“On behalf of UKVI, the British High Commission in Nigeria would like to apologise for any inconvenience this development has caused.
“The British High Commission in Nigeria will issue an updated statement the moment ‘Priority’ and ‘Super Priority’ visa services resume.”