Restriction to UK Visa services for Nigeria

With effect from 00:001 BST on Monday 11 April, and until further notice, the visa sections in Lagos and Abuja will not be accepting visa applications from first-time visitors to the UK (including business visitors) aged between 18 and 30 inclusive.

This restriction has been implemented due to the unprecedented increase in the number of visa applications received by both the British High Commission, Abuja and the Deputy High Commission, Lagos, which has had an adverse effect on the efficient operation of their respective visa issuing operations.

This restriction does not apply to students going to the UK for any form of study or to Business Express customers. Nor does it affect those first time visitors whose spouse has evidence of travel to the UK within the last five years.

This restriction does however apply to the adult children (aged 18 – 30) of those who have travelled before – they will have to qualify in their own right. Those who have travelled to the UK before will need to submit their passport to prove this when they make their visa application. Without this, the application will not be accepted.

Applications from those who need to travel to the UK in a genuine emergency or on urgent compassionate grounds will still be accepted. But the emergency must be a real one, such as the death or serious illness of a close relative.