The British government has recently revealed plans to raise the student visa fee for international students, including those from Nigeria, by a significant 34.99%.
The new fee, which will be implemented on October 4, 2023, will now amount to £490 (equivalent to N409,640.00).
The UK Home Office made this announcement over the weekend, stating that the increase is necessary to finance essential services and allocate more funds for public sector pay raises.
This decision coincided with the introduction of legislation in Parliament on September 15.
In addition to the student visa fee, the visit visa fees for stays of fewer than six months will also be affected, rising by £15 to £115.
Furthermore, the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will increase by £127, matching the £490 charged for in-country applications.
This recent development follows a previous announcement made by the government in July, which saw a 15 per cent increase in the cost of most work and visit visas, as well as a minimum 20 per cent hike in priority visas, study visas, and certificates of sponsorship.
The UK Home Office has emphasised the importance of the revenue generated from these fees in sustaining the immigration and nationality system.
According to the Home Office, the fee structure aims to minimise the financial burden on British taxpayers, while ensuring an attractive service for those seeking opportunities in the UK.
In recent years, the UK has become a prominent immigration destination for Nigerians, with data from the UK immigration office showing a remarkable 73 per cent increase in Nigerian nationals, rising from 33,958 in June 2022 to 58,680 in June 2023.