Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, right, meets the President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari during the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London, Monday, Jan. 20, 2020.
UK halts visa processing in Nigeria over Omicron variant
United Kingdom Government has announced suspending visa processing in Nigeria following the detection of the Omicron variant in the country.
The suspension of visa processing applications also follows UK’s earlier placing of Nigeria on its Red List of countries with travel advisor.
UK explained, on Sunday, that its decision to suspend travels from and to Nigeria was part of measures put in place to protect public health.
UK had earlier on Saturday banned foreign travellers from Nigeria over COVID-19 Omicron variant.
British High Commission announced the suspension in a statement on Sunday, December 5, 2021.
“To support the UK Government’s aim to protect public health from COVID-19 and associated variants of concern (VOC), UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) will pause making decisions on visitor visa applications in all red list countries, including Nigeria, until travel restrictions are lifted.
“Visit visas cover travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family and friends, undertaking short-term business activities (for example, attending meetings), undertaking short-term studies (under 6 months), taking part in research or exchange programmes as an academic, medical reasons (for example, receiving private medical treatment).
“If you apply for a visit visa in a red list country and you meet the UK Immigration Rules, your application will be paused. You will not receive a decision on your visit visa application whilst red list travel restrictions remain in place.
“You will not be able to request a refund of your visa fee once you have given your biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). If you already hold a valid visit visa and are intending to travel to England as a visitor from a red list country, you will not be allowed to enter.
“Separate guidance is available for travellers entering Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Use https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-list-of-countries-and-territories.
“There are only very limited exemptions to travel and entry requirements for critical workers and medical and compassionate cases,” the statement read.
“If you have submitted a visit visa application and you do not wish to withdraw, we will continue to hold your application.
“If you choose to continue with your visa application, you will not receive a decision on your visit visa whilst red list travel restrictions remain in place,” continued the statement.
It would be recalled that the UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid had earlier announced a temporary ban on foreign travellers from Nigeria.
In a series of tweets on Saturday, Javid said, only United Kingdom residents or its citizens can enter the UK from Nigeria, and they would have to quarantine in one of the relevant hotels.
