With effect from October 4,2023, the student visa fee for international students, including those from Nigeria comes to £490 (N409,640.00 equivalent).
This is coming after the British government announced a significant increase of 34.99% in student visa fee.
Citing the need to finance essential services and allocate more funds for public sector pay increases, the UK Home Office made this announcement this weekend, coinciding with the laying of legislation in Parliament on September 15.
The adjustments also affect visit visa fees for stays of fewer than six months, rising by £15 to £115.
In a similar vein, the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will surge by £127 to match the £490 charged for in-country applications.
In July there was a 15% increase in the cost of most work and visit visas and a minimum 20% hike in priority visas, students visa, and certificates of sponsorship.
The UK Home Office emphasised that the revenue generated from these fees plays a vital role in sustaining the immigration and nationality system.
The Home Office added that the fee structure aims to minimise the financial burden on British taxpayers, while ensuring an attractive service for those seeking opportunities in the UK.
Lately, the UK has become a prominent immigration destination for Nigerians, with data from the UK immigration office showing a remarkable 73% increase in Nigerian nationals, rising from 33,958 in June 2022 to 58,680 in June 2023.
