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Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to stay alert against visa fraud, revealing that the UK processes approximately 1,500 visa applications from Nigeria each day.
He made this plea during a press conference at the UK-Nigeria Economic Growth Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
Montgomery recommended that applicants utilize official channels and provide precise documentation when applying for a UK visa.
Addressing concerns about visa rejections, he pointed out that many Nigerians continue to secure visas to the UK successfully.
He mentioned that hundreds of thousands of Nigerians receive visas, constituting about 10 percent of UK visitors.
According to him, with over 37.9 million visitors arriving in the UK each year, Nigeria plays a significant role as a source of visitors due to historical colonial connections.
He emphasized that Nigerians making up 10 percent of UK visitors underscores the robust and growing bilateral relationship, reflecting the profound connections between the two nations.
Montgomery clarified that the majority of visa applications get approved when accurate procedures and documentation are adhered to.
He indicated that visa denials typically arise from documentation problems rather than from eligibility concerns.
There are various types of applications, such as standard, priority, and super priority options.
The British High Commissioner also mentioned that legitimate business applicants have access to several visa pathways through appropriate channels.
He reiterated the embassy’s dedication to enhancing UK-Nigeria relations.
