The British High Commission will collaborate with the Federal Government to execute new immigration regulations following a newly published white paper.
Among other things, the new regulations include a longer settlement path for migrants and the termination of the social care work visa.
The UK government unveiled a white paper on Monday that included a number of immigration-related proposals, such as extending the time limit for migrant settlement, reducing and ending the social care work visa, and shortening the duration of the graduate visa route.
Although there were no details on the implementation timeline, the British High Commission, in a statement on Monday, said it will partner with Nigeria on the immigration white paper.
“The UK enjoys strong, long-standing people-to-people links with Nigeria. We are proud that the UK is still considered a top destination for Nigerians to work, study, visit, and settle – and value the contribution this brings to the UK,” the statement read.
“The UK White Paper sets out reforms to legal migration, including restoring order, control, and fairness to the system, bringing down net migration, and promoting economic growth. Changes to the system will happen over a period of time, and we will engage with relevant partners in the Federal Government of Nigeria once more information about implementation details is available.
“We have a proud tradition as an outward-looking nation, investing and trading abroad and welcoming the creativity, ideas, and diversity of those who come to contribute here.”
Authorities in the UK have already declared that they would limit visa applications from nations like Nigeria, whose nationals are more likely to exceed their permitted stay.
In its manifesto for the general election last year, the Labour Party pledged to drastically cut net migration, which was 728,000 in the 12 months leading up to last June.
It averaged 200,000 over the majority of the 2010s until reaching a peak of 906,000 in 2023.
Following the anti-immigration Reform party’s victories in recent local elections, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a former human rights attorney who supported the country’s continued membership in the EU, is facing more pressure to address immigration.
