Omicron: UK exempts Nigerian students, work visa applications from travel ban

The government of United Kingdom has said that student and work visa applications will be processed despite travel ban imposed on Nigeria in the wake of the outbreak of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

The British High Commission to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, made this known in a statement titled, ‘Statement from British High Commission on UK visa applications’.

The High Commission had on Sunday said it will “pause making decisions on visitor visa applications in all red list countries, including Nigeria, until travel restrictions are lifted”.

But in an update on Monday, the UK said visa applications in other categories such as for persons who wish to study, work or live permanently, will continue to be processed.

“To support the UK Government’s aim to protect public health from COVID 19 and associated variants of concern, UK Visas & Immigration have paused making decisions on visitor visa applications in all red list countries until travel restrictions are lifted.

“Applications in other categories (student/work/live permanently in the UK) will continue to be processed.

“If you have been in a red list country in the 10 days before you arrive in England, once you arrive you must quarantine for 10 full days in a managed quarantine hotel (the day you arrive in England is day 0),” the statement read in part.

Britain had on Saturday banned Nigerian travellers after it said it discovered 21 cases of the Omicron variant in people who recently visited Nigeria, saying the measure was a temporary measure aimed at protecting its public health.

The ban, however, generated outrage in Nigeria with many, including Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire; African Development Bank president, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, among others, criticising it.