UK Orders Closure Of Visa Application Centres In Nigeria

The United Kingdom Embassy has announced that its Visa Application Centres in Abuja and Lagos will be closed on Friday and next Monday.

A statement by the UK Visas and Immigration on Tuesday said the development was due to the forthcoming general elections scheduled for Saturday, February 25, 2023.

According to the statement, the UK has directed applicants to purchase the Keep my Passport in order to retain their passports during the period of closure.

The statement read; “The Visa Application Centres in Abuja, Ikeja and Victoria Island will be closed on Friday, February 24 and Monday, February 27.

“No VAC appointments will be booked on these days and customers will not be able to access the VAC to collect documents/passports.

“Customers have the option to purchase the Keep my Passport and Courier return services in advance of the VAC closure, in order to retain their passport during the period of closure.

“UKVI will continue to make decisions on all visa applications.

“Priority Visa services remain available. Super Priority Visa services will be suspended on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd because the next working day opening is not until Tuesday 28th.

“The British High Commission offices are not involved in visa decision making and do not hold passports and so are unable to assist.”

KanyiDaily recalls that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had also ordered the closure of all universities in Nigeria ahead of Saturday’s presidential and national assembly elections.