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2020 has been a unique year on every count. Most countries shut their borders to international travel, and though some have resumed, a lot are yet to. In October, news filtered in that Nigeria was exempted from the USA Green Card lottery (aka 2022 Diversity Visa Lottery) program. The premise was that well over 50,000 Nigerians have immigrated to the USA and been issued green cards in the last 5 years. While we are yet to recover from that, Canada restricted international entry of Foreign Nationals to those with Canadian citizenship and permanent residence.
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A few days ago, the BBC carried a news report on new visa applications for United Kingdom post-Brexit. What does that mean for Nigerians? Well, we’ve dissected the info to present it as plainly as possible.

Visa applications to the UK will be point-based

Like it is for Canada and Australia, visa applications to the UK will be point-based. This will particularly be true for skilled worker visa applications. Now visa applications will use the same parameters to qualify Europeans and non-Europeans for entry into the United Kingdom. So if you have a dual passport as a Nigerian born in any other European country (e.g. Irish-Nigerian), you will apply for a visa the same way Nigerians would or those in that county would if that country isn’t part of the United Kingdom.

You need to have an average of 70 points

Speaking of skilled worker visas, to work in the UK, you need to have an average of 70 points. To earn at least 50 points, you must speak English and have a job offer from a list of occupations. For this list of approved employer sponsors to offer you employment, you must have at least an A-level entry qualification to get a job.

You can no longer travel freely to other countries within the EU

If you are a Nigerian dual-passport citizen (e.g. British-Nigerian), you can no longer travel freely to other countries within the European Union after December 31st 2020. This means that before you could take a train from London straight to Paris but now, you may need to apply for a visa to enter France.

Evidence of financial support

When applying, you will need to show proof of identity and evidence that you can support yourself well financially. This is separate from the cost of application, which can be as high as £610 and up to £1,408.
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Applications are open for exceptional talent

Besides work, applications will also be open for those with exceptional talent or show exceptional promise in fields like engineering, science, arts/culture. People interested in these areas can apply for Global Talent, Innovator and Start-Up visas.

Graduate immigration routes

The new entry rules for international students seeking graduate immigration routes into the UK for Summer 2021 will be announced soon. This route is for those who have completed courses in the UK. They will be able to work or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to 2 years, or 3 years if they are PhD graduates.

Documents for immigration status

To get proof of the right to work, Non-EU citizens should have valid current Biometric Residence Permits, Biometric Residence Cards or status granted under the EU Settlement Scheme. They can continue to use physical documents to prove their immigration status. The UK visa applications take three weeks. You can apply and pay for the visa process online. After which they will ask you to come in for your biometrics at the visa application centre in Nigeria.   Sources: BBC Pidgin Work Permit Nairametrics Featured Image Source: HH Cologne
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This article was first published on 9th December 2020

ann

Ann Esievoadje is a freelance writer who is passionate about encouraging a reading culture and personal development. She has authored two books, The Quilt (fiction) and Being Mummy and Me (non-fiction). She manages Pulchra Publishing which offers a content creation/editing, transcription, different forms of writing (including Ghostwriting) service and her blog, Life Love and Anything Goes at annesievoadje.blogspot.com.ng. You can reach her at annesievoadje@gmail.com


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