UK proposes asylum repayment up to £10k and higher visa fees for Nigerians
UK Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood announced on Monday that asylum seekers may have to repay up to £10,000 (about ₦13,200) in government accommodation and support before they can apply for permanent settlement, targeting those later able to afford it. The proposal comes as UK asylum applications rose 12% to 93,525 in the year to March 2026, adding pressure on a system that spent roughly £4 billion on asylum support last year. For Nigerians eyeing the UK, the announcement comes alongside other immigration changes: physical visa stickers for Nigerian travellers were phased out in February 2026 in favour of fully digital eVisas, and visa fees rose effective 8 April 2026 – visitor visas now £135 (from £127), two‑year visas £506 (from £475), five‑year visas £961 (from £903) and ten‑year visas £1,128 (from £1,059). The government says repayments will only apply to adults who can afford them, with safeguards to avoid hardship, and children are exempt. Other measures include a planned traffic‑light rating for universities from summer 2027 to curb visa abuse linked to asylum claims.
If you plan to study, work or seek asylum in the UK, note the shift to digital visas, budget for higher fees, and monitor whether the repayment rule becomes law – it could affect your long‑term residency plans.