UK high commission reopens in Nigeria offering free replacements for expired visas

BRITAIN'S high commission in Nigeria has reopened its visa application centres across the country as it gradually returns to some sort of normality following the recent shutdown brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Like most other diplomatic missions worldwide, the British high commission in Nigeria ceased operations during the lockdown. It has now resumed operations with a free replacement service for expired visas which will be open until December 2020 and covers individuals who will be travelling to the UK for work, study or to join their families.

In the statement by the commission titled Update on VAC Services From The BHC Nigeria, the commission said that any individual whose 30-day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or visitation had expired can request for a replacement free of charge. This, however, does not apply to other types of visas and the replacement visa will be valid for 90 days.

A high commission spokesman said: “As a result of the disruptions to travel caused by Covid-19, we are experiencing a high demand for replacement vignettes for 30-day visas to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family. If an individual’s 30-day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired, or is about to expire, they can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year.

“To request a replacement visa, individuals can arrange to return their passport to their Visa Application Centre in Nigeria without an appointment.”