Travel
UK Hikes Student’s Visa To N476,667, Raises Fee For Visitors
UK Hikes Student’s Visa To N476,667, Raises Fee For Visitors
Sahara Weekly Reports That Visit visa to the United Kingdom for less than six months will now cost £115 (about N111,878.28 ) as opposed to £15 (14,592.70) effective October 4, the UK Home Office has announced.
This translates to about 667 per cent increment, Saturday PUNCH can confirm.
Student visa fee has also been increased from £127 (N123,537.58) to £490 (N476,677.59); representing a 286 per cent increment.
The increase, the government said, would enable it to pay for ‘vital services and allow more funding to be prioritised for public sector pay rises’, adding that the review would take effect on October 4.
The UK government made this known in a statement, ‘New visa fees set to come into effect next month’ published on its website, gov.uk, on Friday, following legislation being laid in parliament on Friday.
“The changes mean that the cost for a visit visa for less than six months is rising by £15 (N14,592.70) to £115 (N111,878.28 ), while the fee for applying for a student visa from outside the UK will rise by £127 (N123,537.58) to £490 (N476,677.59), to equal the amount charged for in-country applications,” the statement partly read.
In July, the government announced a 15 per cent increase in the cost of most work and visit visas, and an increase of at least 20 per cent in the cost of priority visas, study visas and certificates of sponsorship.
The statement added, “Income from fees charged plays a vital role in the Home Office’s ability to run a sustainable immigration and nationality system.
Careful consideration is given when setting fees to help reduce the funding contribution from British taxpayers, whilst continuing to provide a service that remains attractive to those wishing to work in the UK and support broader prosperity for all.”
The changes, according to checks by Saturday PUNCH, include fees for up to six months, two-, five- and 10-year visit visas.
The majority of fees for entry clearance and certain applications for leave to remain in the UK, including those for work and study were also increased.
Also increased were the fees for indefinite leave to enter and indefinite leave to remain; convention travel document and stateless person’s travel document; health and care visa; fees in relation to certificates of sponsorship and confirmation of acceptance for studies; the in and out of country fee for the super-priority service and the out of country fee for the priority service.
It noted that the settlement priority service would reduce so it would be aligned with the cost of using the priority service. Applications to register and naturalise as a British citizen and the fee for the User Pays Visa Application service were also increased.
However, the statement noted that subject to parliamentary approval, the immigration and nationality fees would increase from October 4.
“Today’s changes do not include the planned increase to the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is scheduled to be introduced later in the Autumn,” it added.
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Divorce Showdown: Yul and May Edochie’s Legal Battle Intensifies as Court Orders Further Talks
Divorce Showdown: Yul and May Edochie’s Legal Battle Intensifies as Court Orders Further Talks
The divorce saga between Nollywood star Yul Edochie and his estranged wife, May Edochie, has taken a new turn as their lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye, shares fresh updates on the high-profile case.
In a dramatic legal development, the court held a compulsory conference as mandated by Nigerian family law. This legal process requires both parties to engage in discussions, along with their lawyers, in an attempt to resolve at least some of the contested issues before the court.
Ugwuonye, in a Facebook post, provided a detailed breakdown of the proceedings:
DPA UPDATE ON THE DIVORCE CASE OF MARY YUL-EDOCHIE V. YUL EDOCHIE AND UCHECHUKWU JUDITH MUOGHALU (JUDY AUSTIN)
“The court held a hearing on the case today. The issue before the court was the report of the compulsory conference previously ordered by the judge.
A compulsory or mandatory conference is a requirement in family law proceedings under Nigerian law. It provides an opportunity for the divorcing parties to discuss and attempt to reach agreements on certain aspects of their separation, such as property division and other contested matters. Any agreements reached are then conveyed to the court through a formal report.
However, in the last court session, it was revealed that no conclusive agreement had been reached between Yul and May Edochie. As a result, the court extended the timeframe for further discussions, granting them more time to hold another virtual conference.
The court expects to receive an updated report during the next hearing scheduled for March. If the parties continue to disagree, the court will then decide the direction of the trial.
This latest update comes as May Edochie continues to push for legal resolution regarding her marriage, while Judy Austin’s involvement in the case remains a key point of contention. She stands accused of committing adultery with Yul Edochie and falsely claiming to be married to him despite his legal ineligibility for a second marriage.
With tensions running high, all eyes are now on the next court date to see whether the estranged couple will reach any form of settlement or if the case will escalate into a full-blown courtroom battle.
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding legal drama.
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Drama and Redemption: Carolyna Hutchings Publicly Apologizes to Laura Ikeji on Real Housewives of Lagos
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Wizkid Flaunts Luxury Again: Acquires Ferrari 296 GTS After N1.4 Billion McLaren
Wizkid Flaunts Luxury Again: Acquires Ferrari 296 GTS After N1.4 Billion McLaren
Renowned Afrobeats sensation, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has once again demonstrated his love for luxury with the acquisition of a brand-new Ferrari 296 GTS. This latest purchase further cements his status as one of Afrobeats’ most extravagant stars.
This acquisition comes shortly after Wizkid purchased a 2024 McLaren 750S, reportedly worth a staggering 1.4 billion naira. A recently surfaced video showcases the Ferrari being carefully driven down a ramp, giving fans a first glimpse of its striking red exterior.
The footage of Wizkid’s latest luxury ride has set social media abuzz, with fans and industry colleagues flooding him with congratulatory messages. Reports indicate that the Ferrari 296 GTS was purchased from the automobile brand Polcano and is valued at over 1.4 billion naira.
Wizkid’s taste for high-end automobiles is well-documented. In 2024, he also made headlines when he gifted his sister, Yetunde, a Range Rover worth 250 million naira as a festive season surprise.
With each new acquisition, Wizkid continues to showcase his success and love for luxury, solidifying his place among the elite in the entertainment industry.
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