By ANITA KNIGHT US Introduces Permanent Visa Bond Programme THE United States has begun enforcing a new visa bond programme requiring selected business and tourist visa applicants from Nigeria and several other African countries to deposit between $10,000 and $20,000 as financial security before travelling. The policy, which took effect on 3 August 2026, transforms […]
1,174 Nigerians Repatriated from South Africa as Federal Government Expands Reintegration Support Sixth Evacuation Exercise Brings Repatriation Programme to Completion NIGERIA has completed another phase of its ongoing evacuation programme for citizens stranded in South Africa, with the arrival of the sixth and final batch of returnees at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The […]
Escalating Tensions Prompt Emergency Response THE resurgence of anti-immigrant demonstrations in South Africa has placed renewed focus on the safety of Nigerians living in the country, with the Federal Government accelerating voluntary evacuation efforts while pursuing sustained diplomatic engagement with South African authorities. Hundreds of Nigerians have already returned through government-coordinated flights as concerns persist […]
US Moves to Reinforce Overseas Green Card Processing THE United States government has announced plans to tighten immigration procedures by requiring Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking permanent residency to return to their home countries before applying for Green Cards. The proposed policy, unveiled by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), signals a significant […]
UK Announces Sweeping Visa Fee Increases THE UK Home Office has announced a broad increase in visa, residency and citizenship application fees, with the new charges set to take effect from 8 April 2026. The revision affects nearly all categories of applicants, including those seeking to visit, study, work or permanently settle in the United […]
By ANITA KNIGHT Welfare Use Among Immigrant Groups: Nigerian Households in Context DATA making the rounds on social media suggests that approximately 33.3% of Nigerians in the United States live in households receiving welfare support — a figure that places them in the middle tier compared with other immigrant communities, some of which report significantly […]
By DIANA CHUKWUKA CANADA’S plan to introduce a new Express Entry category for foreign-trained doctors by early 2026 is raising fresh concerns over Nigeria’s worsening health-worker shortage. Canadian Immigration Minister Lena Diab and Parliamentary Secretary Maggie Chi said the new pathway will offer faster permanent residency to international doctors who have at least one year […]
By ANDERSON (ANDY) CLIFF THE United States has suspended all pending asylum applications and immigration benefit requests submitted by nationals of 19 countries designated as “high-risk,” following a new directive issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the Trump administration. According to the internal policy memo released Tuesday, USCIS officers have been […]