Nigerians and other 32 African nationals travelling to the United Kingdom must obtain entry clearance before travelling to or passing through the country.
The new measure is contained in an update to the UK’s immigration guidance by the Home Office, which outlines the nationalities required to secure a visa for visits of up to six months.
The new rules means that travellers must therefore confirm their visa eligibility before booking flights, as passengers who fail to meet the UK’s entry requirements risk delays, travel disruptions or being refused boarding by airlines.
Under the revised rules, nationals of more than 100 countries and territories are still required to obtain a visa before entering the UK unless they fall under specific exemption categories.
The requirement also extends to travellers making connecting journeys through the UK, meaning passengers transiting through British airports may also need a visa depending on their circumstances.
The Home Office further stated that stateless persons and individuals travelling with documents other than officially recognised national passports or identity cards must obtain entry clearance before departure.
The UK continues to attract large numbers of African travellers each year for higher education, business tourism and family-related visits, making it one of the continent’s most popular international destinations.
Officials said the updated guidance forms part of the country’s ongoing border management measures aimed at strengthening immigration controls and ensuring compliance with existing laws.
The African countries whose citizens remain subject to the UK’s visa requirement are Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe
