Clock tickingUK graduate visa shrinks to 18 months on 1 January
Bachelor's and master's graduates who apply on or after 1 January 2027 get 18 months instead of 2 years. It is the application date that counts. PhD graduates keep 3 years.
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Visa rule changes, refusals, fraud and deportation news for Nigerians at home and abroad. Updated every morning. Last update: 20 Oct 2026.
Work rightsNew Zealand widens post-study work visa from 16 November
From 16 November 2026, people with a bachelor's degree plus a full-time New Zealand graduate diploma can qualify for a post-study work visa in their field. Students can already work 25 hours a week during term.
New rulesAustralia stops most onshore switches to student visas
From 2 October 2026, most temporary visa holders can't apply for a student visa inside Australia, and family members can't be added to a new student visa except in limited cases. The graduate visa fee rose to A$5,750 in July.
Refusal reasonCanada raises student funds as money proof tops refusals
Study permit applicants outside Quebec must now show CAD 23,448 for living costs, plus tuition and travel. A study of June 2026 decisions found 47% of refusals came down to weak financial documents.
Money hikeUK student money goes up on 30 November
Students must show £1,570 a month for London and £1,203 outside London from 30 November 2026, up from £1,529 and £1,171. For a 9-month course that is £14,130 or £10,827.
Abuja shutUS visas for Nigerians now processed only in Lagos
Routine US visa services at the Abuja embassy ended on 1 August 2026. Appointments, fees and interviews all go through the Lagos consulate. The partial visa suspension, visa bonds and immigrant visa pauses remain in force.
Already in UK?Expired BRP cards stop working at the end of 2026
The Home Office lets expired BRPs be used for some purposes only until 31 December 2026. You can't travel on an expired BRP. Your eVisa is now the proof of your status.
Scam alertCare worker visa from abroad is closed, but agents still sell it
The UK stopped sponsoring care workers and senior care workers from overseas on 22 July 2025. Any 'care job with sponsorship' offered to someone in Nigeria for a fee is fake.
DenialsNigeria has West Africa's highest Schengen refusal rate
Nearly 46% of Nigerian Schengen applications were refused in the latest EU figures, against an 18% global average. The €90 fee is not refunded, and appeals must be filed within 15 days.
Fee riseFrance raises university fees for non-EU students
From the 2026/27 year, French public universities charge most non-EU students €2,895 a year for a bachelor's and €3,941 for a master's. Students already enrolled are not affected.
Deportation dealUK and Nigeria sign deal to speed up removal of overstayers
Nigeria now accepts UK-issued travel letters, so overstayers, refused asylum seekers and foreign offenders can be returned without waiting for a Nigerian passport.
School banKorea bars 20 universities from sponsoring student visas
Korea's education ministry stopped 20 universities and language programmes from issuing student visas for one year from fall 2026. Students admitted there cannot get a D-2 visa through them.
Partial banMost US visitor and student visas suspended for Nigerians
Since 1 January 2026, new B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M and J student and exchange visas are suspended for Nigerians without a valid US visa. Visas issued before then were not cancelled.