The United Kingdom government will increase fees for Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking to visit, study, work or settle in the country effectively from April 8, 2026.

The revised fee schedule, published by the UK Home Office on Thursday shows increases across nearly all categories of visa applications made both within and outside the UK.

The affected categories include visit visas, student visas, work visas, settlement applications and naturalisation fees.

The changes will take effect in less than two weeks, at a time when Nigeria remains one of the UK’s biggest sources of visa applicants, with hundreds of thousands of Nigerians applying each year for visit, student, and work visas.

Under the new charges, the short-term visit visa will rise from £127 to £135, while the student visa will increase from £524 to £558.

Applicants seeking permanent residency through indefinite leave to remain will now pay £3,226, up from £3,029, while those applying for British citizenship through naturalisation will pay £1,709, up from £1,605.

In a rare exception to the general increase, the fee for registering a child as a British citizen will be reduced from £1,214 to £1,000 — a drop of £214.

Some categories, however, remain unchanged, including the Tier 1 (Investor) visa at £2,000 and the High Potential Individual visa at £880.

In picture: Chairman of the Nigeria Police Force committee on State Police, Professor Olu Ogunsakin, presents on behalf of IGP, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, a framework for the establishment of State Police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, at the National Assembly, Abuja, on Thursday. Photo: DPS Media Office.

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has submitted a framework for the establishment of State Police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, as part of efforts to decentralise policing in Nigeria.

In a statement by Ismail Mudashir, the Special Adviser on media and publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate on Thursday, the 75-page report, titled “A comprehensive framework for the establishment, governance and coordination of Federal and State Police,” was presented to Jibrin at his office in the National Assembly by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, chairman of the Nigeria Police Force committee set up to examine the modalities for instituting State Police.

Disu said that the report covers the considered views, professional insights and strategic recommendations of the Force, derived from extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the operational, legal and administrative implications of instituting State Police in Nigeria.

“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations and assist in shaping informed, balanced, and pragmatic decisions on this critical aspect of national security architecture,” he said

The IGP emphasised that the framework was forwarded to the Chairman and the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution “as the Nigeria Police Force’s input on the subject matter.”

In response , Senator Jibrin commended the IGP for his proactive approach on the establishment of the state police in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to fully secure the country.

He assured that the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution “will look at the framework, along with all other memos submitted to it, for the review of the country’s grundnorm.

”The framework is expected to provide guidance on the proposed modus operandi, governance, and coordination of State Police, marking a major step in ongoing discussions to restructure Nigeria’s policing system.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has confirmed legislative and political support for the establishment of Anioma State.

Akpabio made this known on Wednesday at the All Progressives conference’s (APC) south-south zonal conference in Asaba, Delta state.

The Senate President stated that the President Bola Tinubu administration remains dedicated to the effort.

Akpabio said that if Anioma is established, Warri will serve as the capital of the new Delta state.

He said Warri already has key infrastructure, including an airport, government offices, major oil companies, a seaport, and a stadium.

Akpabio described the agitation for Anioma state as historically justified, noting that the proposal reflects a long-standing aspiration rooted in equity, administrative efficiency, and balanced development.

The senate president said the initiative, championed by Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta north, has continued to receive legislative attention.

Akpabio added that the proposal ranks among the priorities of the 10th senate, adding that the creation of Anioma state would come with socio-economic and administrative benefits.

The ex-Akwa Ibom governor said the restructuring would split Delta state into two viable entities and promote decentralisation.

“Anioma state will be created, with Asaba as its capital.

The senate fully supports the initiative spearheaded by Senator Ned Nwoko,” he said.