FACT CHECK: Is viral broadcast message on UK visa requirements true?

A viral broadcast message being shared on messaging platform WhatsApp made multiple claims on the visa processes for Nigerians going to the United Kingdom. The lists varies from visa fee’s, fast track fees and required documents.

CDD War Room tried to verify the authencity of the claim.

Claim 1: Are these the UK Visa fees as claimed?

The broadcast message stated that the visa fee’s were, 410,000 NGN   for   six months Visa,   

1,088,000 NGN   for  2 Years Visa, 2,070,000 NGN   for   5 Years Visa  and 2,700,000 NGN for 10 Years Visa.    

CDD War Room combed through the website of the UK government and found that the British Embassy had various fee’s for different categories of visa applications. 

On the Visiting categories the fee’s are as follows:

For a standard visiting visa for 6 months, the fee is 151 Dollars. When converted to naira at the rate of $1,345 to a dollar, it is approximately, 203,115 Naira. At the rate of 1,500 naira to a Dollar, it is 226,500 Naira.

For a short study visa that is over six months but not more than over 11 months the fee is 263 Dollars. When converted to Naira at a 1,500 Naira to a Dollar rate, it is 394,500 Naira.

For study visa’s, it is categorised into Short-term study visa, Parents of children at school, Points-based system, Tier 4 – Isle of Man, Student and EC as a student Gurnsey and Jersey.
The fee’s rate are 263, 836, 643/391 and 643 for both. Converted to naira,  394,500, 1,254,000, 964,500/586,500 and 964,500.

Visa’s for studying where grouped into, Parents of children at school, Family of settled people (settlement), Settlement for current and former members of HM armed forces, and their dependants, Members of armed forces and their families (non-settlement), Family members of European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals and exempt visa’s.

The price range are 836, 530-4267 and 2424 respectively. Other sections are free.

Converted to Naira it is 1,254,000, 795,000 – 6,400,500 and 3,636,000.

For work application made outside the UK, the fee’s are between 1864 and 391. Converted to Naira it is 2,796,000 and 586,500. 

Verdict: Misleading

While some figure’s found by the CDD War Room are similar to those on the broad cast message, the message did not specify what categories these applications were made. 

Claim 2: Does the UK have Application Centre’s in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu

Part of the claim from the broadcast message stated that the United Kingdom had visa application centre’s in five places in Nigeria. 

CDD War Room combed through the website of the UK Government and found that the claim was true.

The website showed that the locations where in Abuja, Lagos (Ikeja), Lagos (Victoria Island), Abuja and Port Harcourt. 

Verdict: True

Claim 3: Are the listed documents needed for visa application to the United Kingdom?

The broadcast message listed documents needed while applying for a Uk visa. CDD War Room fact checked the claim.  

According to the official website of the UK government, documents needed for application for a UK visa varry according to the category (section) being applied to. For instance, application for a student visa while the applicant is above 18 is:

1. A current passport or other valid travel documentation
2. A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your course provider

You may also need to provide:

3. Proof you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course 
4. A valid ATAS certificate if your course and nationality require it
5. Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18
6. Proof of your relationship to your parent or guardian if you’re under 18
7. Tuberculosis test results
8. Written consent for your application from your financial sponsor if you’ve received sponsorship for your course fees and living costs in the last 12 months.

For a minor the requirements are, 

1. V isa application
2. Living and care arrangements in the UK
3. Travel to the UK
4. A copy of your birth certificate (or another government issued document) that shows the names of parents.

A work visa requires, 

1. Evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you)
2. Proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you

your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country

3. A criminal record certificate – if you’re working in certain jobs
4. A valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher
5.  UK PhD certificate, or your unique Ecctis reference number (formerly unique UK NARIC reference number) if your qualification is from outside the UK
6. A blank page in your passport for visa

Verdict: MIsleading

While some documents are general as earlier stated, various categories and pecularity of the applicants, determines the documents needed. 

Claim 4: Are the fast track service price accurate?

The broadcast message further listed figures of fast track services as 

“1 week fast track visa  = N1,540,000

“2 days fast track visa = N3,080,000”

The UK fast track service according to the website are divided into priority and super priority. 

The priority visa means the applicant would get a response within 5 working days for individuals and 30 working days for Family visa.

The cost of a priority visa is £500. Using the rate of 1,764 naira to a pound sterling, in naira, the equivalent would be 882,000 Naira. 

For the Super priority track it costs £1,000 with a next day response on a working day and a two day response time if the application was during the weekend or a public holiday.

When converted to Naira at a 1,764 naira to Pounds rate, the result is 1,764,000.

Verdict: Misleading

The figures claimed by the broadcast messages are inaccurate with the official rates being charged as well as the time line of deliveries.