THE British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Andrew Pocock, has cleared the air on the controversial £3,000 visa bonds for Nigerian visa applicants to the United Kingdom (UK).

Pocock, who met with the Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, on Tuesday, said the visa bond projects was not what was reported in most of the Nigerian media.

He added that the British government “has announced that it intends to undertake a very small scale trial of the use of financial bonds, as a way of tackling abuse in the immigration system – which occurs when some people overstay their visa terms.”

He said “the details of a pilot scheme are still being worked out,” adding that no final decision had been made.

According to Pocock, “if the pilot scheme were to go ahead in Nigeria, it would affect only a very small number of the highest risk visitors.

“The vast majority would not be required to pay a bond. Those paying bonds would receive the bond back if they abided by the terms of their visa.”

He maintained that the travel between two countries was a key part of strong cultural and business relationship, noting that “financial bonds would be focused on only a tiny minority of potential abusers. It would not be a £3,000 visa charge as some media reporting has alleged.”

The commissioner added that with over 180,000 Nigerians applying to visit the UK each year, about 70 per cent or around 125,000 of the figure were successful.

He assured that “as soon as more details of the policy is decided, we

Redoil: So the britons they fear gej gov't like this.

brixton: make more sense

He added that the British government “has
announced that it intends to undertake a very
small scale trial of the use of financial bonds,
as a way of tackling abuse in the immigration
system – which occurs when some people
overstay their visa terms.”

Pipsland78: ^^^ welcome back

Pipsland78: ^^^ Aiight....my mistake.

brixton: make more sense

texaco1:
onatisi is on leave ,but i have been around and how is end

funnyx:

Fear for wia? Rather its people like you that are quick to jump to conclusion, the scheme has not been fully developed and may still need to get parliamentary approval yet some Nigerians are already cursing the UK and threatening retaliation but many of you are quick to say that the UK is finished I cannot but wonder why many Nigerians are so much concerned about this 'finished' country

polokor60: Shut up

funnyx:

Fear for wia? Rather its people like you that are quick to jump to conclusion, the scheme has not been fully developed and may still need to get parliamentary approval yet some Nigerians are already cursing the UK and threatening retaliation but many of you are quick to say that the UK is finished I cannot but wonder why many Nigerians are so much concerned about this 'finished' country

barcanista: All hail President Jonathan, our foreign policy is on top. First SA deportation saga, Free entry for Diplomatic Passport holders to SA, now countering UK. don't take Naija for a ride

texaco1:
did u read through the op post carefully?the british govt will go ahead with their plans .they are not changing their stand.so what has jonathan done.
many people only read the headlines and start commenting

Donprah: are u saying that JONATHAN opinion doesnt count

Angelica Divine: will inform the Nigerian government and public fully and officially, in the spirit of our long standing friendship.”
Source: http://infonigeria24.com/uk-high-commissioner-clears-air-on-3000-visa-bonds/

Imanuelle:



bros, what do you understand by the term 'nip off in the 'bud'?


Jona has really done us proud, once in the UK flight issue(or something related, I can hardly remember), the south Africa deportations saga, and more.