- The share of Nigerian study visa applications to the UK that were withdrawn rose to 22.7% in the first half of 2026, from 4.5% a year earlier, according to Financial Times figures reported on 10 and 11 October 2026.
- Since 1 June 2026, UK universities must keep their visa refusal rate below 5% or risk losing their licence to sponsor international students.
- University leaders say many refusals rest on inconsistent reasoning, while the Home Office says international students are welcome but recruitment must be responsible.
UK universities pull offers to Nigerian applicants as visa refusals double
The share of Nigerian study visa applications withdrawn rose to 22.7% in the first half of 2026 as UK universities facing a stricter Home Office refusal limit pulled offers.
UK universities are withdrawing admission offers to Nigerian applicants as Home Office study visa refusals rise, according to a Financial Times analysis of Home Office data reported by Vanguard and Daily Trust on 10 and 11 October 2026. The share of Nigerian study visa applications that were withdrawn jumped to 22.7% in the first half of 2026, from 4.5% in…