Tag: UK Visa

Nigerians planning to relocate to the United Kingdom (UK) have been warned to be wary of scams related to work and study opportunities.

The British High Commission gave the warning in a  statement, following increasing reports of fraudulent schemes targeting foreign students by UK varsities.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report, the UK memo highlighted the scams that have been found to target foreign students.

It stated: “Over the years, there have been reports of the sharing of worthless visas and work offers, especially for care homes that do not exist in the UK. They have become more widespread in recent years.

“These schemes have left many individuals stranded in the UK, having invested all their savings in what turned out to be fake opportunities.”

A BBC investigation revealed that in September 2024, a network was found selling bogus work visas and care worker jobs, leading to the exploitation of unsuspecting applicants.

Some victims, particularly women, are now trapped in the UK, unable to return home without losing the money they paid for these fraudulent offers.

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The British High Commission  warned against offers that guarantee visa approval or claim to provide quicker, easier entry into the UK than official methods.

The Commission also cautioned against requests for money to prove financial support, as genuine visa processes do not ask for such payments.

The UK government urged applicants to verify job and study offers using official sources, including the government’s Register of Worker and Temporary Worker licensed sponsors, to ensure the legitimacy of potential employers and institutions.

It also warned against paying fees to agents claiming to work for UK authorities, as these are often scams.

The Commission stressed the importance of researching official guidance pages to identify common fraud tactics and ensure their applications are legitimate.

The UK government has announced plans to issue 45,000 seasonal worker visas in 2025.

This initiative aims to support the nation’s food production by ensuring sufficient workforce availability during peak demand periods hereby addressing labour shortages in its agricultural and poultry sectors,

The seasonal worker visa scheme is intended to provide a temporary labour force for essential roles in food production.

Additionally, 2,000 visas will be granted to poultry workers for processing tasks between October and December.

This allocation, reports inform, is part of a broader strategy to provide businesses with the workforce needed during peak seasons.

Eligibility criteria for seasonal worker visa applicants

Applicants for the Seasonal Worker visa must meet specific eligibility requirements. They must be; at least 18 years old, have a valid sponsorship from a licensed UK employer and meet the necessary health and safety standards for the job.

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Applicants must also provide evidence of sufficient funds for their stay and have valid health insurance coverage. Importantly, visa holders are required to leave the UK when their employment period ends and cannot change their visa type while in the country.

Available roles and how to apply

The Seasonal Worker visa applies to a variety of roles within the horticulture and poultry sectors. In horticulture, workers may be tasked with duties such as planting, pruning, weeding, harvesting, and packing produce.

Poultry workers will typically be involved in tasks like feeding and caring for the birds, egg collection, processing, and other related duties.

To apply, candidates must secure a sponsorship certificate from a licensed UK employer.

Once sponsored, applicants can submit their visa application through the UK government’s online immigration portal.

Applications for poultry roles must be submitted by November 15 each year, while horticulture roles have year-round application windows.