Travel

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Announces Significant Increase in NHS Surcharge for Visa Applicants

Speaking during a press conference at Downing Street on Thursday, Sunak revealed that migrants would also face higher fees for visa applications.

Published

3 months ago

July 14, 2023

Investors King

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a substantial increase in the surcharge paid by visa applicants worldwide for the state-funded National Health Service (NHS).

Speaking during a press conference at Downing Street on Thursday, Sunak revealed that migrants would also face higher fees for visa applications.

This development is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria, which has one of the highest numbers of migrants to the UK. Sunak, who is of British-Indian descent, was under pressure to accept the recommendation of an independent review on the remuneration of teachers, police, junior doctors, and other public sector workers.

He confirmed a uniform increase ranging from 5 percent to 7 percent across all sectors.

“If we’re going to prioritise paying public sector workers more, that money has to come from somewhere else because I’m not prepared to put up people’s taxes and I don’t think it would be responsible or right to borrow more because that would just make inflation worse,” Sunak said.

“So, what we have done are two things to find this money. The first is, we are going to increase the charges that we have for migrants who are coming to this country when they apply for visas and indeed something called the immigration health surcharge (IHS), which is the levy that they pay to access the NHS.

“All of those fees are going to go up and that will raise over £1 billion. So, across the board visa application fees are going to go up significantly and similarly for the IHS.

Sunak added that this was “entirely right” as these fees have not been increased recently.

He said the government believes it is appropriate given that the costs have risen since the last hike.

According to Sunak, this move will have no effect on inflation because there would be no new borrowing or spending to fund the increases.

He added that the funds would have to be sourced elsewhere.

“Teachers’ pay rises would be funded by a reallocation of the existing department budget, ” he said.

Up Next

Women’s Participation in Travel & Tourism Critical to Growth of Global Sector

Don't Miss

Want To Enjoy Seamless Transactions Worldwide? Your Naira Card Is Now Your Global Passport!

Investors King

Comments

Travel

Nigeria Holds $783 Million in Blocked Funds, IATA Engages with Government for Resolution

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2023

Investors King

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that as of August Nigeria holds approximately $783 million in blocked funds belonging to various airlines.

This significant financial concern was communicated via an official statement released by the trade association.

Kamil Al Awadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, has been actively engaged in discussions with the Federal Government in an effort to find a resolution to this pressing issue.

Foreign airlines operating within Nigeria have faced ongoing challenges in repatriating their commercial revenues due to a prolonged shortage of foreign exchange in the country.

The official statement from IATA stated, “Mr. Al Awadhi also held discussions with Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Honorable Minister Festus Keyamo. During these discussions, he urged the new government to maintain and strengthen consultations with the industry while developing both short-term and long-term solutions to address foreign exchange access issues for both domestic and foreign carriers.”

Highlighting the severity of the situation, the statement said, “As of August 2023, Nigeria accounts for $783 million of airlines’ blocked funds.”

According to the statement, IATA commends the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for its commitment to enhancing infrastructure and service standards at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammad International Airport within a twelve-month timeframe.

In related news, IATA had previously raised concerns about safety, security, and passenger service levels at Lagos Airport in the past year.

A recent high-level meeting between IATA and FAAN, represented by Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Kabir Mohammed, concluded with FAAN committing to expedite improvements in these areas as part of a corrective action plan.

Kamil Al Awadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East, said, “We welcome FAAN’s commitment to upgrade Lagos Airport, which serves as a vital domestic and international hub connecting Nigeria to the rest of Africa and beyond. This strategic focus not only strengthens the aviation sector but also acts as a catalyst for Nigeria’s broader economic and social progress. IATA is ready to provide support and expertise to FAAN to ensure that international standards are met through the corrective action plan. Safety, security, and efficient infrastructure are crucial for a well-functioning air transport system, as is the ability of airlines to access the revenues they generate in Africa.”

Travel

Federal Government Reopens D Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Published

2 weeks ago

September 19, 2023

Investors King

In a bid to address the escalating flight disruptions and enhance the efficiency of air travel, the Federal Government has officially reopened the D Wing of the old international terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The move is part of a broader effort to tackle the challenges faced by both travelers and airlines operating in Nigeria.

This challenge emerged following the sudden relocation of foreign airlines from the international terminal of the Lagos airport to an adjoining new terminal that opened in March.

The announcement of the reopening of the old international terminal, which had temporarily closed for renovation, was made by the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, on Monday.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at FAAN (Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria), Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, Minister Keyamo emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to improving the aviation sector and ensuring passengers enjoy a seamless travel experience.

The statement reads in part, “We are pleased to inform the traveling public that Hon. Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, has graciously permitted the use of the D Wing of the Old Murtala Muhammed International Terminal to complement the New International Terminal, aimed at facilitating the smooth movement of passengers through the airport.”

Minister Keyamo had originally ordered airlines to relocate to the new terminal starting on October 1, 2023. However, FAAN took the initiative to forcibly relocate the international carriers to the new facility on Wednesday.

The sudden relocation by FAAN coincided with a fire incident that occurred in part of the baggage hall of MMIA on the same day. This incident compelled the agency to evacuate passengers and personnel from the facility.

In response to the situation, Mr. Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, the Director of Media at FAAN, stated that the airport fire and other developments affecting power supply had necessitated the abrupt relocation of foreign carriers. He assured the public that FAAN is actively addressing the situation.

The utilization of the D Wing for passenger processing has already commenced, promising improved travel experiences for all passengers.

Travel

UAE Denies Lifting Visa Ban on Nigerian Travelers Despite Earlier Claims

Confusion Surrounds Visa Ban and Flight Resumption Agreement

Published

2 weeks ago

September 15, 2023

Investors King

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has contradicted earlier claims made by the Nigerian government regarding the lifting of a year-long visa ban on Nigerian travelers.

This development has left many Nigerians in a state of uncertainty, especially those who have been eagerly anticipating the reopening of travel between the two nations.

Just days ago, an official from the UAE, who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak to the media, informed CNN that “there are no changes on the Nigeria/UAE travel status so far.”

This statement directly contradicts the announcement made by Nigerian presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, who declared that an agreement had been reached between the two countries, allowing for the immediate resumption of flights and the lifting of the visa ban.

The UAE imposed the visa ban last October, affecting citizens from Nigeria and 19 other African nations. The abrupt halt in the issuance of visas to Nigerian nationals marked a significant shift from the previously relatively easy process of obtaining a 30-day tourist visa for the UAE.

Moreover, the suspension of flights between the two countries, initiated by Dubai’s Emirates airline, added to the strain in bilateral relations. Emirates airline suspended its operations in Nigeria, citing difficulties in accessing and repatriating approximately $85 million in withheld funds.

Dubai, a favored destination for Nigerian travelers for many years, also served as a haven for real-estate investors from Nigeria. Before the pandemic, Nigerians were among Dubai’s largest foreign real-estate investors, with investments valued at nearly $2 billion, according to local media reports.

The initial announcement from Nigeria’s presidential spokesman appeared to bring hope and relief to many who had been affected by the travel restrictions. However, the subsequent statement from the UAE government painted a different picture.

It mentioned that during the meeting, both leaders had “explored opportunities for further bilateral collaboration” without mentioning the lifting of the visa ban or the resumption of flights.

In response to the confusion, Nigerian government spokesman Ajuri Ngelale issued a follow-up statement, acknowledging that officials from both countries needed more time to finalize the details of the agreement.

He urged patience, saying, “Everyone can now allow the process to work itself out organically, devoid of speculation.”

This bewildering turn of events has left Nigerian travelers, investors, and those with ties to the UAE in a state of uncertainty. Many are eagerly awaiting clarity on the status of the visa ban and the resumption of flights, as they hold out hope for a return to normalcy in their cross-border relations with the UAE.