“Don’t Move Money Just Before Visa Interview” — UK Cautions Nigerian Applicants

Simon Field, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, has cautioned Nigerians planning to relocate to the United Kingdom (UK) against making abrupt or suspicious deposits into their bank accounts in a bid to secure visas.

Field issued the warning during a radio programme, Let’s Talk, aired on Nigeria Info in Lagos on Thursday, stressing that such behaviour often triggers red flags for UK visa clearance officers and could lead to outright visa denial.

“One of the things that we always see with visas, which scares visa clearance officers, is people who think they have to have a certain amount of money in their accounts. And overnight, they suddenly transfer lots of money into their account—don’t do that,” Field said.

He advised that rather than attempting to inflate account balances artificially, applicants should present a truthful and consistent financial history. “It’s bad for the visa officer because it makes you look suspicious. Just give all of the kind of information that you need around how much money you have, and share a long-term history,” he explained.

His comments come on the heels of a recent PREMIUM TIMES report examining the implications of the United Kingdom’s new immigration policies—rolled out in May—for Nigerian applicants. The changes have raised concerns among prospective migrants about new financial thresholds and eligibility requirements.

Despite the tightening of some rules, Field maintained that the UK remains open to welcoming Nigerians across its regions. “Most visas are issued for the UK, and we’re welcoming. We really want Nigerians to come to the UK and explore London and the whole of the United Kingdom,” he said.

Addressing a common concern among applicants, Field clarified that there is no official benchmark or fixed amount of money required in a bank account before a visa interview. “Absolutely not. There’s no benchmark for how much money you have. You just need to be able to show that you have enough money to cover your expenses while you’re in the UK,” he said.

According to Field, a salary or evidence of regular income can help demonstrate financial stability and intent to return after a visit. However, he warned against financial inconsistencies that could undermine an applicant’s credibility.

“If you had less than five pounds in your account, but wanted to stay at the Ritz, for example, then maybe a UK visa clearance officer would be suspicious of that, because how are you going to pay for your hotel?” he noted.