In an update published by The Nation on February 14, 2026, the United Kingdom government has issued a final reminder to Nigerian residents and other foreign nationals that all physical immigration documents will be phased out by February 25, 2026. The transition to a fully digital eVisa system is part of a broader UK Home Office strategy to modernize border control and reduce document fraud.
The change affects Nigerians holding Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), Biometric Residence Cards (BRC), or passport endorsements like ink stamps and vignette stickers. Affected persons are required to create a UKVI account to access their digital status. Failure to do so before the deadline could lead to significant travel delays or issues proving the right to work and rent in the UK.
Validating coverage from Channels TV and Daily Post emphasizes the urgency for the Nigerian diaspora. Channels TV reported that “thousands of Nigerians are yet to complete their digital transition,” while Daily Post quoted a UK Home Office official: “Physical documents are becoming a thing of the past; the eVisa is secure, digital, and the future of our border system.”
Echotitbits take: This is a crucial update for the “Japa” generation and frequent travelers. The digital shift eliminates the risk of losing physical permits but places a higher burden on travelers to ensure their online records are perfectly synchronized with their current passports.
Source: The Nation – https://thenationonlineng.net/uk-to-replace-paper-visas-with-evisas-from-february-25/, February 14, 2026
Photo credit: The Nation
Tag: Japa
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UK to Replace All Physical Visas with eVisas by February 25
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Surge in Canadian Enforcement Leads to Imminent Deportation of 974 Nigerians
Figures cited by Nigeria Communications Week show that 974 Nigerian nationals are currently in the ‘removal-in-progress’ stage in Canada. Data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) indicates a significant surge in enforcement actions, with over 360 Nigerians already deported between January and October of the previous year. The majority of those facing deportation—roughly 83%—are failed refugee claimants, while a small percentage involves individuals with criminal records.
The uptick in deportations comes as Canada tightens its immigration and asylum policies amidst domestic housing and economic pressures. Nigerian community leaders in Canada have expressed concern over the ‘enforcement surge,’ noting that many of those affected are awaiting final travel documents from the Nigerian High Commission. This development highlights the increasing difficulty faced by ‘Japa’ hopefuls seeking asylum in North American countries.
Corroborating details from Daily Post and Vanguard highlight the legal struggles of these migrants. Daily Post noted that ‘legal aid for failed asylum seekers has been slashed,’ while Vanguard quoted a migration expert: ‘The era of easy asylum in Canada is officially over for West Africans.’
Echotitbits take: This is a reality check for the ‘Japa’ generation. Canada was long seen as the ‘friendlier’ alternative to the UK or US, but this data shows that the honeymoon is over. Prospective migrants should watch for even stricter visa requirements as Canada prepares for its own 2026 federal elections.
Source: The Punch – http://punchng.com/canada-deports-366-nigerians-974-await-removal/ Week January 5, 2026Photo Credit: The Punch
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Canada Intensifies Deportation of Nigerian Migrants in New Policy Crackdown
According to BusinessDay, the Canadian government has deported 366 Nigerians as part of a broader crackdown on immigration, with nearly 1,000 more facing imminent removal. The surge in deportations follows Canada’s decision to end various open work permit programs that many Nigerians had utilized.
The move has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian diaspora community, many of whom moved to North America during the ‘Japa’ wave of 2023–2025. The policy change reflects a tightening of borders in Western nations as they grapple with housing shortages and shifting economic priorities.
Validation of this trend comes from The Guardian, which reported that ‘Canada’s plan to end open work permits raises fresh concerns for Nigerian migrants.’ Additionally, Vanguard noted that the ‘year 2025 was the year Nigerian students pivoted to Schengen countries,’ suggesting that migrants are already looking for alternatives to the North American route.
Echotitbits take: This is a wake-up call for the ‘Japa’ generation. With Canada closing its doors, we expect a shift in migration patterns toward Eastern Europe or a ‘reverse-brain drain’ where skilled Nigerians return home to leverage the improving 2026 domestic economy.
Source: BusinessDay — https://www.google.com/amp/s/businessday.ng/news/article/canada-deports-366-nigerians-as-974-face-removal-in-crackdown/%3famp
BusinessDay January 3, 2026Photo Credit: BusinessDay
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Japa Update: Nigerian Nurses on UK Register Cross 16,000
Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-25 09:25:00Figures cited by The Punch show 16,156 Nigerian-trained nurses and midwives have been licensed to practise in the UK between 2017 and September 30, 2025, underlining the sustained health-worker outflow often described as “japa.” The report frames the movement as both opportunity-driven migration and a stress point for Nigeria’s health system.
Beyond the headline number, the broader UK-side data shows shifting recruitment dynamics, including a slowdown in international joiners compared to prior periods—suggesting immigration rules, labour-market conditions, and social climate are affecting inflows.
For Nigeria, the implications are double-edged: remittances and global exposure on one hand, but deepening staffing gaps and training-cost leakage on the other—especially for critical-care and specialist nursing areas.
For validation, the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) reported that “the second and third largest sources of international recruitment are now Nigeria and Ghana,” while The Guardian (UK) cited NMC workforce data noting the number of overseas joiners “is collapsing,” as international inflows slowed in 2025.
Echotitbits take: Nigeria needs a serious retention-and-return strategy—bonding alone won’t work if working conditions remain weak. Watch for policies around pay, safe staffing ratios, housing/transport support, and specialist training pathways that make staying competitive.
Source: The Punch — December 25, 2025 (https://punchng.com/japa-nigerian-nurses-practising-in-uk-hit-over-16000/)
The Punch 2025-12-25