KEY POINTS

• US visa ban targets corrupt Nigerian officials.

• Reform UK plans to abolish permanent settlement rights.

• Labour disputes Reform’s projected £234 billion savings.

The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned that it will deny visas to high-profile Nigerians found guilty of corruption, underscoring Washington’s longstanding commitment to curb graft globally.

The warning was posted on X on Monday, with the mission stressing that accountability has no boundaries and even individuals with significant political or financial influence would not be spared.

US visa ban targets corrupt officials

“Fighting corruption knows no borders or limits on accountability. Even when high-profile individuals engage in corruption, they can be barred from receiving U.S. visas,” the mission said. The announcement highlights Washington’s efforts to use travel restrictions as a tool to discourage graft and send a message that the U.S. will not serve as a safe haven for corrupt elites.

Reform UK unveils migration overhaul

In the United Kingdom, Reform UK unveiled a new policy pledge that could reshape immigration rules if the party wins the next election. The party said it would abolish the right of migrants to qualify for permanent settlement, known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), after five years. Instead, migrants would be required to reapply for visas under tougher rules, with higher salary thresholds and stricter English-language requirements.

Reform argued that scrapping ILR and restricting welfare access to migrants would save £234 billion over several decades. Party leader Nigel Farage said the UK should not be “the world’s food bank,” insisting that welfare should be reserved for British citizens.

The Labour government pushed back against the cost-saving claims. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said Reform’s estimates “have no basis in reality,” pointing out that ministers were already consulting on restricting access to benefits and extending the waiting period for ILR from five years to 10.

According to Punch, Farage, launching what he called an effort to reverse the “Boriswave” of post-Brexit immigration, noted that hundreds of thousands of migrants who arrived since 2021 will soon qualify for permanent residence under the existing system. Data from the Department for Work and Pensions showed more than 213,000 people with ILR claimed Universal Credit benefits in July.