News

Japa: UK Govt Announces Fee Waiver For Bereaved Foreign Nationals

Published

11 months ago

September 29, 2024

The UK government has announced new rules that will allow foreign nationals who have lost a British partner and are facing financial hardship to apply for a fee waiver when seeking settlement in the country.

Currently, individuals applying for settlement after the death of a partner must pay a substantial fee of £2,885, regardless of their financial circumstances.

The change, set to take effect on October 9, 2024, was announced by Seema Malhotra, the UK’s Minister for Migration and Citizenship, in Parliament. Malhotra, who is of Indian origin, emphasized the government’s intention to introduce a “fairer and more compassionate approach” to help those in need.

“Losing a loved one is an unimaginable pain, often worsened by financial difficulties,” Malhotra said as quoted by Travelbiz.

The new waiver aims to ease the burden on widows, widowers, and dependent children, allowing them to settle in the UK without the hefty application fee if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Eligibility for the Fee Waiver

To qualify for the fee waiver, applicants must be on family visas and meet the criteria for financial destitution. Eligible partners must have been in a relationship or married to someone who was:

A British citizen

A holder of indefinite leave to remain in the UK
A citizen of the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status

In addition, bereaved partners of Armed Forces members, Gurkhas, or Hong Kong military veterans discharged before July 1997 will also be eligible for the fee waiver.

News

Ikpea Of APC Sweeps Edo Central Senatorial Seat By-election [SEE RESULTS]

Published

30 minutes ago

August 17, 2025

Editor

Joseph Ikpea of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has been declared winner of Saturday, August 16, 2025 by-election for Edo Central Senatorial District of the state.

According to figures released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from the collation centre in Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area, Dr. Ikpea scored 105,129 votes, to defeat his closest opponent, Prince Joe Okojie of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 15,146 votes.

News

Edo: APC’s Omosede Igbinedion Wins Ovia Federal Constituency By-election

Published

38 minutes ago

August 17, 2025

Editor

Barrister Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Ovia Federal Constituency By-election.

Omosede polled 77,053 votes in the Saturday’s by-election.

The returning officer, Mr Clement Ighodaro, announced the result in the early hours of Sunday at Iguobazuwa, Ovia South West Local Government Area.

Igbinedion, daughter of the influential Igbinedion family of Okada, swept aside her rivals in what observers described as a one-sided contest.

Her closest challenger, Mr Johnny Aikpitanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 3,838 votes, while Dr Sandra Asemota of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 925 votes.

News

JUST IN: Emir Of Zuru, General Sani Sami, Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

August 17, 2025

Editor

The Emir of Zuru in Kebbi State, Major General Muhammad Sani Sami Gomo II (rtd), has passed away at the age of 79.

A palace source confirmed to Tribune Online that the one-time military governor of Bauchi State died today (Sunday) in his palace in Zuru.

Born in Zuru, the late monarch joined the Army on 10 December 1962 and attended training courses both in Nigeria and abroad.

The first-class monarch was appointed military governor of Bauchi State after a coup on 31 December 1983 that brought in late General Muhammadu Buhari to power.

He held office until August 1985, when General Ibrahim Babangida took over from Buhari.

Details later…