In a significant development, France has joined the United Kingdom and Canada in implementing more stringent immigration rules for Nigerians. This move is part of a global trend towards tightening immigration policies.
The UK government had previously unveiled a comprehensive five-point plan to curb immigration, which included raising the minimum salary threshold for skilled overseas workers from £26,200 to £38,700. The plan also increased the minimum income requirement for family visas to £38,700. These changes were introduced in response to unprecedented levels of net migration.
In a similar vein, Canada and Australia have unveiled new immigration plans. These changes form part of a decade-long immigration strategy designed to alleviate the current pressures on housing and infrastructure in these countries.
France has now joined the roster of countries that have imposed immigration restrictions on international students, including Nigerians, with new legislation that will prevent them from bringing their families to the country.
The law, passed by the parliament on Friday, introduces a new, tougher immigration policy that makes it more difficult for migrants to bring family members to France and delays their access to welfare benefits.
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The law also prohibits the detention of minors in detention centres, and leaders of a third of French regions have stated they will not comply with certain measures in the law.
A controversial provision in the law discriminates between citizens and migrants, even those residing in the country legally, in determining eligibility for benefits.
This new immigration policy means that, similar to the United Kingdom, which imposed a no-dependant restriction on international students in May, Nigerian students are expected to explore other options for their migration plans.
Nigerian students, who have been among the largest contributors to the UK’s international student community, have already begun to explore other alternatives in the European zone, with France being considered. However, with this new development, their options are dwindling.