UK Visa from Nigeria 2026 - Requirements, Cost & How to Apply

The UK has a different visa for almost every situation. Use this quick decision tree before you read further:

• Have a job offer from a UK employer? → Skilled Worker visa
• Nurse, doctor, or carer? → Health & Care Worker visa
• Admitted to a UK university? → Student visa
• Just graduated from a UK university? → Graduate visa
• Visiting family or tourism? → Standard Visitor visa
• Attending business meetings? → Standard Visitor visa
• Starting a business? → Innovator Founder visa
• Exceptional or promising in your field? → Global Talent visa

This is the main route for most Nigerian professionals. Here is the full process, in order.

Step 1: Find a UK employer with a sponsor licence

• The gov.uk register of licensed sponsors lists 50,000+ employers
• NHS trusts are the single biggest sponsor of Nigerians
• Search "visa sponsorship" on Reed, Indeed UK and LinkedIn

Step 2: Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once an employer offers you the job, they issue a CoS - a digital reference number you need to apply.

Step 3: Check the salary threshold

• General threshold: £41,700/year
• Immigration Salary List occupations: a lower threshold applies
• New entrant (under 26, or switching from a Student visa): 20% discount
• Check your eligibility with the UK Skilled Worker checker
• Compare salary thresholds across countries

Step 4: Prove your English language ability

• IELTS for UKVI at B1 level minimum
• Most Nigerian university degrees qualify for an English exemption via an ECCTIS letter
• IELTS centres: Lagos (British Council), Abuja, and Port Harcourt

Step 5: Get a TB test certificate

• Mandatory for all Nigerian applicants
• Use an approved clinic in Lagos or Abuja only
• Cost: ~£65 (~₦130K); valid for 6 months - time it carefully

Step 6: Apply online at gov.uk

• Visa fee: £1,400 (3-year) or £2,800 (5-year)
• IHS surcharge: £624/year (£3,120 for a 5-year visa)
• Total upfront: about £4,520 (~₦9M) for a 5-year visa

Step 7: Give biometrics at TLS Lagos or Abuja

Book your biometrics appointment at tlscontact.com. Bring your passport, appointment letter, and TB certificate.

Step 8: Wait for a decision

• Standard: 3-8 weeks
• Priority: 5 working days (+£500 / ~₦1M)
• Super priority: next working day (+£1,000 / ~₦2M)

Step 9: Collect your passport and travel

You receive a 30-day vignette in your passport - you must enter the UK within 30 days. Your BRP (biometric residence permit) is collected at a UK post office after arrival.

Nursing is the single most popular UK visa route for Nigerians, and for good reason - the Health & Care Worker visa is dramatically cheaper than the standard Skilled Worker visa.

• Discounted fee: £284 (versus £1,400 for Skilled Worker)
• No IHS surcharge - saves £3,120 over a 5-year visa
• Salary threshold: £29,000 (versus £41,700 general)
• Total cost: about ₦2.9M (versus ~₦9-11M for Skilled Worker)

NMC registration for Nigerian nurses

1. CBT (computer-based test) - can be taken in Lagos via Pearson VUE, ~£83
2. OSCE (practical exam) - must be taken in the UK; employers usually pay for the flight
3. NMC registration is granted - you can then start working

How to find NHS sponsors

• NHS Jobs (jobs.nhs.uk) - filter for "visa sponsorship"
• Recruitment agencies: Medacs, HireRight, Pulse Nursing
• Direct trust applications: Barts Health, Guy's & St Thomas'
• British Council nursing recruitment fairs in Lagos
• See our full nursing visa sponsorship guide

The UK Student visa requires a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) from a licensed university, IELTS Academic at 6.0-7.0, and proof of funds.

• Maintenance funds: £12,006/year (London) or £9,207/year (outside London), plus tuition
• In Naira: roughly ₦20-35M depending on the university and location
• After study, the Graduate visa gives 2 years of work rights with no sponsor needed

The Standard Visitor visa costs £115 for a 6-month stay. The Nigerian refusal rate is roughly 25-30%, so a strong application matters.

How to strengthen your application

• A consistent bank balance - not sudden large deposits
• An employer letter confirming your job and approved leave
• Property documents (Certificate of Occupancy, land receipts)
• An invitation letter from your UK host
• A refundable return flight booking
• Previous travel stamps (Schengen, US, Dubai all help your credibility)
• Read our 2026 visa interview tips

Naira figures are estimates and move with the exchange rate. Compare the cost of relocating to other countries in our cost of immigration 2026 report.

• Standard: 3-8 weeks (average around 4 weeks for Nigerian applicants)
• Priority service: 5 working days for an extra £500 (~₦1M)
• Super priority: next working day for an extra £1,000 (~₦2M)

Priority services are worth it if you have a fixed job start date. They are not available at every appointment slot, so book early.

UK biometrics are handled by TLS Contact. There are two centres: Lagos (Victoria Island) and Abuja (Wuse II).

• Book your appointment 2-3 weeks ahead - slots fill quickly
• Arrive early; queues build up through the day
• Phones and electronics are not allowed inside - leave them in the car
• Bring your passport, printed appointment confirmation, and TB certificate

Common refusal reasons for Nigerian applicants:

1. Insufficient funds or inconsistent bank statements
2. Weak ties to Nigeria
3. Missing or incomplete documents
4. A previous overstay on any visa
5. Fraudulent documents detected during verification

You can reapply immediately - there is no ban for a simple refusal. But fix the specific weakness named in your refusal letter first, or you will simply be refused again.

• ILR (permanent settlement) moving from 5 years to 10 years
• Salary thresholds rising across most routes
• Immigration Salary List nursing discounts at risk
• The care worker route being scaled back

Many Nigerians pursue both at once. See our full Canada PR from Nigeria guide.

Skilled Worker (8 steps)

1. Build a CV in UK format and target sponsor-licensed employers
2. Apply for jobs and secure an offer
3. Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship
4. Confirm the salary meets the threshold for your occupation
5. Sort English evidence (IELTS or ECCTIS exemption)
6. Book and complete your TB test
7. Apply online, pay fees and IHS, give biometrics at TLS
8. Collect your vignette and travel within 30 days

Nurse (10 steps)

1. Create an NMC online account
2. Book and pass the CBT in Lagos
3. Apply to NHS trusts and agencies for sponsored roles
4. Accept an offer and receive your CoS
5. Complete the TB test
6. Apply for the Health & Care Worker visa online
7. Give biometrics at TLS Lagos or Abuja
8. Travel to the UK
9. Sit and pass the OSCE in the UK
10. Complete NMC registration and start work

Student (6 steps)

1. Apply to universities and receive an offer
2. Meet the IELTS Academic requirement
3. Pay your deposit and receive a CAS
4. Prepare 28 days of maintenance funds
5. Complete the TB test and apply online
6. Give biometrics and travel for the start of term

Visitor (5 steps)

1. Confirm your trip purpose and dates
2. Gather 6 months of consistent bank statements and ties documents
3. Get an employer leave letter and (if relevant) an invitation letter
4. Apply online and book biometrics at TLS
5. Attend your appointment and collect your passport

Start from the Nigeria visa guide hub, and read how to move to the UK in 2026. Not sure you qualify? Try the immigration eligibility checker and prepare with the visa interview questions hub.