After you have obtained your International Passport and started processing your movement abroad, what exactly signifies the conclusion of your travel plans to the UK? Of course, obtain your visa and jet out of Nigeria. But how do you go about your visa application without complications? Don’t worry, you can obtain your visa without any hassle and this post focuses on how to easily apply for a UK visa in Nigeria.
Besides, what if you’ve not started processing your relocation, study or visitation to the UK? That’s not a constraint! The information on this page will also expose you to the details necessary for visa application in Nigeria so that you can know what to expect when you are ready.
Types of Visa
Travelling to the UK from Nigeria obviously requires a visa but there are different variations. However, you can’t apply for more than one type of visa per time. The type you settle for depends on your reason for travelling to the UK.
In this section anyway, we will quickly examine the different types of visa you can apply for in Nigeria.
1. Family Visa
A family visa is required if you want to stay in the UK with a member of your family for more than 6 months.
In this context, a family member you can stay with could be your:
- Spouse or partner
- Fiancee or fiancé
- Parent
- Child
- A relative who is ready to take care of you for a long time.
2. Student Visa
If a UK educational institution has offered you an admission and you have the adequate financial backing, you can apply for a student visa.
A Student visa is specifically applicable to you if you are 16 years and above. However, if you are 16 or 17 years of age, the UK authorities will demand a consent from your parents.
Also, a child between the ages of 4 and 17 but wants to study at an independent school in the UK can apply for a Child Student visa.
Lastly, it is also possible to apply for a Short-term study visa in the UK. This usually applies to students who want to study English Language courses. And these courses last longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months.
3. Work Visa
There are numerous subtypes of visas under the Work visa category but they are broadly classified under:
- Long-term work visas
- Short-term work visas
- Investor, business development and talent visas
In the context of a Long-term work visa, it literally means you plan to stay in the UK for a long time and work. As a long-term visa applicant, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker visa, Minister of Religion visa (T2), International Sportsperson visa etc.
If you plan to stay and work for a short time, visas like Charity Worker visa (Temporary Work), Creative Worker visa (Temporary Work), Religious Worker visa (Temporary Work, Seasonal Worker visa (Temporary Work), Graduate visa and so on are the visa options available.
Finally, if you are inclined with business or you have one of the skills the UK currently and passionately seeks, you can apply for the appropriate Investor, business development and talent visa.
They include:
- Start-up visa
- Innovator visa
- UK Global Talent visa
- Investor visa (Tier 1)
As already mentioned, you can find out if you have a skill the UK currently demands if you check our UK Global Talent page.
Required Documents for UK Visa Application
Just like many other official activities, it is impossible to obtain a visa to the UK from Nigeria without the submission of relevant documents.
The designated UK authorities will use these documents to determine if or not you are worthy of what you request.
Also note that what constitutes the compilation of your documents depends on the type of visa you are applying for.
For example, if your purpose of travelling to the UK is to start a business, you will be required to provide a business registration document. Whereas, if you are only embarking on a vacation, such wouldn’t be requested from you.
If you want to apply for UK visa in Nigeria, the following are the documents you should submit:
UK Visa Application Form
The specific form you will fill depends on the type of visa you are applying for. Also, you may have to complete the form on the Visa4UK website or manually.
Two Photographs
Ensure they are on a coloured background and not older than 6 months.
Valid International Passport
As expected, this explicitly states your identity as a Nigerian.
But be aware that your passport must still be valid for at least three months after you touch down in the UK.
Proof of Funds
Yes, you need to prove that you have enough funds to support your living expenses in the UK. Inability to provide this will lead to disapproval of your application.
Proof of Accommodation
Which economy wants to welcome a destitute? None! To this end, you must defend yourself by providing proof that you have a place to lay your head while in the UK.
Detailed Travel Plan
Your travel itinerary is also of utmost priority to the UK authorities. They want to know when you plan to travel, places you intend to visit, meeting agenda etc.
Invitation Letter (if applicable)
If your travelling requires staying at a friend or family member’s house, the authorities will demand a letter of invitation from your host.
Tuberculosis Test Result
The UK authorities list Nigeria as one of the countries whose visa applicants should provide a Tuberculosis test result. This step is necessary if you want to stay in the UK for more than six months. Apparently, a positive test result connotes disapproval.
Biometric Information
Applying for a visa that approves your stay in the UK for not less than six months requires you to submit your fingerprints and snap a digital photograph at the application centre.
Visa Fee Receipt
Before they approve your visa application, you must submit a proof of visa fee payment.
Certified Document Translation
If the content of any of your documents is not in English or Welsh, such document must have a certified translation.
Letter of Employment (if applicable)
Your employer must issue a letter to you if you’re going to the UK on an employment basis. This letter will include your job position, duration of employment and salary.
Business Registration Documents (if applicable)
If you are starting a business in the UK, you must confirm that your business is legally recognized. Also, such documents will include your name, your type of business and when you started your business activities.
Letter from Education Provider (if applicable)
As someone who’s travelling to the UK for an educational purpose, it’s important you submit an official letter from your school confirming your enrollment.
Under 18 Years Old Applicants
If you fall under this category, you will need to submit your birth certificate, papers of adoption (if it applies to you). And if someone other than your parents is accompanying you on the journey, your parent(s) will have to notify the authorities with a signed letter and a copy of the biographical page of their passport(s).
How to Apply for a UK Visa in Nigeria
Now, let’s get down to the main purpose of this article – easiest way to apply for a UK visa while you’re in Nigeria.
It’s not complicated! Once you have the required documents, just follow the steps highlighted below:
Step 1: Create a user account
First thing first, in order to access the application portal, you need to have an account on the gov.uk website. Here, you will have the opportunity to view and select the type of visa you should apply for based on your travelling purpose.
Step 2: Fill the application form
Once you’ve created your account, the next action is to fill the form with your correct information. Double check to confirm there’s no error before you submit.
After that, pay the required fee and book an appointment at an application centre.
Going forward, you will receive a confirmation email and also, the documents you need to present at the visa interview.
Step 3: Register on TLScontact website
It is quite important you don’t jump over this step because without registration with the TLScontact, the visa authorities won’t honour your appointment. On the same website, you can also track your visa application.
Step 4: Attend your visa application appointment
Do not miss your visa interview. And while you attend your interview, make sure you have all your documents intact. We have already highlighted the documents needed for visa application in the section above and you can refer to it for more details.
Step 5: Visa collection
After your visa appointment, wait for the completion of your visa processing and pick it up at the designated centre. The authorities will notify you when it is ready. Don’t forget, you can track the progress on the TLScontact website.
How long does it take for a UK visa to be approved in Nigeria?
For a visit and non-settlement visa, the UK authorities may take up to 15 working days before concluding your visa application processing. This is after you have submitted your application plus the documents and your biometric information.
For other purposes however, processing of visa applications can take up to 30 days.
Who is eligible to sponsor a UK visit visa?
If you want to travel to the UK on visitation, your friend, business partner or a family member can sponsor you. But note that such a person must be a legal UK resident. Also, they must provide proof of funds and proof of accommodation.
Once there are no barriers, you are good to go.
Read also: How to Relocate to the UK from Nigeria (Full Guide)
What bank statements are needed for a visa?
The financial institution holding your money will provide you with an official financial statement you need to submit for visa application.
The bank authorities must sign and stamp this statement before it’s tenable for such purpose. Also, your bank statement must include the correct details such as account name and account number.
How much is the UK visa fee in Nigeria?
There’s more than one visa type and the fee varies from one to the other.
If it’s just for visitation, visa fee is about $125
Please refer to this page for a detailed breakdown of UK visa fee in Nigeria.
Conclusion
In this article, we comprehensively examined what it takes to apply for a UK visa in Nigeria. Applying for a UK visa is not as complex as many people think. Once you show up for your visa appointment and you present the right, verifiable documents, your visa application has a good chance of approval.
Lastly, applying for a UK visa in Nigeria is apparently one of the last activities in your UK travel plans. There are previous hurdles you need to cross before you get to the visa application stage and these will determine if your visa application will be successful or not.
At Ivav Travel, we can assist you on your permanent relocation from Nigeria to the UK. Simply go here to schedule a discussion session with us and start counting down your days in Nigeria.
