🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas for Nigerians 2026
Last verified: August 31, 2026
Nigerians moving to United Kingdom from Nigeria have 2 main visa routes: Skilled Worker Visa and Student Visa. The fastest is the Skilled Worker Visa at 3–8 weeks. 1 of them needs no job offer. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Just visiting? United Kingdom tourist visa for Nigerians covers tourism, family visits, conferences and business trips.
Compare United Kingdom visas for Nigerians: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visawork | 3–8 weeks | $1,040 | Required | Yes | Yes |
| Student Visastudy | 3–10 weeks | $710 | Not required | No | No |
United Kingdom visa guides for Nigerians
Skilled Worker Visa
workRequires a job offer from a Home Office licensed sponsor and salary of at least £41,700/year or the occupation's going rate. English requirement is B2 for new applications since Jan 2026. Care-worker overseas recruitment closed in July 2025 — but the Health & Care route stays open for nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, with the main applicant exempt from the £1,035/yr Immigration Health Surcharge.
Student Visa
studyRequires a CAS from a licensed student sponsor, English proficiency, and maintenance funds held 28 consecutive days: £1,529/month in London or £1,171/month elsewhere (9 months) plus unpaid first-year tuition. Fee £558 plus £776/year health surcharge. Credibility interviews are common for Nigerian applicants, and most taught-course students cannot bring dependants.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Can Nigeria citizens move to United Kingdom?
- Yes. Nigeria citizens have 2 main routes into United Kingdom: the Skilled Worker Visa and the Student Visa. Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest United Kingdom visa for Nigerians?
- The Skilled Worker Visa typically processes in 3–8 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Nigerians move to United Kingdom without a job offer?
- Yes. The Student Visa does not require a job offer from a United Kingdom employer.
- What is the cheapest United Kingdom visa for Nigerians?
- The Student Visa has the lowest government fee at about $710. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which United Kingdom visas let Nigerians bring family?
- The Skilled Worker Visa allows accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which United Kingdom visas lead to permanent residency for Nigerians?
- The Skilled Worker Visa offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- How much does a United Kingdom visa cost for Nigerians?
- Government fees for Nigerians are about $1,040 for the Skilled Worker Visa and $710 for the Student Visa (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a United Kingdom visa take for Nigerians?
- Typical processing is 3–8 weeks for the Skilled Worker Visa and 3–10 weeks for the Student Visa, counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.