How much is UK visa fee in Nigeria?

Image of UK visa application documents

Are you hoping to come to the UK from Nigeria and searching for the visa fee? It is important to know how much a visa to the United Kingdom costs in preparing for your visit. 

Whether it is a tourist, business, or student visa that you are applying for,  it will be easier to budget and offset the cost of applying for such visas if you know the precise fee. 

This article will provide insight into the UK Visa fees for Nigerian applicants, the different visa types, and also tips to best prepare for the UK visa interview. With that in mind, let’s get started with the business we have for today, shall we? 

What documents do you need to apply for a UK visa?

To apply for a UK visa, it is mandatory to submit the following documents.

  • Filled UK visa application form
  • Two recent passport size photographs
  • A valid passport (it has to be valid for a minimum of three months after the date that you are leaving the country in question)
  • Documentation of funds sufficient to enable you sustain yourself for the whole time of your stay in the country
  • Evidence of arrangements for your stay while in the UK
  • A comprehensive travel plan indicating the events and activities you will be engaged in upon your visit to the UK.
  • Tuberculosis test results (where applicable)
  • Biometrics
  • UK visa sponsorship letter (where applicable)
  • A letter indicating the reason behind the visit
  • UK visa application fee proof
  • Sworn translations of any documents not drawn in English or Welsh

More Documents:

  • Letter from an employer, business or university
  • Birth certificate for minors (below 18 years)

Tips to pass your UK visa interview 

Here are some practical tips to help you cope up with the process with ease:

1. Understand the Reason for Your Travel 

The immigration official is interested in the motivation behind your visit. You should always present clear and straight forward answers be it travel for vacation studies for business etc. 

Make sure that you are able to articulate your travel purpose and the number of days you intend to stay without exaggerations.

2. Put Your Documents in Order 

Ensure all the necessary paperwork is in place. This includes your travel passport, recent bank statement, letter of invitation, and any other relevant supporting materials. Ensure that the paperwork is complete and in the correct order.

3. Maintain Professional Appearance 

Wear smart attire during the interview. Looking clean and professional suggests that one respects the procedure. It also creates a positive impression with your visa officer.

4. Remain Calm throughout the Interview 

During the interview, take a deep breath and relax. Take all questions asked into consideration and give an answer based on rationality and assurance. And apprehension is quite understandable but do not allow it to affect your calmness.

5. Prepare for Common Interview Questions 

Here is a list of interview questions you are likely to be asked during the interview session:

  • What is the purpose of your visit? Sample Response: “I am on a tourist visit to the United Kingdom for two weeks”.
  • How many days will you be staying in the UK? Sample Response: “First of all, by the way, I will be traveling for about 10 days only, and this is between [start date] and [end date].” 
  • Are you visiting any friends or relatives in the UK? Sample Response: “Uh, yes, my cousin is in London, and I am planning to visit her while there.” 
  • How do you intend to care for yourself financially? Sample Response: “I have my bank circulatory and my current employer is [company name] who assists me with my expenses.” 
  • Do you intend to be engaged in any work-related activity while in the United Kingdom? Sample Response: “No , I do not have any plans of doing any work while there. This is purely for holidays.”

6. Be Honest 

Be honest in responding to all interview questions. There are serious consequences when one tries to trick the visa officer who assesses the application. Do not hide anything when it comes to your travel history and reason.

7. Remain Focused When Answering Questions 

Avoid rambling when asked to respond to a question. Avoid making long and irrelevant explanations. A frequent trouble is they look for long answers, but this is not the case.

8. Prepare for surprise questions 

There could be some questions that are out of the ordinary, therefore be on the look out for any. In a situation where you don’t understand the question being asked, it is permissible to have the officer clarify. There is no need to rush in answering.

How much is the UK visa fee in 2024?

The costs of application for the UK visa differ based on the type of visa one is applying for. 

Most recently, the increments of the visa fees have been very pronounced for a number of categories, with a general rise of 15% for many categories of visas becoming effective from October 2023. 

On top of this, some types of visa, for example the Student visa, experienced a 35% increase that began in April 2024. Let us take a look at the breakdown of the current UK visa application fees for the year 2025:

Visa Type Brief Description Previous Fee (£)New Fee (£)Increase (%)
Visit Visa (6 months)Short-term visa allowing a visit to the UK for up to 6 months.10011515%
Skilled Worker VisaAllows skilled workers with a job offer to live and work in the UK.62571915%
Innovator Founder VisaFor those looking to start an innovative business in the UK.1,0361,19115%
High Potential Individual VisaGranted to individuals with high potential talent or skills.71582215%
UK Expansion Worker VisaFor foreign employees who want to work for their company in the UK.25929815%
Global Talent VisaFor leaders and potential leaders in academia, arts, and technology.62371615%
Scale-up VisaAimed at high-growth businesses wishing to bring talented individuals to the UK.71582215%
Student VisaFor international students accepted to study in the UK.36349035%
Graduate VisaAllows graduates from UK institutions to stay and work in the UK.715 82215%
Spouse Visa For spouses or partners of UK citizens or residents to live in the UK.1,5381,84620%
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)Grants permanent residency in the UK to eligible applicants.2,4042,88520%
Naturalization as a British CitizenFor eligible individuals who wish to become British citizens.1,250 1,50020%

Further details on all UK visa application fees can be found on the official UKVI website.

How long does it take to get a UK visa in Nigeria?

An application for a UK Visa in Nigeria may take a short or long time depending on what class of visa you are applying for. Here are average durations:

  • Standard Visitor Visa: Processing takes approximately 15 working days (3 weeks).
  • Priority Visa: Available at an extra cost, it takes 5 working days to process.
  • Super Priority Visa: This service is even more expensive and is normally processed within 24 hours (1 working day).

These times depend on the season, public holidays, or cases of additional documents being requested. It’s always advisable to apply early to avoid inconveniences particularly during high travel seasons amusing to travel visas without determination of damage to the subject.

Here’s a tabular breakdown of each visa application and when to expect a decision: 

Visa Class Duration 
Visit visas, including Standard Visitor Visa, Marriage Visitor Visa, Transit Visa, and Permitted Paid Engagement Visa3 weeks 
Study Visas3 weeks 
Work Visas3 weeks 
Family Visas 24 weeks

Frequently Asked Question

Let us go over some frequently asked questions you might have about getting a UK visa.

Does a UK visa require an interview?

Yes, an interview may be necessary for a UK visa application based on factors such as the applicant’s country of origin, the type of visa, and the applicant’s history. 

Interviews are scarcely conducted for standard visitor visa applications. On the other hand, applicants who wish to obtain student or work visas may be required to undergo an interview to determine their suitability. 

If required, the applicants will be informed and provided with a schedule of a local visa application center.

How much money do I need in my bank account for a UK visa?

If you are applying for a UK visitor visa, you do not necessarily have to maintain a minimum balance in your account. 

However, you have to provide enough evidence to demonstrate that you can afford any expenses during your trip. The UK authorities wish to be satisfied that you will not be a drain on their resources. This amount would depend on the type of visa you are applying.

Does the UK embassy verify bank statements?

Yes, during the processing of a visa application, the bank statements submitted are verified by the UK consulate. This is to ascertain if an applicant meets the required financial means and is likely to be self-supportive. 

The verification may involve contacting the bank or going through the information in the statements. It is important to note that submission of forged documents may result in the refusal of a visa and a possible entry ban to the UK.

How many months’ bank statement for a UK visa?

Most applicants for a UK visa are required to submit bank statements, which should at least cover a period of six months. 

Such statements should demonstrate active financial transactions and sufficient balance to undertake the journey without assumption of any form of public fund. 

The latter criteria should be observed as regards to the letters, which should be in a bank’s letter head and stamped, and of the prescribed standards of the UK Visa and Immigration visa-sponsorship program.

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