UK Visa from Nigeria: Requirements, Fees & How to Apply

A UK trip from Nigeria almost always starts with the Standard Visitor visa, the single visa that covers tourism, visiting family and friends, business meetings, conferences and short courses. It’s normally valid for 6 months per visit, and longer 2-, 5- and 10-year multiple-entry versions exist if you travel often.

The application itself is straightforward. What decides the outcome is your evidence: the UK refuses visitor visas not because people are “not qualified,” but because the paperwork doesn’t convince the caseworker you can fund the trip and will return to Nigeria.

UK visitor visa requirements for Nigerians

You apply online at gov.uk, then give your fingerprints and photo at a VFS Global centre in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt. Prepare:

• A passport valid for the whole trip, with at least one blank page.
• Bank statements, usually the last 6 months, stamped by your bank. This is the single most scrutinised document.
• Proof of income, salary slips and an employment/introduction letter stating your role, salary, length of service and approved leave. If self-employed: CAC registration, business bank statements and tax records.
• Proof of funds showing you can cover flights, accommodation and living costs without working.
• Accommodation and travel plans, hotel bookings or an invitation letter from your UK host, plus a rough itinerary. You do not need to pay for flights before the visa is granted.
• Evidence of ties to Nigeria, property, family responsibilities, a job to return to, or an ongoing business. This is what answers the caseworker’s main question: why will you go back?
• A sponsor letter if someone is funding or hosting you, with their own bank statements and immigration status.

A TB test certificate from an IOM-approved clinic is required if you’re applying to stay more than 6 months, not for a standard short visit.

How much a UK visa costs

As of 2026 the 6-month Standard Visitor visa is around £115, paid in Naira at the exchange rate shown when you apply. Add the VFS service fee at the centre, and optional priority processing if you’re in a hurry. UK fees change, so confirm the current amount on gov.uk before you pay.

How long it takes

Plan for about 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority (about 5 working days) and Super Priority (next working day) are paid upgrades where available, useful, but they speed up the decision, not the strength of your documents.

Why UK visas get refused, and how to avoid it

The same handful of issues account for most Nigerian refusals:

1. Funds that don’t add up, a sudden large deposit, a balance that can’t support the trip, or statements that don’t match your stated income.
2. Weak ties to Nigeria, nothing showing a clear reason to return.
3. Inconsistencies, dates, amounts or job details that conflict across your documents.
4. A thin or generic application, no cover letter explaining who you are, why you’re travelling and how the trip is funded.

Every one of these is fixable before you submit. A short, clear cover letter that ties your documents together is one of the highest-impact things you can add.

How Oya Visa helps

We review your documents the way a UKVI caseworker will, flag the weak spots before you submit, write a tailored cover letter, and make sure your funds and ties are presented clearly. See our pricing or compare other destinations on our visa guides hub, many Nigerians also look at the Schengen visa and Canada visa routes.