📌 Quick answer (checked 13 October 2026): Since 8 April 2026, a UK Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months) costs £135, about ₦237,000 at the official rate of roughly ₦1,760 to the pound. A Student visa costs £558 and a Skilled Worker visa from £819, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 a year for students). You apply online at gov.uk, then give your fingerprints and photo at a VFS Global centre in Lagos or Abuja. Standard decisions take about 3 weeks.
UK Visa Fees From 8 April 2026
| Visa | Fee | About (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor (up to 6 months) | £135 | ₦237,000 |
| Long-term visit visa, 2 years | £506 | ₦890,000 |
| Long-term visit visa, 5 years | £903 | ₦1,590,000 |
| Long-term visit visa, 10 years | £1,128 | ₦1,985,000 |
| Student visa | £558 | ₦982,000 |
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years, applying from outside the UK) | £819 | ₦1,441,000 |
| Spouse or partner (applying from outside the UK) | £2,064 | ₦3,632,000 |
| Indefinite leave to remain | £3,226 | ₦5,677,000 |
| Adult naturalisation | £1,709 | ₦3,008,000 |
Fees from the Home Office fee changes of 8 April 2026, as summarised by UK immigration law firms. Naira figures are our estimates at about ₦1,760 to £1, the official rate on 11 October 2026 (₦1,764.45 in the NaijaSabi Price Index); your bank’s card rate will differ. Visas for stays of more than 6 months also need the Immigration Health Surcharge: £776 a year for students and £1,035 a year for most workers, paid upfront for the whole visa.
The Standard Visitor Visa
Most Nigerians apply for the Standard Visitor visa. It covers tourism, visiting family and friends, business meetings, short courses and some medical treatment, for up to 6 months per visit. You cannot work in the UK on it. Frequent visitors can apply for a 2, 5 or 10-year long-term visit visa instead, but each stay is still limited to 6 months.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Check you need the visa you think you need with the tool at gov.uk/check-uk-visa. Fees are not refunded if you apply for the wrong category.
- Apply online at gov.uk/apply-uk-visa. Answer every question truthfully and consistently with your documents.
- Pay the fee online in pounds with a card that allows international payments, and keep the receipt.
- Take a TB test if your stay will be longer than 6 months (student, work and family visas). Tests must be done at a clinic approved by the Home Office; the visitor visa does not need one.
- Book your biometrics appointment with VFS Global, which has run UK visa application centres in Nigeria since November 2024. Centres are in Lagos (Ikeja and Victoria Island) and Abuja. VFS also sells optional paid extras such as premium lounges, document help and courier return; check prices on the VFS site.
- Upload or bring your supporting documents as instructed when you book.
- Attend the appointment for fingerprints and a photo. Children must attend with a parent or guardian.
- Wait for the decision. The standard target for visit visas is about 3 weeks from your appointment. Priority and super priority services cost extra and are not always available; check the current price on gov.uk. The UK is moving to digital eVisas, so you may receive an eVisa linked to a UKVI account rather than a sticker; check before you travel.
Documents for a Visitor Visa
- Passport valid for your whole stay, with a blank page.
- Bank statements (usually the last 6 months) showing you can pay for the trip. Steady balances matter more than a large total; a big deposit just before applying raises questions.
- Proof of income: an employment letter (role, salary, approved leave) and payslips, or business registration, business statements and tax records if you are self-employed.
- Your plans: where you will stay (hotel booking or invitation letter from your host with their address and UK status) and a travel itinerary. A flight reservation is enough; do not buy a non-refundable ticket before approval.
- Ties to Nigeria: evidence you will come back, such as your job, business, property, family responsibilities and previous trips abroad where you returned on time.
- If someone is sponsoring you: their letter, bank statements and proof of income, plus evidence of your relationship.
Total Cost of a Visitor Visa Application
- Visa fee: £135 (about ₦237,000)
- Optional VFS extras, priority processing and courier, if you choose them
- Passport photos, printing and transport to the centre
For a student visa, add the £558 fee, the health surcharge (£776 for each year of the visa), the TB test and any English test, before tuition and living costs.
Why Nigerian Applications Get Refused
- Financial evidence that does not add up: sudden large deposits, balances that do not match your stated salary, or money that clearly belongs to someone else.
- Weak ties to Nigeria: the officer must believe you will leave the UK when your visit ends.
- Inconsistencies between your form, employment letter, bank statements and travel plans.
- An unclear purpose: say exactly why you are going, where you will stay and when you will return.
- Undeclared refusals or overstays: always declare previous refusals. Lying can lead to a long ban.
If you are refused, read the refusal letter carefully and fix the specific problems before applying again. Visitor visa refusals do not usually have a right of appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a UK visitor visa from Nigeria in 2026?
£135 for a Standard Visitor visa of up to 6 months, since 8 April 2026. That is about ₦237,000 at the official exchange rate in October 2026.
How much is a UK student visa?
£558, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for each year of the visa, the TB test and any English test.
Where do I apply for a UK visa in Nigeria?
Online at gov.uk, then at a VFS Global centre in Lagos (Ikeja or Victoria Island) or Abuja for biometrics.
How long does a UK visa take from Nigeria?
About 3 weeks for a standard visit visa decision after your biometrics appointment. Paid priority services are faster when available.
Do I need a TB test for a UK visitor visa?
No. A TB test is needed for stays longer than 6 months, such as student, work and family visas.
How much money do I need in my account?
There is no fixed amount. You need to show you can pay for the whole trip without working in the UK, with funds that are clearly yours and have been in your account steadily.
Sources
- Bankfield Heath Solicitors, “UK visa and immigration fees updated from April 2026” (Home Office fees from 8 April 2026).
- Seraphus, “UK immigration fee increases 2026 explained” (student visa £558).
- GOV.UK: Home Office immigration and nationality fees, Standard Visitor visa.
- Central Bank of Nigeria official exchange rate, 11 October 2026 (NaijaSabi Price Index).
Last updated: 13 October 2026 · NaijaSabi. Fees are set by the UK Home Office and usually change in April; check gov.uk before you pay.
Also read: UK student visa for Nigerians · Pound to naira rate today
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