uk visit visa requirements nairaland

Visa Traveler

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UK tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: September 9, 2023

The UK tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. UK tourist visa application is online but the rest of the process requires an in-person appointment for biometrics.

The UK or the United Kingdom is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. To visit any of these four countries, you would need a UK tourist visa. UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months and you can stay up to 180 days in the UK.

The UK tourist visa application process is long and there is no status tracking. Make sure to start your UK visa process at least two months from your intended date of travel to the UK.

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UK TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Minimum passport validity required to enter the UK

• Passport must be valid for the entire stay in the UK

Visa EXEMPT nationalities

Unlimited entry.

• This requirement will change from 01 Jan 2021 when UK will no longer be part of the EU
• Czech Republic
• Liechtenstein
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

6-month entry

• You must carry all documents needed for a visitor visa to show at the port of entry if asked
• Visa is REQUIRED if you have a criminal record or refused entry into the UK before
• Anguilla (British territory)
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bermuda (British territory)
• Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba (Dutch territory)
• British Virgin Islands (British territory)
• Cayman Islands (British territory)
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands (British territory)
• Hong Kong
• Marshall Islands
• Montserrat (British territory)
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Island (British territory)
• San Marino
• Solomon Islands
• South Korea
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Maarten
• St Vincent and The Grenadines
• Timor Leste
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands (British territory)
• United States of America
• Vatican City

Visa REQUIRED nationalities

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso
• Cape Verde
• Central African Republic
• Congo, Dem. Rep. of
• Congo, Rep. of
• Cote d’Ivoire
• Dominican Republic
• Equatorial Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• North Korea
• North Macedonia
• Palestinian Territories
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• Sri Lanka
• São Tomé and Principe
• Turkmenistan

Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) required nationalities

• United Arab Emirates

24-hour VISA-FREE entry at Heathrow airport

• Eligible to request a 24-hour VISA-FREE entry at London’s Heathrow airport if holding a valid visa from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or any EU/Schengen country
• Must be in transit to/from the country of visa (Ex: if holding a Canada visa, you must be in transit to/from Canada only)
• Onward flight must be within 24 hours (on the same day or next day before midnight)
• Granting the 24-hour entry is at the sole discretion of the immigration officer
• Applies to all nationalities

BONUS (FREE eBook Download): Travel 56 countries VISA-FREE with a visa from the US, Canada, Schengen, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or Singapore

UK TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

First, check if you need a visitor visa to travel to the UK in the “UK tourist visa requirements by nationality” section above.

Alternatively, you can check your eligibility and requirements on the UK gov website .

Validity of UK tourist visa

UK tourist visas are valid for 6 months from the date of visa issue.

Example: If your UK visa was issued on January 15, the visa will be valid until July 15. 

NOTE There have been instances where visas were issued with validity starting from the date of travel mentioned in the visa application. 

When to apply for UK visa

You can apply for a UK visa up to 3 months in advance.

Example: If you plan to visit the UK on April 15, you can apply for your UK visa on or after January 16.

Also, keep in mind that you must apply for your UK visa at least 3 weeks prior to your travel, otherwise, you may not receive your visa on time. There are no refunds if you receive your visa after your travel date. 

IMPORTANT The UK visa process can take up to 3 weeks and even longer in some cases. I strongly recommend applying for your UK visa at least 2 months in advance.

How long can you stay in the UK?

The UK tourist visa allows you to stay up to 180 days in the UK. But if you stay that long continuously in the UK on a tourist visa, you will have serious trouble getting another UK visa in the future or entering the UK next time.

Here is my advice. Stick to the days you have mentioned in your UK visa application. A few days more or less is fine. But staying months on your UK tourist visa will pretty much look like you “live in the UK” rather than “vacation/holiday”. 

Application procedure

The UK visa application is online. You must apply for the visa online at the UK Visas and Immigration website

Below are the steps you will go through for your UK tourist visa application

• Go to the UK Visas and Immigration website
• Select your preferred language, type of visa, your country, nearest visa application center, etc
• Create a login using email and password
• Complete in the application form
• Sign the declaration
• Pay visa fee
• Submit the application
• Download and print the submitted visa application form
• Make an appointment at your nearest UK visa application center
• Attend the appointment at your nearest UK visa application center
• Submit your passport, visa application and supporting documents at the visa application center
• If applying from the US, Australia or New Zealand, mail your passport, visa application and biometrics receipt to your nearest visa application center
• Pickup/receive the passport when the visa decision is made

Below are some of the information you will provide in the application form

• Your travel dates to the UK
• Your hotel address and telephone number in the UK
• Your total estimated cost for the trip
• Your present home address and how many years you’ve lived there
• Your parents’ names and their dates of birth
• Your annual income
• Your travel history for the past 10 years
• Your employer details including the address and telephone number

Documents required

The following are the documents required for UK visitor visa application 

• Completed online visa application form with GWF number
• A passport-size photo (optional)
• If employed – an employment letter on company letterhead indicating your length of employment, salary, role, etc.
• If self-employed – a business registration document indicating your business name, date of business, etc.
• If student – a letter from the school/university on the letterhead indicating your enrollment, leave of absence, etc.
• Proof of funds ( bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months)
• Proof of legal residence (if applying from a 3rd country. you must submit a copy of your visa or residence permit of that country)

Do you need flight tickets and hotel bookings for the UK visa application?

UKVI has stopped asking for flight tickets and hotel bookings for UK visa applications. But some nationalities are still being asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

When you complete your online UK visa application, you will see a checklist of documents to be uploaded. Check if you are asked to submit flight tickets and hotel bookings.

Even if you are asked to submit your flight tickets and hotel bookings, you should not book any flights/hotel until your UK visa is approved.

For flights, get a price quote from British Airways which can be used as a flight itinerary for your UK visa application. Visa ticket booking agencies such as DummyTicket offer flight itineraries for the UK visa for $19, valid for 2-3 weeks.

For hotel, book a refundable or pay at check-in hotel on booking.com or Expedia . Cancel the booking after your visa is approved.

For more options, check out my detailed flight itinerary and hotel reservation articles.

Photo requirements

A passport-size photo is only required if are exempt from biometrics. All tourist visa applicants MUST give their biometrics. Your fingerprints and digital photos are taken during your biometrics appointment.

Since all tourist visa applicants MUST give their biometrics, a passport-size photo is not required. But, I suggest bringing one with you on the day of your biometrics appointment just in case.

Visa application fee

The UK tourist visa application fee is £95 GBP. You will pay this fee in your local currency. Due to exchange rates, you may end up paying about £2 – £5 GBP more.

You can use the UK home office visa fee wizard to find out the exact visa fee that you would need to pay in your local currency. 

If you are applying for a long-term UK tourist visa, below is the visa fee for 2, 5 and 10-year tourist visas. 

• 2 years: £361 GBP
• 5 years: £655 GBP
• 10 years: £822 GBP

Visa appointment

As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to make a visa appointment at your nearest UK Visa Application Center . Visa Application Centers are run by either VFSGlobal or TLSContact in conjunction with UK Visas and Immigration.

On the day of the appointment, you will give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and submit your original documents. You must bring all your original documents along with one photocopy of each including your passport.

Applicants from the USA, Australia (Adelaide and Hobart only) and New Zealand

You must give your biometrics at your nearest Biometric Enrollment Center and later send/post your documents to the nearest UK Visa Application Center.

During your online UK visa application, you will be prompted to make a biometrics appointment at your nearest Biometric enrollment center.

• Biometric enrollment centers in the USA are run by the US Homeland Security.
• Biometric enrollment centers in Australia are run by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
• Biometric enrollment centers in New Zealand are run by Immigration New Zealand.

The biometrics appointment takes about 10-15 minutes. You will give your fingerprints and photo. You will receive an acknowledgment stamp on the biometric appointment confirmation.

You must then mail your original passport, visa application, biometric confirmation with the stamp, supporting documents and return postage to the UK Visa Application Center you have selected during your online visa application.

You will be notified via email when the UK Visa Application Center receives your documents.

Visa processing time

The UK tourist visa processing takes up to 3 weeks. There have been incidents where UKVI has taken over 2 months to process, especially when the visa applications are “not straightforward”.

UKVI considers a visa application “not straightforward” if additional information is required to process the visa. Additional information can be, verifying information, background check or requesting additional documents. UKVI usually notifies you in such cases and requests any additional documentation necessary.

Keeping such incidents in mind, ALWAYS apply for your UK visa at least 2 months prior to your travel.

If you have to travel sooner, you should purchase the “Priority Visa Service” while applying online. Or at least before you mail/submit your documents. This way your visa application will be processed within 5 working days.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE When I applied for my UK visa, the visa processing time was about 2 weeks. I had a planned trip to Canada before my trip to the UK. My trip to Canada was in 4 weeks, so I thought I had enough time to apply for my UK visa. However after I submitted my passport, the email confirmation said the visa process would take up to 4 weeks. I panicked. I went ahead and paid for the priority visa service. I panicked again. Then I emailed a formal visa withdrawal request, so I could at least get my passport back and make my trip to Canada. However, my visa was processed within 2 days of paying the priority visa service fee. Please do not make the same mistake as I did. Apply for your UK visa at least 2 months prior to your travel.

Visa application status tracking

Online visa application tracking is NOT AVAILABLE on the UK Visas and Immigration website. To track your UK visa application status, you must use UK Visas and Immigration’s email or phone option, which unfortunately is NOT FREE.

UKVI charges for all phone and email inquiries. 

Below are UK Visa and Immigration phone, email details and charges.

PHONE Telephone: +44 2034811736 Available 24 hours from Monday to Friday Calls cost £1.37 per minute plus any international call charges

EMAIL Email communication must be initiated via Email UK Visas and Immigration Email inquiries cost £5.48. Follow-up emails after that are not charged. You will receive a response to your email within 2 working days.

You must give out your credit card information for billing when you start the phone inquiry. For email, you must fill out the payment form and then you can submit your email inquiry.

PERSONAL OPINION Email inquiries generally receive a standard response saying that your application is “in process”. Phone inquiries are slightly better and cheaper.

Priority visa service

If you would need to travel to the UK urgently, you can opt for the “Priority Visa Service”.  This service is expensive and may not be available in all countries. If available, you will see the option in your online UK visa application. 

• Priority visa service fee: £220 GBP
• Visa processing time: Guaranteed in 5 working days

Priority visa service must be purchased during your online visa application. This will ensure your visa is processed within 5 days.

Purchasing this service after you have submitted/mailed your documents will take much longer than 5 working days. You must first pay the fee on the Visa Application Center (VAC) website and then email the receipt to the Visa Application Center where you have submitted/sent your documents. It can take more than a day for the VAC staff to locate your packet and push it into the priority queue

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE I purchased my priority service after I had mailed my documents. My visa application was approved within two days of buying the priority visa service.

Super priority visa service

If you would need to travel to the UK immediately, you can opt for “Super Priority Visa Service”. This service comes with a hefty price tag, so purchase this service only in super urgent, emergency cases. 

• Super priority visa service fee: £956 GBP
• Visa processing time: Guaranteed in 24 hours

Cancel your UK visa application

If you haven’t given your biometrics at the visa application center yet, you can cancel your UK visa application and get a full refund of your visa fee. The procedure to cancel your UK visa application depends on at what stage your application is in.

Application not submitted and fee not paid : If you haven’t paid your fee and haven’t submitted your application, there is a “Delete Application” option that will delete your current visa application.

Application not submitted but fee already paid : If you have already paid your fee and have not yet submitted your application, you can still delete your application but you may have to send a formal refund request in writing to the visa application center.

Application submitted, fee paid but haven’t given your biometrics : If you haven’t given your biometrics at VFS/BLS, you can cancel your application and request for a refund. The refunds take 4 weeks. 

Application submitted, fee paid, biometric given , and documents/passport already submitted: If you have already given your biometrics and submitted your documents/passport, you CANNOT cancel your visa application anymore. You can only WITHDRAW your visa application. You must email the visa application center a formal withdrawal request. Upon receipt of the withdrawal request, the visa application center will return/mail your passport back. Any visa fee and priority service fee paid are not refundable. 

IMPORTANT Even though UKVI says the refunds are processed in 4 weeks, it usually takes 8 weeks or even longer. There have been instances where applicants waited several weeks and some even gave up on their refunds. However, I have seen applicants having success in getting their refunds by reminding UKVI with phone calls or emails. It costs about $5 USD to email them, but it helps in getting your refund eventually. 

Withdraw your UK visa application

The UK visa application center keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process, which could be 3 weeks or more. There may be emergencies where you need to have your passport with you. The only way to request your passport back is by formally withdrawing your visa application. 

If you withdraw your application, the visa fee and any priority service fee you have paid are NOT refundable.

To withdraw a visa application, you must submit a withdrawal request along with the reason for the withdrawal to the visa application center via email. It might take up to 72 hours for the consulate to locate your packet and send it back to you.

You must first call/email the UK Visas and Immigration mentioning your intention to withdraw your application. They will guide you through the process of withdrawing your application. Usually, the UK visa application withdrawal request should be a signed document with personal information including the GWF number. This document must be printed and signed. It must be scanned and emailed to the visa application center. Below is a sample withdrawal request letter.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I hereby request to withdraw my UK visa application. I understand that the visa fee is non-refundable. I also understand that my package may not be shipped for up to 72 hours.

Full Name of the Applicant: <name> GWF Number: <GWF number> Date of Birth: <date of birth> Nationality: <Nationality> Country of Residence: <Country of residence> Passport number: <Passport number> Type of Visa Applied: General Visit (up to 6 months) Biometric taken date:  <biometric date> Visa application centre’s address:  <address of the visa application center where you have submitted your documents> Contact number of the applicant: <Your phone number>

Priority Service Paid: <YES/NO> Priority Service Paid On: <Priority service purchased date>

Reason for Withdrawal: Emergency international travel has been scheduled. I need to have my passport in order to travel. Please return my passport as soon as possible. Thank you!

<Your signature here> Signed: <Your full name> Date: <date>

IMPORTANT Cancellation or withdrawal is NOT a refusal. It WILL NOT affect your future UK visa applications. You don’t need to mention it in your future UK visa applications either.

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE UK

Entering the UK by air

At the immigration, the officers may ask you questions about your trip, how long you plan to stay, your next destination, etc. You may be asked to show your return/onward ticket and your hotel booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, you can use OnwardTicket to get proof of your onward ticket. 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The immigration officer at Heathrow Airport asked me to show my return/onward ticket. I had a print of my onward ticket, so quickly took it out and gave it to the immigration officer.

Leaving the UK by air

If you are flying out of Heathrow Airport, make sure to arrive early. The airport is huge and you may have to take a bus from the gate to the flight.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is GWF number in UK visa application ?

GWF reference number is the unique visa application number that was provided to you on your visa application submission. You must provide your GWF number when calling or emailing UK Visas and Immigration. Without the GWF number, UK Visas and Immigration will not be able to provide you with a status update on your visa application.

What to do if my UK visa application is refused?

If your UK visa application is refused, the first thing is to understand the  reasons for your UK visa refusal . If the reason is due to missing information, proof of funds or documentation, make sure to fix these the next time you apply for your UK visa.

Write a detailed cover letter explaining the reasons for your previous visa refusal, missing information/documentation and any additional information/documentation that you have provided in the new application. This will help the ECOs cut to the chase and focus on the new information/documentation.

There is no “appeal” for UK visa. So, re-apply for your UK visa by making sure you have the new information, proofs and documents that were lacking previously. You must pay the visa fee again as the fee paid for your previous application was non-refundable.

If you do not know the reason for your visa refusal/denial, give at least 6 months before you apply for the visa again. 

Can I get my UK visa application fee refund if denied?

No. The visa fee and any priority service fee paid are non-refundable if your visa application is denied. The visa fee is also non-refundable in incidents where the visa is approved for less number of days than requested.

I’m planning to visit the UK and Schengen countries on a single trip. Should I apply for my UK visa first or Schengen visa first?

If you plan to visit the UK and Schengen countries on a single trip, ALWAYS apply for your UK visa first. 

UKVI keeps the passport for the entirety of the visa process and there is no visa status tracking. Calls and emails to customer service are charged. Even if you pay and contact, you will usually get a canned response. If your UK visa is refused, there is no “appeal”. You can only re-apply, which means you have to repeat the entire process again.

On the other hand, the Schengen visa application process is much streamlined. There is application tracking, customer service and appeal. 

I highly recommend applying for your UK visa first and get done with it. After that, apply for your Schengen visa. 

When applying for your UK visa, show a “UK-only” itinerary for your UK visa. This eliminates the need for submitting your Schengen visa, flights in/out of the Schengen region, etc. 

The UK tourist visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. But, the visa application process is long and expensive. Apply at least 2 months in advance, and follow all the proper steps and documentation. Tourist visas are usually multiple-entry with 6 months validity.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

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01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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UK Visiting Visa Requirements for Nigerians

130,000 Nigerians visit the UK each year for business, leisure, and to meet with family members who immigrated to Britain. In nearly every case, these visitors need to get a Standard Visitor visa which has slightly different requirements depending on why you are coming to the UK.

Contact us  online  today or call our UK number at  +44 (0) 3316300929  or our Nigerian number at  +23413438882  to find out how the expert immigration lawyers and advisors at Immigration Advice Service can help you to come to the UK legally.

Want to Visit the UK?

We have helped many Nigerians with their Visitor visa application, so if the UK is on your bucket list, to contact us for immediate assistance. Our skilled team of lawyers is dedicated to ensuring your travel plans are smooth and will handle all aspects of your application process.

Nigerian Emigration

For Nigerian emigration matters, please call  +44 (0) 3316300929  or  +23413438882

Other Immigration and Emigration Matters

For immigration/emigration to/from other countries, please call:

US –   +1 844 290 6312

Ireland –    (+353) 061 518 025

UK –   (+44) 333 4149244

Overview of the Standard Visitor Visa

As a Nigerian visitor to the UK, you are obliged to have a Standard Visitor visa to come to the UK legally. This visa will give you the right to remain in the UK for a maximum of six months for a range of different purposes. This includes both leisure and business trips so long as you aren’t being employed in the UK. In some cases you will be able to extend your visitor visa to last for a year, but it will not be a pathway to remaining in the UK permanently.

Make sure that you do not remain for longer than this period or that which is specified on your visa. Overstaying could lead to you getting in trouble with the Border Force and being detained and deported.

What Rights Does the Standard Visitor Visa Give to Nigerian Citizens?

As a Nigerian citizen that has come to the UK legally on a standard visitor visa, you have a range of rights for a maximum of six months. While in the UK, you can take part in the following:

• Visiting friends and family
• Volunteering for a registered charity for up to 30 days
• Transit through the United Kingdom
• Business activities such as attending a meeting
• Participating in a school exchange program
• Participating in a recreational course lasting up to 30 days
• To study, complete a placement, or take an exam
• Complete academic or senior medical work
• Travel for medical reasons

However, there are also a range of restricted activities that you will not be able to take part in, which include the following:

• Paid or unpaid work for a company based in the UK or as a self-employed person
• Claim benefits
• Use successive visits to live in the UK for an extended period
• Marry or register for a civil partnership

Basic Requirements for a Standard Visitor Visa

There are a range of basic UK Tourist visa requirements for Nigerian citizens for their application to be successful. These requirements prove that you are legitimately visiting and will keep the conditions of your visitor visa. UK visa requirements include:

• Have plans to leave the UK at the end of your visit
• You have enough money to support yourself and any dependents for the whole trip
• You can finance your return trip

You will also need a tuberculosis (TB) test before coming to the UK, as Nigeria is considered a high-risk country for the disease.

If you fit these requirements to make a trip to the UK in less than six months, you can apply for a Standard Visitor visa. You can apply online on the UK government website, which will allow you to provide all necessary documentation and complete the application form.

Additional Requirements for Certain Applicants

The UK visa requirements above apply to all Nigerian applicants. However, in certain cases, there will be additional requirements to wrestle with. This applies if you are coming to the UK for the following reasons:

• As an academic
• For medical reasons

We cover each of these circumstances in the sub-sections below.

Requirements for Visiting the UK to Study

There are a range of different types of study that you are allowed to undertake as a visitor from Nigeria. This includes the following:

• Education at an officially accredited institution
• Participation in an English language course
• Undertaking research relevant to a course overseas
• Complete an ‘elective’ module if you are studying in the medical field
• Undertaking an entrance exam
• Completing an unpaid clinical placement for medics
• Completing a language course

In all of these cases, there are standard UK visa requirements. You must prove that you have been accepted onto the course and must be at least 16 years old. This can be proven with written confirmation from the institution you will be studying at.

If your educational commitment in the UK is due to last longer than 6 months, you will need to apply for a short-term study visa or a student visa. Our team of immigration advisors and researchers in Lagos can also help with completing these applications. Contact us at  +23413438882  or visit us  online  to find out more. You can also call our UK office at  +44 (0) 3316300929 .

Do you wish to visit the UK from Nigeria? We can efficiently guide you through the process.

Requirements for Visiting the UK as an Academic

Medical and non-medical academics can visit the UK from Nigeria on a standard visitor visa. You are allowed to come from a Nigerian academic institution to participate in an exchange program or carry out your own research while on sabbatical.

Medical academics, such as Nigerian senior doctors and dentists, may also come to the UK on a standard visitor visa with slightly more expansive circumstances. This includes participating in research and teaching or undertaking clinical practice as long as it is not a permanent position.

Again, you will need a letter from your employer or the institution you will be working within the UK to prove that you are eligible for a standard visitor visa. This letter must outline the dates of your engagement, the research, teaching, or clinical practice you will undertake, and a confirmation of the arrangements made in the UK.

Requirements for Visiting the UK for Medical Reasons

There are specific eligibility to be successful in the visa application if you are visiting for medical reasons. You can visit the UK from Nigeria for medical reasons, to get private medical treatment, or to donate an organ.

If you are donating an organ, it can only be for a close friend or family member who is legally allowed to be in the UK. You must provide a letter from the leader of the transplant team proving this relationship, stating that you are a donor match with the person who will receive your organ and the location where the transplant will take place. This letter cannot be older than three months when you enter the UK.

Alternatively, receiving private healthcare will require you to prove the following:

• Your medical condition needs treatment in the UK
• You have already made arrangements for the treatment
• You can afford to pay for the treatment
• You will leave the UK as soon as the treatment is completed
• You do not carry an infectious disease

In some cases, you will be able to travel for NHS treatment. However, this can be a complex process as the Nigerian government must agree to pay for this treatment under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement. This will require an authorisation letter from a Nigerian government representative.

For any treatment you are receiving from the NHS or privately, you will need to have the doctor write a letter for you which confirms the following information:

• The condition requires treatment
• The cost and duration of the treatment
• Where the treatment will take place.

Requirements for Nigerians Visiting the UK for Transit

Nigerian citizens who want to transit through the UK will be able to visit without requiring a Standard Visitor Visa. Instead, they can apply for two types of transit visas.

You will need a Direct Airside Transit Visa if you are changing flights in the UK and will not need to travel through UK border controls. Meanwhile, Nigerian citizens who need to go through border control to transit to another country will require a Visitor in Transit visa.

Whichever transit visa you have to apply for, you will need to pay an application fee of £64. Furthermore, you will need to provide evidence of the following requirements listed below to be successful in the visa application:

• You are legally allowed to travel to your final destination. You can show a residence permit, green card, or valid visa to achieve this
• You can explain why you are traveling to the final destination
• You have a place to stay when you arrive
• Your onward journey has been booked
• Your final destination is not Nigeria.

If you’re coming to the UK for business or leisure, enlist us to competently apply for the UK visitor visa on your behalf.

How Can IAS Help?

The UK government gives out a vast number of visitor visas, making out 49% of the total visas they approve yearly. However, even if you fit the requirements, the application process can be challenging, and some Nigerians will receive a refusal despite their hard work. It is crucial to avoid common mistakes and provide all elements of the application accurately and efficiently.

IAS is opening an office in Nigeria to help local people with their visa applications for a UK visa and much more. We will pair you with an expert lawyer or adviser who specialises in cases like yours and can drastically increase your application’s likelihood of success. To get help when applying for a UK visa, contact our Nigerian team at  +23413438882  or visit us  online . Alternatively, you can call our UK team at  +44 (0) 3316300929 .

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at our Lagos office, all of our UK offices, or via the phone

Table of Contents

Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take for my uk visa application to be processed.

You are required to submit your visa application from three months to 48 hours before your planned travel date. However, you should leave much more than the minimum amount of time, as it is normal for a UK visa to take three weeks to be processed.

You can use the account you created to submit your UK visa application to check the progress of your visa if you need reassurance that it will be ready before your planned travel date.

How Much Does a Standard Visitor Visa Cost for Nigerian Citizens?

A Standard Visitor visa will cost £100, granting you up to six months in the UK. The earliest this fee will need to be paid, and the application submitted is three months before your planned visit.

Please note that the cost of your UK visa application will be higher if you decide to work with an immigration lawyer or advisor.

You can also apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa, allowing you to make frequent trips to the UK. These are available as being valid for 2 years (£376), 5 years (£670), and 10 years (£837).

How Can Nigerians Extend Their Stay Beyond Six Months?

The Standard Visitor visa is limited to just six months, but you will be able to extend your stay by another six months in certain circumstances. This applies if you are still receiving ongoing medical treatment, your academic commitments in the UK have been extended, or if you are retaking a language test.

This application will be similar to your initial visitor visa application, except you will also be required to provide biometric information.

The fee for an extension is also substantially higher than for a six-month Standard Visitor visa. You will be required to pay £1000, which will increase a further £800 if you want to use the super priority service, which will fast-track your application.

Furthermore, the cost of a visitor visa for medical reasons and for academics is slightly higher at £200.

What Should Nigerians Do if Their UK Visa is Refused?

Getting a refusal for your UK Visitor visa can be devastating as it can be a setback in your personal or work life. However, there are some processes that could allow you to overturn a refusal if you believe that your application should have been successful.

Firstly, you can re-apply. Simply resubmit all of your documentation after carefully reviewing it to remove any mistakes. Remember, you will have to pay the application fee again.

Secondly, you can appeal on human rights grounds. This option will allow you to submit new evidence to explain the necessity of the trip for your human rights, but it will not work if no such necessity exists.

Finally, you can apply for a judicial review by taking your case to the UK courts. This will invoke a disproportionately high cost for a visitor visa, and you can only earn these legal fees back if you win.

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UK Transit Visa for Nigerians – How to Apply

Last updated on March 22nd, 2024

If you are traveling from Nigeria to another country but intend to pass through a UK Airport to that Country, you may need a transit visa. Basically, a transit visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 48 hours as you wait for an onward connecting flight.

While, it is important to understand the requirements for applying for a UK transit visa, in this article, I will provide the steps and process for applying for the visa from Nigeria. From filling out the application form to providing the necessary documentation, I will provide you with the necessary information to make your visa application process as seamless as possible. Now, let’s get started!

• KEY TAKEAWAYS : Nigerian Citizens who wish to pass through the UK on their way to a third country will either need a Direct Airside Transit Visa or a Visitor in Transit Visa to do so.
• If you’re staying longer than 48 hours in the UK, you will need a Long-term Transit Visa.
• To apply for the UK Transit visa, you need a valid passport, proof of residence permit, or valid visa to the destination Country, and proof of onward flight such as an airline ticket or a boarding pass.
• A Direct Airside Transit Visa in Nigeria usually costs £35 (₦69,520) while a Visitor in Transit Visa costs £64 (₦127,122).
• It usually takes three weeks to get a UK transit visa from the date you file your application.

Table of Contents

• 1 Types of Transit Visas
• 2 What are the UK Transit Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens?
• 3.1 Biometric Data Capturing
• 4 How much is the UK transit visa fee in Nigeria?
• 5 How long does it take to get a UK transit visa in Nigeria?
• 6 How long is the UK transit visa valid?
• 7.0.0.1 Please share this!

Types of Transit Visas

The UK typically has three types of transit visas for Nigerians, and you may fall into any of the categories.

Visitor in Transit visa : If you pass through UK border control when you enter the UK but leave the country within 48 hours, you will need to apply for a Visitor in Transit visa.

Direct Airside Transit visa (DATV) : If you are taking an onward flight on the same day and from the same UK airport where you arrived (without passing through UK border control), you may need a Direct Airside Transit Visa.

Long-term Visit visa : If you’re traveling from Nigeria and your trip involves your staying in the UK for more than 48 hours, you cannot use a Transit Visa. Instead, you will be required to obtain a long-term visit visa, which allows you to remain in the UK for more than 48 hours.

What are the UK Transit Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens?

As a Nigerian citizen, the documents you may be required to submit for a UK transit visa application depend on the type of transit visa you are applying for. You will need the following documents if you are applying:

Visitor in Transit visa Documents

• Current passport.
• Proof of Residence permit, Green card, or Valid visa to the destination Country.
• Proof of onward flight e.g. a flight booking, email printed tickets, or confirmation from a travel agent.
• Purpose of your visit to the country (for those not citizens or residents of the destination country).
• Details of where you intend to reside during your stay (for those not citizens or residents of the destination country).

Direct Airside Transit Visa Documents

• Valid passport/travel document
• Proof of onward flight, e.g., a valid airline ticket or a boarding pass.
• Proof of Residence permit, Green card, or Valid visa of the destination Country.
• If you are not a citizen or resident of the country that you are traveling to, you must provide proof of why you are traveling there and details of where you will stay.

Long-term Visit Visa Documents

• Proof that you have a legitimate reason to frequently transit through the UK.
• Proof that your reason to transit through the UK will not change while you are in the UK.
• Proof that the only purpose of your visit to the UK is transit.
• Proof that you will leave the UK within 48 hours.

Please Note : You should bring all the important documents when traveling through the UK.

How to Apply for a UK Transit Visa from Nigeria

Applying online for a UK transit visa is easy and simple. You only need to apply through the official visa website of the UK government .

To start your application, you will be asked to confirm your visa type and you should select ‘ visit or transit visa ’.

The application process is straightforward, it has three stages that you need to go through.

It involves:

• Completing the application form and answering the questions when prompted (this should be done in English).
• Paying the associated visa fee using your debit or credit card.
• Providing your biometric data (a copy of your fingerprints and a photograph of your face).

Please note that when submitting your application online if you leave the application window inactive for 25 minutes, the system will log you out and you will have to start over.

Biometric Data Capturing

To complete the application for a transit visa, you will be required to submit your biometrics data (fingerprints and a facial photograph) to a visa application centre (VAC) that is operated by one of the British government’s commercial partners in Abuja, Lagos, or any other VAC close to you.

The UK visa centres can be found in the following locations:

• Abuja Visa Application Centre

Third floor, Murkhtar El-Yakub Place beside Metro Plaza, on Plot 1129 Zakariya Maimalari Street, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria

• Lagos Ikeja Visa Application Centre

Ground and First Floors, Etiebets Place, 21 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

• Victoria Island Visa Application Centre

Ground Floor, Ivie House, 4/6 Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

• Port Harcourt Visa Application Centre

Présidential hôtel, 5141 Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

• Enugu Visa Application Centre

Omedel Luxury Hotel 4/6 Link Rd, Independence Layout 400271, Enugu, Nigeria

After, submitting your documents and biometric data, you will be notified about the decision on your visa after the appointment.

How much is the UK transit visa fee in Nigeria?

Once you complete the application form online, you will need to pay the visa fee online.

• A Direct Airside Transit Visa usually costs £35 (₦69,520) .
• A Visitor in Transit Visa costs £64 (₦127,122) .

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

Generally, it takes three weeks to get a UK transit visa from the date you file your application .

However, if there is a larger number of applications, the processing time could be extended to six weeks or longer. So, it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your trip if you know it is upcoming.

And, in case where you need to get your visa approved on time you should check with your visa application centre to find out about the services. Remember, staying informed and being prepared is key when it comes to getting your visa approved on time.

How long is the UK transit visa valid?

The validity of the UK Transit visa is based on the types of visas you are applying for,

• Direct Airside Transit visas are valid for up to 24 hours.
• Visitors in Transit visas are valid for up to 48 hours.
• Visit visa validity is six months for long-term and frequent transit via the UK.

Can I get a UK transit visa at the airport?

No, you will need to apply for the transit visa at the UK embassy or visa application centre in Nigeria before you travel.

Read Next : UK Dependent Visa Processing Time in Nigeria

Emmanuel Peter is the founder of Naijajapa.com. Experience gained in the Study abroad and Immigration industry since 2017. A graduate of International Relations from ABU Zaria.

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• International travel, immigration and repatriation during COVID-19
• Entering England during COVID-19

UK changes travel rules for travellers from Nigeria to England

Fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria will now be able to visit England without needing to take multiple COVID-19 tests or self isolate.

From Monday, 11 October 2021, fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria will be able to visit England without needing to provide a pre-departure test, undertake a day 8 test or self-isolate for 10 days, although will still need to book and pay for a day 2 test. This policy applies to those fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca (including Covidshield), Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson).

Fully vaccinated means that you have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in England. The day you had your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days. You must be able to prove that you have been fully vaccinated under a vaccination programme and have a valid proof of vaccination recognised by the British Government. For Nigeria, the certificates with valid QR codes as issued by Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency are recognised.

If you are not a fully vaccinated traveller from Nigeria to England, you must:

• take a pre-departure COVID-19 test – to be taken in the 3 days before travel
• book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests – to be taken after arrival
• complete a passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before arrival

After you arrive, you must:

• quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
• take a pre-booked COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8

Acting British High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, said:

The exemption of fully-vaccinated Nigerians travelling to the UK from providing a pre-departure test and self-isolating for 10 days, is a very welcome development. To make this happen, we have been working closely with Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency on recognising Nigeria’s vaccine certification, which we have now done. The UK remains committed to opening up international travel and enabling those who wish to enter the UK, to do so safely. Vaccines work and – as the pandemic has shown – no one is safe until we are all safe. I would encourage all eligible people to get vaccinated.

For more information, including on those under 18, please visit the travel guidance here .

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