UK Dependent Visa Processing Time in Nigeria

One of the key considerations when planning your UK dependent visa application from Nigeria is the processing time. Understanding how long it takes for your visa to be processed can help you plan your travel and relocation arrangements accordingly.

In this article, I will provide you with information on the processing time for UK Dependent Visas in Nigeria, including key factors that can impact the duration of the process. By arming yourself with this knowledge, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient visa application experience.

Basically, if you are applying for a UK dependent visa for your spouse or children under 18 from Nigeria, it usually takes around 12 weeks to process. But, if you want to speed things up, there are options available. You can choose the priority service which will give you a decision within 5 working days. This means you won’t have to wait as long to find out if your visa has been approved.

Alternatively, there is the super-priority service which offers an even quicker decision time. With this service, you can get a decision on your visa application within just 24 hours. Although these faster services come at an additional cost, they can be worth it if you need your visa urgently.

What is the New Update about Dependent Visa in the UK?

Recently, it was shared that the UK’s Home Office has started enforcing a ban on dependant visas for Nigerian students and health workers. This means that these individuals are not allowed to bring their family members to the UK, except for students on Postgraduate research or government-funded scholarships. Currently, Healthcare workers are not exempt from this ban.

According to The Vanguard News, these changes are part of a larger plan by the UK government to reduce the number of migrants coming into the country and to prevent abuse of the immigration system. These new measures aim to manage migration levels more effectively and ensure that only those who truly meet the criteria can bring their families along. So, you need to check if you can bring a family member to the UK.

Who Can Bring Their Family to the UK on a Dependent Visa (Based on the new rule)?

The new rules in the UK allow certain visa holders to bring their family members on a Dependent Visa. If you have a Student Visa for postgraduate research or a Worker Visa like the Skilled Worker Visa, you may be eligible to bring your dependents with you. Other qualifying visa types include the Innovator Visa, Global Talent Visa, Start-Up Visa, and Ancestry Visa.

To apply for a Dependent Visa, your family member must be your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner (if you’ve lived together for at least 2 years), or children under 18.

This means that if you hold one of the approved visas and meet the requirements, you can bring your immediate family members to stay with you while you’re in the UK. Make sure to check the specific criteria and provide all necessary documentation when applying for a Dependent Visa.

Factors that affect UK dependent Visa processing time in Nigeria

When applying for a dependent visa, the processing time is usually around 12 weeks. However, there may be delays due to various reasons. In Nigeria, the main reason for delays is the large number of applications waiting to be processed.

Other factors that can affect processing times include:

• If your situation is complicated
• If there are concerns about whether you meet all the requirements, it might take longer to process your visa. Problems with the documents you provide could also cause a delay, like if they’re not genuine or if you didn’t give enough information.
• The volume of documents provided may also cause a delay.
• Another factor that can affect how long it takes to get your visa is if you have to go for an interview.
• The number of caseworkers at UKVI who handle these applications also plays a role in how quickly things move along.

So, while 12 weeks is the usual timeline, remember that various factors can impact how long it actually takes for your dependent visa to be processed.

How to Speed Up UK Dependent Visa in Nigeria

In Nigeria, if your dependent visa is taking too long to process, you have the option to speed it up. This means you can pay for a faster service to get a decision on your application quicker. When applying for a dependent visa, you can choose either the priority service or the super priority service.

With the priority service, your visa application will be decided within 5 working days after attending your appointment at the visa centre or uploading your documents online. If you opt for the super priority service, a decision will be made in just 1 to 2 working days after attending your appointment or uploading documents.

I have detailed the steps to apply for a UK Priority or super priority visa here. It’s important to know your options and choose what works best for you when applying for a UK dependent visa.

How much is the UK dependent visa fee in Nigeria?

If you are sure and have confirmed that you can bring your loved ones with you to the UK, The next thing you want to find out is how much the visa application costs.

According to the government of the UK, joining your spouse as a dependent costs £1,846 (₦3,760,799) for each dependent, applying from Nigeria. This figure is based on the conversion rate at the time of writing (1 GBP/2037.80 NGN).

UK dependent visa applicants from Nigeria must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS fee amounts to £3,105 (₦6,325,721). This figure is based on the conversion rate at the time of writing (1 GBP/2037.80 NGN).

Aside from the cost, other vital parts, like how you can apply for this dependent visa, are essential travel information you need to have. Check my recent blog post on UK dependent visa requirements, cost & how to apply for more details.

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