If you are considering traveling to the UK for work purposes, it is essential to understand the financial implications before making such a big decision.
With the current economic climate and immigration policies in place, it’s crucial to be well-informed about the expenses involved in securing a UK work visa in Nigeria.
In this article, I will break down the various costs associated with obtaining a UK work visa in Nigeria. From application fees to healthcare surcharges, I will provide you with the visa processing time and where to pay for the visa.
Currently, as of March 2024, the cost of applying for a UK work visa from Nigeria ranges from £719 to £1,500 (₦1,483,700 to ₦3,094,735) depending on your circumstances. The amount you will pay will depend on the length of time and the type of work visa you are applying for.
UK Work Visa Cost in Nigeria
| Visa type | Visa Cost in Pounds (GBP) | Visa Cost in Naira (NGN) |
| Skilled Worker – 3 years or less – applicant and each dependant | £719 | ₦1,483,700 |
| Skilled Worker – more than 3 years – applicant and each dependant | £1,420 | ₦2,930,440 |
| Skilled Worker (shortage occupation) – 3 years or less – applicant and each dependant | £479 | ₦987,101 |
| Skilled Worker (shortage occupation) – more than 3 years – applicant and each dependant | £943 | ₦1,943,298 |
Important Notice: The fee details are in Nigerian Naira as of 13/03/2024, with an exchange rate of 1 Pound to ₦2042. Please be aware that fees in the Nigerian Currency mentioned on this page may vary with changing exchange rates. I will make an effort to keep this page updated with the latest news and rates.
Table of Contents
Types of UK Work Visa and Visa Cost
As mentioned earlier, the amount you will pay will depend on the type of work visa you are applying for. Some common visas that allow you to work in the UK include:
- Skilled Worker visa: A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to the UK for an eligible job with an approved employer. The cost of a UK Skilled worker visa for three years or less in Nigeria is £719 (₦1,483,700), while the cost of the same visa for more than three years costs £1,420 (₦2,930,440) per person.
- Health and Care Worker visa: This visa allows medical professionals to come to the UK for an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care. The cost for a Health and care worker visa for three years or less in Nigeria is £284 (₦586,062), while the cost of the same visa for more than three years costs £551 (₦1,137,030) per person.
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa: allows you to come to the UK to work in an eligible role at a UK branch of their overseas employer. This worker visa replaces the intra-company transfer or Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa. When you apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa for three years or less from Nigeria, you will pay the sum of £719 (₦1,483,700), while the cost of the same visa for more than three years will cost you £1,420 (₦2,930,440).
Immigration Health Surcharge Fees for UK Work Visa from Nigeria
Furthermore, you may be required to pay additional costs such as an immigration health surcharge (IHS), which will add to your total visa fees. You must pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS) fee as part of your application.
The IHS fee allows you to access the National Health Service (NHS) while in the UK without further charge. However, a few services, such as prescriptions and eye tests, may need to be paid for.
The table below explains the immigration health surcharge per annum for UK work visas.
| UK Work Visa types | Health surcharge (IHS) fee in Pounds (per year) | Health surcharge (IHS) fee in Naira (per year) |
| Skilled Worker visa | £1,035 | ₦2,089,575 |
| Health and Care Worker visa | —- | —- |
| Senior or Specialist Worker visa | £1,035 | ₦2,089,575 |
Please note that you will have 7 working days to pay the IHS fee after you apply for your visa, or your visa may be denied.
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How to Pay for UK Work Visa Fee & IHS Fee From Nigeria
After figuring out the type of work visa to apply for, the next step is to know how to pay for the fees. You will need a credit or debit card that processes international payments to pay for your visa application from Nigeria.
But here, I will be showing you three ways to pay the healthcare surcharge and your visa or immigration application fee.
Paying online
- Visit the UKVI payment link here to make the payment
- Select the type of visa (in this case you will select “Work“)
- Next, select the specific type of work visa you want (in this case you will select ”Work – applications made outside the UK” as the preferred option.
- After selecting the option above, select “Show all” to view all the types of work visa
- Then follow the instructions you see to make your payment.
Paying through a contact in the UK
Alternatively, if you have a family member or friends in the UK who can help you pay for your visa application and IHS fees, that could be a good option. Since many Nigerian bank cards do not work for international payments, having someone in the UK to assist with the payment process can be very helpful.
You can send them the naira equivalent of the visa application fees and they can make the payment on your behalf. This way, you can ensure that your application is processed smoothly without any issues related to payment.
Having a trusted person in the UK handle the payment can save you time and stress, allowing you to focus on preparing for your visa application. Just make sure to communicate clearly with them about the amount to be paid and any other necessary details to avoid any misunderstandings.
Paying via Pay4me App
Another way to easily pay for your IHS and work visa application is through the Pay4me App. This option I must let you know is quite expensive but really fast.
- First, download the Pay4Me App from the Play Store or AppStore
- Sign up and log in with your details.
- Go to Payments and select “UK Visa & IHS.”
- Follow all prompts and complete your payment via bank transfer, Card, or USSD.
And that’s it! You don’t have to pay in dollars. This option allows you to pay in Naira, and Pay4Me will convert it in real-time for payout.
How long does it take to get a UK work visa in Nigeria?
The standard time it takes for a UK work visa application in Nigeria is 3 weeks. But sometimes it can take longer, depending on different things. The type of visa you want, how many applications they have to look at, and if they need more papers from you can all make the wait longer.
So, when you’re applying for a UK work visa from Nigeria, be prepared to wait around 3 weeks. It could be quicker or slower, depending on these factors. Make sure to have all the right documents ready so there are no delays in processing your visa application.
Is the UK work visa fee refundable in Nigeria?
Unfortunately, if your UK work visa application gets rejected, you won’t get the fee back. It’s non-refundable. But sometimes, you might get back some additional costs if you paid for things like health surcharge for more years than needed. In that case, the UKVI will give you some money back.
So, it’s important to double-check everything before applying for a UK work visa. Make sure you’re paying only what’s necessary to avoid losing money if your application doesn’t go through. Be careful with the immigration health surcharge to avoid overpaying and make sure to follow all the rules correctly to not lose any unnecessary funds.
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