United Kingdom Tourist Visa
Standard Visitor Visa · For Nigeria citizens
Planning a trip to the UK as a Nigerian citizen? This guide covers everything you need for the Standard Visitor Visa application: required documents, current fees of £127, processing times of 3 weeks, and strategies to improve your chances. With a 57% approval rate for Nigerian applicants, thorough preparation and strong documentation are essential for success.
UK Tourist Visa for Nigerian Citizens (2025) - Document Checklist
For Nigeria citizens · VisaBeat.com
Document Checklist
Your current passport must be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay in the UK
Complete the online visa application form on the gov.uk website
Bank statements showing sufficient funds to cover your trip and daily expenses
Documentation proving your employment status and income
Details of your planned activities and accommodation in the UK
Evidence demonstrating your intention to return to Nigeria
Fingerprints and photograph taken at VFS Global visa application centre
Recommended (Optional)
Letter from sponsor covering your expenses or host inviting you
Certified translations of any non-English documents
Application Process
All applications must be submitted online through the UK government portal.1 The process involves four main steps:
1. Complete Online Application
Fill out the visa application form at gov.uk, providing comprehensive information about your travel plans, finances, employment, and background. Pay the £127 fee online using a debit or credit card.12
2. Book Biometrics Appointment
After submitting your application, book an appointment at a VFS Global visa application centre.5 Centres operate in Lagos (Victoria Island and Ikeja), Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu.5 Pay the VFS service fee of approximately £76.50 when booking.5
3. Attend Appointment
At your appointment, you will provide your fingerprints and have your photograph taken.1 Bring your passport, appointment confirmation, and all supporting documents. You can upload documents online before your appointment or use the Document Scanning Service at the centre.5
4. Wait for Decision
Standard processing takes 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment.4 You will receive an email when a decision has been made. Your passport will be available for collection at the VFS centre or can be couriered to you for an additional fee.5
Fees
| Service | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa (6 months) | £127 | 3 weeks |
| Priority Service | +£500 | 5 working days |
| Super Priority Service | +£1,000 | Next working day |
| 2-Year Long-Term Visa | £475 | 3 weeks |
| 5-Year Long-Term Visa | £848 | 3 weeks |
| 10-Year Long-Term Visa | £1,059 | 3 weeks |
VFS Global charges an additional service fee of approximately £76.50.5 Payment at VFS centres must be made in US dollars due to Nigerian banking regulations.5 Optional services like SMS updates, courier delivery, and premium lounge access cost extra.
What You Need to Prove
According to UK Immigration Rules, you must demonstrate that you are a genuine visitor.3 This means showing:
- Genuine intention to visit for a permitted purpose and leave at the end of your stay3
- Sufficient funds to cover all costs without working or accessing public funds3
- Ability to pay for your return journey and any other costs relating to your visit3
- Strong ties to Nigeria that will compel you to return after your visit3
Nigerian applicants face higher scrutiny, so comprehensive documentation is essential. Focus on demonstrating stable employment, property ownership, family ties, and a clear, believable travel purpose.
Processing Times
The current processing time for Standard Visitor Visa applications from Nigeria is 3 weeks.4 This is measured from the date of your biometrics appointment at the VFS centre.
Processing may take longer if:4
- Information in your application requires further consideration
- You need to provide additional evidence
- Supporting documents need verification
- You need to attend an interview
If you need a faster decision, Priority service (5 working days) and Super Priority service (next working day) are available for additional fees.6 Super Priority is only available at Lagos Victoria Island and Abuja centres.
After Your Visa is Approved
Once approved, your visa will be placed in your passport. Check the validity dates carefully. You can enter the UK any time during the validity period and stay for up to 6 months per visit.
At the UK border, you may be asked to show:
- Return flight tickets or travel arrangements
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
- Evidence of funds (bank statements, cash, or cards)
- Details of your travel plans and itinerary
- Invitation letter from UK host (if applicable)
If Your Visa is Refused
If refused, you will receive a letter explaining the specific reasons. Common refusal grounds include insufficient funds, weak ties to Nigeria, or unconvincing travel purpose. You can:
- Reapply with improved documentation addressing the issues raised
- Request administrative review within 28 days if you believe an error was made
- Seek legal advice for complex cases or multiple refusals
There is generally no right of appeal for visitor visa refusals. A refusal does not permanently prevent future applications, but you must address the concerns raised. Wait until you have genuinely stronger documentation before reapplying.
Common Rejection Reasons
Based on official refusal data for this corridor
Insufficient Financial Evidence
Bank statements do not show enough funds, demonstrate suspicious patterns like large unexplained deposits close to application date, or show inconsistent income patterns that do not match employment claims.
How to avoid: Show 6 months of statements with consistent balance and regular salary credits. Avoid large deposits in the weeks before applying. Ensure bank balance comfortably covers all trip costs plus buffer. Include domiciliary accounts and fixed deposits.
Weak Ties to Home Country
Unable to demonstrate strong reasons to return to Nigeria after the visit. Applicants without property, stable employment, or family obligations are seen as higher risk.
How to avoid: Include property documents (Certificate of Occupancy), CAC business registration, employment letter showing 2+ years tenure, marriage certificate, and children's birth certificates. Property ownership is one of the strongest ties.
Previous Immigration Issues
History of visa refusals, overstays, or violations in the UK or other countries raises serious concerns about future compliance with immigration rules.
How to avoid: Be completely honest about previous issues in your application. Provide evidence of changed circumstances and explain how your situation has improved. Never hide past refusals as this will be discovered and result in automatic refusal.
Incomplete or Inconsistent Documentation
Application contains missing documents, contradictory information, or unexplained gaps. Information does not match across different documents, such as salary differences between employment letter and bank statements.
How to avoid: Double-check all dates and figures match across documents. Provide explanation letters for any gaps or discrepancies. Ensure salary in employment letter matches bank statement credits exactly.
Unconvincing Travel Purpose
The stated purpose of visit seems implausible, or the itinerary does not match the visa duration or applicant's profile. Vague travel plans raise concerns about true intentions.
How to avoid: Provide a clear, detailed, and realistic day-by-day itinerary. If visiting family or friends, include invitation letters with their UK immigration status and relationship proof. Business visitors should include meeting invitations and business correspondence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in the UK on a tourist visa?
The Standard Visitor Visa allows you to stay for up to 6 months per visit. However, you cannot live in the UK through frequent or successive visits. Immigration officers may question you if you spend more time in the UK than in Nigeria.
Can I work on a UK tourist visa?
No, the Standard Visitor Visa does not permit any form of paid or unpaid work in the UK. This includes freelance work, even for clients outside the UK. If you need to work, you must apply for an appropriate work visa.
How long does UK visa processing take from Nigeria?
Standard processing takes 3 weeks from your biometrics appointment. Priority service (£500) delivers a decision within 5 working days. Super Priority service (£1,000) provides a decision by the end of the next working day. Super Priority is available at Lagos (Victoria Island) and Abuja centres.
What is the UK tourist visa fee for Nigerians in 2025?
The Standard Visitor Visa fee is £127 for stays up to 6 months. Long-term visas are available: 2 years (£475), 5 years (£848), or 10 years (£1,059). VFS Global charges an additional service fee of approximately £76.50.
Do I need to book flights before applying?
No, you are not required to book flights before applying. The UK government advises against booking non-refundable travel until your visa is approved. A detailed itinerary showing planned travel dates is sufficient.
Can I extend my UK tourist visa?
In most cases, you cannot extend a Standard Visitor Visa. You are expected to leave the UK before your visa expires. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies.
What is the approval rate for UK visas from Nigeria?
The approval rate for UK visitor visas from Nigeria is approximately 57%. This means about 43% of applications are refused. Common refusal reasons include insufficient financial evidence, weak ties to home country, and unconvincing travel purpose. Thorough preparation significantly improves your chances.
What happens if my visa is refused?
You will receive a refusal letter explaining the specific reasons. You can either reapply with improved documentation addressing the issues raised, or in some cases request an administrative review. There is generally no appeal right for visitor visas. A refusal does not permanently ban you from future applications.
Do I need a TB test for a UK tourist visa?
A TB test is only required if you plan to stay in the UK for more than 6 months. For a standard 6-month tourist visa, no TB test is needed. If required, tests must be done at approved IOM clinics in Lagos or Abuja.
Where can I submit my UK visa application in Nigeria?
VFS Global operates visa application centres in Lagos (Victoria Island and Ikeja), Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu. You must book an appointment online after submitting your application. Super Priority service is only available at Lagos Victoria Island and Abuja centres.