Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
The UK Standard Visitor visa for up to 6 months costs £135, which is about ₦238,000 at the Central Bank of Nigeria rate of ₦1,762.40 per pound on 28 September 2026. Long-term visit visas cost £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years) and £1,128 (10 years). The Home Office’s fee table taking effect on 8 October 2026 shows no change to these amounts. You pay in pounds, so the naira cost moves with the exchange rate and your bank’s card rate.
Most Nigerians searching for UK visa fees want one number: the cost of a 6-month visitor visa. This guide gives that figure first, then the long-term visitor, student and work visa fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, optional priority services and the other costs that add up. All fees are from GOV.UK; the naira figures are conversions, not official prices.
UK visitor visa fees for Nigerians (2026)
| Visa | Official fee | Approx. in naira* |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor, up to 6 months | £135 | ₦237,900 |
| Standard Visitor for medical reasons (up to 11 months) | £234 | ₦412,400 |
| Standard Visitor for academics (up to 12 months) | £234 | ₦412,400 |
| Long-term visitor, 2 years | £506 | ₦891,800 |
| Long-term visitor, 5 years | £903 | ₦1.59 million |
| Long-term visitor, 10 years | £1,128 | ₦1.99 million |
Sources: GOV.UK, Standard Visitor visa fees; GOV.UK, Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 October 2026. *Converted at the CBN rate of ₦1,762.40 per pound reported on 28 September 2026.
With a long-term visit visa you can still stay only up to 6 months on each visit. It suits people who travel to the UK often, such as business travellers or parents visiting family.
Student and work visa fees
| Visa (applying from outside the UK) | Official fee | Approx. in naira* |
|---|---|---|
| Student (main applicant and each dependant) | £558 | ₦983,400 |
| Skilled Worker, up to 3 years | £819 | ₦1.44 million |
| Skilled Worker, over 3 years | £1,618 | ₦2.85 million |
| Health and Care Worker, up to 3 years | £324 | ₦571,000 |
| Health and Care Worker, over 3 years | £628 | ₦1.11 million |
Source: GOV.UK, Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 October 2026 (shows no change from the current fees). *Converted at ₦1,762.40 per pound.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Students and workers usually also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which gives access to the NHS. It is charged per year and paid when you apply. The GOV.UK visitor visa fee list does not include it; it applies to study and work visas.
| Applicant | IHS per year | Approx. in naira* |
|---|---|---|
| Students, their dependants, Youth Mobility, under-18s | £776 | ₦1.37 million |
| Everyone else (e.g. Skilled Workers) | £1,035 | ₦1.82 million |
Source: GOV.UK, Immigration Health Surcharge: how much you pay (accessed 28 September 2026).
Example: a student on a one-year course pays the £558 visa fee plus £776 IHS, a total of £1,334, or about ₦2.35 million at the rate above. That is before tuition, maintenance funds or flights.
Optional priority services
- Priority visa service (non-settlement): £500, about ₦881,200.
- Super priority visa service: £1,000, about ₦1.76 million.
Standard visitor decisions are usually made within 3 weeks of your appointment at the visa application centre, according to GOV.UK. Check whether a priority service is offered for your visa when you book your appointment.
How much is a UK visa in naira right now?
You pay UK visa fees in pounds sterling, so the naira cost depends on the rate your card or bank uses on the day. On 28 September 2026 the CBN official rate was about ₦1,762.40 per pound, while parallel market rates were around ₦1,850–₦1,880. A card payment may land between these. Build in a margin of 5% or so when budgeting.
| 6-month visitor visa (£135) at | Naira cost |
|---|---|
| ₦1,762.40 per £ (CBN, 28 Sep 2026) | About ₦237,900 |
| ₦1,880 per £ (parallel market, 28 Sep 2026) | About ₦253,800 |
Source: Nairatoday, naira exchange rates for 28 September 2026 (CBN official and parallel market).
Other costs to budget for
- Visa application centre extras. The biometrics appointment is part of the process, but the centre also sells optional add-on services. Check the current list and prices on the official VFS Global UK visa site for Nigeria and only buy what you need.
- Documents. Translations, bank statements, sponsor letters and certified copies can all carry fees.
- Tuberculosis test. Some longer-stay applicants must provide a TB test certificate from an approved clinic; check GOV.UK to see whether it applies to you.
- Travel to the application centre and back, and possibly a hotel if you live far from one.
- Flights and travel insurance, which are separate from the visa.
How to apply and pay, step by step
- Choose the right visa on GOV.UK. Visitors apply for the Standard Visitor visa. The UK’s electronic travel authorisation (ETA) is only for certain nationalities, so use GOV.UK’s “Check if you need a UK visa” tool to confirm which you need.
- Complete the online form on GOV.UK, leaving enough time before your trip for the standard 3-week decision period.
- Pay the fee online in pounds, plus the IHS if it applies.
- Book your appointment at a UK visa application centre in Nigeria to give fingerprints and a photo.
- Attend with your documents and passport, then wait for the decision.
Watch out for scams. Only pay visa fees through GOV.UK and official appointment channels. No agent can guarantee a visa or a faster decision for extra money. Travo does not issue visas and is not a Home Office or VFS partner; our visa guide points you to official channels.
Visa approved? Plan the journey
Book a reliable ride to the airport for your UK flight, or a pickup when you come home, with the price agreed in advance.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UK visa fee for 6 months in Nigeria?
£135 for a Standard Visitor visa of up to 6 months. That was about ₦238,000 at the CBN rate on 28 September 2026, but the naira amount changes with the exchange rate.
Is the UK visa fee going up in October 2026?
The Home Office fee table dated 8 October 2026 shows no change to visitor, student, Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker fees compared with the current amounts.
Can I pay the UK visa fee in naira?
The fee is set and charged in pounds. If you pay with a naira card, your bank converts it at its own rate, which may differ from the CBN rate.
What is the cheapest UK visa for a short visit?
The Standard Visitor visa for up to 6 months, at £135. Long-term visit visas cost more but let you make repeat visits of up to 6 months each over 2, 5 or 10 years.
How long does a UK visitor visa take from Nigeria?
GOV.UK says you should usually get a decision within 3 weeks of your visa application centre appointment. Priority services may be faster where available.
Do visitors pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The GOV.UK visitor visa fee list includes no health surcharge; the IHS is charged on study and work visas. Visitors should buy travel health insurance instead.
Related guides
- Canada visa fee in Nigeria
- ECOWAS passport vs international passport
- How to get picked up at Lagos airport
- How many hours from Nigeria to Canada
- Lagos airport taxi guide
Need a passport first? See passport assist, or compare fares on our flight deals page.
Sources: GOV.UK, Standard Visitor visa fees and processing time; GOV.UK, Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 October 2026; GOV.UK, Immigration Health Surcharge; Nairatoday, CBN and parallel market rates (28 September 2026). Visa rules and fees can change; always check GOV.UK before you apply. Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
