Many Nigerians now consider the United Kingdom to be their second home. The United Kingdom has long been a popular destination for Nigerians seeking education, employment, or pleasure.
However, there has been an increase in the number of Nigerians moving to the United Kingdom. The rationale for this is not farfetched. Due to the deplorable status of the Nigerian economy, the majority of Nigerians want to relocate to the United Kingdom for better living circumstances.
In general, before coming to the United Kingdom from Nigeria, you must have a valid visa. You will not be permitted to enter the country without a visa. Nonetheless, certain business visitors may be qualified to seek a visa upon arrival.
This guide provides everything you need to know about easy ways of migrating to the UK from Nigeria.
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What are the UK visas for Nigerians?
Nigerians interested in visiting the United Kingdom can apply for various visas. The Standard Visitor visa is the most frequent form of visa, allowing visitors to travel to the UK for tourism, business, or to see family and friends.
Nigerians may be permitted to work in the UK if they have a Skilled Worker visa or another type of work visa.
Other forms of UK visas for Nigerians include student and partner/spouse visas. In addition to visas, there are settlement alternatives.
UK Visa Options for Nigerians
1. Student Visa
This is often known as a tier 4 visa, and it is typically valid for one year. Students who have been admitted to a UK educational institution are granted a student visa. Let’s look at some of the criteria for this form of visa.
- The applicant must have been admitted to a full-time educational program in the United Kingdom.
- The candidate must be able to pay for his or her own tuition and living expenses.
- The applicant must be able to demonstrate that he or she will not rely on government funding.
- The candidate must study B2-level English using the Common European Framework of References for Languages.
- The applicant must be capable of communicating in English.
- The applicant must intend to return to Nigeria following completion of the course.
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2. Spouse Visa
If you want to join your spouse in the UK from Nigeria, you must apply for a Spouse Visa. To be eligible, you must satisfy the following criteria:
- You and your companion are 18 or older.
- You must be married or in a civil partnership recognized in the United Kingdom.
- Your sponsoring partner must be a British citizen or a UK-based resident.
- You must have met at least once before getting married.
- You must have lived together for the last two years.
If you and your spouse are not married but intend to marry in the UK after you come from Nigeria, you can apply for a Fiancé Visa.
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3. Entrepreneur Visa
An entrepreneur visa is a tier 1 visa that allows high-value immigrants and Nigerian entrepreneurs to migrate to the UK. This category includes the following permits:
- Global Talent Visa: for those who work in specialized professions such as science, medicine, or the arts who are internationally acknowledged as specialists in their field.
- Tier 1 (Investor): Interested Nigerians with at least £2,000,000 to invest in the UK are eligible for this visa.
- Start-Up Visa: this is for people who wish to establish their first business in the UK and have a lot of potential. There is no minimum investment required for this permission.
4. Work Visa
For Nigerians to work in the UK, they must apply for a skilled worker visa. To be eligible, you must have received and accepted a work offer from a UK-based business with a current Certificate of Sponsorship. This visa tier consists of the following permits:
- Skilled Worker Visa: This visa is intended for foreign highly skilled workers who fulfill certain eligibility standards.
- Tier 2 (ICT): This is only offered to existing workers who work abroad but need to relocate to a UK division of their firm.
- Sportsperson Visa: This visa is for globally recognized athletes and qualified coaches.
- Minister of Religion Visa: This is intended for foreign religious workers.
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How Nigerians Can Apply for UK Permanent Residency
If you satisfy certain requirements, you can apply for indefinite leave to stay in the UK and eventually earn permanent residency. If your application is successful, you will be able to live in the UK with no restrictions on immigration.
However, you will not be able to vote or possess a UK passport until you have applied for and received one.
Nigerians must meet the following requirements to apply for permanent residency in the United Kingdom:
- You must have lived lawfully in the UK for at least 5 years. Moreover, you must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
- You have to show your command and usage of English, as well as your knowledge of British customs.
How do I apply for a UK visa from Nigeria?
The procedure of applying for a UK visa varies based on the kind of visa and your specific circumstances. In most situations, you can submit your UK visa application online via the official UK Government website.
However, the bulk of visa applications need a face-to-face interview. Furthermore, you will need to schedule an appointment to have your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs) taken.
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Do I need a visa to visit the UK from Nigeria?
If you want to visit the UK for tourism, business, or private medical treatment, you must first apply for a Visitor Visa.
A normal UK visiting visa can be used for unpaid business or creative engagements, family visits, leisure trips, and private medical care.
How do I apply to study in the UK?
Nigerian students who want to study in the UK can apply for a student visa. This visa is accessible to all international pupils aged 18 and older who have been given a place at a UK educational institution with a valid sponsor license.