UK Student Visa Fee from Nigeria (2026)

Most Nigerian students budget for the visa application fee and get blindsided by the Immigration Health Surcharge — a mandatory, upfront NHS access charge that can cost more than the visa itself. This article breaks down every official, mandatory cost of a UK student visa from Nigeria in 2026, converted into naira, so you know the real number before you apply.

We cover the visa application fee (updated April 2026), the Immigration Health Surcharge, TB test, IELTS, VFS Global biometrics, proof-of-funds rules, and processing times — all sourced directly from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the Home Office fee schedule.

⚠️ Exchange-rate disclaimer: Naira figures in this article use an indicative rate of ₦2,050 per £1 (NFEM mid-rate, May 2026). Exchange rates move daily. Always check the live rate at the CBN website or your bank on the day you pay. The Home Office charges in GBP; your card issuer converts at the prevailing rate.

What Is the UK Student Visa (Student Route)?

The UK Student visa (formerly Tier 4) is the correct visa for Nigerian nationals who have been offered a place on a course longer than six months at a UK-licensed student sponsor — typically a university, college, or language school registered with the Home Office. You cannot use a tourist visa (Standard Visitor visa) to enrol in a degree programme or any course longer than six months. Doing so is an immigration violation and will affect all future UK applications.

To apply, you must first receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your institution. The CAS is a unique reference number the university generates once you have accepted your offer and met any conditions. You cannot start a student visa application without it. Once you have your CAS, you apply online through the UKVI portal at gov.uk/student-visa, pay all fees online, then attend a VFS Global appointment in Lagos or Abuja for biometric enrolment.

The Official UK Student Visa Fee in 2026

Visa Application Fee

The Home Office raised student visa fees on 8 April 2026. The current fee, applicable to all applications submitted on or after that date, is set out below. These figures are taken from the official Home Office Immigration and Nationality Fees table published on GOV.UK.

Course / Application Type	Fee (GBP)	Approx. Naira*
Student visa — course longer than 6 months (standard)	£558	≈ ₦1,144,000
Student visa — short-term study (6 months or less)	£200	≈ ₦410,000
Student visa — short-term English language (up to 11 months)	£400	≈ ₦820,000
Child Student visa (independent school, ages 4–17)	£558	≈ ₦1,144,000

*Based on ₦2,050/£1. Verify the live rate before paying.

How you pay: The fee is paid online through the UKVI application portal. You will need a debit or credit card that supports international (USD/GBP) transactions. Cards that commonly work for Nigerian applicants include GTBank Mastercard, Zenith Bank Visa, or a dedicated dollar/pound card. Standard naira debit cards are often declined — test your card on a small international transaction first if you are unsure.

Is the fee refundable? No. The application fee is non-refundable whether your visa is approved, refused, or if you withdraw the application. The only partial exception is the Immigration Health Surcharge (see below), which is refunded automatically if the visa is refused.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

This is the cost that shocks most Nigerian applicants. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory upfront payment that gives you access to the NHS during your stay in the UK — exactly the same access as a UK resident. It is not optional, and it cannot be waived because you plan to use private healthcare. It is paid in the same online session as the visa application fee; you cannot submit your application without it.

The student rate is £776 per year of visa permission granted (not just the course length — your visa typically includes one month before your course starts and two to four months after it ends). IHS rates remained unchanged in the April 2026 fee update.

Visa Duration (approx.)	IHS Fee (GBP)	Approx. Naira*
1 year	£776	≈ ₦1,591,000
2 years	£1,552	≈ ₦3,182,000
3 years	£2,328	≈ ₦4,772,000
4 years	£3,104	≈ ₦6,363,000

*Based on ₦2,050/£1. Use the official IHS calculator on GOV.UK to get your exact charge before applying.

IHS refund policy: If your visa is refused, UKVI automatically refunds the IHS. This typically takes up to six weeks to reach your card. You do not need to request it, but you should monitor your account and contact UKVI if it has not arrived after six weeks.

Biometric Enrolment — VFS Global Nigeria

After submitting your online application, you must attend a VFS Global Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Nigeria to provide your fingerprints and photograph. VFS Global operates two UK visa centres in Nigeria:

Lagos (Victoria Island) — serves South-West Nigeria
Abuja (Central Business District) — serves the FCT and North

The biometric service fee is approximately £19.20 (at current rates), usually bundled into the VFS appointment booking. VFS Global may also offer optional premium lounge or document-checking services at additional cost; these are not mandatory.

⚠️ Appointment availability: UK visa appointment slots at VFS Lagos and Abuja fill up quickly, especially between June and September (the peak intake season for the September university starts). Book your biometric appointment as soon as you receive your CAS — do not wait until you have finished gathering documents. You can attend the appointment before all your documents are finalised, as long as you upload them to the UKVI portal in time.

Mandatory Costs Before You Even Apply

These costs are incurred in Nigeria before you submit your visa application. They are not paid to UKVI — but they are required as part of a complete, valid application.

TB (Tuberculosis) Test

Nigeria is on the UK's list of countries where applicants must undergo a tuberculosis screening test before applying for a visa lasting more than six months. The test must be carried out at a UKVI-approved clinic in Nigeria. Results from non-approved clinics are not accepted. The TB certificate is valid for six months from the date of the test — plan your test timing carefully if your course start is several months away.

UKVI-approved clinics in Nigeria (as of 2026):

CLINA-LANCET Laboratories — Lagos and Abuja
SYNLAB Nigeria — Lagos

Always verify the current approved list at gov.uk/tb-test-visa/nigeria before booking, as the list is updated periodically.

Cost: approximately ₦35,000 – ₦55,000 depending on clinic and location.

English Language Test (IELTS / PTE Academic)

Unless your previous degree was taught entirely in English at an institution in a majority-English-speaking country, you must provide an approved English language test result. The two most widely accepted tests are:

IELTS Academic (British Council Nigeria or IDP) — the most commonly required test by UK universities. Minimum score typically IELTS 6.0–6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5. Check your specific university's requirement in your offer letter.
PTE Academic (Pearson) — accepted by most UK universities as an alternative to IELTS. Equivalent score bands apply.

Important: From 8 January 2026, new applicants for degree-level study must meet a minimum of CEFR Level B2 English — check your university's CAS and offer letter to confirm the exact requirement for your course.

Cost (Nigeria, 2026):
IELTS Academic — approximately ₦115,000 – ₦130,000 (British Council Nigeria). PTE Academic is in a similar range. Book your test early — popular dates sell out weeks in advance.

Document Costs

Depending on your university's requirements and your specific circumstances, you may also need to budget for:

Academic transcript notarisation or certified translation: ₦5,000 – ₦15,000 (if your documents are not in English)
Document courier to UK (if required by sponsor): ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 via DHL or FedEx
Nigerian police clearance certificate: required for some postgraduate courses — check with your institution

Proof of Funds: What UKVI Requires from Nigerian Applicants

This is not a fee — but failing this requirement is the single most common reason Nigerian student visa applications are refused. You must demonstrate in your bank statements that you can afford both your tuition and your living costs in the UK.

Current maintenance fund thresholds (2026):

London-based courses: £1,334 per month for living costs, for up to 9 months (£12,006 total)
Courses outside London: £1,023 per month, for up to 9 months (£9,207 total)

You must show the required maintenance funds plus any outstanding tuition fees listed on your CAS. The total figure can easily exceed £20,000–£30,000 (₦41M–₦61.5M) for a three-year undergraduate degree at a London university.

The 28-Day Rule — Read This Carefully
The full required amount must sit in your account (or your sponsor's account) for 28 consecutive days without dropping below the threshold for a single day. The closing balance on your bank statement must be dated within 31 days of your visa application date. A single day below the required amount results in refusal. Large, unexplained deposits made just before the 28-day period will also raise a red flag. Plan your finances at least 60 days before you intend to apply.

You may use your own account, a parent's account (with a consent letter and birth certificate), or a corporate sponsor's letter. Bank loans are accepted only if they are educational loans from a regulated financial institution, in your name.

Total Cost Summary — What to Budget for Your UK Student Visa

The table below pulls together every mandatory cost. Naira figures use ₦2,050/£1 — verify the current rate before your payment date.

Cost Item	GBP	Approx. Naira	Notes
Visa application fee	£558	≈ ₦1,144,000	Non-refundable. Paid online to UKVI.
IHS — 1-year course	£776	≈ ₦1,591,000	Refunded if visa refused.
IHS — 2-year course	£1,552	≈ ₦3,182,000	Refunded if visa refused.
IHS — 3-year course	£2,328	≈ ₦4,772,000	Refunded if visa refused.
TB test (approved clinic)	—	≈ ₦35,000 – ₦55,000	Must be UKVI-approved clinic.
IELTS Academic / PTE	—	≈ ₦115,000 – ₦130,000	May be waived if prior degree was in English.
VFS Global biometrics	≈ £19.20	≈ ₦39,000	Lagos or Abuja VAC.
Documents / courier	—	≈ ₦15,000 – ₦30,000	Notarisation, translation, DHL if needed.
TOTAL — 1-year course	—	≈ ₦3.0M – ₦3.1M	Visa + IHS (1yr) + supporting costs
TOTAL — 3-year undergraduate	—	≈ ₦6.3M – ₦6.5M	Visa + IHS (3yrs) + supporting costs

Important: The figures above cover visa costs only — not tuition fees or living expenses. A year of tuition at a UK university typically costs £12,000–£38,000 (₦24.6M–₦77.9M) for international students, plus £9,207–£12,006 in living costs.

How Long Does the UK Student Visa Take from Nigeria?

For a student visa applied for from outside the UK, UKVI targets the following processing times:

Standard processing: 3 weeks (15 working days) from the date of your biometric appointment at VFS Global.
Priority service: approximately 5 working days (+£500, paid during the online application).
Super Priority service: next working day (+£1,000) — check current availability for applications from Nigeria at the time of your application, as this service is not always available at all VAC locations.

Practical advice: Apply at least 6 weeks before your course start date — 8–10 weeks if you want a comfortable margin. Do not book non-refundable flights until you have received your visa decision. Processing times are targets, not guarantees; they can extend during peak periods (June–August) when application volumes are highest.

You can check your application status at any time through the UKVI tracking service on GOV.UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if my UK student visa is refused?

The visa application fee (£558) is non-refundable in all circumstances — refusal, withdrawal, or approval. The Immigration Health Surcharge is refundable if your visa is refused; UKVI processes this automatically within approximately six weeks. You do not need to request it, but contact UKVI if it has not arrived after six weeks.

Can I apply for a UK student visa from Nigeria if I'm not a Nigerian citizen?

Yes. If you are a legal resident in Nigeria — for example, on a Nigerian residence permit — you can submit your UK student visa application and attend your biometric appointment at VFS Global Lagos or Abuja. You do not need to return to your country of citizenship to apply.

Do I need to show proof of funds, and how much?

Yes. You must show that you can cover your outstanding tuition fees (as stated on your CAS) plus your living costs: £1,334 per month for 9 months (£12,006) if your university is in London, or £1,023 per month for 9 months (£9,207) if outside London. The full amount must sit in your account (or your sponsor's account) for 28 consecutive days, with the closing bank statement dated within 31 days of your application date.

What English language score do I need for a UK student visa in 2026?

From 8 January 2026, the minimum English language requirement for degree-level study in the UK is CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, depending on the institution). Your specific university will state the required score in your offer letter and on your CAS. Some postgraduate programmes require higher scores. Check your offer documentation carefully rather than assuming a universal minimum applies.

Can I work while studying in the UK on a student visa?

Can You Work in the UK on a Student Visa? →

Can I stay in the UK after graduation?

Graduate Route Visa: Can You Stay in the UK After Your Studies? →

What happens if my UK student visa application is refused?

A refusal does not automatically ban you from reapplying, but it does leave a record on your immigration history. Common refusal reasons from Nigeria include failure to meet the 28-day funds rule, submitting altered bank statements (which can result in a 10-year ban), inconsistencies between the CAS and submitted documents, and insufficient English language evidence. If you are refused, read the refusal letter carefully — it states the specific reason — before deciding whether to reapply.

Which UK Universities Can You Actually Afford?

Now you know what the visa costs — the next question is which universities fit your total budget. Answer 2 quick questions and we'll match you to UK schools that suit your finances and academic goals.

Bottom Line

The total government cost of a UK student visa from Nigeria — before you set foot on a plane or pay a single naira of tuition — ranges from approximately ₦3.0 million for a one-year course to ₦6.5 million for a three-year undergraduate degree. That is the visa application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, TB test, IELTS, biometrics, and basic document costs combined. It does not include tuition, accommodation, flights, or living expenses.

These costs make it more important than ever to choose the right university, prepare a correct application first time, and understand exactly what UKVI expects before you submit. A refused application loses you the £558 visa fee and sets back your timeline by months.

Ready to start your UK university application? Apply through Tundua →

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