Traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, family visits, or business purposes is a dream for many Nigerians. To make that happen legally, you’ll need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months. Whether you’re visiting family, attending a conference, or just exploring London, here’s how to apply for a UK visit visa from Nigeria.
1. Understand the Visa Type You Need
The Standard Visitor Visa is suitable for:
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Tourism or vacation
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Visiting family or friends
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Business meetings or conferences
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Medical treatment (short-term)
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Attending events (like weddings, graduations)
Note: It does not permit work or long-term study.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
2. Gather Required Documents
Before you start your application, make sure you have these documents:
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Valid international passport (with at least one blank page)
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Bank statements (last 6 months) – to show financial capacity
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Employment letter or proof of income/business
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Travel itinerary – flight bookings (not necessarily paid)
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Hotel reservations or invitation letter (from a UK host)
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Passport photograph (UK size, recent)
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Proof of ties to Nigeria – like job letter, family details, or property documents
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Previous travel history (if any)
Optional: Letter of introduction or reason for travel.
3. Apply Online
Go to the official UK government website for visa applications:
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa
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Click Apply Now
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Fill out the online application form (be honest and detailed)
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Select Nigeria as your location
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Pay the visa fee online (currently around £115 for a 6-month visa)
You’ll be asked to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
4. Book an Appointment at a TLScontact Visa Application Centre
After submitting your form and paying, you’ll be directed to TLScontact (the UK visa processing partner in Nigeria) to:
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Book a biometrics appointment
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Upload your documents or choose the “assisted upload” option
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Choose your preferred visa application center:
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Lagos (Victoria Island or Ikeja)
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Abuja
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You must attend the appointment in person for biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
5. Attend Your Visa Appointment
On the appointment day:
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Arrive early with all original documents
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Submit your biometric data
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Submit your passport (it will be retained during processing)
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Pay for any optional services if needed (SMS updates, express processing, etc.)
Keep the receipt and tracking number safe.
If you need an explanation on writing your CV, Cover Letter and Email Template or help applying speak to Happy Face
6. Wait for a Decision
Visa processing typically takes 15 working days, but can be faster with priority services (5 working days) or super priority services (next-day decision), if available.
You’ll receive an email once a decision is made. Then:
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Pick up your passport from the visa center
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Choose courier delivery (if selected earlier)
