Moving to the UK from Nigeria
Complete guide for Nigerian citizens, students, healthcare workers, and tech professionals relocating to the United Kingdom. Includes TB testing rules, Ecctis degree equivalence, TLScontact biometrics in Lagos and Abuja, and 2026 Home Office salary thresholds.
TLScontact
- TLScontact Victoria Island (Lagos)
- TLScontact Ikeja (Lagos)
- TLScontact Abuja (Central Business District)
Mandatory Pre-Departure
IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre (Lagos: 1 Isaac John St, Ikeja GRA) • IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre (Abuja: No. 4 Hassan Musa Katsina St, Asokoro)
SELT (IELTS for UKVI / PTE Academic UKVI) or Ecctis Degree Comparability
Nigerian degree holders must verify their Bachelor or Masters degree through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) with an Academic Qualification Level Statement and English Language Proficiency Statement.
Nigerian Naira (NGN)
The Home Office converts bank balances using the official exchange rate on OANDA on the date of online application submission.
Top UK Visa Pathways for Citizens of Nigeria
Skilled Worker Visa (Tech & Engineering)
Very High DemandDirect sponsorship from UK employers for software engineers, data analysts, and corporate professionals.
Health and Care Worker Visa
Very High DemandFor qualified nurses, doctors, and allied healthcare professionals with NHS trusts and care providers. Exempt from IHS fee.
Student Visa & Graduate Route
High DemandHigher education Masters and PhD programmes with 2-year post-study right to work.
Global Talent Visa
Growing DemandTech Nation endorsement for exceptional software engineers and startup founders without needing an employer sponsor.
Critical Financial Evidence Guidelines (Nigeria)
- Ensure bank statements strictly cover 28 continuous days without dropping below the threshold for even one day.
- Obtain bank statements showing official bank stamp, barcode, and contact verification details.
- Be mindful of Naira (NGN) exchange rate volatility against GBP; maintain a 10–15% buffer above the official OANDA rate used by the Home Office.
Common Refusal Pitfalls for Nigeria Applicants
- Booking TB tests late: IOM appointment slots fill up weeks in advance, especially during peak student season (July–September).
- Unexplained lump sum deposits in bank statements that may trigger caseworker scrutiny under Appendix Finance.
- Using non-UKVI approved English tests instead of SELT (IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI).
Official Statutory References & Guidance
All requirements, salary floors, maintenance rates, and eligibility criteria on this page are cross-checked against official UK Government legislation, Immigration Rules, and regulatory guidance:
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker Visa Guidance & Overview
Official UK government specifications for employer sponsorship, minimum salary thresholds, and eligibility.
- GOV.UK — Tuberculosis (TB) Screening for UK Visas
List of countries requiring pre-departure chest X-ray screening and approved clinic locations.
- GOV.UK — Approved English Language Tests (SELT)
List of approved SELT providers (IELTS SELT Consortium, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert, PSI Skills for English).
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, authoritative answers to common immigration, visa, and relocation questions.
Yes. Citizens and residents of Nigeria applying to come to the UK for more than 6 months must obtain a valid certificate from an approved IOM clinic before submitting their visa application.
Real Immigrant Experiences
Moderated, firsthand insights from immigrants who completed this pathway:
Skilled Worker Route as a Senior Software Engineer from Lagos to London
I received my defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) in September. The entire process from biometrics at TLScontact Victoria Island to decision email took exactly 7 weeks on standard processing. Ensure your employer uses the correct SOC code and that your salary meets the new standard threshold. Also book your TB test at IOM well in advance!
Relocating from Nigeria to the United Kingdom?
Get your documents, TB clearance, and financial evidence vetted by regulated OISC and SRA legal professionals before applying.
Audit your eligibility, salary thresholds, qualifying period, and documentation checklist before applying.
No payment details required • Instant calendar confirmation