Student visa

United Kingdom · for applicants from Nigeria

Verified · 20 August 2026

For people aged 16+ studying at a licensed student sponsor. Requires a CAS, proof of funds for fees + living costs held under the 28-day rule, English ability, and passing the Genuine Student credibility test.

Rules last verified: 20 August 2026 · by Beatrice B

At a glance

Embassy processing

About 3 weeks from outside the UK

Our turnaround

5–7 working days

Done-for-you Standard

Government fees

~£1,404

≈ ₦2,558,088

Why applications get refused

28-day rule failure

Required funds not held for 28 continuous days, or balance dipped below the total.

Fix: Keep the full amount untouched for 28+ days; screenshot daily if near the line; account for FX.

Failed credibility / Genuine Student

Vague reasons for the course, or stated goal is really to work.

Fix: Know your modules, university and career plan; frame the goal as study and progression.

Funds held in a bank that cannot be electronically verified

If the bank's records cannot be verified electronically, the funds are disregarded entirely regardless of the amount shown.

Fix: Use a regulated, verifiable bank that supports electronic verification of statements.

Closing balance too old

Bank statement closing date more than 31 days before applying.

Fix: Apply within 31 days of the statement's closing balance date.

CAS / document mismatch

Name spelling, passport number or course dates differ across documents.

Fix: Cross-check passport, CAS and statements for exact consistency before applying.

Document checklist

Required

Current passport / valid travel document

When: "all"

CAS reference number from your sponsor

When: "all"

Proof of funds (bank statement / sanctioned loan letter / sponsorship)

When: "not exempt: by 12+ months' continuous permission in the UK, by nationality on the differential evidence list (Nigeria is not on it), or by government/official-scholarship sponsorship covering the course"

Approved English language test (SELT) certificate

When: "unless exempt"

Parental consent

When: "applicants aged 16-17"

TB test certificate

When: "Nigeria (stays over 6 months)"

Parent-account funds pack: birth certificate (or adoption/guardianship document) plus parent's signed consent letter

When: "funds held in a parent's or legal guardian's account"

Certified translation of any document not in English or Welsh

When: "any supporting document not in English or Welsh"

Student loan letter

When: "funding by a student loan"

Official financial sponsor letter (or sponsorship stated on CAS)

When: "sponsored by a government or official scholarship body"

Financial sponsor's written consent to a new application

When: "sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency in the last 12 months"

Birth certificate or equivalent naming parents

When: "applicant under 18"

Partner: current passport

When: "if bringing a partner"

Partner: marriage or civil partnership certificate

When: "if bringing a married partner"

Partner: two years' cohabitation evidence

When: "if bringing an unmarried partner"

Partner: funds evidence, GBP 845 (London) or GBP 680 per month, 9 months

When: "if bringing a partner"

Partner: TB test certificate (own)

When: "if bringing a partner, stays over 6 months (Nigeria listed)"

Child: current passport

When: "per child dependant"

Child: birth certificate

When: "per child dependant"

Child: funds evidence, GBP 845 (London) or GBP 680 per month, 9 months

When: "per child dependant"

Child: TB test certificate (own)

When: "per child dependant, stays over 6 months"

Child: both-parents status and care arrangements evidence

When: "per child dependant"

Depends on your situation

ATAS certificate

Application timeline

1. Prepare your application

Gather documents, draft supporting letters, complete forms

1–3 weeks

2. Rekoja review (if Done-for-you)

Specialist checks your file before you submit

5–7 working days

3. Submit online or at visa centre

Biometrics appointment may be required

1 day

4. Embassy decision

Standard processing. Priority options may be available.

About 3 weeks from outside the UK

All-in government fees

These are the fees you pay to the government, not Rekoja's service fee. Shown at the indicative exchange rate.

Mandatory

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), per year

£776

1,413,872

Visa application fee

£558

1,016,676

Tuberculosis (TB) test at an approved clinic (IOM Nigeria charges about $94; the price is set by the clinic, not the Home Office)

£70

127,540

Biometric enrolment

£0

0

Total government fees

1,404

≈ ₦2,558,088

Optional

Priority / super-priority service (optional)

£500

911,000

Proof of funds (must hold, not pay)

Maintenance funds (London / outside)

£1,529

2,785,838

Maintenance funds - London (per month)

£1,529

2,785,838

Maintenance funds - outside London (per month)

£1,171

2,133,562

Indicative. 1 GBP = 1,822 NGN · 16 September 2026. Government fees change. Confirm on the official website before paying.

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Common questions about the Student visa

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Not a visa decision or legal advice. Rules shown are as of the last verification date above. Immigration rules change. Confirm before filing. The embassy decides, not Rekoja.