The United Kingdom government has updated the visa application fees for international students, including Nigerian applicants. The official gov.uk visa fees portal shows that standard student visa fees are set in United States Dollars (USD) for overseas applicants. At the current official exchange rate, a standard UK student visa now costs over N1 million, excluding health surcharges and other processing fees.
Breakdown of Updated UK Study Visa Fees
According to the official fee search tool on the UK Government website, visa application fees vary by study category and region. Using the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rate of approximately N1,379.62 per USD, here is the naira equivalent of what applicants will pay:
- Student (Main Applicant and Dependants): $775 – estimated N1,069,205
- Child Student: $775 – N1,069,205
- Short-Term Study (English courses between 6 and 11 months): $317 – N437,339
- Parent of a Student Child Visa (Up to 12 months - Isle of Man): $1,009 – N1,392,036
- Tier 4 (General) Student (Isle of Man): $775 – N1,069,205
- Temporary Seasonal Worker (Isle of Man): $472 – N651,180
- Entry Clearance as a Student (Guernsey and Jersey): $775 – N1,069,205
Other Compulsory Costs to Consider
While the visa application fee is a major expense, prospective students should remember that it is not the only cost involved in a successful relocation plan to the UK. Other mandatory costs during the visa stage include:
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): This allows international students to access the UK's National Health Service (NHS). For students, this fee is currently set at £776 per year of study.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Test: Nigerian applicants are required to present a clear TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic, costing between N55,000 and N65,000 depending on the location.
- Biometric Enrollment Fee: A basic booking fee is often charged when scheduling a biometrics appointment.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian man shared a straightforward breakdown of what UK visa applicants need to submit to boost their chances of approval. He outlined four core requirements and advised people to take the list seriously if they genuinely desire to relocate.
