UK entry requirements for travellers from Nigeria
Visa requirement summary
Nigerian passport holders need a visa to visit the UK. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option for Nigerian nationals — you must apply and receive approval before you travel.
For tourism, visiting family or friends, or short business trips, the right visa is the Standard Visitor visa. It covers stays of up to 6 months across the whole of the UK.
The Standard Visitor visa costs £115 and is applied for online through the UK government’s visa service. Once approved, it is issued as an eVisa — a digital record linked to your passport — rather than a physical sticker.
How long you can stay
A Standard Visitor visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months per visit.
Long-term visitor visas valid for 2, 5, or 10 years are available at higher fees if you travel to the UK regularly. Each individual stay is still capped at 6 months, and the UK does not allow visitors to use repeated trips to effectively live there.
Passport validity requirements
Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay. There is no requirement for additional validity beyond your departure date, but having several months of validity remaining beyond your planned return is good practice.
Proof of funds and financial requirements
You must demonstrate that you can support yourself financially during your visit. There is no fixed minimum amount, but you should have sufficient funds to cover accommodation, daily expenses, and your return travel — or evidence that someone else is covering these for you.
Bank statements are the most commonly used supporting document both during the application and if asked at the UK border on arrival.
Onward or return travel
A confirmed return or onward travel booking is the clearest way to show that you intend to leave the UK within the permitted period. You may be questioned about your travel plans at the border, so carry your itinerary.
Applying for the visa
Applications must be submitted online through the UK government’s visa application service before you travel. You will need to attend a visa application centre in Nigeria to provide your biometric information — fingerprints and a photograph.
Once approved, your visa is issued as an eVisa linked to your UKVI account. Ensure your eVisa is linked to the passport you intend to travel with, and carry that passport when you fly. Airlines and UK border officers verify immigration status electronically.
Health requirements
There are no vaccination requirements for routine travel from Nigeria to the UK. You do not need to show proof of any specific vaccination to enter.
Transit through the UK
Nigerian passport holders require a visa even when only transiting through a UK airport. If transiting airside without passing through border control, a Visitor in Transit visa (£64) is available. If you will pass through border control during your transit, a Standard Visitor visa is required.
FAQs
Do Nigerian passport holders need a visa for the UK?
Yes. Nigerian nationals must apply for a Standard Visitor visa before travelling to the UK. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival arrangement.
How much does a UK visitor visa cost for Nigerian nationals?
The Standard Visitor visa (up to 6 months) costs £115. Long-term visitor visas for 2, 5, or 10 years are available at higher fees, with each stay capped at 6 months.
How long can I stay in the UK on a visitor visa?
Up to 6 months per visit. You cannot extend a Standard Visitor visa or use repeated trips to effectively live in the UK.
Is there a physical visa sticker?
No. UK visas are now issued as eVisas — digital records linked to your UKVI account and passport. You will not receive a sticker before travel.
Can I transit through the UK without a visa?
No. Nigerian passport holders require a visa for airside transit through UK airports. A Visitor in Transit visa (£64) is available if you are only changing flights and will not pass through immigration.