UK Student Visa Application In Nigeria: 2023 Complete Guide
One of the most popular UK visas is the student visa. You need this visa to go to university in the UK.
Millions of people apply for UK student visas yearly, especially in Nigeria. With so much competition, the least you can do to keep your chances from going down is to ensure that your application is filled out correctly.
This complete guide contains all the information you need about applying for a UK student visa in Nigeria. Continue reading to learn more.
About The UK Student Visa
The UK student visa lets people from other countries come to the UK to study. Before, it was called the Tier 4 student visa, but now it is just called the Student Visa.
The UK student visa has a lot of essential rules that you’ll find out about later. You can apply from the UK or a different country – like Nigeria.
You can work as a sabbatical officer for a student union in the UK while you are a student there. You can also work in other jobs, depending on your studies and when you want to work.
But you can’t work for yourself, get public money, or go to a school that the government funds. The UK Home Office Visas and Immigration department will tell you precisely what you can and can’t do with your student visa.
If you’re still in school when your visa runs out, you might be able to stay longer. You could also switch to a different type of visa, such as the Graduate Visa.
UK Student Visa Eligibility
There are four main requirements for getting a UK student visa. First, a licensed school in the United Kingdom must have given you an unconditional offer of admission.
When you get an offer of admission, you’ll get a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number, which is required for your application. Your course can be for a degree or higher.
Second, to be eligible, you must have enough money to pay for your stay in the UK. In other words, you must have enough money to pay for your tuition, housing, and additional costs of living.
The money is relatively expensive, so only wealthy Nigerians can afford to send their kids to study in the UK.
Third, you must show that you can read, write, speak, and understand English. It’s funny considering that we speak the English language in Nigeria. However, the UK Home Office has refused to accept Nigeria as a native-English-speaking country.
You must be up to 18 years to get a UK student visa. If you are 16 or 17, you may still be able to apply if your parents give you written and signed permission.
How Much Bank Balance Is Required for UK Student Visa in Naira?
You must have the financial means to sustain yourself while enrolled in the program and residing in the UK. Depending on your situation and the type of admission you want, your financial demands will change.
You need enough money to pay for your education for one academic year, which in the UK is equivalent to nine months. The necessary payment amount can be seen on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Where you plan to attend school will also affect how much money you’ll need. One of the following is required:
If your school is in London, you need at least £1,334 for each academic session. In naira, that’s around N670,000.
If your school is outside of London, you need at least £1,023 for each academic session. In naira, that’s around N510,000.
Be aware that when we refer to London, we mean the City of London and its 32 boroughs. You must have had this necessary cash for at least 28 consecutive days. The 28th day must occur no later than 31 days from the day your visa application was received.
But not everyone is required to demonstrate their financial eligibility, for example, if you have a scholarship. To prove that you have financial sponsorship or a student loan, you must provide documents from your loan or sponsorship provider.
Requirements for UK Student Visa From Nigeria
You must prove that you meet the requirements for a student visa and can travel to the UK. But, depending on your situation, the documents you’ll have to show will differ. Still, here’s a list of some of the documents you might send in:
- A Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number to show that you were accepted.
- Your Nigerian international passport.
- Proof that you have enough money to pay for your schooling in the UK. You can show bank statements and report on your account.
- Your Secure English Language Test (SELT) score to show that you can speak English well enough.
- To prove you are healthy enough to enter the UK, you need a report from your doctor that includes the results of a tuberculosis test.
- If you are under 18, you need written permission from your parents or guardian. The letter should talk about your visa application, where you will live and how you will be cared for in the UK, and how you will get there.
- If you are under 18, your birth certificate or any other document that shows the names of your parents.
The list above isn’t everything. The UK Home Office could still ask for other documents that are relevant to you.
How Much Does It Cost To Apply for UK Student Visa in Nigeria?
Like every other UK visa, there is a fee to apply for a student visa, and it’s £363. In naira, that’s around N180,000.
The student visa lets you bring your family with you, but they must also pay the £363 visa fee.
You’ll also have to pay a health surcharge on top of the processing fee.
The health surcharge is a required fee, and how much you have to pay depends on how long your student visa is. If you don’t pay the fee within seven days of submitting your application, the UK Home Office may void it.
How Do I Apply for a UK Student Visa in Nigeria?
The application for a UK student visa is online, and you can do it as soon as you have all the documents you need. During the application process, you’ll have to prove who you are, so you’ll have to give your biometrics.
You must apply for no more than six months in Nigeria before the start of your studies. Your application for a student visa will be judged in three weeks.
If your application is accepted, you can send in your biometric information. Then, when you get into the UK, you’ll get a biometric residence permit.
If your course lasts no more than six months, you can travel to the UK a week before it starts. If your course is longer than six months, you can travel a month before the course begins.
How Long Does The UK Study Visa Last?
There is no set length of time for a UK student visa. Your course time will tell you how long you can stay. So, when they give you the visa, the UK Home Office will tell you how long you can stay.
But most degrees take less than five years. So, if you’re going to the UK to take a course at a university, your visa will usually only be good for a maximum of five years.
On the other hand, if you’re taking a course that isn’t for a degree, it won’t usually last more than two years. So, your visa will usually be good for no more than two years.
The good news is that you can extend your UK student visa if it runs out, but you still need to be in the country.
How To Extend Your UK Student Visa When It Expires
If you want an extension on your UK student visa, you need to have been accepted by a licensed school. But you don’t have to show again that you have the money.
To get your visa extended, you must pay a fee of £490. In naira, that’s around N25,000. You’ll also have to pay an extra fee for health care and send in your biometrics again.
The UK student visa extension takes about eight weeks to process, just like the first visa. If you get the extra time, the UK Home Office will give you a new biometric residence permit.
In the end, you have to leave the UK if you can’t extend your visa or switch to a different visa. For example, if you get a job offer, you could switch to a work visa.
The UK student visa doesn’t count toward residency, which is a shame. You can’t apply for permanent residence no matter how long you stay on a student visa.
Bottom Line
Applying for a UK student visa in Nigeria doesn’t have to be difficult if you follow the instructions in this article. Importantly, you must have the finances – if you do, your visa is 85% secure.