UK Visit Visa Fee Nigeria 2026: Full Cost Breakdown

If you are planning a trip to the United Kingdom from Nigeria, the first number you need to know is £135. That is the Home Office fee for a Standard Visitor visa valid for up to six months, single or multiple entry, following the fee review that took effect on 8 April 2026. The old figure was £127, so the uk visit visa fee nigeria 2026 applicants face is higher than what many agents and old blog posts still quote. This guide breaks down the full cost, the naira equivalent, the VFS Global charges in Lagos and Abuja, and the practical steps to pay without losing money to fraudsters.

UK Visit Visa Fee in 2026: The Short Answer

The Standard Visitor visa for a stay of up to six months, whether you need single or multiple entry, now costs £135. Before the April 2026 review, the same visa cost £127. The increase applies to applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026, so anyone who paid before that date paid the old rate.

Two things make the naira figure tricky. First, the Home Office charges fees in local currency equivalents rather than fixed naira amounts, so the figure you see at checkout shifts with the exchange rate. Second, the rate used at the point of payment is set by the Home Office, not by your bank or the Bureau De Change down the road. That means two applicants paying on different days can pay noticeably different naira amounts for the same visa.

What Changed in the April 2026 Fee Review

The Home Office published a revised fee schedule covering visit, study, work and settlement routes. The Lagos State Office of Diaspora Affairs (LASDA) issued an advisory on 26 March 2026 confirming that the new fees would take effect for all applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026. The change was not limited to visitor visas.

Longer-validity visitor visas also moved up. If you want a two-year, five-year or ten-year Standard Visitor visa, expect to pay more than the six-month rate, and budget for the new prices rather than the 2025 figures. BusinessDay reported that the short-term visit visa rose from £127 to £135, roughly ₦249,000 at the time of writing, and noted that the increases affect almost every category, including study, work and settlement.

One point of confusion worth flagging: the Home Office visa fee page also lists fees in US dollars for some routes, and one widely shared summary put the six-month visitor visa at about $191, or roughly ₦256,300. The dollar figure and the pound figure are the same fee expressed in different currencies, converted at different times. Do not treat them as two separate charges. Always confirm the live figure on the official GOV.UK visa fees page before you pay.

The Naira Equivalent and Why It Keeps Moving

At roughly ₦1,850 to the pound, £135 works out to about ₦250,000. That is a useful planning figure, and it matches the approximate ₦249,000 quoted by BusinessDay when the new fees were announced. But treat it as an estimate, not a quote.

Exchange rates move daily, and the conversion applied at payment is the Home Office’s, not your bank’s. If the pound strengthens against the naira between the day you budget and the day you pay, you will pay more in naira for the same £135 visa. If it weakens, you pay less. Check the live figure on the day you intend to submit, and add a small buffer of perhaps five to ten per cent so a rate movement does not derail your plans.

Full Cost of a UK Visit Visa From Nigeria

The Home Office fee is only one line in your budget. Here is what a realistic total looks like.

Home Office application fee

£135 for the six-month Standard Visitor visa. Longer validity costs more.

VFS Global service charge

You must attend a visa application centre in Lagos or Abuja to submit biometrics (fingerprints and photograph). VFS Global, which operates the centres, charges a service fee on top of the Home Office fee. The exact amount depends on the services you choose, so confirm it on the VFS Global Nigeria page when you book your appointment rather than relying on second-hand figures.

Courier and SMS fees

If you want your passport delivered back to you rather than collected, expect a courier charge. SMS status updates usually carry a small fee too. These are optional but convenient, especially if you live outside Lagos or Abuja.

TB test

Nigeria is on the list of countries where a tuberculosis test is required for certain UK visa routes. For a standard visit of six months or less, a TB test is generally not required. It becomes relevant for stays over six months and for certain other categories. Where it applies, you must use a clinic approved by the Home Office, and the cost is paid directly to the clinic. Confirm your specific requirement on GOV.UK before booking a test you may not need.

Agent or support fees

Some travel companies bundle the visa fee, VFS charge and document support into a package. Wakanow, for example, advertises UK Standard Visitor visa support from ₦380,000 including the visa fee, VFS service charge and its own support. That is a convenience price, not the official cost. You can apply yourself for considerably less if you are comfortable with the online form.

How to Pay the Fee From Nigeria

Start your application on the official GOV.UK visa application portal. Do not begin on a third-party site.
Complete the form honestly and consistently. Your answers must match your supporting documents.
Pay online at the end of the application. Card payments in naira are converted at the prevailing rate set by the Home Office.
Save your payment confirmation and your application reference number. You will need both for your VFS Global appointment.
Book your biometrics appointment at the Lagos or Abuja centre and pay any VFS service charges at that stage.

Keep a screenshot or PDF of every payment. If a dispute arises, the confirmation is your evidence.

Documents to Prepare Before You Pay

Paying before your paperwork is ready is one of the most common mistakes. The fee is generally non-refundable, so assemble your file first.

Bank statements covering at least six months, showing a steady balance and regular income.
Letter of invitation if you are visiting family or friends, including their immigration status in the UK and how they will support you.
Employment or business evidence: an employer’s letter, payslips, or CAC registration and tax documents if self-employed.
A clear travel plan setting out dates, places and purpose.
Accommodation and flight bookings, or a credible itinerary if you have not booked yet.

The decision-maker wants to see that you can fund the trip without working or relying on public funds, and that you will leave at the end of your visit. Thin, inconsistent documents are the main reason applications fail.

Avoiding Scams and Fake ‘Cheap Visa’ Agents

No agent can reduce the official fee. The Home Office sets it, and VFS Global collects what it collects. Anyone promising a discount below the published rate is a red flag.

Check every consultant against the VFS Global and GOV.UK websites. Be especially wary of agents quoting old 2025 prices to win clients; the £127 rate no longer applies to applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026, and an agent still advertising it is either out of date or planning to pocket the difference. Never hand your passport or payment card to an agent you have not verified, and never let anyone submit an application on your behalf using details you have not reviewed.

Budgeting Tips for Lagos and Abuja Applicants

Add the VFS service charge and any TB test to your budget from day one, not after you have paid the Home Office.
Factor in transport to the visa application centre and the cost of rescheduling if you miss your slot.
Apply early. Peak periods around December and the summer fill up fast, and standard processing can take three to six weeks.
Keep a buffer for exchange-rate movement between budgeting and payment.
If you are paying an agent, ask for a written breakdown separating the official fee from their service charge.

Conclusion

The cost of a UK visa from Nigeria in 2026 starts at £135 for a six-month Standard Visitor visa, roughly ₦250,000 at current rates, plus VFS Global charges and any optional extras. Budget for the new figure, confirm the live naira amount on GOV.UK before paying, and keep your documents tight. Do that, and the fee is the least of your worries.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the UK visit visa fee in naira in 2026?

At roughly ₦1,850 to the pound, the £135 six-month Standard Visitor visa comes to about ₦250,000, close to the ₦249,000 quoted by BusinessDay when the new fees were announced. The exact figure depends on the Home Office conversion rate on the day you pay.

Did the UK visa fee increase in April 2026?

Yes. The Home Office revised its fee schedule with effect from 8 April 2026. The six-month Standard Visitor visa rose from £127 to £135, and longer-validity visitor visas, study, work and settlement routes also increased.

What extra charges do I pay at VFS Global in Lagos or Abuja?

VFS Global charges a service fee for biometrics, plus optional courier and SMS fees if you want your passport delivered and status updates by text. Confirm current amounts on the VFS Global Nigeria page when you book.

Do I need a TB test for a UK visit visa from Nigeria?

Generally not for a standard visit of six months or less. A TB test from an approved clinic is required for stays over six months and certain other routes. Check your specific category on GOV.UK before booking.

How do I pay the UK visa fee from Nigeria?

Apply and pay online through the official GOV.UK visa application portal using a debit or credit card. The naira amount is converted at the prevailing Home Office rate. Keep your payment confirmation and reference number for your VFS appointment.

Sources and further reading

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UK Visit Visa Fee From Nigeria in 2026: What You’ll Pay