UK Skilled Worker Visa from Nigeria: TB Test, Fees, English

Job and pay checks

The offer must be from a UK employer approved by the Home Office, for a job the visa rules accept (check its occupation code). The usual pay comparison is a salary of at least £41,700 a year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. Different salary rules apply to some healthcare and education jobs, and exceptions need separate conditions checked. Do not assume every care, healthcare or other sponsored role shares one rule.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, your job

English: Nigeria is not on the exempt list

You will usually need to prove your knowledge of English. GOV.UK lists these ways: a UK school qualification, a degree from a UK institution, a degree from an institution outside the UK that taught in English, or an approved English test. A degree from outside the UK needs an assessment from Ecctis, which gives you a code. If you take a Secure English Language Test, the level is at least B2. GOV.UK lists the nationalities that do not need to prove English: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA. Nigeria is not on that list. A transitional rule (level B1) applies to people who held this visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating it. Resolve the proof before paying for a test or service.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, knowledge of English

Tuberculosis test: Nigeria is on the list

GOV.UK says you need a tuberculosis (TB) test if you are coming to the UK for 6 months or more, you have lived in a listed country for 6 months or more, and you were living there (or in another listed country) within the last 6 months. Nigeria is on the list of countries. GOV.UK's Nigeria page, last updated 13 May 2026, repeats the rule for people who have lived in Nigeria or Benin. The test must be done at a clinic approved by the Home Office. If the test shows no TB, you receive a certificate valid for 6 months from the date of the x-ray, which you include with your visa application. The rule depends on where you have lived, not on the passport you hold.

GOV.UK: Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants GOV.UK: Countries where you need a TB test for your UK visa application GOV.UK (UK Visas and Immigration): Nigeria, tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa

Documents to provide

GOV.UK says you must provide your certificate of sponsorship reference number, which your employer gives you, proof of your knowledge of English, a valid passport or other identity document, your job title and annual salary, your job's occupation code, and your employer's name and sponsor licence number. Depending on your circumstances you may also be asked for evidence of enough personal savings (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you), proof of your relationship with a partner or children applying with you, your TB test results if you are from a listed country, a criminal record certificate if you work in certain jobs, and a unique Ecctis reference number if your qualification is from outside the UK. Documents not in English or Welsh need a certified translation.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, documents you must provide

Fees, healthcare surcharge and funds

As read on 7 October 2026, GOV.UK gives the standard application fee for applying from outside the UK as £819 per person for a stay of up to 3 years and £1,618 per person for more than 3 years. If the job is on the immigration salary list the fee is lower: £628 for up to 3 years and £1,235 for more than 3 years. The healthcare surcharge is usually £1,035 per year. You will usually need at least £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 days in a row, unless an exemption applies, for example if your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270. GOV.UK says you will be told how much you need to pay when you apply, so check the amount at that time.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, how much it costs

Applying from outside the UK

GOV.UK says you must apply online. You prove your identity either with the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by giving your fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre; you are told which when you apply. If you need an appointment, you may have to travel to your nearest centre, which could be in another country. Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, GOV.UK says you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks. It can take longer, for example if documents need to be verified.

GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, apply from outside the UK

What this article does not establish

It does not estimate approval chances or a relocation budget in naira. It does not cover how to obtain Nigerian documents such as a police certificate, or settlement rules. Check the current GOV.UK pages before you apply.