UK Visa Application: How to Apply

Updated: 8 August 2018

This information applies to the UK visitor visa. You can find more information about the business, study, work, and diplomatic visas, and information about immigration to the UK on the GOV.UK website

If you are planning to travel to the United Kingdom for education, tourism, business, or to live and work, and you do not know how to get your visa, do not worry any longer. We have put together this detailed guide to the UK visa application that will make your visa application a lot easier.

london nightlife

Before you can begin the application process you will need to familiarise yourself with the different types of visas so you choose the right one and ensure you have an international passport that is valid for at least 1 month after your intended stay in the United Kingdom. You can easily apply for your passport online or at the nearest immigration office in any state in Nigeria.

Note: the ECOWAS passport is not a valid travel document if you are applying for a UK visa.

Please check your eligibility before beginning the application process and submitting your application well in advance of flight departure. Once you have your visa, all that’s left to do is pack your bags!

london eye

Which UK Visa do I Need?

The most common UK visa is the Standard Visitor Visa (Tourist Visa). The Visitor Visa is issued for a short stay of up to 6 months. This visa will allow you to visit friends and loved ones, go on a holiday or vacation, study, conduct business, attend conferences and training programmes, or transit through the country (if you will be staying for more than 48 hours).

The Standard Visitor Visa has replaced the Family Visitor / General Visitor / Child Visitor / Business Visitor / Sports Visitor / Entertainer Visitor / Prospective Entrepreneur visa.

Find detailed information about the Standard Visitor Visa.

uk travel

UK Visa Requirements

  • A valid international passport with a page that is blank on both sides
  • Completed visa application form (this is filled in online)
  • One passport photograph that meets the requirements
  • Visa fee
  • Proof of finances (e.g. original bank statement that is not older than 3 months)
  • Confirmation of accommodation and flight bookings
  • A letter of invitation if you are being sponsored by a friend or family member
  • Original marriage certificate if you are travelling with your spouse
  • Birth certificates for your children if you are travelling together
  • Recent utility bills
  • If you are travelling for business you will need to include: a letter of invitation/confirmation of training/confirmation of conference; and full details for an authorised representative from your company and their contact details.

Note: A consistent income of about ₦200,000 and above is considered a safe amount. Anything less and the embassy may find it hard to trust that you will return to Nigeria.

You can also include supporting documents to strengthen your application.

the shard london

How to Apply for UK Visa

Step 1: Register a user account on the GOV.UK website. You will also be able to double check what type of visa you will need for your trip on the website.

Step 2: Fill out the application form, pay the visa fee, and book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (see below). You will receive an email confirming your appointment and what documents you will need to take along. You will also be given a GWF number which you will need for the next step.

Step 3: Register your details on the TLScontact website. If you don’t register, you will not be allowed to attend your appointment. You can track your application on the TLScontact website after you have registered.

Step 4: Attend your appointment and submit your biometrics at a UK Visa Application Centre. To avoid any delays in the application process you should bring along the following:

  • Your original passport
  • Printed copies of your online application form and appointment confirmation
  • Receipt of payment of visa fees
  • All the required documents as stated above
  • Supporting documents

Important: Your visa fee will no longer be refundable after you have submitted your biometrics. You must also ensure you are not late for your appointment. If you are late, your application process may be delayed as you will have to rebook your appointment.

Step 5: Wait for your visa application to be processed. You will be able to track your visa application on the TLScontact website.

Step 6: Collect your passport at the specified Visa Application Centre. You will be notified when it is ready for collection.

According to TLScontact, “Children under 5 years old are now required to attend the Visa Application Centre in order for them to have their photo taken at the centre. Please note that minors are not allowed to submit applications by themselves, they must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.”

london visa

UK Visa Fees

The cost of a Standard Visitor Visa is currently about ₦45,000 ($125). The UK visa fees are different for each visa category. These can be found on the GOV.UK website.

UK Visa Application Submission

UK visa applications can be submitted at one of the Visa Application Centres in Lagos or Abuja from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 and 16:30, except on public holidays.

The earliest you can apply for a UK visa is 3 months before your intended departure date.

UK Visa Processing

Visa application processing can take four to six working days. However, some visa applications can take up to 30 days if documents are missing or they require special attention because of crime or a history of rejection.

shopping london

UK Visa Collection

You will be able to collect your passport and visa between 10:00 and 16:00 from Monday to Friday (except public holidays). You will be alerted through an SMS when your application has been sent to the UK Embassy on the submission day, and you will be alerted when your passport arrives back at the UK Application Centre and is ready for collection.

You will need to bring copies of your application documents, an original photographic ID, and a copy of the biodata page in your passport.

Note: Someone else cannot collect your documents on your behalf, except if you are a government representative, a parent collecting for your child or children, or you are collecting on behalf of your family if you applied together.

camden uk

UK Visa Rejection

The most common reasons for UK visas being rejected are:

  • Submitting false documents
  • The applicant has received a deportation order
  • The applicant was found guilty of a crime that warrants four years or more of jail time
  • Withholding documentation of a criminal background
  • Insufficient funds
  • Overstaying a previous visit to the United Kingdom
  • Submitting fraudulent documents on a previous trip to the United Kingdom
  • Not complying with all the application requirements
  • Lack of a valid passport or travel documents
  • Invalid reason for wanting to visit the United Kingdom

Using a visa service is recommended if you are unsure about the process and requirements. It will cost extra but will give you peace of mind that everything is in order.

You will not be refunded if you miss your appointment or your visa application is rejected.

london travel

UK Visa Application Centre Addresses

UK Visa Application Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos
First Floor, Churchgate Building, Tower 2,

Churchgate Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

Website: TLScontact Victoria Island, Lagos

UK Visa Application Centre in Ikeja, Lagos
Ground & First Floors, Etiebets Place,

21 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way

Website: TLScontact Lagos

UK Visa Application Centre, Abuja.
Third floor, El-Yakub Building (beside Metro Plaza), Plot 1129

Zakariya Maimalari Street, Central Business District

Website: TLScontact Abuja

British Deputy High Commission, Lagos
11 Walter Carrington Crescent

British High Commission, Abuja
Plot 1137, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District

Have you travelled to the United Kingdom? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below. And sign up for our newsletter for exclusive access to the latest flight deals and travel articles.

uk visa application

All information on this page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart will not be held liable for loss or inconvenience resulting from the use of information from this website.

Travelstart does not provide advice or assist with processing visas. The content of this article is listed as recommended by research and the UK embassy. Kindly check the embassy’s website BEFORE applying for your visa.

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485 thoughts on “UK Visa Application: How to Apply

  1. Hello, Am Jeffery by name, I want to go spend 3weeks this summer in London and will from London travel to Switzerland for a week making it a total of 4weeks in the UK, but I have a virgin valid ecowas international passport, and I have a friend ready to accommodate me in his house on London and Switzerland. So Please tell me how I can process my Visa and be sure to get it, because I intend leaving first week of July this year.
    Thanks

    • Jefferey,I can asssist u get a London and visa to Europe.send me an email with your phone number to: sportsmanager79@hotmail.com

      Waiting for your email.

  2. Pls i want 2 travel to uk just 2
    weeks and i dont no ao 2 apply.

    • Monsurat,I can asssist u get a London and visa to Europe.send me an email with your phone number to: sportsmanager79@hotmail.com

      Waiting for your email

  3. Application submitted already but wants to reduce years requested for to 5years instead of 10 before booking appointment how do i do this?

  4. Just want to know how to go about bringing in ones child , if you are already an EEA citizen wanting to bring in your child of 16 year old.

  5. Am trying to fill uk visa online it’s saying email is invalid, what can I do thanks

    • Folake,I can asssist u get a London and visa to Europe.send me an email with your phone number to: sportsmanager79@hotmail.com

      Waiting for your email

  6. ….I want to visit the UK just to see how the country is, especially how it was an excelled country among world’s countries,
    and as a mother of my country Nigeria

    • Musa,I can asssist u get a London and visa to Europe.send me an email with your phone number to: sportsmanager79@hotmail.com

      Waiting for your email

  7. I have a damaged passport with valid UK VISA. Already gotten a new traveling passport. How do I go about the UK VISA transfer into the new passport as I am due to travel next week. Thanks

    • I can help you

    • Just rubber band them together and make sure u put in the details of the damaged old one in ur application

  8. Hello, I have 2 questions
    1. How do I request a refund since the appointment was missede?
    2. A new application was made because we did not know how to request a new appointment date and now the account has been debited but no confirmation was given. How do I request a new appointment date?
    Thank you.

  9. Do I need to fill this visa form myself and go through the payment process all alone or does teleperformance staff help in the process?

  10. Please I need your opinion in this,my course date is tomorrow but I’m yet to make a visa application. What’s the possibility of getting a positive decision on my visa?

  11. My UK visa just expired with my old passport. I have a renewed passport, What do I do to get a renewal or new visa with my renewed or new passport? What are the steps to take to get new visa?

  12. how much is students visa and visitors visa .Nigeria to England

    • how much is 6month visa fee 4uk

    • Hi Dairos, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  13. It’s been my long time dream to live and work in London. I love the country so much and it has been my dream land. Is my love for London a good enough reason to be allowed to live in London for a long period?

  14. I want to travel to UK with my kids for holiday trip Pls how can u perfect my visa thanks waiting for your reply soon

    • Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  15. Please leave your comment…please what are the details that I need to give…please

  16. Thank you for the writeup. Please i need clarifications on what to do. Firstly, i had my Masters in Biomedical Science from a university in the Uk. Couldnt get my post study work visa cos the home office felt i had not finished my course, went to court but my appeal wasnt granted. Though i didnt mention anything with regards to the son i had during my study there, the whole situation became unbearable cos i didnt know how to go about things so i decided to come home with my baby in Jan 2013. On getting home it has been difficult to secure a job and i will love to go back to the UK with my son. I applied for visiting visa sometime in 2014 but i was refused stating the case i had with them then as part of the reason i.e the post study work visa. Please how do i go about going back to the UK inorder to secure a job. Looking forward to reading from you soon, thank you for your attention.

    • Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  17. I need to know how much is visitor’s visa to scotland in uk and how long will it take to process if i need to travel before xmas?

    • Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  18. Nigeria is better if you have a better job than uk 100 millions time,this place london they are there to exhaust ur life…lolllll so think twice before you make decision .

  19. please l want to travel to united state of America so I want to ask how much are you collecting for ECOWAS. please am seriously worry about it.

    • Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  20. My question is if am been invited to the united kindom by a friend do i need a hotel booked details and finnacialy proof and also do i need to book for a hotel while i have a friend who is inviting me.

    • Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  21. Please how can I get UK visa for me and my son we just wanna visit?

  22. My name is Isaiah gift akume I am from Nigeria, and I want to travel to London to stay for a month i have some one who is working in the airport in London that will accommodate me in the house but I don’t know how much I will be spending please let me know 09028230757

    • Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  23. I want to apply for visitor visa to uk,what are my requirements.

    • Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  24. Please am a medical student in Saint Vincent, I got my London visa sometimes in august 2016, I have been so busy with my studies which didn’t give me time to travel as l wish and my visa is expiring on feb, 2017. Please I want to know if I can apply again for renewal if its expired without traveling

    • Hi Emem, Yes. You can always re-apply for a visa at the embassy.

  25. Please leave your comment…pls is it possible to process my UK Visa from Dublin
    i m a Nigerian & i ll like to visit UK from Dublin

    • Hi Ebun,
      You would have to process your visa from you country of residence except you are a citizen; however you would need to contact the embassy in Dublin for first hand information. Thanks -Innocent

  26. Hello I would like to apply for a family visa to the UK (resident permit). I would like to know what are the documents required inorder to apply for a family visa. Thanks

    • Thanks for contacting us Josephine.

      I’m afraid we do not specialize with visa related queries. For this you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency.

      They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.

  27. Want to know the visa fee from lagos Nigeria idea to uk (6) month duration

    • Hi Charles, Thanks for contacting us.

      I’m afraid we do not specialize with visa related queries. For this you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency.

      They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required.

  28. Please I want to apply for a UK visa, I want to know how to go about it and how much is the visa fee. Thanks

    • Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  29. Please, I discovered i miss fill my passport number to the old one after payment. Can I still do edit on it and print.

  30. I want to re-apply for UK Visa after for years of my last visit. Any special procedure?

    • Hi Ade,thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  31. Please, i want to apply for a family visa for a wedding, how do i go about it?

    • Hi Ekeleme,thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  32. Plus how do I apply for a uk visa and I have a sponsor but don’t know how to apply

    • Hi Taye, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat

  33. Am a prospective pro footballer going for some trials in UK sometime later this year. Please which visa plan would i apply , considering i’ll be staying for 3months but would be active business-wise. Thanks for the swift reply

  34. I really want to apply for UK long time visa…i don’t know which visa to apply for..

  35. Hello,

    I want to apply for a UK visa for 2 weeks but i am separated from my wife, do i need to include a marriage certificate or what do i do? I will prefer a more private chat on whatsapp or as you deemed fit.

    Dave

    • Please I’m invited by a friend to UK end of February. I’ve never been there before. I want to apply for 2 weeks visa so I need your help

    • Hi Debbie, thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, we do not process visas. We can only help you with your flight booking to UK. Kindly check the embassy’s website for more information on required documents, procedures and visa costs. Then you can check our website for flight prices by visiting https://goo.gl/4RtYm7. Thank you. ~

  36. Hey! I have read all your Blog this is so nice and awesome service you have provided, I have learned so many new things from here and want to implement on my website. If you also want to know something new related to our services then visit my website.

  37. Hello am Monaliza by name, I want to visit UK but I don’t have bank statement on my own to show for it, but I have a sponsor here in Nigeria, how do I go about it.

    • Hi Monaliza, thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, we do not process visas. We can only help you with your flight booking to London. Kindly check the embassy’s website for more information on required documents, procedures and visa costs. Then you can check our website for flight prices by visiting https://goo.gl/4RtYm7. Thank you. ~ Aminat

  38. I’m invited by a friend to UK end of February to spend 2 weeks, do I need a letter of invitation?

    • Yes do need a letter of invitation.

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  40. Thanks for sharing the information!

  41. I find this post very interesting and informative. It’s my dream to travel around and see the world and I surely will to that soon. Thanks for sharing this info with us.

  42. Great information! Keep up the good work. Looking forward for more great content from you.

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