Visa Applications Requirements

Introduction

It is important to note that applying for a visa to study in the UK from Nigeria is now handled by VFS Global instead of TLS. This change took effect on November 19, 2024. The official site for applying for a UK Visa is the official UK Government Website, www.gov.uk. Subsequent agencies manage the biometrics and documentation. As of today, VTS Global is the official partner of the UK government in Nigeria for visa application and processing.

Basic Requirements for a Student Visa

For a student, there are three basic requirements for a visa application and a prospective successful outcome. These are:

1. Financial Requirements
2. Document Requirements
3. Identification Requirements
4. Medical/Tuberculosis Test

1. Financial Requirement

Item	Pounds (£) GBP	Dollars ($) USD	Estimate Naira (N)
Visa Application	490	650	1,004,500
IHS	776	585	1,590,800
Flight Ticket	-	-	700,000

2. Document Requirements

Item	Description	Details
Proof of Fund (POF)	A bank statement of sufficient amount for maintenance and school fees.	A statement of account showing your school fees balance and 9 months of maintenance of £13,347 (minimum)
Passport	Valid International Passport	A valid passport with at least 6 months' validity is required.
CAS	Confirmation of Acceptance to Study. This is your sponsorship letter from the school confirming their acceptance to act as your sponsor while you stay in the UK for the duration of your student visa.	A detail of your school, including course of study, tuition, course duration, student number, the institution of study, and conditions of offer, including scholarships and funding offers.
References	Reference letters from the academic institution of last study and/or Employer	Reference letter from former institution of study (academic credibility and competence), former employer (character and competence) and/or letter from parents if you are below 18.
Proof of English Proficiency	Standardised test of proof of English or confirmation of spoken, written and understanding of English.	O level, IELTS, WASSCE/NECO result, etc, confirming at least a C6 in English. A letter confirming your medium of instruction in a past or previous study in English is called MOI confirmation. Obtainable from the last institution of study.
Health Status Result/ Certificate	Tuberculosis test result.	Tuberculosis test results were obtained from UKVI-approved centres only. Not older than 6 months. IOM centre preferably.
Statement of Purpose	500 to 1000 words detailing your suitability, reason and intentions for study.	A 4 – 5 paragraph essay on the previous research, skills, experiences, reasons for the choice of institution, intentions post-graduation and suitability for study/visa.
Passport Photograph	A white background passport of a recent or current look captures the ear and eyes. Except for extreme sight impediments, glasses and shades should not be worn.
IHS receipt	Evidence of Health surcharge payment.	Proof of IHS payment is often obtained during the visa application before biometrics.
Academic Certificates	All previous academic qualifications upon which admission was offered.	These include transcripts and certificates of studies undergone from primary to tertiary education. Original copies of these are to be uploaded at various points.

3. Identification

Type	Use	Requirements
International Passport	For admission and visa application	Valid for at least one year. Details must align with admission and academic documents submitted, such as date of Birth, name, and country of origin.
National ID Card	NIN is now an essential requirement for visa applications if it is not included in your passport and is a valid means of identification.	Valid National Identity Number (NIN) with corresponding personal details and verifiable.
Drivers Licence	Although not essential, it is required if one needs to drive or use an automobile while abroad.	This allows you to drive without a UK driving licence for one year from your arrival in the UK. It expires one year after your arrival, and if you are found driving, it is a criminal offence punishable by law and court summons.

4. Medical/Tuberculosis Test

It is important to ensure that the TB test is conducted at an IOM organization. This test should be completed well in advance to accommodate any potential delays, such as a sputum test, which can take up to 8 weeks (2 months) for results. Waiting until one or two weeks before applying for a visa to conduct the TB test can jeopardize a student's overall preparation and travel plans. It may be too late if the 8-week waiting period is not factored in. Please remember that the TB test result and certificate are prerequisites for the visa application.

Conclusion

We hope this helps you prepare for your next visa application. See other posts and publications in our blog section for documents needed for admissions and scholarship applications. We are A-Coo Consults; we succeed when you succeed and are here to help you succeed.