Nigerian citizens need a visa to visit the United Kingdom. Therefore, in this post, I’ll show you the UK visa application process in Nigeria and some important things you need to know. If you’re applying for a visa for the first time, be sure to read my guide, detailing general rules about visa applications and ways to build your travel history in Nigeria.
What's Covered in this Post
The UK Visa Application in Nigeria – The Process
The first step to applying for a visa is to fill out the online application form at the Gov.UK website. Navigate to ‘Visas and Immigration’ and select the category of visa you wish to apply for. In my case, I selected ‘Visit the UK’. To clarify, this option can be used for a short stay visit for up to 6 months. Next, you should select the type of visa. I selected ‘Standard Visitor Visa’, for example. Lastly, click on the ‘Apply’ link and the ‘Apply Now’ button.
Choose your preferred language and country. This should be where you will live and will be providing your biometrics in. Go ahead and fill in the necessary information, then, pay the visa application fee after completion.
Note that the form may take some time to fill out. Luckily, you can fill it in bits, and then return to your application at a later time.
UK Standard Visitor Visa Fee (2022)
The costs of a UK visa may vary depending on the kind of visa you apply for. The duration and whether or not you pay for a priority visa will also affect the cost. A regular short stay 6-month visa costs £95 at the time of this writing. It could cost from £250 upwards if you choose to expedite the process.
After paying the visa fees, you will be redirected to the TLScontact website to schedule an appointment. You will be required to pay an additional fee of £80 for adults. TLScontact also provides additional services at varying costs.
When I applied, I opted for a Prime Time appointment (7:00 – 8:30 am) and had to pay another ₦37,000 at the venue.
Once you have confirmed your appointment, you should proceed to scan and upload ALL your supporting documents. I didn’t upload my bank statements. As a result, I had to pay an extra ₦10,000 at the TLScontact office to get this done. Now, this amount is 11,700 in 2022.
It’s also important to note that TLScontact only accepts payments with a Nigerian (Naira) card. Previous visa application centres I have been to accept only cash, so, naturally, I went to this centre with a wad of cash. I tried to pay with a US bank card but they didn’t accept that either. I ended up asking other applicants to pay on my behalf, while I did a transfer back to them.
After the document pre-check, you will be asked to go in for your biometrics.
UK Visa Application Supporting Documents
The documents needed for your visa application include, but are not limited to the following;
- Letter of Invitation from the UK
- Letter of Introduction from employer
- Evidence of employment (employment letters, promotion letters, etc)
- Bank statements (I submitted 6 months)
- Payslips (I submitted 6 months)
- Photocopy of your international passport bio-data page
- Hotel reservation ( if applicable )
- Flight Itinerary
- Documentation from Host in the UK ( passport copy, letter of invitation, bank statement )
- Original Marriage Certificate if applying with a spouse
- Original Birth Certificates of children if applying with children
- Family Photographs
- Evidence of assets
Where is TLScontact Located?
TLScontact has offices in Abuja, Lagos (Ikeja and Victoria Island)
Victoria Island: Ground Floor, Ivie House, 4/6 Ajose Adeogun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 08:30 – 15:00 – for submission. Prime Time Appointments are between 07:00 and 08:30 am
Passport Return 10:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday
Ikeja: Ground and First Floors, Etiebets Place, 21 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 08:30 – 15:00 – for submission. Prime Time Appointments are between 07:00 and 08:00 am
Passport Return 10:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday
Abuja: Third floor, Murkhtar El-Yakub Place beside Metro Plaza, on Plot 1129 Zakariya Maimalari Street, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria
Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 08:30 – 15:00 – for submission. Prime Time Appointments are between 07:00 and 08:00 am
Passport Return 10:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday
What Should You Do Before and During Your Appointment?
- Fill out the online application form
- Schedule your appointment date. Beware of additional costs associated with prime-time appointments and special services.
- Arrive on time. I can’t stress this enough. There is a steep penalty for showing up late.
- Upload ALL your supporting documents online. If you miss even one document, officials will automatically sign you up for the ‘Assisted Service’. Consequently, you will pay an additional fee.
- If you opt for the assisted service option, make sure all your documents are in A4 formats
- Print out the visa supporting documents checklists. Even though they didn’t take this from me, they asked that I signed it.
- Go with your passport biodata page
- Remember that the centre only accepts (Nigerian) card payments
- All other documents I went with were not collected but if it makes you feel comfortable, go with them.
UK Visa Application in Nigeria Processing Time
It takes an average of 15-21 working days to get a response for a regular visa. However, this time may vary from one application to the next. Be sure to apply for your visa well ahead of time. You can also pay to get a priority visa in 5 days or 24 hours but be aware that these options could be quite costly.
What Next?
The TLScontact service will send regular emails to keep you updated on the status of the progress of your application. Alternatively, you can track the progress from the UK immigration website.
That’s it for the entire UK visa application process in Nigeria. I hope you find this guide useful. Feel free to share your visa experience with me or ask any questions you might have in the comment section.
Disclaimer: All information presented is correct at the time of writing. They are subject to change without notice. Always confirm travel details and necessary requirements with respective embassies & airlines before you travel.
@Amarachi, good day.
Pls my biometric is tomorrow, I picked self service, my documents are yet to be uploaded, whenever I login to the email to upload my documents, there’s a security question going to the phone of my agent, which he needs to confirm on his phone so that I can have access to the email. But my agent is nowhere to be found since 3days back, am unable to upload my documents and we have no access to track my wife application also because she went for biometric first.
Pls what can I do to get things done pls, what are the other alternatives to upload my documents and to track the application ?
Thanks, looking forward to your response.
Hi Adeoye, to upload your document, you may have to “upgrade” to the assisted service when you go for your biometrics. You will be charged for this but it seems like your best bet. In the meantime, you can still try to continue reaching out to your agent, and maybe checking to see if you can reset your password and security info since you have access to the email.
This is a messy situation for sure and a good reason to always take care of your applications by yourself.
Hi good afternoon,
I submitted my biometrics since May 2023 and till now my tracking still says your application transferred to VAC.
Any direct email address to tlscontact.com
Thanks,
Lee
Hi Lee, I’m not sure about TLScontact’s email but you should probably send a paid mail to UKVI to get the updated status or at least be informed of the cause of the delay.
please need urgent response if possible. I’m trying to book tls biometrics but the available time I see is the 9.20 10.20 etc they wrote on the top as “appointment hours are reserved for Super Priority Visa applications.” cant I choose the time frame as its available. will it affect my application
I don’t think I understand your question clearly. It seems the only time slots available currently are reserved for the stated category. If you meet the requirement for this category and have paid the extra fees, then you may go ahead and book them. Otherwise you will need to search for other timeslots that are available.
Work visa application is three months already without any update from TLC. What’s happening?
Have you tried sending them an email to get the updated status?
Omission of Hotel Booking
Hello Amarachi
I came for my biometric capturing yesterday being 29/8/2023.
On my way home I discovered that my hotel booking was not included in the documents submitted for scanning.
Please how can I go about this please.
Thank you.
Hello Akanbi, the best thing you can do in this scenario is probably to send a paid email to the UK Gov office.
Maybe if you’re lucky and other parts of your application are strong, they could also request this missing document.
Okay. Thank you very much sir.
Applied for my visa, and got a mail, saying the processing of my application has not been straightforward . Pls wat does ds implies
I’ve seen a few people talk about this. I believe it just means they need more time to process your application and informing you in advance in case the processing time is longer than stated.
Hi Amarachi, just saying thank you for this article. It was very helpful to me and so easy to read. Keep going!
Hi Seun, thanks for visiting my blog and I’m glad to hear that the article was helpful to you!
Good evening
Please how much is tls premium Lodge??
Hi Elizabeth, it’s currently GBP 89 / NGN 43,500 according to the TLSContact website. You can check the site for more updates.
Hello Amarachi
I’m FAVOUR I just rescheduled my appointment date and paid for only the assisted service fee
I’m I to pay for my courier service again
Note: I’ve paid for this services before amending my appointment date due to I couldn’t make it on the first appointment date
Hi Favour, I don’t believe you need to pay for the courier service again. Do you see anything on the website requesting for this payment again?
Goodafternoon
No I didn’t but the payment was brought up again and my husband paid for everything again, can I get a refund for the first one I paid or would it affect the appointment or affect them sending my passport down to me
Morning, I applied for student visa on 5th July. I opted for assisted service for my documents. My proof of fund has been in my account for 30days before visa application. I did not print my bank statement until yesterday since it is assisted service for August. Pls will the printing date on my bank statement be acceptable since I am printing it after the online application
Yes it will. Many embassies only accept statements that are printed at most 14 days before submission, so yours should be fine as it is within that timeframe and as long as you still have the required POF.
Please I have a situation similar to this.
My proof of funds has been in the accounts for over two months before the day I submitted my visa application in october. I am yet to print out my bank statement. I paid for assisted service for the day of my biometrics which is this November. Can I print out the bank statement a week before my biometrics? If yes can it be printed from the end of September to the first week in November?
Yes, you can print it out a week to submission. As for the duration, it’s best to follow the guidelines from the UK Gov website. At the very least a 3-month bank statement is necessary. If you’re going for your biometrics later in the month and print out your statement up to the first week, ignoring the other weeks/days, I feel that’s a potential red flag. It is best to print it as close as possible to your submission/biometrics date.
PS: This is just my opinion. I’m not a visa expert and ultimately, it is up to the VO to analyze your documents and make their own decisions.
Can I go to UK as a tourist just for 2weeks vacation
Am working in a company and earning good salary . My question is? can’t I visit UK without an invitation letter. Or is a mandatory that there most be an invitation letter.
Yes you can visit on your own as a tourist, without an invitation letter. You would need to provide all the necessary documents to prove your intent. This includes your hotel accommodation, return flight tickets, daily itinerary, etc. The UK application process is fairly strict these days, so leave no stone unturned when preparing your application to improve your chances of getting the visa.
Not sure if this post is still active for comments.
I made an application for visitors visa and paid for priority service “self service”. Although the appointment date has been booked and shows online, I didn’t get any receipt for payment I made for priority. I’m concerned cos how else would I show evidence that I made such payment. It says no where on the tls contact site
Hmm, I also applied for priority when I submitted my application and just looked at my emails for any receipts. I could find two receipts for Self Service appointment – Regular and Prime time appointment, but nothing to show the priority payment I made for the visa processing itself. I assume this is the one you are referring to? My application was indeed processed as priority, so I think this has to be on the UK visa processing end, not TLScontact – which you get the receipts for. I may be wrong though.
Hi, I’m Esther. Can I use a bank statement printed from the bank app for pof? My appointment is Tuesday 25th at Ikeja by 8am. Due to the holiday, I’m not able to get the statement from the bank.
Hi Esther, usually embassies require your bank statements to be stamped by the bank. So you can print it out yourself and take it to get stamped. I don’t know if it’s going to be a problem otherwise, but personally, I would not risk presenting an uncertified bank statement.
Hy Amara, I forgot to upload a particular document, during my self upload, I had to pay about 12k to add it, at TLS Center, within seconds she was done, I am worried if my previously uploaded documents I self uploaded is still intact.hope it won’t be removed…
Hi Makky, I had this same scenario when I applied the last time. Forgot a document and paid 10k to upload it at TLS. I got the visa, so I think the self-uploaded documents remain intact.
I can’t found the self service on my application but all others service are there
Hello Adeniran, I’m not sure why this is the case. Could you try logging out and in again via the Gov.UK site to see if it makes a difference?
Ok thank you but I notice no slot is available in lagos centre
Hi, good morning, i did my biometrics yesterday, i am sure i uploaded all necessary documents, under sponsorship, financial, relations and the others category. The only thing they thicked are my passport and sponsorship column? Pls what happened? I even uploaded my tb certificate too.
Hello, do you mean the guys who collect your doc at the counter ticked only those documents? I think that’s fine, as far as you’re sure you uploaded everything, then you shouldn’t worry too much about it. Also, since you’ve already done your biometrics, I don’t think there’s much else you can do now but wait. Good luck.
Hello,
Please i need a link to apply for UK visiting visa online from Nigeria.
Thanks.
Hello Tope, as mentioned in the article, the site is Gov.UK. Follow the links to the visa type you want to apply for. For a Standard visitor visa, this is the direct link to apply. But it’s important you go through the site for updated requirements and processes.
Got a mail that my passport is ready for collection from TLS five days ago. Paid fir courier services. My passport is yet to be delivered. What do I do next
Have you received a tracking number from the Courier company? If not, you could try 1) giving it a few more days to see if you do. 2)going to the centre to pick up yourself – you might lose the amount you paid for the service though. Lastly, as I always say, the Nairaland UK thread is a great place to find out the latest about UK visa applications. Try asking there as well. You might get a more direct response from someone who’s experienced the same thing as you.
Hello and thank you for this informative post. I have a small problem. I have just paid for the self service on TLS, however i am told on the website that I have to enter a username and password before I can proceed with the self-upload. Do you have an idea of that, because I don’t know what username and password I am to use.
Hi Udo, try logging in again to the GOV.UK site. From there, you should be able to access the TLSContact site where you’ll upload your documents.
Thank you for this.
Why is “No Service” on TLSCONTACT, making it difficult to book appointment. Can I go to their centre without appointment?
Thanks.
Hi Olabisi, please see my response to Jeremiah in the comment just below yours regarding appointment booking. Walk-ins are not currently allowed.
Hi there. Please I need your help. I don’t know if you’ve encountered something like this before. I made payment for my NHS and visa fee on Friday afternoon, and I have been trying to book for an appointment date since then, but unfortunately, I have been having so much difficulty in getting a date. The website is so unresponsive. I don’t know if the website is battling with a glitch, I’m not sure. I have tried all the dates this year, I can’t even see or click on anything, it’s unresponsive and I can’t proceed to checkout.
Please what do you advise I do?
Hi Jeremiah, the first thing I’d advise is to change your browser and use a PC if possible. That may take care of the unresponsive page problem. As for the availability of dates, I’m sorry, I don’t have too much insight into that.
Edit: I saw this suggestion by Opeyemi007 on Nairaland: “Choose self-service and remove the flexi appoinment, it should show closer dates”. It might be worth trying.
Thanks so much Amarachi, I opted and paid for assisted service because there were no closer dates for self service but i really want to upload my documents myself. The problem now is that i can’t find option to self upload. I downloaded the edossier app to see if i can upload using it but it requires PIN which i can’t find on my TLS page. Do you have any idea how i can do that?
Hi Sophir, I don’t think you can use the self service option after selecting Assisted Service but I may be wrong. You simply need to go to the application centre with all your documents in colored, A4 format. I’m not sure about the app or PIN. I suggest you ask on Nairaland as well. There’s more updated information in the UK Visa enquiries thread.
Hi Amarachi please I didn’t submit my TB test online as supporting documents. Please can I be allowed to make payment on my interview day so it can be included with my supporting documents.
Hi Anu, just based on my experience at the time I submitted, yes, you can submit it on the day of your biometrics and pay the ‘Assisted Service’ fee. I assume this isn’t a tourist visa? Just wondering why you need the TB test.
Hi,amarachi. Pls I made a mistake of uploading my offer letter dat isn’t signed. I noticed dis after submission. Pls is dia anything I can do so dat I won’t b denied of visa
Hi Noheemot, I don’t think this is a big deal. If you have also uploaded your payslips, introduction letter and any other documents to show proof of employment, it should be fine. If you’re still skeptical, consider asking this question on the Nairaland UK visit visa thread. You’ll get a more direct response/advice there.
Hi, where you able to still submit after going for your biometrics? Because I have same issue as you now.
good morning, does this mean that I should have scanned and printed all the documents on an a4 paper before going to the center?
Yes, you should. There’s also a place to do so within the building but I imagine it will be more expensive than what you would do at home.
Hi all, pls for the assisted service who will upload for me? Is it those business centres at the gate or the officials inside that do checks?
Hi Nimi, it’s the staff inside the TLS centre that do.
Nice info Amara. You did not say much about those who are self employed and the kind of documents that may be required. Please throw more light on this. Thank you.
Hello Amarachi, I have been worried about my application. I noticed that a document was missing from the uploaded self service submission I made so I requested at TLS that the particular document should be added (although it came with a fee which I paid). I’m just wondering if my previous uploaded documents wouldn’t have been taking out.
Hi Lola, this happened to me too. I missed out my bank statements during my self-upload and had to pay for TLS to include it. I got my visa, so I guess it’s safe to say that the self-uploaded documents were still intact and you shouldn’t worry too much about that.
Good morning Amarachi, thanks for this blog. Please I am having a challenge. I intend visiting the UK with my kids. I filled the application form individually on gov.uk and I was linked to TLS contact page. I am a family of 3. I was able to book self-service for myself on 21st October, but I can’t find the same date or time for my kids.what can I do, I just don’t understand this process. I want to use self-service and upload the documents myself, and it is the same docs we are all using. hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Ade, were you able to self-upload the documents for yourself? I assume your appointment/docs should suffice for your kids. I’ll confirm from a friend who recently applied for his family and update this comment when I get a response.
Update: my friend had to submit and pay individually for each child. I think you should call TLS to see if they can help or ask on Nairaland. There’s a lot more update there.
Hi Amarachi. What if someone does not have invitation letter from UK,is there assistance in that?
Hello, Abbey, a letter of invitation is not a compulsory document you need to apply for a UK tourist visa, however, it helps to increase your chances of getting one.
It might help if you write a letter of introduction if no one is inviting you. See the UK website’s guide for documents needed for a standard visitor visa: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/documents-you-must-provide
Good morning and great work you are doing here Amarachi.
Please I have been trying to book an appointment since Thursday but the TLScontact isn’t opening or responding, please what should I do? Thanks
Hi David, can you confirm that you are logging on to the TLS site via the UK visa website? That’s the only way you can book an appointment.
Yes that’s what I’m doing. But the site is down. For almost one week and counting..
Hello Amarachi, I love the great job you are doing on here
So I just applied a few days ago and used the assisted service option for my tier 4 visa. The lady was so quick she was done within 3 seconds. The only required supporting documents listed on my CAS was my Degree certificate, transcripts and WAEC which I gave to her but since leaving the place, I have been wondering if she scanned the WAEC or not lol. Is it possible for her to have missed out on such?
Hi Sammy, thanks for your comment. I think it is unlikely that she missed it out. I also came out with the same feeling after submitting the extra documents I needed to. I don’t think there’s a way to know for sure but I think we can assume with a good level of confidence that she did.
Hi Amarachi, many thanks for the information.
I currently have issues booking an appointment on TLSContact site. It keeps saying user id invalid.
I had successfully paid for the visa fees and was redirected to the TLS site. I also got a mail confirming account creation.
I’m not sure what to do as the customer service hasn’t been of help.
Hi Ayobami, I also received this error during my application as well. Are you trying to login via the Gov.UK site? If not, you should do so. Also try using a different browser or clearing your cache. It may work after that.
Hi Amarachi,
Many thanks for the informative post. Is there a service charge (facility fee) for using either the vi or Ikeja application Centre?
Hi Denike, yes there is. The VI centre charges a service fee while the Ikeja centre doesn’t. I don’t remember the exact amount though.
Nice post keep it up
Hi,
Do you knw if any of the TLS offices have resumed operation since the lockdown has been lifted?
It looks like it’s still closed for now. Unfortunately, their website doesn’t give any information as to when they plan to reopen. For now it is closed until further notice.
Hello Amarachi,
Thanks for this information.
I made payment and picked a date for my appointment on the TLS website yesterday afternoon and checked out. However, I am yet to get a payment/appointment email from TLS as of now.
Is this normal?
What do I do?
Hi Tosin, confirmation emails are usually sent almost immediately. Have you checked your spam messages to see if it got caught up in there?
If you still haven’t received it, you should contact TLSContact via email to let them know.
Hi Amarachi,
Thank you for the very informative write up. Please I just want to confirm if TLS has changed address from churchgate to Ajose Adeogun?
Thank you.
Hey Abidola, yes, they’ve moved from Churchgate and are now at the Ajose location – opposite Chicken Republic.
Amarachi thanks so very much for making it so explicit. Pls is it compulsory that i create a tls account and pls can i get an appointment at tlscontact visa center within this month?
Hello Bina, thanks for your message. You shouldn’t have to create a TLSContact account. It is automatically linked to your application on the Gov.UK site.
Appointments are as per availability. After paying the visa fees, you can see what’s available.
Hi Amarachi, I hope my message meets you well. Please why are there no appointment dates without extra costs within this March and even April? And please what does Flexi self service mean?
Hi Bina, I’m not sure but you can just keep checking. Something might open up. I believe the Flexi Appointments mean you can walk in on any day and with the Self Service, you have to upload ALL your documents by yourself.
Thank you for the info. I have been trying to book an appointment online but I noticed that it keeps compelling me to pick a primetime appointment and that is not what I want. I just want a regular self service appointment. What should I do?
Hi Julia, did you try checking other dates? That might be the only slot available for the date you chose.
Yes, I checked all the available dates from today till late March. there are no available dates for April yet and it seems they all contain primetime appointments, meaning that I must pay the extra 37,000 naira.This is quite strange I must say knowing fully well that it is stated that any additional service is optional, if so then why am I compelled tp pay the 37k. And also can I simply walk in at any time to the VAC that is not primetime without a prior booking?
It may be that all the other time slots are fully booked until March. I don’t think you can walk in without an appointment. The security at the gate asks for your proof before you are allowed in.
OK Then. Thanks for the response. Seems like I have no other choice but to pay. Also, is it advisable to do a self scan and upload on their site or just pay the extra fees and go for an assisted service?
To save costs, the self scan is the best option. It’s about 11,700 now for the assisted service. If you opt for the self scan, be sure to scan every single document you would need. If you get there and realize you forgot to scan one, you’ll pay the whole fee.
Just make a checklist of all you want to submit and self scan them.
How to apply online
Hi. Follow the Gov.UK link in the post and choose the right category.
Hi , I tried booking an appointment but it wasn’t proceeding to my check list till I pressed the upgrade to prime time and then I realized the extra cost. I want to change back, what do I do
Hello, did you already pay for the prime time appointment? If not, you can just go through that part of the application again. You would need to go through the GOV.UK site as the TLS site does not have its own login page.
Hy Ifeanyi, It depends on what you are going for but You can check for the requirements uk visa requirements and contact me for advice too free
Thanks so much, Amarachi. This is so well detailed and informative, thanks for sharing.