If you are thinking of visiting the UK, either for tourism or just to spend time with friends and family, you will need to get a “visitors visa” from the UK gov’t. Contrary to popular belief, visiting the United Kingdom (UK) on a tourist visa isn’t as tricky as you must have been made to believe. It is a straightforward process, and your chances of getting one aren’t as slim as you think. In this article, we will be showing you how to apply for a UK tourist visa in Nigeria, and all the requirements needed to qualify for it.
What You Can do With a UK Visitor’s Visa
You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:
- for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation
- to see your family or friends
- to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
- to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
- for certain business activities, for instance, attending a meeting or interview
- to take part in a school exchange program
- to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example, a dance course
- to study, do a placement, or take an exam
- as an academic, senior doctor, or dentist
- Also, for medical reasons
What you can not do with a UK Visitor’s Visa.
You cannot;
- do any paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person.
- claim public funds.
- live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits.
- marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership.
Eligibility Requirement
You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
You must be able to show that:
- you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
- you’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
- you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
- you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
In some cases, you may need to meet extra eligibility requirements:
- to study, do a placement, or take an exam
- as an academic, senior doctor, or dentist
- for medical reasons.
Information you’ll need to provide include;
- the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
- where you’ll be staying during your visit
- cost of your trip
- your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
- your parents’ names and dates of birth (if known)
- how much you earn in a year
- details of any criminal, civil, or immigration offenses you may have committed
Other circumstances might require that you provide other information like;
- details of your travel history for the past 10 years
- your employer’s address and telephone number
- your partner’s name, date of birth, and passport number
- the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
- the name, address, and passport number of any family members you have in the UK
- a certificate showing that you’ve had tuberculosis (TB) test if you’re visiting for more than a 6 months period.
How to Apply
The first step of the application process is to apply online. Part of the online application requires that you book an appointment at a visa application center. There are three UK visa centers in Nigeria to get a tourist visa; Abuja, Ikeja, and Victoria Island.
During your appointment, you’ll need to:
- prove your identity with your passport or travel document
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken
- provide the required documents that show you’re eligible for a Standard Visitor visa
Visa Fee:
| Fee | Maximum length of stay | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor visa | £100 | 6 months |
| Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons | £200 | 11 months |
| Standard Visitor visa for academics | £200 | 12 months |
| 2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £376 | 6 months per visit |
| 5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £670 | 6 months per visit |
| 10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £837 | 6 months per visit |
Conclusion
It takes about 3 weeks after you’ve applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, to get a response. Once a decision has been made, you’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application.