United Kingdom · for applicants from Nigeria
Main sponsored work route. Requires a job offer from a licensed sponsor for an eligible occupation (now RQF Level 6 / graduate level), a Certificate of Sponsorship, and meeting the salary and English requirements.
Rules last verified: 22 June 2026 · by Beatrice B
Embassy processing
About 3 weeks from outside the UK
Our turnaround
5–7 working days
Done-for-you Standard
Government fees
~£1,924
≈ ₦3,518,996
Path to settlement
5 years
Salary below going rate
Pay meets £41,700 but not the higher occupation-specific going rate.
Fix: Check the SOC-code going rate and ensure the offer clears the higher of the two.
Ineligible occupation
Role below RQF Level 6 after the July 2025 change.
Fix: Confirm the SOC code is still eligible before assigning the CoS.
Genuine vacancy doubts
Officer doubts the role or sponsor is genuine.
Fix: Provide a clear job description and evidence of a real, funded vacancy.
Maintenance funds not shown
£1,270 not held 28 days and sponsor did not certify.
Fix: Hold maintenance for 28 days or have the sponsor certify on the CoS.
Required
Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
When: "all"
Without a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer, there is no application to make.
Common mistake
Sponsor licence problems or a withdrawn Certificate of Sponsorship can sink the application even after you've applied.
Current passport / valid travel document
When: "all"
Your passport or travel document proves your identity and nationality for the application.
Proof of English language ability
When: "unless exempt"
You must show CEFR B1 English through an approved route: a UK school qualification, a UK-taught degree, an Ecctis-assessed non-UK degree taught in English, or a Secure English Language Test.
Proof of personal savings (maintenance £1,270)
When: "unless sponsor certifies maintenance"
You need the money available for at least 28 days in a row, with day 28 within 31 days of applying, unless your employer certifies your maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Common mistake
Funds not held for the full 28 days, with no sponsor certification on the Certificate of Sponsorship, is a common reason maintenance fails.
Job title, occupation code and salary details
When: "all"
Your occupation code determines whether the role is eligible and what going rate you must be paid, so the job description must genuinely match what you'll be doing.
Common mistake
Similar-sounding job titles can have different codes and eligibility. For example, bricklayers, roofers and carpenters are eligible, but construction labourers are not.
TB test certificate
When: "Nigeria"
The Home Office needs proof you do not have infectious tuberculosis before granting entry for a stay of 6 months or more from a listed country.
Common mistake
Leaving the chest x-ray too late is a common error, since the certificate is only valid for 6 months from the date of the x-ray and must come from an approved clinic.
Depends on your situation
Criminal record certificate
Certain health, education and social care occupations require a criminal record certificate for every country you lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years while 18 or over.
1. Prepare your application
Gather documents, draft supporting letters, complete forms
1–3 weeks
2. Rekoja review (if Done-for-you)
Specialist checks your file before you submit
5–7 working days
3. Submit online or at visa centre
Biometrics appointment may be required
1 day
4. Embassy decision
Standard processing. Priority options may be available.
About 3 weeks from outside the UK
These are the fees you pay to the government, not Rekoja's service fee. Shown at the indicative exchange rate.
Mandatory
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), per year
£1,035
₦1,893,015
Visa application fee
£819
₦1,497,951
Tuberculosis (TB) test at an approved clinic (IOM Nigeria charges about $94; the price is set by the clinic, not the Home Office)
£70
₦128,030
Biometric enrolment
£0
₦0
Total government fees
~£1,924
≈ ₦3,518,996
Optional
Priority / super-priority service (optional)
£500
₦914,500
Proof of funds (must hold, not pay)
Maintenance (if not certified by sponsor)
£1,270
₦2,322,830
Indicative. 1 GBP = 1829 NGN · 2026-08-03. Government fees change. Confirm on the official website before paying.
A free AI can tell you the rules. Rekoja does the harder part: we verify them against the official government source, prepare the actual application file, catch what gets people refused, and a specialist checks everything before you submit. We stand behind our work.
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100% approved
Based on 12 reported outcomes across all Rekoja cases. This is a look back at past cases, not a prediction. The embassy decides; past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
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Preparation improves your readiness, not the decision. Practice, never a guarantee.
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