Nigeria is, by a significant margin, the largest single source country for African applicants on the UK Skilled Worker Visa route. Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have made this journey — nurses, engineers, accountants, IT professionals, teachers, pharmacists — and the corridor is well-established enough that there is now a considerable body of practical knowledge about what the process involves specifically for Nigerian applicants.
That Nigeria-specific knowledge is what this guide contains. We have a separate guide covering the general Skilled Worker Visa process from Zimbabwe that covers the fundamentals. This guide is about the differences, the Nigeria-specific requirements, and the practical realities of applying from Lagos, Abuja, or other Nigerian cities.
The TB test — Nigeria-specific approved clinics
Nigeria is on the UK's list of countries requiring a tuberculosis (TB) test for visa applications. This is not optional — without a valid TB test certificate from an approved clinic, your application will be refused.
The test involves a chest X-ray reviewed by an approved radiologist. The certificate is valid for 6 months from the date of the X-ray.
Approved clinics in Nigeria (as of 2025):
| City | Clinic |
|---|---|
| Lagos | UKBA Health Services, Victoria Island; Reddington Hospital (approved provider) |
| Abuja | IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre, Garki; NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre (check current approval) |
| Kano | Check current GOV.UK list — approved clinics change |
| Port Harcourt | Check current GOV.UK list |
Critical: Always verify the current list at gov.uk/tb-test-visa before booking. Approved clinics change. A test from an unapproved clinic will invalidate your application.
The test typically takes one day. Results are issued within 1–3 days. Costs approximately ₦30,000–50,000 depending on the provider.
NYSC discharge certificate — what you need to know
This is one of the most Nigeria-specific requirements. If you completed an undergraduate degree in Nigeria after 1973, you were required to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). For most skilled professions, the NYSC discharge certificate is required as part of your educational credentials.
What this means for your visa application:
For qualification verification — particularly if your employer's UK assessing authority or your professional body is assessing your Nigerian degree — NYSC documentation is typically required as part of the verification package. Without it, your degree may not be accepted as fully verified.
If you completed NYSC: Locate your discharge certificate. If lost, replacement certificates can be obtained from the NYSC headquarters in Abuja — this process can take several weeks to months, so start early.
If you were exempted from NYSC: Obtain your exemption certificate.
If you are a post-NYSC graduate who has since lived abroad: Keep documentation of your NYSC status as it applies to the point of your original qualification.
Professional credential verification for Nigerian qualifications
Different professions have different verification requirements. Here is a summary for the most common Nigerian professional backgrounds:
Nurses and midwives: The NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) overseas registration process is specifically designed for internationally qualified nurses. Nigerian qualifications are well-recognised but require:
- Original transcripts from your nursing school sent directly to NMC
- Certificate of current good standing from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN)
- English language test (OET or IELTS UKVI)
- Competency test (OSCE — Objective Structured Clinical Examination)
The OSCE must be taken in the UK — this can be done before or after you arrive, but many nurses choose to secure a conditional job offer and complete the OSCE before their visa is sponsored.
Doctors: The GMC (General Medical Council) registration requires:
- Primary Medical Qualification (PMQ) verification — the GMC verifies directly with Nigerian universities
- PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 examinations (can be taken in Nigeria for PLAB 1)
- English language (IELTS Academic or OET)
Engineers: Skills assessment by Engineering UK or Engineering Council depending on the specific visa route. Nigerian engineering degrees from accredited universities (COREN-accredited institutions) are generally well-recognised.
Accountants: ICAN, ACCA, or CIMA qualifications are directly recognised. For non-professional graduates, credential assessment through relevant bodies applies.
IT professionals: Generally assessed by the employer rather than a licensing body — WAEC/NECO results, university transcripts, and professional certifications (AWS, Microsoft, Google certifications) strengthen the profile.
Case study: Emeka's journey from Abuja to London
Emeka, 31, a software engineer from Abuja, had been working at a fintech company in Lagos for four years. His manager — a British national — moved back to the UK and joined a London tech company that was hiring engineers. She referred Emeka.
Timeline of his application:
| Month | Action |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Received conditional job offer, confirmed employer had sponsor licence |
| Month 1 | Began collecting documents — NYSC certificate, university transcripts |
| Month 2 | Submitted TB test at approved clinic in Abuja |
| Month 2 | IELTS for UKVI — achieved 7.5 across all bands |
| Month 3 | Employer issued Certificate of Sponsorship |
| Month 3 | Applied online for Skilled Worker Visa |
| Month 3 | Booked biometrics at VFS Global, Abuja |
| Month 4 | Attended biometrics appointment |
| Month 5 | Visa approved |
| Month 5 | Arrived in London |
Total time from job offer to arrival: approximately 5 months.
What made his application straightforward: a well-organised employer who knew the sponsorship process, early document preparation, and IELTS scores that exceeded the minimum comfortably.
What he found difficult: the IELTS for UKVI booking — slots in Abuja fill up 4–6 weeks ahead. He had to book promptly. And the biometrics appointment at VFS Global Abuja was busy — he waited 3 weeks for his preferred slot.
"Start the IELTS booking the day you get your job offer," Emeka advises. "Don't wait until everything else is ready."
The VFS Global biometrics process in Nigeria
VFS Global operates UK visa application centres in Nigeria:
- Lagos: VFS Global, The Octagon Building, Victoria Island
- Abuja: VFS Global, 8 Uke Street, Garki II
Appointments must be booked online at vfsglobal.com. You must bring:
- Your passport
- Your online application ID number
- TB test certificate
- Any documents you wish to submit physically (most documents are uploaded online, but check your specific requirements)
Priority services: Standard service is 3 weeks. Priority service (paid) is typically 5 working days. Super priority is available at significant additional cost. Availability of priority services from Nigeria changes — check current availability when you apply.
Bringing your family from Nigeria
If your spouse/partner and children are joining you, each needs their own visa application (UK family dependants visa). The process is similar to the main applicant's but simpler — they do not need a TB test unless they are from a TB-test required country (Nigeria is — so they do need one).
For children, you will need:
- Birth certificates
- Consent letter from the non-travelling parent (if applicable)
- Evidence of relationship to the main applicant
Common mistakes Nigerian applicants make
Using the wrong IELTS test: IELTS Academic is used for university applications. Visa applications require IELTS for UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration). These are different tests at different approved centres. A mistake here results in refusal.
Submitting transcripts yourself: Many assessing authorities and employers require transcripts to be sent directly from the institution to them — not via the applicant. This prevents tampering but requires early action and coordination with your Nigerian university's registry.
Under-documenting employment history: Reference letters for your work experience must confirm job title, salary, hours worked per week, your duties, and dates of employment. A generic letter on company letterhead saying you worked there is not sufficient.
Waiting for NYSC replacement certificate too late: If your NYSC discharge certificate is lost, start the replacement process the moment you receive a job offer. Processing times from the NYSC directorate can be unpredictable.
Sources: GOV.UK — Skilled Worker Visa: Prove your knowledge of English; UKVI TB testing approved clinics list (gov.uk/tb-test-visa — always check current version); NMC — Registration for internationally educated nurses; GMC — PLAB guidance; VFS Global Nigeria visa services. All specific requirements should be verified on GOV.UK as rules change regularly.