Health and Care Worker Visa: Timeline for Nigerians ₦1,015,664
Processing time for the Health and Care Worker Visa for Nigerian applicants is 3 weeks (standard), often faster. Below is what to expect at each stage, plus the verified fees you pay along the way.
Health and Care Worker Visa fees — verified breakdown
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | ₦597,233 (~$433 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to you | ₦2,341,004 (~$1,697 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦289,400 (~$210 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦129,032 (~$94 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦1,015,664 (~$736 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 14 July 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
What each fee covers
The ₦1,015,664 total is made up of several distinct charges. Here is what you are actually paying for:
- Visa application fee — ₦597,233: Paid to the United Kingdom immigration authority when you submit your application. Non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
- Language test — ₦289,400: IELTS Academic or General, TOEFL, or country-equivalent test. Book your slot in Lagos or Abuja well in advance — popular centres fill 6–8 weeks ahead.
- Credential evaluation — ₦129,032: A third-party body (WES, ACS, Engineers Australia, SAQA, or equivalent) verifies that your Nigerian degree and certificates meet United Kingdom’s standards. Allow 4–8 weeks for this process.
- Proof of funds — ₦2,341,004: Your own savings — not paid to anyone. Must sit in your bank account, unencumbered, for typically 28–90 days before your application date.
Processing timeline
Total processing time: 3 weeks (standard), often faster
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Check that you meet the Health and Care Worker Visa requirements before paying any fees.
- 2
Prepare documents
Passport, qualification certificates, language test result, credential evaluation report.
- 3
Pay fees
Pay ₦1,015,664 in government fees.
- 4
Submit application
Submit online or through the relevant embassy.
- 5
Wait for decision
Processing time: 3 weeks (standard), often faster.
Expert tip
Health and Care Worker Visa
This is the most affordable UK work visa and remains a popular route for Nigerian healthcare professionals. The visa fee is £324 (~$411) for up to 3 years (effective 8 April 2026, increased from £304). You are fully exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge (saving over £3,000 on a 3-year visa), your dependants are also exempt, and the minimum salary is just £25,000. IMPORTANT: Since July 2025, care workers (SOC codes 6135/6136) can NO longer be recruited from overseas — only registered healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors, midwives, and paramedics remain eligible for this visa route. This is a significant change that affected many Nigerian care workers who previously used this pathway. Nigerian nurses must register with the NMC — pass the CBT exam in Nigeria, then complete the OSCE practical exam within 12 weeks of arriving in the UK.
Where Nigerians settle in United Kingdom
Once your Health and Care Worker Visa is approved, most Nigerians head to London or Manchester. Here is what to budget for your first year:
- London: 1-bedroom rent ₦3,625,791/month · Lagos–London flights from ~$550 · Nigerian community: Very Large
- Manchester: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,981,559/month · Lagos–Manchester flights from ~$600 · Nigerian community: Large
- Birmingham: 1-bedroom rent ₦1,657,136/month · Lagos–Birmingham flights from ~$620 · Nigerian community: Large
Life in London
London is expensive but has the UK's largest Nigerian community — Peckham and Woolwich in South East London are cultural hubs with Nigerian shops, churches, and restaurants. To save on rent, look at Zone 3–5 areas like Barking, Dagenham, Lewisham, or Croydon where 1-bed flats run £1,200–£1,500/month. Get an Oyster card immediately — monthly travel in Zones 1–3 costs about £180.
28% of Nigerians who use Japa Calculator choose United Kingdom as their destination. Average Japa Score: 58/100. Most common salary expectation among applicants: ₦300K–₦700K.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the Health and Care Worker Visa cost for Nigerians moving to United Kingdom?
- Total government fees for the Health and Care Worker Visa are ₦1,015,664 (about $736). This covers the visa application fee, language test of ₦289,400, credential evaluation of ₦129,032, and any other applicable government charges.
- How long does Health and Care Worker Visa processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Health and Care Worker Visa is 3 weeks (standard), often faster. Apply from the United Kingdom High Commission in Abuja or the Consulate in Lagos — book your appointment slot as early as possible, as backlogs frequently add 2–4 weeks beyond the official window.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the Health and Care Worker Visa?
- You need to show ₦2,341,004 ($1,697) in savings for the Health and Care Worker Visa. This money stays in your account — it is not paid to the government. Funds must be unencumbered: fixed deposits locked for a term or joint accounts with conditions may be queried by the officer.
- What documents do I need for the Health and Care Worker Visa application from Nigeria?
- Core documents include a valid Nigerian passport (6+ months validity), completed application form, recent passport photographs, and proof of eligibility for this visa category. Language test result (IELTS/TEF) required — book early, Lagos and Abuja test slots go fast. Credential evaluation from an approved body is required to verify your Nigerian qualifications. Include 6 months of bank statements showing the ₦2,341,004 proof-of-funds requirement is consistently met.
Related guides
Sibling variants of this visa route and other ways into United Kingdom.
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Start Free CalculatorData methodology: Visa fees sourced from official immigration authority schedules. Naira conversions use live exchange rates from open.er-api.com (last updated 14 July 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02