Health and Care Worker Visa: Timeline for Nigerians ₦1,012,015
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 | ₦595,087 (~$436 USD) |
| Proof of funds (your own savings)Refundable to you | ₦2,332,593 (~$1,710 USD) |
| Health surcharge | ₦0 (~$0 USD) |
| Language test (IELTS/TEF) | ₦288,360 (~$211 USD) |
| Credential evaluation | ₦128,568 (~$94 USD) |
| Total government fees | ₦1,012,015 (~$742 USD) |
Verified against official immigration authority schedule. Exchange rates as of 3 June 2026. Proof of funds is your own money — you do not pay it to the government.
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 ₦1,012,015 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.
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 ₦1,012,015 (about $742). This includes the visa application fee, health surcharge, language test, and credential evaluation where applicable.
- How long does Health and Care Worker Visa processing take from Nigeria?
- Processing time for the Health and Care Worker Visa for Nigerian applicants is 3 weeks (standard), often faster.
- How much proof of funds do I need for the Health and Care Worker Visa?
- You need to show ₦2,332,593 ($1,710) in proof of funds for the Health and Care Worker Visa. This is your own money in a bank account — you do not pay it to the government.
- What is the most important tip for Health and Care Worker Visa applicants from Nigeria?
- 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.
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 3 June 2026). All fees are subject to change with policy updates — verify with the official immigration website before applying. Last verified: 2026-06-02