How Much Does It Cost for a Nigerian Accountant (ACCA) to Relocate to the United Kingdom? 🇬🇧
If you hold an ACCA qualification, the UK is arguably the easiest destination for Nigerian accountants. ACCA is a UK-headquartered body, recognised by Ofqual and equivalent to a UK Master's degree — you need zero additional exams or conversions to practise. All Big 4 firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and major mid-tier firms actively sponsor Skilled Worker visas. This guide covers the full visa cost, salary expectations, and timeline. Every figure verified against GOV.UK and official sources as of April 2026.
📊 Quick Numbers
Total Cost
₦7.5M – ₦9.5M
Starting Salary
£45,000/yr
Junior → Director (2026)
Nigerians Who Moved
750K+
ACCA members globally
Source Rank
Direct UK recognition
Step-by-Step: Registration & Costs
1Confirm ACCA Membership Is Active£326/yr (ACCA subscription) or £49.50 (UK ENIC for ICAN)
ACCA is directly recognised in the UK — no conversion, no additional exams, no registration with another body. Your ACCA membership lets you practise, sign accounts, and hold audit qualifications under UK Companies Act 2006. UK ENIC recognises ACCA as equivalent to a UK Master's degree. Simply ensure your ACCA membership is current and annual subscription (£326/year) is paid up. If you hold ICAN instead of ACCA, you'll need a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability (£49.50).
2Secure Job Offer from Licensed SponsorFree (your side)
Find an employer with a UK sponsor licence offering at least the going rate for SOC 2421 (Chartered and Certified Accountants): £49,200/year standard, or £41,700 for new entrants (under 26 or first professional job). All Big 4 firms sponsor: Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG. Mid-tier sponsors: BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM, Mazars. Check the public Register of Licensed Sponsors on GOV.UK. Accountants are NOT on the Immigration Salary List — no reduced fee applies.
3English Language Test (IELTS for UKVI)~£210 / $262 USD
From 8 January 2026, new Skilled Worker applicants need CEFR B2 (IELTS 5.5 in each component). Nigeria is NOT on the UK's list of majority English-speaking countries, so you cannot self-declare. An ACCA qualification taught in English may potentially satisfy the requirement, but this is not guaranteed — taking IELTS is the safest route.
4Skilled Worker Visa Application£819 (visa) + £3,105 (IHS 3yr) = £3,924
Apply for the Skilled Worker visa once your employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship. Fees increased 8 April 2026. Accountants are NOT exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge — you pay £1,035/year upfront. For a 3-year visa: £819 + £3,105 IHS = £3,924 total. Priority processing (£500, 5 working days) available from Nigeria via VFS Global (Lagos and Abuja).
Other Costs to Budget For
Official POSSAP fee ₦30,000. Actual costs vary by location.
Official source ↗St. Nicholas Hospital ₦100,000 (11+). The Consultants Practice ₦79,800.
Official source ↗Good News: Employer Sponsorship
All Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) and major mid-tier firms (BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM, Mazars) are confirmed Skilled Worker visa sponsors. Nigerian ACCA-qualified accountants are a known hiring demographic. The employer pays the Immigration Skills Charge (£364/year for small sponsors, £1,000/year for large) and the Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£525). No WHO safeguard list restriction for accountants — active recruitment is fully permitted.
What employers typically cover:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (£525)
- Immigration Skills Charge (£364–£1,000/year)
- Some firms cover visa fees as part of international hiring packages
- Big 4 graduate programmes often include full relocation support
What You'll Earn: Junior → Director (2026)
Entry
£45,000
per year
After 2 Years
£58,000
per year
Top of Band
£80,000
per year
ACCA qualified: £45K–£75K typical. Junior/trainee: £25K–£35K. Senior: £45K–£70K. Manager: £55K–£80K. Director/Partner: £80K–£150K+. London adds 15–25% premium. Source ↗
Important Things to Know
- ACCA is directly recognised in the UK. No conversion exams, no additional registration. Your ACCA membership IS your UK qualification.
- ICAN-qualified accountants need a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability (£49.50, 15 working days) to demonstrate equivalence.
- Minimum salary for SOC 2421: £49,200/year (standard) or £41,700 (new entrant). Going rate exceeds the general threshold.
- All Big 4 and major mid-tier firms are confirmed Skilled Worker visa sponsors.
- From January 2026, English requirement raised to B2 (IELTS 5.5 each component) for new applicants.
- UK ENIC now charges £49.50 for Statement of Comparability (not £69.60 as previously listed).
- No WHO safeguard list restriction for accountants — UK employers can actively recruit from Nigeria.
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Start Free CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to convert my ACCA to a UK qualification?
No. ACCA is a UK body, recognised by Ofqual and equivalent to a UK Master's degree. You can practise, sign accounts, and hold audit qualifications directly under your ACCA membership. No conversion, no additional exams. Simply keep your ACCA subscription current (£326/year).
How much does it cost for a Nigerian accountant to relocate to the UK in 2026?
The main costs are the Skilled Worker visa (£819) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£3,105 for 3 years). Add IELTS (~£210), TB test (₦50K–100K), police clearance (₦30K–100K), and a one-way flight (~£465). Total out-of-pocket: approximately £4,500–£5,500. Some employers cover visa fees as part of relocation packages.
What salary can an ACCA-qualified accountant earn in the UK?
ACCA-qualified accountants typically earn £45,000–£75,000. Junior/trainee: £25K–£35K. Senior: £45K–£70K. Manager: £55K–£80K. Director/Partner: £80K–£150K+. London roles pay 15–25% more. The minimum salary for a Skilled Worker visa (SOC 2421) is £49,200.
Do the Big 4 sponsor visas for Nigerian accountants?
Yes. All Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) are confirmed Skilled Worker visa sponsors. So are major mid-tier firms: BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM, and Mazars. Check the public Register of Licensed Sponsors on GOV.UK before applying.
What about ICAN-qualified accountants?
ICAN (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria) is not directly recognised in the UK like ACCA. ICAN-qualified accountants should get a UK ENIC Statement of Comparability (£49.50) to demonstrate their qualification level. Alternatively, ICAEW offers a Pathways to Membership route for members of other bodies, which exempts ACCA members from 9 of 15 ACA exams.
How long does it take to start working in the UK as an accountant?
Since ACCA requires no conversion: 3–8 months total. Job search: 1–6 months. Document gathering: 2–6 weeks. Visa processing: 3 weeks standard (5 days priority). This is significantly faster than nursing or medicine, which require professional registration exams.
Sources & Verification
Every figure on this page was independently verified on 2026-04-09. We do not use AI training data for any costs, fees, or policy claims.
Verification Notes
UK ENIC fee is £49.50 (not £69.60 previously cited). Confirmed on enic.org.uk April 2026.
ACCA English exemption for visa purposes is not explicitly confirmed in immigration rules. Taking IELTS recommended.
Nigerian accountant migration stats: UNVERIFIABLE. No public data breaks down visa grants by nationality + SOC code.
Written by Max Ayobami
Founder of Japa Calculator, Nigeria's first data-driven relocation decision tool. Every cost figure and expert tip on this page is independently researched and verified against official government and regulatory body sources.