UK Spouse Visa Applications from Nigeria

Overview: The Spouse Visa Process from Nigeria

Nigerian applicants apply for UK spouse visa entry clearance from outside the UK. The application is submitted online, biometrics are enrolled at the visa application centre in Lagos (Victoria Island) or Abuja, and supporting documents are uploaded to the online portal.

The substantive requirements are the same as for any spouse visa applicant: the UK-based sponsor must meet the £29,000 income threshold, the relationship must be genuine and subsisting, adequate accommodation must be available in the UK, the applicant must meet the English language requirement, and the marriage must be legally valid. In addition, Nigerian applicants must obtain a TB test certificate from an approved clinic.

Requirements Specific to Nigerian Applicants

TB test: All applicants who have lived in Nigeria for six months or more in the twelve months before the application must produce a valid TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic. The certificate is valid for six months from the date of the test — do not take the test too early, as the certificate must remain valid at the time of the visa decision.

English language: Nigeria is not on the list of majority English-speaking countries for UK visa purposes, so Nigerian applicants cannot claim the nationality exemption. However, applicants who hold a degree from a Nigerian university taught in English, verified by ECCTIS (formerly NARIC), may qualify for the academic qualification exemption. Otherwise, an approved Secure English Language Test (such as IELTS Life Skills A1) is required.

Biometric appointment: Appointments at the Lagos and Abuja VACs can be busy. Book the biometric appointment as soon as the online application is submitted.

Marriage Documentation: Civil, Religious, and Customary Marriages

Civil marriages

A marriage registered with the Nigerian government under the Marriage Act produces a marriage certificate issued by the registrar. This is the most straightforward document to present. If the original is unavailable, a certified copy from the National Population Commission is acceptable.

Church and mosque marriages

A church or mosque ceremony does not, on its own, constitute a legally valid marriage for UK visa purposes unless it was also registered as a civil marriage. Many Nigerian couples have a church wedding without a concurrent civil registration. In this situation, the couple is not legally married under Nigerian law and the applicant may need to apply as an unmarried partner or regularise the marriage first.

Customary marriages

A customary (traditional) marriage is legally valid in Nigeria if it was conducted according to the customary law of the relevant community. Evidence may include a customary marriage certificate from the local government area, a letter from the head of the relevant community confirming the marriage, and photographs and witnesses from the ceremony. Provide as much contemporaneous documentation as possible, and a covering letter explaining the specific customary process followed.

TB Test Centres in Nigeria

UKVI-approved TB testing clinics in Nigeria are located in Lagos and Abuja. The test involves a chest X-ray and results are usually available within a few days.

Book the TB test as early as possible — clinic availability can be limited
The certificate is valid for six months from the date of the test; ensure the certificate will still be valid when the visa decision is likely to be made
Keep the original certificate — do not submit a copy
The test must be taken at a UKVI-approved clinic; results from non-approved clinics are not accepted

The current list of approved TB test clinics in Nigeria is published on GOV.UK and is updated periodically.

The Financial Requirement: Common Issues for Nigerian Applicants

The £29,000 threshold applies to the UK-based sponsor's income. Common financial difficulties:

Informal employment. Many UK-resident Nigerians work in roles where pay arrangements are informal or payslips are not issued in the standard format. If the salary is paid in cash and does not appear in bank statements, or if payslips are not issued, the income cannot be counted under Category A.

Self-employment. Many Nigerian sponsors in the UK run their own businesses. Self-employment income is assessed using the last full financial year's net profit.

Overseas income. The applicant's Nigerian earnings do not count towards the financial requirement for an entry clearance application.

Relationship Evidence: What Works from Nigeria

Communication evidence. WhatsApp is the primary communication platform between many Nigerian-UK couples. WhatsApp call and message logs, screenshot summaries, and phone bill records showing international calls are all useful.

Visit evidence. UK visa visits to Nigeria — or Nigerian applicant visits to the UK — demonstrate that the couple has invested in spending time together.

Family and community evidence. Nigerian families often have strong traditions around introduction ceremonies and weddings. Photographs and documentation from these events, including evidence that both families attended, are strong supporting evidence.

Processing Times from Nigeria

Standard processing from Nigeria is within 24 weeks. Most decisions arrive within 12 weeks in normal circumstances. Allow additional time for TB test booking and results (typically one to two weeks), English language test booking (allow four to six weeks), and biometric appointment at the Lagos or Abuja VAC. In total, the preparation period is typically two to three months before the formal online submission date.

Common Refusal Problems for Nigerian Applications

Marriage document not establishing legal validity. A church or traditional ceremony without civil registration, presented without explanation, may result in a finding that no valid marriage exists.
Financial evidence not in prescribed format. Informally formatted payslips or income paid in cash without bank statements are common grounds for financial refusals.
Relationship evidence thin or concentrated at one time. Applications with only a handful of photographs from the wedding are vulnerable.
TB test certificate missing or expired. Applications submitted without a valid TB test certificate will be refused on that ground alone.
Undisclosed previous visa refusals. All previous refusals — including UK visitor visa refusals — must be declared on the application form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Nigerian applicants need a TB test?

Yes. All applicants who have lived in Nigeria for six months or more in the preceding twelve months must submit a TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic. The certificate is valid for six months.

Is a customary marriage valid for a UK spouse visa?

Yes, if it is legally recognised under Nigerian law. Provide contemporaneous documentation of the ceremony and its legal validity.

How long does processing take from Nigeria?

Within 24 weeks for standard processing. Allow two to three months of preparation before the application is ready to submit.

Where do I take the TB test in Nigeria?

At a UKVI-approved clinic in Lagos or Abuja. The current list is on GOV.UK.