UK Immigration in 2026
The UK isn't Canada. There's no points-based lottery system where you sit around waiting for a draw. You need a job offer first. A real one, from a licensed sponsor employer, with a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) that has your name on it.
That single requirement filters out most applicants before the process even starts. But if you've got a COS, the UK route is actually faster and more predictable than Canada's Express Entry. You could be in London within 8 to 12 weeks of submitting your application.
The catch? It costs more upfront. The Immigration Health Surcharge alone will make your eyes water.
Skilled Worker Visa
This is the main route. Your employer sponsors you with a COS. You need a qualifying job at the right salary level in an eligible occupation.
Key requirements:
- A COS from a licensed sponsor employer
- Minimum salary of GBP 38,700/year (or GBP 30,960 for Immigration Salary List occupations)
- English language at B1 level (IELTS 4.0+ in each band, or qualifying degree)
- TB test from an approved clinic in Nigeria
- Enough savings to support yourself (GBP 1,270 in your account for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance)
New entrants, meaning people under 26 or switching from a Student visa, can qualify at a lower salary threshold of GBP 30,960. That's a significant difference.
Health & Care Visa
If you're a doctor, nurse, care worker, or pharmacist, this is your golden ticket. Same process as the Skilled Worker visa, but with two massive benefits.
First, you don't pay the IHS surcharge. On a 3-year visa, that saves you GBP 3,105. Second, processing is faster. Most Health and Care applications are decided within 3 weeks. Some get approved in days.
Care worker roles have been heavily recruited from Nigeria since 2022. The salary threshold is lower too. Many care roles qualify at GBP 23,200, well below the standard GBP 38,700. The trade-off is that care work pays less and the hours are brutal. But it gets you in the country with a clear path to ILR.
Graduate Visa Route
Already studying in the UK? The Graduate visa gives you 2 years (3 years for PhD holders) to work at any job, any skill level, without needing a sponsor. It's unsponsored, so it doesn't count toward ILR. Think of it as a bridge. Study on a Student visa, graduate, switch to the Graduate visa, find sponsored employment, then switch to a Skilled Worker visa to start your ILR clock.
Cost: GBP 822 application fee plus GBP 1,035 IHS per year.
Full Cost Breakdown
Here's what you're actually paying. All figures assume a single applicant on a 3-year Skilled Worker visa.
| Item | Skilled Worker | Health & Care | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa application fee | GBP 719 – 1,420 | GBP 284 | Depends on visa length and salary level |
| IHS surcharge (3 years) | GBP 3,105 | GBP 0 | Exempt for Health & Care workers |
| IELTS UKVI / OET | NGN 100,000 – 130,000 | NGN 100,000 – 130,000 | IELTS for UKVI or OET for healthcare |
| TB test certificate | NGN 30,000 – 50,000 | NGN 30,000 – 50,000 | IOM-approved clinics in Lagos/Abuja |
| Priority processing (optional) | GBP 500 | N/A | Decision within 5 working days |
| Maintenance funds | GBP 1,270 | GBP 1,270 | 28 days in your account (often waived by sponsor) |
Total Visa Costs in Naira
| Visa Type | Low Estimate (NGN) | High Estimate (NGN) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (3-year) | 3,500,000 | 6,500,000 |
| Health & Care (3-year) | 800,000 | 1,800,000 |
| Graduate visa (2-year) | 2,200,000 | 3,500,000 |
The Health and Care route is dramatically cheaper. If you're a nurse or care worker, the math is obvious.
IHS Surcharge Explained
The Immigration Health Surcharge is a fee you pay for access to the NHS. It's GBP 1,035 per year of your visa, paid in full before you arrive. A 3-year visa means GBP 3,105 upfront. A 5-year visa means GBP 5,175. Per person.
Yes, per person. If you're bringing a spouse and two children on a 3-year visa, that's GBP 12,420 in IHS alone. About NGN 10 million at current rates. Just for healthcare access.
Health and Care visa holders don't pay this. That's the single biggest financial advantage of that route.
Settlement Costs on Arrival
London is expensive. No way around it. But not everyone lands in London. Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Glasgow are significantly cheaper for rent and daily living.
| Expense | London (GBP) | Outside London (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Flight (one-way Lagos to London) | 400 – 900 | 400 – 900 |
| First month rent + deposit | 2,000 – 3,500 | 1,200 – 2,000 |
| Council tax (monthly) | 120 – 200 | 100 – 160 |
| Transport (monthly Oyster/bus pass) | 140 – 200 | 70 – 120 |
| Groceries (first month) | 200 – 350 | 180 – 300 |
| SIM card + phone plan | 15 – 30 | 15 – 30 |
| BRP collection + misc | 50 – 100 | 50 – 100 |
First-month settlement in London: GBP 2,925 to GBP 5,280 (NGN 4.5 million to NGN 8 million). Outside London, you can manage on GBP 2,015 to GBP 3,610 (NGN 3 million to NGN 5.5 million).
Path to ILR & Citizenship
Indefinite Leave to Remain. That's the UK equivalent of permanent residence. Here's the timeline.
- Year 0: Arrive on Skilled Worker or Health & Care visa
- Year 5: Apply for ILR. You must have lived in the UK continuously (no more than 180 days abroad per year). Application fee: GBP 2,885. Life in the UK test fee: GBP 50.
- Year 6: Apply for British citizenship if desired. Fee: GBP 1,580. You'll need to attend a citizenship ceremony.
Total cost from entry to citizenship: add another GBP 4,515 (NGN 6.9 million) on top of your initial visa costs. Nobody mentions this when they're talking about japa budgets.
One important rule. You must not be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period. Go home for Christmas, fine. Spend 7 months in Nigeria, you've broken continuous residence. Your ILR clock resets. Be careful with this.
Timeline
- Month 1: Secure job offer from licensed sponsor. Check the Register of Licensed Sponsors on gov.uk.
- Month 1 to 2: Employer issues COS. Take IELTS UKVI or OET if needed. Get TB test.
- Month 2 to 3: Submit visa application online. Pay IHS. Book biometrics appointment at TLS Lagos or Abuja.
- Month 3 to 4: Receive decision (3 to 8 weeks standard, 5 days with priority).
- Month 4: Fly to the UK. Collect BRP. Start work.
Total: 2 to 4 months from job offer to landing. Much faster than Canada. But you need that job offer first, and that's the hard part.
Plan Your Relocation Budget
Use our Savings Goal Calculator to set a target for your UK relocation fund and track your monthly progress.
Open Savings Goal Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
For a single Skilled Worker visa applicant, budget NGN 4 million to NGN 8 million total. This covers visa fees, IHS surcharge, English test, TB test, flights, and first-month settlement. Health and Care visa holders pay less because the IHS surcharge is waived, bringing total costs to NGN 2.5 million to NGN 5 million.
The general threshold is GBP 38,700 per year. Occupations on the Immigration Salary List qualify at GBP 30,960. New entrants (under 26 or switching from a Student visa) can also qualify at the lower rate. Your employer's COS must confirm they'll pay at least this amount.
The Immigration Health Surcharge gives you access to the NHS. It costs GBP 1,035 per year of your visa, paid upfront in full. A 3-year visa means GBP 3,105 before you even book your flight. Each dependent pays the same amount. Health and Care visa holders are exempt from this charge.
Five continuous years on a qualifying visa (Skilled Worker or Health and Care). You must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period. The ILR application costs GBP 2,885 plus a GBP 50 Life in the UK test fee. After holding ILR for 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship at GBP 1,580.
The Health and Care visa is a sub-type of the Skilled Worker visa for medical professionals. Three big differences: no IHS surcharge (saving GBP 3,000+ over 3 years), faster processing (usually 3 weeks), and lower salary thresholds for some care roles. You still need a COS from a licensed sponsor employer. Both visas lead to ILR after 5 years.