UK Spouse Visa checklist for UK Sponsor and Nigerian national applicant written by UK Immigration Lawyer Mr Saleh Begh

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1. Your nationality and residence : British (United Kingdom)

2. Your partner nationality and residence : Nigerian (Nigeria)

The information and document checklist below is for you, if you are a British citizen (or holding UK permanent residence) and your partner is a Nigerian national.
Nigeria  Lagos , Kano , Ibadan , Kaduna , Port Harcourt , Benin City , Maiduguri , Jos , Aba , Ilorin
You currently reside in United Kingdom whereas your partner resides in Nigeria .

Full UK Spouse Visa Guide - Nigeria .

UK Spouse Visa Nigeria Checklist Contents

UK Spouse Visa Key Considerations for Family Visa from Nigeria
UK Partner Visa from Abuja, Nigeria
Checklist for UK Family Visa (British and Nigerian)
UK Home Office Approved TB Medical Centres in Nigeria
UK Home Office Approved English Tests Centres in Nigeria
UK spouse visa where to apply Abuja, Nigeria
UK spouse visa grant letter update Abuja, Nigeria
UK spouse visa supporting documents bundle Abuja, Nigeria

UK Spouse Visa Key requirements

Lets have a chat | ☎ 00442071935178 | Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm UK time.

The Immigration Rules state that :
  • you both must be over the age of 18;
  • you must have met each other in person and be legally married, unless you are applying as an unmarried partner [alternatively] apply for a UK Marriage Visa or a UK Fiancée visa both have different requirements. | );
  • you both must intend to live together permanently in the UK (not Nigeria) ;
  • you must have enough income to support yourselves and any dependants without claiming public funds (unless of course, you receive PIP / DLA / CA .. [Read more]);
  • the sponsor must hold and evidence British / ILR / EUSS / Refugee status documents.
  • they must have suitable accommodation for you and any dependent children;
  • and you must satisfy the English language requirements and have a medical certificate for TB (where required).

    UK family Visa

    Now let's look into the various aspects of the requirements listed above when you are British and your partner is Nigerian and you reside in United Kingdom and your partner resides in Nigeria. Since your partner is a Nigerian national, they would need UK immigration status documents to live and work in the UK. If you are not yet British but have Indefinite leave to remain (ILR), Permanent Residency (EEA PR) or Refugee status, then your partner can join you on the Partner route and enter or remain in the UK legally.

    We note that your partner is a visa national (Nigerian) for UK travel purposes. This means they would normally need to obtain a visa from the British Embassy or UK Visa office / Commercial partner office (VFS Global), prior to their travel to the UK.

    UK Spouse Visa Documents Checklist - Abuja - Nigeria

    Wafi Solicitors
    16 Upper Woburn Pl
    London WC1H 0AF, UK
    00442071935178
    saleh@wafi.co.uk

    Please call or email for FREE initial consultation. | |

    UK Spouse Visa Checklist April 2026
    Abuja - Nigeria

    Key Forms / Documents
    Online application form ;
    Online application checklist ;
    VFS Global Appointment document and QR code ;
    Statutory Declaration by sponsor ;

    Identity
    Nigerian Passport (All Pages);
    Copy of UK Sponsor Passport (Data page) ;
    Copy of Sponsor (ILR / Refugee status document (if not British) ;
    English test centres
    Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Abuja - Nigeria
    Approved English Test Centres in Nigeria

    Tuberculosis Testing Centres
    Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Nigeria
    Approved TB Test Centres in Nigeria

    UK Visa Application Centres in Nigeria
    VFS Global Office Nigeria has application centres in Abuja , Lagos (Ikeja) , Lagos (VI) , Enugu , Ibadan , Kano and Port Harcourt .

    UK Spouse Visa Application Checklist (Sample April 2026 - Chioma and Chinedu)

    1. Chioma’s Nigerian passport (NI20613958) Submitted at VFS Global office in Abuja, Nigeria;
    2. Copy of Chioma’s online Application form (UAN 1212-0001-6139-4900);
    3. Copy of Sponsor, Chinedu’s British Passport (Number: 145004900) or Nigerian passport plus Chinedu’s UK status documents;
    4. Duly Completed Chioma's online Application Checklist (GWF0139587900);

    Financial (Sponsor, Chinedu who is British and Employed)
    5. Chinedu’s Statutory Declaration and Sponsorship undertaking form SU07 ;
    6. Letter from Chinedu’s employer dated in April 2026;
    7. Offer letter and Employment Contract document for Chinedu ;
    8. Chinedu’s Payslips (Monthly – Sept 2025* to April 2026);
    9. Chinedu’s Bank Statements (1 Sept 2025* to 1 April 2026).
    * Chinedu may need 12 months (From April 2025) instead of 6 where Chinedu's monthly gross pay varies and is less than the required monthly amount, currently £2,416.67 (£29,000 / 12) for each and every month during the previous 6 months.

    Financial (Sponsor, Chinedu has Savings or receives exempted State Benefits)
    If Chinedu is not employed but has the required savings or Chinedu receives PIP, CA or Disability benefits he would provide (instead of items 6 to 8 above) evidence of benefit award and needs to meet the maintaince route requirements. In the case of savings, Chinedu would need to provide evidence of source of savings and minimum balance held during the previous 6 months.

    Accommodation (Adequate for the British Nigerian couple plus any children)
    10. Chinedu’s Tenancy Agreement or Ownership evidence (if owning) ;
    11. Landlord / Estate Agents consent letter or housing report (owning) for Chinedu's flat ;
    12. Chinedu’s Council tax statement and other UK residence evidence.

    English & TB Certificates (Both tests are required for Nigerian nationals.)
    13. Approved A1 English test certificate from test centre in Abuja - Nigeria
    Approved English Test Centres in Nigeria
    14. Approved TB medical test certificate from test centre in Nigeria
    Approved TB Test Centres in Nigeria

    Relationship (Genuine subsisting and durable between Chinedu and Chioma)
    15. Chinedu and Chioma's original Marriage Certificate with translation (if married) and joint residence evidence (where unmarried but living together for 2 years plus) ;
    16. Copy of Nigeria / UK visit stamps, entry & exit plus flights bookings for Chinedu and Chioma;
    17. Telephone and Whatsapp chat log records between Chinedu and Chioma;
    18. Screenshots of conversations by Whatsapp between Chinedu and Chioma;
    19. Various Funds Remittance Receipts sent to Chioma in Nigeria by Chinedu ;
    20. Selection of Nigerian wedding and other personal photographs of Chinedu and Chioma.
    21. if Chinedu and Chioma are not married but only engaged - evidence of Chinedu's venue booking and other commitments for marriage in the UK awaiting Chioma's arrival ;
    22. if Chinedu previously married - Chinedu's Divorce certificate or Widower - Death certificate (issued in the UK or Nigeria ). Same for Chioma if applicable.

    Children and other ties (British or Nigerian and where applicable)
    23. Child, Amina's birth certificate, copy of Amina's passport and other evidence of family ties and Chinedu and Chioma's parental responsibility for the child.

    Non-English documents (from Nigeria)
    24. English translation of Chinedu and Chioma's Marriage / divorce certificate. From Hausa to English sworn translations may be required.

    Criminal record and immigration history (In Nigeria and the UK - Applicant only)
    25. Documents relating to Chioma's good character and immigration history and mitigation (if Chioma's previous visa was refused or was an UK over-stayer).
    26. Chioma's financial standing and settlement of NHS and other debts.

    Complicated situation or unsure about what to include?
    Wafi Solicitors can guide you through the process with ease and get the positive outcome you seek first time. | |

    Wafi Solicitors – All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced without prior written permission.

    No liability accepted for accuracy, completeness, or reliability of data provided. Chinedu, Chioma, Emeka, Amina and other names do not relate to any actual persons. They are used for illustration purposes only.

    Tuberculosis tests for UK spouse visa applicants

    Your partner is at a location (Nigeria ) where Tuberculosis (TB) medical testing is required for UK Visas (longer than 6 months, such as Spouse Visa). If they are the applicant they will need to consider taking the test. Please note that TB test certificate is only valid for up to 6 months. Approved TB Test Centres in Nigeria .This is test is required for UK Family visas when you are resident in Nigeria.

    UK Home Office Approved TB Test centres in Nigeria

    Click here for UK Government TB testing in Nigeria Website
    (opens in a new window)

    IOM Abuja No. 55 Hassan Musa Katsina Road, Asokoro, Abuja
    Telephone: +234(0) 807 219 1122 / 0809 563 7898 / 0808 522 1427 / 0703 289 8491
    Email: iomabujamedicalbooking@iom.int

    IOM Lagos Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC)
    No. 1 Isaac John Street, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
    Telephone: +234(0) 807 219 1112 or 080 2226 4059 or 0909 999 1256
    Email: iomlagosmedicalbooking@iom.int

    Approved TB Test Centres in Nigeria

    A1 level English test required

    Your partner is a Nigerian national and thus not exempt from the English language requirements for a Spouse / Partner visa, they would need to take the A1 / A2 (extension) or provide other English language evidence.

    If you are already in the UK (on a different visa or for visa extension application) You can take a SELT with the providers mentioned above or with Trinity College London. Click here for UK Spouse Visa English test centres in the UK

    UK Spouse visa Approved English Test Centre address in Nigeria



    Approved English Test Centres in Nigeria

    Did you know Abuja, Nigeria is 4,900 KM (3,045 miles) from London, England. Flight time to London is 7 Hours. Nigeria has a population of 206,139,587 (2021) and they use Nigerian naira. One British pound is equal to 918.91 Nigerian Nairas.

    You may consider applying from neighbouring countries if that is more appropriate such as ( | Beninese UK Spouse Visa | Cameroonian UK Spouse Visa | Chadian UK Spouse Visa | Nigerien UK Spouse Visa | ) . You would normally need to hold 6 months or more lawful residence there in order to apply for a UK spouse visa from that location.


    UK Spouse Visa British and Nigerian Lagos , Kano , Ibadan , Kaduna , Port Harcourt , Benin City , Maiduguri , Jos , Aba , IlorinUK Spouse Visa British and Nigerian Lagos , Kano , Ibadan , Kaduna , Port Harcourt , Benin City , Maiduguri , Jos , Aba , Ilorin

    Please remember that all UK Family Visa applications are now done online and your UK Visa Application Centre for Nigeria, VFS Global Office could be in a different city. You may need to plan ahead and travel for your tests and visa appointments. These are the large cities in Nigeria Lagos , Kano , Ibadan , Kaduna , Port Harcourt , Benin City , Maiduguri , Jos , Aba , Ilorin. Only a few cities will have a VFS Global Office UK Spouse Visa Application Centre (Nigeria)

    Procedure and where to apply and provide your biometric details in
    The initial application is now done online. You would then be forwarded to VFS Global Office , they are the UK government's Commercial Partner. They handle UK Visa Applications from Nigeria. This is where you would book your appointment, pay for additional services and provide your passport and fingerprints. You will also have your photos taken and can also submit your supporting documents bundle. Most applicants use the online portal for digital bundles to be uploaded. Go to their website Click VFS Global Nigeria.

    UK spouse visa grant letter update in Nigeria

    UK eVisa grant letters are now issued by the UK Home Office / VFS Global Office via email from the UK visa centre in Nigeria; physical letters will no longer be issued. Also you will not need to collect your passport or visa from the Nigerian UK visa application centre ( VFS Global Office ) as your passport will not be retained and visa is now issued on the online portal (eVisa). You are reminded that you need to ensure that you have provided a valid email address on your online visa application form and may also need to check your spam/junk folder in order to receive this email.

    UK Spouse Visa Priority Visa fees and option April 2026

    When you complete your UK Spouse Visa application, the option offered is the Standard Service Option and it says it will take 12 weeks (as shown below). If you want the priority service, get a decision in two to six weeks, please contact us for the upgrade!

    UK Spouse Visa Fees April 2026

    UK spouse Visa Application fees is £1,938
    You will pay $2,395 United States Dollars or a little more for your application.
    View live fees UK Spouse Visa fees for Nigeria now !

    Supporting Documents Bundle (UK Spouse Visa) Abuja

    UK Spouse visa requires a large set of documents in support (From UK and Nigeria). Since there are many requirements and specified documents. You may find that your (British / Nigerian) documents are in the wrong format, scanned poorly, has too many extra and unrelated pages, needs to be merged or combined to stop you from having 100 plus files and so items can easily be missed by the decision maker.

    Sometimes your items may be too large in size (6 MB or more), your work letter or bank statement may have password protection, all these oversized, password protected and unreadable documents will simply not be considered. This can cause delays and lead to refusals. Please get in touch ( UK 00442071935178 or email saleh@wafi.co.uk ) for supporting documents help and free consultation. Our fees for bundles start at £50 and can be ready in a matter of hours. We can reduce the number of files from 150 to just 9 to 15 files, one or two covering each category. Reduce and adapt oversized files, remove passwords and help with the whole upload process.

    Please get in touch ( UK 00442071935178 or email saleh@wafi.co.uk ) for more specific information, free 5 minute consultation is offered or leave a question or comment below and we will get in touch (dont forget to include your contact number ).

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    About the author

    Saleh Begh is a Solicitor (English Attorney) with 15 years experience in UK Immigration and Family law. He routinely deals with complicated Immigration and family law matters. Read more about Saleh Begh For guidance, options and tips contact us | |
    You may also consider our guide on how to apply from a neighbouring country ( | Beninese UK Spouse Visa | Cameroonian UK Spouse Visa | Chadian UK Spouse Visa | Nigerien UK Spouse Visa | ) . Please note that you would normally need to hold 6 months or more lawful residence there in order to apply for a UK spouse visa from that location.

    Heading to the UK, which is your nearest Nigerian Airport?

    Is it Calabar, (Calabar Airport) , Enugu, (Enugu Airport) , Ibadan, (Ibadan (NEW) Airport) , Ilorin, (Ilorin Airport) , Jos, (Jos Airport) , Kaduna, (Kaduna (NEW) Airport) , Kano, (Mallam Aminu Intl. Airport) , Lagos, (Murtala Muhammed Airport) , Maiduguri, (Maiduguri Airport) , Port Haircourt, (Port Haircourt Airport) , Sokoto, (Sokoto Airport) , Yola, (Yola Airport) . Which city do you live in, is it? Lagos , Kano , Ibadan , Kaduna , Port Harcourt , Benin City , Maiduguri , Jos , Aba , Ilorin or somewhere else. We can help you with your UK Spouse Visa from Nigeria

    Did you know that the following cities in Nigeria had large populations - Lagos ( 15387639 ) , Kano ( 4219209 ) , Ibadan ( 3756445 ) , Abuja ( 3652029 ) , Port Harcourt ( 3324694 ) , Benin City ( 1841084 ) , Onitsha ( 1552630 ) , Uyo ( 1264636 ) , Nnewi ( 1176550 ) , Kaduna ( 1158048 ) , Aba ( 1150116 ) , Ikorodu ( 1041166 ) , Ilorin ( 1000477 ) , Owerri ( 945046 ) , Warri ( 942683 ) , Jos ( 942167 ) , Umuahia ( 860555 ) , Maiduguri ( 822337 ) , Enugu ( 819791 ) , Lokoja ( 790742 ) , Oshogbo ( 749750 ) , Zaria ( 749297 ) , Akure ( 716815 ) , Sokoto ( 684621 ) , Bauchi ( 645005 ) , Abakaliki ( 631844 ) , Calabar ( 630628 ) , Ogbomosho ( 602329 ) , Abeokuta ( 556554 ) , Gombe ( 550824 ) , Ado-Ekiti ( 516227 ) , Katsina ( 504873 )