UK Visa Total Cost Calculator
See every cost involved in applying for a UK visa. Visa fee, IHS, legal, biometrics, and setup costs in one place.
Cost Mistakes That Catch Nigerians Off Guard
Planning only for the visa fee and ignoring IHS
For a family of four on a 3-year Skilled Worker visa, the IHS alone is £12,420. The visa fee for the same family is £5,692. The IHS is more than twice the visa fee.
Forgetting that every dependant pays the full fee
Children under 18 pay the same visa application fee and the same IHS rate as adults. There is no family discount.
Not budgeting for UK setup costs before leaving Nigeria
Rent deposits in UK cities are typically 5 weeks’ rent. On a £1,500/month room in London, that is £1,731 deposit before you pay one month’s rent. Many arrivals are financially unprepared for this.
Using the visa fee alone as the “cost of japa”
The total cost to arrive and survive the first month in the UK is typically 3 to 5 times the visa application fee alone for a single applicant. For a family, the ratio is even higher.
How the UK Visa Total Cost Calculator Works
This calculator adds up every cost layer in a UK visa application. It starts with the mandatory Home Office charges (application fee and IHS), then adds professional costs (biometrics, legal advice, language tests, document translation), and optionally includes first-month UK setup expenses to give a realistic total relocation budget.
The core formula is simple. Each cost component is calculated separately and summed.
UK Visa Application Fees by Route (2024)
| Visa route | Fee (outside UK) | IHS applies? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | £1,423 | Yes, £1,035/yr | Per person including dependants |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | £2,771 | Yes, £1,035/yr | Per person including dependants |
| Student Visa | £490 | Yes, £1,035/yr | Lower fee but IHS for full course length |
| Family Visa (Spouse/Partner) | £1,846 | Yes, £1,035/yr | Children of partner visa holders also pay |
| Graduate Route (PSW) | £715 | Yes, £1,035/yr | Applied from inside UK after Student Visa |
| Global Talent | £623 | Yes, £1,035/yr | Plus endorsement fee from relevant body |
| Health and Care Worker (to 3 yrs) | £284 | Exempt (main) | Very low fee; IHS waived for main applicant |
| Innovator Founder | £1,486 | Yes, £1,035/yr | Endorsement fee separate (approx £0–£1,500) |
Fees are per person and correct as of 2024. Always verify on gov.uk before applying.
Table of Truth: Total Cost Estimates by Profile
| Profile | HO fees only | With legal + docs | With setup | ~NGN total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, SW 3yr | £4,528 | ~£7,000 | ~£10,000 | ~₦21M |
| Single, Student 1yr | £1,525 | ~£3,500 | ~£6,500 | ~₦13.7M |
| Adult + spouse, SW 3yr | £9,056 | ~£12,000 | ~£16,000 | ~₦33.6M |
| Adult + spouse + 1 child, SW 3yr | £13,584 | ~£17,000 | ~£21,500 | ~₦45.2M |
| Adult + spouse + 2 children, SW 3yr | £18,112 | ~£22,000 | ~£27,000 | ~₦56.7M |
| Single, HCW 3yr | £284 | ~£1,500 | ~£4,500 | ~₦9.5M |
| Single, Family Visa 2.5yr | £4,433 | ~£7,000 | ~£10,500 | ~₦22M |
NGN conversion at illustrative ₦2,100/£1. HO = Home Office fees (visa fee + IHS) only.
Why Each Cost Layer Exists
The visa application fee
This is the fee paid directly to the Home Office for processing the visa application. It is non-refundable in most circumstances even if the visa is refused. The fee varies by route, duration, and whether you apply from inside or outside the UK. Applications made from outside the UK (including from Nigeria) generally cost more than switching from inside the UK.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The IHS is charged at £1,035 per person per year and must be paid in full upfront for the entire visa duration. It funds access to the National Health Service. It is paid separately from the visa fee and is often larger than the visa fee for longer visas or family applications.
Biometrics
Most overseas applicants pay a biometric enrolment fee of approximately £19.20 per person at a visa application centre. This is separate from the main visa fee and is paid at the appointment. It is a relatively small cost but easy to overlook when budgeting.
Legal and professional fees
Using an OISC-registered immigration adviser or solicitor is optional for straightforward applications but reduces the risk of errors that cause refusals. Fees range from £500 for a basic consultation to £3,000 or more for complex cases including previous refusals, gaps in employment history, or non-standard SOC code situations.
Realistic Scenarios
Scenario 1: Single professional, Skilled Worker 3 years
Tunde applies from Lagos for a 3-year Skilled Worker visa. Home Office costs: £1,423 visa fee plus £3,105 IHS, totalling £4,528. He uses an OISC adviser at £900. Biometrics £19.20. IELTS test £195. Documents £200. He arrives with a deposit and first-month setup budget of £3,000. Total: approximately £9,842, equivalent to roughly £9,842 (around ₦20.7M at ₦2,100/£1).
Scenario 2: Applicant with spouse, Skilled Worker 3 years
Amaka applies with her husband. Two people means two visa fees (£2,846), double IHS (£6,210), double biometrics (£38.40). She uses a solicitor at £1,400 for the family case. IELTS for both (£390). Shared document prep £300. UK setup £3,500. Total: approximately £14,684 (around ₦30.8M).
Scenario 3: Applicant with spouse and two children, Skilled Worker 3 years
Emeka applies with his wife and two children. Four people. Visa fee: £5,692. IHS: £12,420. Biometrics: £76.80. Legal: £1,800. Language tests: £390 for the two adults. Documents: £400. UK setup (family of four): £4,500. Total: approximately £25,278 (around ₦53.1M). This figure is the one that stuns most japa WhatsApp conversations when calculated properly in naira.
