How much does it cost to migrate to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa from Nigeria?

The total cost of relocating from Nigeria to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa typically ranges from approximately £5,000 to £15,000 depending on family size, visa duration, and whether optional costs such as legal fees and UK setup costs are included. For a single applicant on a 3-year visa, the mandatory Home Office fees alone (visa fee plus IHS) total approximately £3,932. Adding Nigerian pre-departure costs, a one-way flight, and UK setup costs typically brings the total to £6,000 to £9,000 for a single applicant.

Does the employer pay any of the Skilled Worker visa costs?

The employer is legally required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), which is a separate levy paid by the employer to the government (approximately £1,000 per year for large companies). The employer is not legally required to pay the applicant's visa fee or IHS, but many employers choose to cover these costs as part of a relocation package. Always negotiate and confirm in writing what the employer will cover before accepting the job offer. If the employer pays the visa fee and IHS, these costs drop to zero for the applicant.

What is the IHS and why is it so high?

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a government levy that gives visa holders access to NHS services. It is charged at £1,035 per person per year and must be paid upfront for the full visa period before the application fee. For a single applicant on a 3-year visa, the IHS is £3,105. For a family of three on a 3-year visa, the total IHS is £9,315 paid all at once. This is often the largest single upfront cost and the one that surprises most Nigerian applicants who budget only for the visa fee.

What Nigerian costs do I need to pay before applying for a UK Skilled Worker visa?

Common Nigerian pre-departure costs include: TB test at an approved clinic (approximately £180 to £220), police clearance certificate (approximately £20 to £50 from the Nigeria Police Force), document legalisation or notarisation (approximately £50 to £200 per document), IELTS Academic test if required (approximately £195 to £220), and an immigration adviser fee (optional, £500 to £2,000). Not all of these apply to every applicant. TB test is mandatory for most nationalities including Nigerians. IELTS is required unless you have an accepted English language qualification exemption.

How much is a one-way flight from Nigeria to the UK?

A one-way economy flight from Lagos or Abuja to London typically costs between £400 and £900 per adult, depending on the airline, season, and booking lead time. Direct flights from Lagos to London Heathrow or Gatwick (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, or Air Peace) tend to cost more but save connection time. Connecting flights via Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) or Doha (Qatar Airways) are often cheaper. Booking 6 to 12 weeks in advance and avoiding peak summer and Christmas periods reduces the cost.

How much does initial UK setup cost for a Nigerian moving to the UK?

Initial UK setup costs for a single person typically range from £1,500 to £3,000 for the first month. This includes a rent deposit (typically 5 to 6 weeks rent, which is £1,000 to £2,500 depending on city), furniture and bedding if the accommodation is unfurnished, a UK SIM card and phone plan, a month of food and groceries, and local transport costs. London is significantly more expensive than other UK cities. Many employers provide temporary accommodation or a relocation allowance for the first few weeks.

Does the Skilled Worker visa cost include a TB test?

The TB test fee is separate from the Skilled Worker visa application fee. Nigerian applicants are required to take a tuberculosis (TB) test at a UK Visas and Immigration approved clinic in Nigeria before applying for most UK visas of 6 months or longer. The TB test typically costs between £180 and £220 at an approved clinic. A certificate of a clear TB test is then submitted with the visa application. The test result is valid for 6 months, so timing the test correctly relative to the application is important.

Can I include allowances or benefits in my UK salary when checking the cost threshold?

Only guaranteed basic gross annual salary counts toward the Skilled Worker salary threshold (£38,700 from April 2024). Performance bonuses, tips, overtime, and non-cash benefits generally cannot be counted. Some guaranteed allowances (such as a guaranteed shift allowance that forms part of every payslip) may be counted in specific circumstances, but the safest assumption is that only the base salary figure is relevant for threshold purposes.

How do I pay the UK visa fee from Nigeria?

The IHS and visa application fee are paid online through the gov.uk portal using a debit or credit card. Most Nigerian Visa and Mastercard debit cards issued by commercial banks are accepted, but you must enable international online transactions with your bank before attempting payment. Some Nigerian banks block international online payments by default. Call your bank the day before to confirm the card is enabled for international transactions. The transaction will appear in GBP on your bank statement.

What happens to my total cost if my employer switches SOC codes?

The SOC code does not directly affect your visa fees or IHS. It affects the going rate requirement for your salary. If the employer switches to a SOC code with a higher going rate, you may need to negotiate a higher salary, which affects your financial planning but not the visa cost itself. The visa fee (£827 or £1,636) and IHS (£1,035 per year) are fixed regardless of occupation. What changes with the SOC code is only the minimum salary required to qualify.

Is there a way to reduce the total cost of a UK Skilled Worker visa?

A few legitimate ways to reduce total out-of-pocket costs: negotiate with your employer to cover the visa fee and IHS (some employers offer this as part of the relocation package); use a shorter initial visa duration (3 years vs 5 years) if the employer offers a 3-year contract, which reduces the IHS; choose a city outside London to reduce initial setup and rent costs; use an online immigration adviser instead of a high-street firm to reduce legal fees; book flights early and outside peak periods. The IHS and visa fee are fixed government charges and cannot themselves be reduced.

UK Skilled Worker Total Migration Cost Calculator 2024 | From Nigeria

DeyWithMe Cost breakdown guide ↓

UK Skilled Worker Total Migration Cost Calculator

See every cost of relocating from Nigeria to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa. Home Office fees, Nigerian pre-departure costs, flights, and UK setup. Total in GBP and Naira.

Based on 2024 published UK Home Office rates. All costs are estimates. Exchange rate illustrative at ₦2,100/£1. Verify at gov.uk before paying. Not immigration advice.

Total migration budget

~₦0

£0

Visa duration

Affects the visa fee and total IHS. Most initial Skilled Worker visas are issued for 3 years.

Does your employer cover visa costs?

Some employers pay the visa fee and IHS as part of the relocation package. If yes, those costs are removed from your total.

Adult dependants

Spouse / partner

Child dependants

Under 18

Nigerian pre-departure costs

Toggle costs that apply to your situation.

UK arrival and setup costs

First-month costs on arrival. Adjust based on your city and situation.

Home Office mandatory fees

Paid to UKVI via gov.uk

£0

Nigerian pre-departure costs

Paid in Nigeria before flying

£0

Flights (Lagos or Abuja to UK)

One-way economy estimate per person

£0

UK arrival and setup costs

First-month costs on arrival in the UK

£0

Budget composition

Total migration budget estimate

£0

~₦0 at ₦2,100/£1 (illustrative)

Per-person average

£0

This estimate covers mandatory and selected optional costs. Actual amounts will vary. Always verify fees at gov.uk and use live exchange rates before sending money.

Do Not Miss This Step: UK Skilled Worker Salary Checker

Budgeting Mistakes That Leave Nigerians Short on Arrival

✗

Budgeting only for the visa fee and forgetting the IHS

The £490 visa fee is just one part. For a family of three on a 3-year visa, the IHS alone is £9,315. This must be paid upfront before the visa application fee. Many Nigerian families discover this cost only when they are already mid-application.

✗

Not budgeting for UK arrival costs before the first salary arrives

UK employers typically pay monthly in arrears. Your first salary may arrive 4 to 6 weeks after starting. You need enough money on arrival to cover rent deposit, food, transport, and SIM card before any income arrives. Budget at least 2 months of living costs as a float.

✗

Sending money to the UK at unfavourable rates without comparing providers

The difference between using a Nigerian bank’s official rate and a money transfer service (Wise, WorldRemit, or similar) on a £5,000 transfer can be ₦200,000 to ₦500,000. Always compare rates before sending large amounts for visa fees or UK setup.

✗

Ignoring the Nigerian pre-departure costs in the total budget

TB test, police clearance, document legalisation, and IELTS together can add £500 to £700 to the total, paid in Nigeria before the visa fee is even touched. These costs are often excluded from online budget guides that focus only on the Home Office fees.

How the UK Skilled Worker Total Migration Cost Calculator Works

The calculator adds up four distinct cost buckets: mandatory Home Office fees, Nigerian pre-departure costs, flight costs, and UK arrival setup costs. Each bucket is itemised so you know exactly what you are budgeting for and why.

Home Office Total  = (Visa Fee + IHS + Biometric)
                     x (1 + adults + children)
                     [zero if employer pays]

Nigerian Costs     = Sum of selected pre-departure items

Flights            = Per-adult estimate x (1 + adults)
                     + Per-child estimate x children

UK Setup           = Sum of selected setup items

Grand Total        = Home Office + Nigerian + Flights + UK Setup
Do Not Miss This Step:  UK Graduate Route Work Rights

Naira Equivalent   = Grand Total x ₦2,100/£1 (illustrative)
    

The IHS is the largest and most overlooked cost. Most Nigerian applicants know about the £490 visa fee. Very few plan for the IHS upfront. A family of four on a 3-year Skilled Worker visa pays £1,035 x 3 years x 4 people = £12,420 in IHS alone, all paid before the visa application fee. This single cost frequently exceeds 12 months of savings for many Nigerian applicants.

Total Cost Scenarios: Common UK Skilled Worker Situations

Situation	People	Visa	HO fees (self-pay)	Flights est.	Setup est.	All-in est.
Single applicant	1	3yr	£3,932	£600	£2,000	~£7,500
Couple (no children)	2	3yr	£7,864	£1,200	£2,500	~£12,500
Family of 3	3	3yr	£11,796	£1,700	£3,000	~£17,500
Single, employer pays HO	1	3yr	£0	£600	£2,000	~£3,500
Family of 3, employer pays HO	3	3yr	£0	£1,700	£3,000	~£5,500

HO fees = visa fee + IHS + biometrics. Setup includes rent deposit, bedding, SIM, groceries (1 month). Naira conversions at ₦2,100/£1.

Always negotiate employer coverage before signing. UK employers who want to hire internationally often expect candidates to ask about relocation support. Asking directly for the employer to cover the visa fee and IHS is a reasonable request. If the employer says no, at least you know the full cost. If they say yes, a family of three saves over £11,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to move to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa from Nigeria?

For a single applicant paying all costs: typically £6,000 to £9,000. For a couple: £10,000 to £14,000. For a family of three: £15,000 to £20,000. These ranges include Home Office fees (visa fee, IHS, biometrics), Nigerian pre-departure costs (TB test, police clearance, IELTS), one-way flights, and UK first-month setup. If the employer pays the visa fee and IHS, the total drops significantly.

Does the employer have to pay any visa costs?

The employer must pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), which is a separate government fee of approximately £1,000 per year for large employers. The employer is not legally required to pay your visa fee or IHS. But many employers offer to cover these costs voluntarily, especially when recruiting internationally. It is worth negotiating this explicitly during the offer stage.

What is the IHS and why must it be paid upfront?

The Immigration Health Surcharge gives visa holders NHS access. It is charged at £1,035 per person per year and must be paid in full for the entire visa duration, all at once, before the visa application fee. For a 3-year visa for a family of three, this is £9,315 paid in one transaction. It is non-refundable on refusal. This is the most common financial shock for Nigerian Skilled Worker applicants and their families.

Do children pay the same visa fees as adults?

Yes. Each child dependant under 18 pays the same per-person visa application fee (£827 or £1,636) and the same per-person IHS (£1,035 per year) as the main applicant. There is no reduced rate for children. A family of two adults and two children pays four sets of fees.

How much should I have in savings before moving to the UK?

As a rough guide: savings of at least the total migration cost shown in this calculator, plus 2 to 3 months of estimated UK living expenses. UK employers typically pay monthly in arrears, meaning your first salary may arrive 4 to 6 weeks after your start date. You need a float to cover accommodation, food, transport, and incidentals before income begins. For a single person in a mid-UK city, 2 months of expenses is approximately £2,500 to £4,000.

Disclaimer: All cost figures are estimates based on 2024 published Home Office fees and typical market rates for Nigerian-to-UK relocation. Actual costs vary by individual circumstances. Flight prices change seasonally. UK rental costs vary significantly by city. The Naira conversion at ₦2,100/£1 is illustrative and does not reflect live exchange rates. Verify all government fees at gov.uk. DeyWithMe is not affiliated with the UK Home Office or UKVI. This tool provides estimates only and is not financial or immigration advice.

Do Not Miss This Step: UK New Entrant Salary Checker

Budget copied

UK Skilled Worker Total Migration Cost

UK Skilled Worker Total Migration Cost Calculator

How the UK Skilled Worker Total Migration Cost Calculator Works

Total Cost Scenarios: Common UK Skilled Worker Situations

Frequently Asked Questions

UK Skilled Worker Dependants Cost

UK Skilled Worker Salary Checker

UK Graduate Route Eligibility Checker

UK New Entrant Salary Checker

UK Graduate Route Work Rights

UK Work Permit Expiry and Renewal Deadline

UK Skilled Worker Total Migration Cost Calculator

How the UK Skilled Worker Total Migration Cost Calculator Works

Total Cost Scenarios: Common UK Skilled Worker Situations

Frequently Asked Questions

Wait, There’s More