Last updated: October 2026. Immigration rules change often, so always confirm the latest details on GOV.UK before you apply.
If you are Nigerian (or from another African country) and married to a British citizen or someone with settled status in the UK, the spouse visa (officially the “Family visa: partner”) lets you join your spouse, live, work and study in the UK.
The rules are the same for every nationality, but applicants from Nigeria and other African countries face extra steps: a mandatory TB test, a compulsory English language test, and documents that must be carefully prepared. This guide covers all of it.
UK Spouse Visa Eligibility Requirements
1. Relationship Requirements
- You must be legally married to, or in a civil partnership with, a British citizen or a person settled in the UK (with indefinite leave to remain, settled status or similar).
- You must prove the relationship is genuine and ongoing. Evidence includes visits to each other, communication records, money transfers and shared responsibilities.
- If you are applying as an unmarried partner, you must have lived together in a relationship for at least two years.
- Nigerian marriages: A marriage celebrated at a Marriage Registry (statutory marriage) is the easiest to prove. Customary or religious marriages can be accepted if they are valid under Nigerian law and well evidenced (for example, with a court-issued declaration or certificate of customary marriage). A traditional engagement or “introduction” ceremony alone is not a marriage. If your marriage was customary or your documents have name or date-of-birth discrepancies, get professional advice before applying.
2. Age Requirement
Both you and your partner must be at least 18 on the date of application.
3. Financial Requirement (Minimum Income)
- Your UK-based partner must show a gross income of at least £29,000 per year. This threshold has applied to new applications since 11 April 2024, replacing the old £18,600 figure. Planned further increases have been paused pending a government review.
- The old extra amounts for children no longer apply at the £29,000 level.
- If your partner earns less, cash savings can cover the gap. The formula is: (annual shortfall × 2.5) + £16,000. For example, a shortfall of £5,000 means you need £28,500 in savings. Savings must be held for at least six continuous months.
- Income can come from employment, self-employment, pensions or other qualifying sources. For salaried workers, evidence usually covers the last six months.
- People who already held a spouse visa granted under the old rules may still be assessed at £18,600 when extending.
4. English Language Requirement
Nigeria is not on the UK’s list of majority English-speaking countries, even though English is Nigeria’s official language. The same is true of every African country, so nationality alone will not exempt you. You must:
- Pass an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR level A1 (speaking and listening) for your first visa, or
- Hold a degree taught in English, with proof from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) that it is equivalent to a UK degree.
Later stages require higher levels: A2 when you extend your visa and B1 when you apply for settlement (ILR), together with the Life in the UK test.
Approved tests such as IELTS Life Skills are available in Lagos, Abuja and other major Nigerian cities. Book early, as slots can take several weeks.
5. Accommodation Requirement
You must show adequate accommodation for you, your partner and any dependants, without overcrowding. It must be owned or rented by your partner (or you), or you must have permission to live there. A tenancy agreement, mortgage statement or letter from the homeowner is usually enough.
6. Tuberculosis (TB) Test
Nigeria is on the UK’s TB testing list. If you have lived in Nigeria for six months or more, you must take a TB test at a clinic approved by the UK Home Office and attach the certificate to your application. Approved clinics are in Lagos and Abuja (including IOM clinics), and the list is updated from time to time, so check the current one on GOV.UK. A certificate from an unapproved clinic will be rejected. Many other African countries are also on the TB list, so check GOV.UK for yours.
Documents Required for the UK Spouse Visa
Identity and relationship
- Valid passports (yours, plus your partner’s passport or proof of British/settled status)
- Marriage certificate (and customary marriage documents, if relevant)
- Evidence the relationship is genuine: photos together, travel records and stamps, messages and call logs, money transfers, wedding photos, and statements from family or friends
Financial documents (your UK partner)
- Payslips and bank statements for the last six months (showing salary deposits that match the payslips)
- Employer letter confirming job title, salary and length of employment
- P60 or tax documents, or accounts and tax records if self-employed
- Savings statements, if savings are being used
Accommodation
- Tenancy agreement, mortgage statement or property ownership documents
- Landlord or homeowner letter if you will live with family
English language and health
- SELT certificate, or degree certificate with Ecctis confirmation
- TB test certificate from a Home Office-approved clinic
Other
- Any previous UK visa history and immigration records
- Documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation
- If your name or date of birth differs between documents, include an explanation (for example, a sworn affidavit or a declaration of age)
How to Apply from Nigeria
- Complete the online application on the GOV.UK visa website, choosing the Family visa for a partner.
- Pay the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) online (see costs below).
- Book your biometrics appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre run by VFS Global. Centres are in Lagos (Ikeja and Victoria Island) and Abuja, with premium centres in Port Harcourt and Enugu. Applicants in other African countries should check their local centre on GOV.UK.
- Upload your documents and attend the appointment to give your fingerprints and photograph.
- Wait for a decision. The official target is 12 weeks for applications made from outside the UK, but in practice it can be longer during busy periods. Priority services may be available for an extra fee.
- Travel to the UK once approved. Your immigration status is now shown digitally in your UKVI account as an eVisa, as physical BRP cards are being phased out. Set up and keep your UKVI account details up to date.
Costs of a UK Spouse Visa from Nigeria (2026)
Item Cost
Visa application fee (from outside the UK) £2,064
Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035 per year (£3,105 for the initial 33-month visa)
TB test Varies by clinic; check the clinic’s current fee
English language test (SELT) Varies by test centre
Biometrics and optional VFS services Varies
Fees are paid in pounds sterling, so naira costs change with the exchange rate. Budget carefully and check the latest amounts on GOV.UK.
How Long Does the UK Spouse Visa Last?
A spouse visa from outside the UK is usually granted for 33 months (2 years 9 months). Before it ends, you apply to extend for a further 30 months. After five years on the partner route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is the step toward British citizenship.
Settlement rule changes: The government has proposed an “earned settlement” system that would raise the standard wait for ILR from five to ten years for many routes. As of September 2026, these changes are not yet law, and ministers have indicated that partners of British citizens will keep a five-year route. Watch GOV.UK for updates.
Common Reasons Nigerian Applicants Are Refused
- Missing or invalid TB certificate (wrong clinic, expired certificate)
- Bank statements that do not match payslips, or income below £29,000
- Relationship evidence that is weak or inconsistent
- Name and date-of-birth mismatches across documents
- Using agents or “document fixers” who submit false or altered documents. This can lead to a refusal and a long-term ban. Only deal with regulated advisers and use the official GOV.UK and VFS websites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the processing time for a UK spouse visa from Nigeria?
The official target is 12 weeks for applications from outside the UK. Delays are possible, so apply well ahead of your plans.
How much does a spouse visa cost?
The application fee is £2,064 from outside the UK, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year of visa granted.
Do Nigerians have to take an English test?
Yes, unless you have an English-taught degree confirmed by Ecctis or another exemption applies. Nigeria is not on the UK’s majority English-speaking list.
Do I need a TB test?
Yes, if you have lived in Nigeria for six months or more. It must be done at a Home Office-approved clinic in Lagos or Abuja.
Can I work in the UK on a spouse visa?
Yes. You can work and study without restrictions, but you generally cannot claim most public funds (benefits).
Is a customary or traditional marriage accepted?
It can be, if it is legally valid under Nigerian law and properly documented. Keep your court or registry documents.
Can I apply if we are engaged but not married?
Not for a spouse visa. You may apply for a fiancé(e) visa, which allows you to enter the UK and marry within six months.
What if my partner does not earn £29,000?
You can use savings, a combination of income and savings, or other qualifying income. In certain cases (such as a partner receiving specific disability benefits), different rules apply.
Conclusion
The UK spouse visa process can feel overwhelming, especially with extra steps such as the TB test and English language test for Nigerian and African applicants. With early preparation, consistent documents and strong evidence of a genuine relationship, it becomes much more manageable.
Start with the TB test and English test, since these can take weeks to arrange, then gather your partner’s financial evidence and relationship records. If your case is complicated (customary marriage, income close to the threshold, past refusals), speak to a regulated immigration adviser before you apply.