8 Easiest Ways To Migrate To The UK From Nigeria (2023)

The United Kingdom is like a second home to Nigerians; this has for a long time been a top spot for Nigerians to travel for studies, work, relaxation, and so on. In recent years the easiest ways to migrate to the UK from Nigeria include traveling as highly skilled workers; such as a doctor, researchers,s or engineers.

Of course, those are not the only people from Nigeria allowed into the UK; there are several ways to migrate to the UK, and some are more accessible to ordinary Nigerians who want to go to the UK in order to participate in the good economy and afford themselves better opportunities than what they would ordinarily have back in Nigeria.

Generally, entry into the UK is facilitated by a Visa. That means you need the visa before you can get into the UK at all. Therefore, when we are talking about the easiest ways to migrate to the UK from Nigeria, it could be interpreted as the easiest visas to the UK to obtain from Nigeria.

Easiest Ways To Migrate To The UK From Nigeria

The following are the different visa categories available to Nigerians looking to get into the UK.

UK Spouse Visa

UK Spouse Visas are available for Nigerians. These kinds of visas are designed to help people who have built romantic relationships with British citizens get into the country so as live together. It is one of the most common types of visas issued, and so it is possibly one of the biggest avenues via which you can get into the UK.

However, there are a few important factors to consider:

The UK Spouse Visa will only be issued if you and your partner are both aged 18 years and above.

You must have been married, or you must be in a civil partnership recognized in the UK.

Your partner who will sponsor your visa application must be a British citizen or must be settled in the UK.

The UK Spouse visa provision requires that you must have met personally at least once before getting married, and in some cases, it is also required that you must have been living together for the past with your partner for at least two years.

Fiancé Visa

A Fiancé visa is essentially the same as a UK Spouse Visa, although this option is for couples that have yet to officially get married. Perhaps you have a partner in the UK and plan to get married as soon as you get into the UK from Nigeria.

There are a few factors to consider:

Fiancé Visas are some of the most common avenues of visa fraud, and therefore there is much more scrutiny when you apply for one.

You may be required to have lived together with your partner for two years before being eligible for the Fiancé Visa.

You will have to pass an interview in which the interviewer will want to know that the relationship has been cordial, and will lead to marriage.

Your age, criminal, and health records will likely be important factors that will be considered before granting you this visa. This is not peculiar to Nigerians; all nationalities looking to get into the UK are put through this scrutiny.

Tier One Visas

Tier One Visas are some of the visa applications with the highest probability of success. These are visas issued to people described as “high-value migrants.” This is one of the easiest ways to migrate to the UK from Nigeria; however, it is reserved for those who have the skills to directly impact the British economy and society immediately on the land.

Tier 1 (Investor Visa)

Tier 1 investor visas mostly attract investors including Nigerians. The aim of this visa is to bring in people who can add value to the UK economy by starting businesses. These businesses will in turn provide jobs to UK citizens, thus boosting the economy.

Of course to qualify for this visa you need to have at least £2,000,000 which can be invested in the UK. At the interview, you will be required to show proof of funds, and you will probably be required to show that you have experience with running a business.

Start-Up Visa

This is a kind of investor visa, but it does not require huge capital. This is for people who wish to set up their first business in the UK. There is no minimum investment required, but an interview will be held, during which you will be required to show your potential.

An impressive resume will go a long way in making this visa application successful; the authorities may want to see that you have previously been involved in successful business ventures before. You will also need to prove that the business you wish to start will be a good fit for the UK, and also that it has the potential to provide jobs.

UK Working Visas For Nigerian Citizens

This kind of visa is usually called the Tier 2 visa, of which there are several kinds; but they are designed to bring in people, including Nigerians to migrate to the UK, so as to work, especially in industries that are experiencing labour shortages.

The usual route for this kind of visa includes accepting a job offer from a UK-based employer. Please be aware that not every employer can issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. As mentioned above; there are several types of this visa.

Tier 2 (General)

This is one of the easiest ways to migrate to the UK from Nigeria. As we mentioned in the introduction, it is quite easy for Doctors, Nurses, Researchers, Engineers, and Academics to enter the United Kingdom from Nigeria. As a matter of fact, much has been said about the rate at which Nigerian medical practitioners are moving to the United Kingdom.

Tier 2

This particular visa is open to people who already work with international employers. They may be based in Nigeria, or anywhere else, and may need to be transferred to the UK to continue work with their employers.

Tier 2 (Sportsperson)

This is a type of working visa; reputed to be easy to get, but only for those that qualify. This visa is for established coaches, athletes, and sportsmen like footballers. However, it is for established names whose presence in the UK will bring development to the standard of the sports they are engaged in.

Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)

This particular visa is for international religious workers such as priests, preachers, or people that work with relief or social organizations that are controlled by religious bodies.

UK Student Visas

There is a very high number of Nigerians studying in UK institutions of higher learning. Nigerians have long seen the UK as a great place to study and to teach. One major drawback that has usually held back many Nigerians from taking up this opportunity is the expense involved.

You will need to prove that you can pay the tuition, and your living expenses. You may even be required to show that you have enough money to pay for the entirety of your studies.

During the time of your studies you will be allowed to work part time, and this can help you meet the expenses.

You Can Apply For UK Permanent Residency

If you have entered into the UK with any of the visas highlighted above, you cannot truly say that you have successfully migrated to the UK until you have become a citizen, or at least a permanent resident. You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, and get UK permanent residency, but of course there are a few factors to consider.

You must have been living in the UK legally for the period of at least 5 years.

You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK during any 12-month period.

You not have been involved in any criminal activity during the period of your stay.

You must show that you understand British customs.

Related:

• Easiest Ways To Migrate To Australia From Nigeria
• Easiest Ways To Migrate To USA From Nigeria
• Easiest Ways To Migrate To Canada From Nigeria

Conclusion:

While we have labeled this article ‘easiest ways to migrate to the UK from Nigeria, we recognized that what applies to one person may not work for another. Proper use of this information therefore would mean selecting the best option that is suitable to your individual circumstances and taking the steps to pursue it. When you finally have your permanent residency, you have can count yourself as having successfully migrated to the UK from Nigeria.