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What documents do I need to move to United Kingdom as a Nigeria citizen?

Typical pathway: Temporary Residence

Last verified: August 5, 2026

• Valid Nigerian international passport (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/documents-you-must-provide
  Machine-readable Nigerian passport with at least one blank page for a vignette and validity covering the intended entry date; the biodata page is uploaded and the passport chip is scanned during identity verification. Name spelling must match all other documents exactly.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
  Unique reference issued by the Home Office licensed UK sponsor, stating job title, SOC occupation code, salary and start date. Must be used within 3 months of issue. This is the core route-defining document for a UK temporary residence work permission.
• Tuberculosis clearance certificate from a UK-approved clinic in Nigeria (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-test-for-a-uk-visa-clinics-in-nigeria
  Mandatory for Nigerian residents applying to stay in the UK 6 months or more. Test must be done only at Home Office-approved centres in Nigeria (IOM Migration Health Assessment Centres in Lagos and Abuja, Q-Life Family Clinic Lagos, The Consultants Practice Lagos). Certificates from non-approved clinics are rejected; validity is normally 6 months from examination (3 months in some contact-tracing cases).
• English language evidence (SELT certificate or ECCTIS degree confirmation) (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-english-language
  Nigeria is not on the UKVI majority-English-speaking country list, so a Nigerian applicant normally proves English at CEFR B1 either via an approved Secure English Language Test (e.g. IELTS for UKVI) taken at an approved centre, or via an ECCTIS (formerly UK NARIC) statement confirming a Nigerian degree was taught in English. Choose one route only — do not submit both as interchangeable.
• Bank statements evidencing maintenance funds (£1,270 for 28 consecutive days) (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/money-you-need-to-support-yourself
  Personal Nigerian or foreign bank statements showing the required maintenance balance held for 28 continuous days ending no more than 31 days before application. Not needed if the UK sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS — verify which applies with your sponsor.
• Visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge payment confirmation (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/pay
  Online payment receipts plus the generated GWF or UAN application reference number. The IHS must be paid for the full grant period before the application can be submitted; keep the reference for eVisa account creation later.
• Nigeria Police Force criminal record certificate (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants
  Police clearance certificate covering Nigeria, plus one from any other country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. Required only for specified occupations (e.g. healthcare, education, roles working with children or vulnerable adults) — confirm applicability against the Home Office list before paying for it.
• Biometric enrolment confirmation from a Visa Application Centre (Lagos or Abuja) or ID Check app verification (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/apply-outside-the-uk
  Either an appointment confirmation and biometric receipt after giving fingerprints and a facial image at the VFS/TLS visa application centre in Lagos or Abuja, or completed identity verification via the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app if eligible. This is distinct from any printed passport-style photographs a clinic or agent may request.
• Nigerian academic and professional qualification certificates (before) — Source: UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office)
  Degree/diploma certificates and, where the role requires it, professional registration evidence (e.g. GMC, NMC, HCPC decision letter). Some sponsors and UKVI expect Nigerian certificates authenticated by the issuing institution and the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — verify with the sponsor and UKVI, requirements vary by occupation.
• Dependant relationship documents (Nigerian marriage certificate and NPC birth certificates) (before) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/partner-family
  Required only if a partner or children apply as dependants: Nigerian marriage certificate or evidence of 2 years' cohabitation, and National Population Commission birth certificates naming both parents. Each dependant also needs their own TB certificate and IHS payment.
• Visa decision letter and entry clearance (vignette or eVisa confirmation) (during) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa
  The Home Office decision letter stating conditions of entry, plus the 90-day travel vignette in the passport where one is still issued. The UK has moved to digital status, so many applicants now travel on an eVisa alone — verify at collection whether a vignette was placed in your passport.
• UKVI account with eVisa access (during) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-immigration-status-evisa
  Free digital account created at gov.uk/get-access-evisa using your passport and GWF/UAN reference, verified with the 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app. The eVisa has replaced the Biometric Residence Permit, biometric residence cards and passport endorsements as the record of status; passport details in the account must be kept current for carrier checks when travelling.
• Right-to-work share code (W code) (during) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work
  Nine-character code beginning with 'W' generated in the 'View and prove your immigration status' service and given to the UK employer with your date of birth so they can complete the statutory right-to-work check. Valid 90 days; this is separate from the right-to-rent code.
• Right-to-rent share code (R code) (during) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-rent
  Separate nine-character code beginning with 'R' generated from the same UKVI account, provided to a landlord or letting agent in England to evidence right to rent before signing a tenancy.
• National Insurance number (during) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number
  Needed for PAYE payroll and social security contributions. Some work visa holders have an NI number issued with their immigration decision; if not shown in your eVisa or decision letter, apply through the HMRC/DWP online service after arrival.
• UK tenancy agreement or proof of address (during)
  Signed assured shorthold tenancy agreement, or a letter/utility bill in your name, used to open a bank account, register with a GP and evidence residence. Keep the original — many banks will not accept a mobile phone bill.
• NHS GP registration (GMS1 form) (during) — Source: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/
  Completed GMS1 registration form submitted to a local GP practice with your passport and proof of address to access NHS primary care already funded by your Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Record of absences from the UK (after) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-skilled-worker
  A running log of every trip outside the UK with dates, supported by passport stamps and boarding passes. Settlement requires absences of no more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period across the qualifying years, so this must be maintained from arrival.
• Life in the UK test pass notification (after) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/life-in-the-uk-test
  Unique reference number issued after passing the Life in the UK test at an approved test centre; needed for indefinite leave to remain and later naturalisation. Book only through the official GOV.UK booking service.
• Indefinite Leave to Remain application pack (form SET(O)) with sponsor letter and salary evidence (after) — Source: https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain-skilled-worker
  Online SET(O) settlement application supported by a current employer/sponsor letter confirming continued employment, payslips and P60s showing the applicable salary threshold is met at the application date, English language evidence and the Life in the UK result. Settlement rules are under reform ('earned settlement' proposals) — confirm the qualifying period and salary threshold on GOV.UK before applying.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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