UK Visa Renewal in Nigeria

Want To Renew Your Visa In Nigeria?

Get in touch with our team at IAS to receive professional advice throughout the application process and decrease your chances of visa refusal.

Let us take the confusion and stress out of your application process and begin the next chapter of your life!

Overview of UK Visa Renewal Process in Nigeria

Before renewing your UK visa in Nigeria, you must understand the eligibility criteria, which visas are eligible for renewal, and which documents you should supply in your application portfolio.

Applying for a visa in Nigeria differs slightly from applying in the UK. There are certain visa types you can only apply for within the UK, so it is essential to understand the terms of renewing your visa before beginning the process.

Applying for a visa renewal also involves paying a processing fee – and knowing the processing fee amount can help you prepare your funds.

Types of UK Visas Available For Renewal in Nigeria

To help you understand whether you can apply for visa renewal in Nigeria, here are the types of UK visas you can renew in Nigeria.

Business Visas

You can apply for a renewal of a business visa from Nigeria. Your UK visa application should be carried out online, where you will provide the relevant documents and fill out the renewal forms. Here are the types of business visas you can renew in Nigeria:

• Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa.
• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa.
• Intra-Company Transfer Visa (you can apply for a Specialist Worker Visa to extend your stay).
• Graduate Trainee Visa (you must apply for this renewal from Nigeria, as it is only available for renewal, not extension).
• Secondment Worker Visa (you can extend this visa by 12 months, for a maximum stay of 2 years).
• Service Supplier Visa (maximum stay either 6 or 12 months).

Family Visas

You cannot apply for a Family Visa renewal if you do not live in the UK with a family member. The UK Home Office requires evidence that you intend to live in the UK with your family member to approve your application. If you can provide evidence of your residency in the UK, you can apply for an extension of 2.5 years. After 5 years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency in the UK.

Study Visas

Under a Study Visa, you are not permitted to remain outside of the UK for over 3 weeks. If you have already achieved the qualification for which the original visa was granted, you can apply from within the UK. However, if you have not yet received this qualification, then you must apply from Nigeria.

Eligibility for UK Visa Renewal in Nigeria

To apply for UK visa renewal in Nigeria, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. Listed below are the eligibility requirements for visa renewal in Nigeria:

• UK Visa – you must currently hold a UK visa which is eligible for renewal from outside of the UK.
• Valid passport – your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the intended stay period in the UK.
• Residency in Nigeria – you must provide evidence of your residency in Nigeria, along with a full address. You may be required to provide financial statements evidencing a mortgage or rental payments.
• Compliance with UK visa conditions – if you have broken any of the UK visa conditions during your original visa term, you may not be eligible to apply for a renewal.
• Sufficient funds – you should be able to provide financial statements evidencing that you have sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK without government aid.
• Clean criminal record – any criminal history will be detrimental to your eligibility for vis renewal in Nigeria for the UK.
• Medical check – you should provide a full medical report indicating that you are in a good state of health to be eligible for UK visa renewal in Nigeria.
• English language proficiency – for certain visa types, you must provide evidence of your ability to speak the English language to meet the eligibility criteria. Here are the visa types you must take an English language proficiency test for:
  • English reading, writing, speaking, and listening tests:
    • Innovator Founder Visa
    • Skilled Worker Visa
    • Student Visa
  • Speaking and listening tests:
    • Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
    • Family Visa
    • Indefinite Leave To Remain
    • Citizenship

If you have a criminal record or do not meet the health requirements for the visa, you will benefit from additional help in your visa renewal application.

Our team at IAS can assist you in strengthening your application portfolio. Our offices in Lagos, Nigeria, allow us to offer more personal and hands-on assistance throughout the process.

What Are the Consequences of Overstaying a Visa?

If you remain in the UK after 30 days of your visa expiry date, you could be deported back to Nigeria. You could also be banned from re-entering the UK for up to 10 years. It is essential to follow the law, or you may jeopardize your future visa application.

Required Documents for UK Visa Renewal in Nigeria

Now that you know the eligibility criteria for UK visa renewal in Nigeria, here are the document requirements. You should prepare the following documents and information to support your case before you begin the application process:

• All your given names.
• Your date of birth.
• A full valid passport or alternative travel ID.
• Copies of the photo page and any visa stamps in your previous passports.
• A copy of your biometric residence permit.
• Information regarding your previous applications.
• A criminal record check.
• Your national insurance number (if applicable).
• Your parents’ date of birth and nationality (if you’re applying from Nigeria).
• Tuberculosis test results.
• Proof of your finances (bank statements, payslips).
• Proof of a successful language test.
• Your partner’s details.
• Your past partner’s details.
• Your children’s details.
• Details regarding your travel history and the places you’ve lived before.

For any documents not in English or Welsh, you should have certified translations for your application. To ensure your portfolio is as strong as possible, you can rely on support from our team at IAS. Our offices in Lagos, Nigeria, allow us to provide hands-on support and guide you through your application.

How To Apply for UK Visa Renewal in Nigeria

Overview

You should apply online if you are applying for a visa renewal in Nigeria. You can pay the application fee and fill out the application forms on the Government portal. You will be redirected to upload your documents.

You can then upload your biometric information via VFS, after which you can confirm and pay.

Suppose you need support during the application process. In that case, an immigration lawyer can perform the online application process on your behalf, ensuring all the requirements are met and decreasing the chance of a visa refusal.

UK Visa Renewal in Nigeria Processing Times

Once you have submitted your application, you should receive a notification within 8 weeks of your submission. You can receive your decision via email or via postal service.

UK Visa Renewal in Nigeria Application Fees

Each visa type has a different application fee amount. So, you should check the application fee for your specific visa type. Here is what you can expect to pay for your visa renewal in Nigeria:

• Temporary Work Visa – typically £340
• Skilled Work Visa – between £324 and £1,618.
• Study Visa – £228 for a Short course study visa and £558 for a Student visa.
• Priority Visa Services – £500 for priority (premium 5-day service) or £1000 for super priority service and a decision in 2 days.

Common Reasons for UK Visa Denial in Nigeria

If your visa application is denied, it could be for a number of reasons. The reason for your visa application denial will be clearly listed in your refusal letter. Here are some common reasons for UK visa application denial:

• You failed to provide all supporting documents required.
• You have a criminal history.
• You do not have the financial resources to support yourself in the UK.
• You have not successfully completed a language test.
• You failed your medical examination.

If your visa application was refused, you can contact an immigration lawyer for advice regarding appeals and eligibility. Contact our team at IAS to receive support for your visa refusal.

Appealing Against UK Visa Renewal Denial in Nigeria

You can only appeal against a UK visa decision if it states so in your refusal letter. You can appeal against your visa refusal via administrative review if it is specified within your visa refusal letter. You must appeal the visa decision within 28 days of receiving your refusal letter.

Your appeal is more likely to be successful if you seek the assistance of an immigration lawyer. They will be able to explain the reason for the visa refusal and the best steps to appeal the decision and create a strong case.

If you submit the appeal for administrative review, the immigration office will re-review your application to see if any details were missed in the original decision. Or, you can appeal to a tribunal and argue your case.

IAS can assist you throughout the visa appeal process and ensure your appeal is supported with strong evidence. We have experience and intimate knowledge of UK immigration law that will help us to argue a strong case.

How Can IAS Help?

IAS has experience helping visa applicants in Nigeria move to the UK. When renewing your UK visa, it can be challenging to understand the requirements for your specific visa type, and whether you are eligible for renewal.

We understand all UK visa types and the steps involved in the visa renewal process. Our experienced immigration lawyers can help you to prepare your supporting documents, ensuring you have a solid portfolio. They will also provide a letter of recommendation to support your application.

If your visa application is refused, our team can help you to submit it for administrative review or argue your case in front of an immigration tribunal. Our offices in Lagos, Nigeria, allow us to give personal and hands-on assistance for your immigration process.

Are you unsure about the visa renewal process in Nigeria? Contact our knowledgeable and professional team of immigration lawyers at +2342013306361 for our Nigeria office or +44 (0) 3316300929 for our UK office.