Moving From Nigeria to the UK – Everything you need to know

Many Nigerians choose to move to the UK because it offers good career opportunities and social advantages. If you’re also considering moving from Nigeria to the UK, there are a few things you need to consider. 

The main advantages are that the abundance of job opportunities, strong labour laws, access to the rest of Europe so you can travel and learn about many other different cultures, the NHS and high-quality free public schools if you’re moving with your children or you’re planning to have children once you’ve settled in the UK. 

The main disadvantages are that taxes are quite high and so is the cost of living, especially if you move to a big city like London. Another important disadvantage is that you’ll be living away from loved ones in an unfamiliar culture, and this can result in feeling lonely and isolated. 

Luckily, the UK has thriving Nigerian communities that can help you feel more at home even though you’re so far away. The largest one is in London, where about 100,000 Nigerians live. You can also find smaller Nigerian communities in Greater Manchester, Leeds, Coventry and Gravesham. 

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to the UK?

Yes. Even if you’re not planning to move to the UK yet and just want to visit, you will still need a visa. You typically need to apply for a visa before travelling to the UK, but some business travellers may be eligible for a visa on arrival. You must acquire formal confirmation of your visa application’s acceptance before entering the UK.

Depending on why you want to migrate to the UK from Nigeria, you can apply for a variety of visa categories. Each tier has its own set of eligibility standards, and you’ll need to offer sufficient paperwork to back up your claims and show that you’re eligible for the visa you want.

Spouse Visas

Maybe you want to move from Nigeria to the UK in order to join your partner. In that case, you’ll need to apply for a Spouse Visa, which has the following requirements:

• You and your partner are both at least 18 years old;
• You’re married or in a civil partnership that’s legally recognised in the UK;
• Your partner will serve as your sponsor for the visa, so they need to be a British citizen or have settled status;
• Before getting married, you need to have met them in person at least once;
• You need to have lived with your partner for the past two years (for the Unmarried Partner Visa).

If you’re not married to your partner, but you plan to get married once you move to the UK from Nigeria, you should apply for a Fiancé Visa.

Working Visas

Nigerian citizens who wish to work in the United Kingdom must first apply for a Tier 2 visa. To qualify, you need to provide proof that you have received and accepted a work offer from a UK-based company that also has a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.

There are different types of Tier 2 visas. One type is aimed at highly trained international workers who meet particular eligibility criteria. Another type is meant for existing employees of a company who are being transferred to the UK branch. There are also visas for athletes, coaches and religious workers. 

Nigerian Entrepreneurs

Tier 1 visas are available for high-value migrants and Nigerian entrepreneurs who want to travel to the United Kingdom. This tier also has different types of visas. 

One type is the Global Talent Visa that’s issued for those working in certain fields like science or the arts and have received international recognition as experts in their field. 

The Investor Visa, as the name suggests, is meant for people who want to invest in the UK and can show they have at least £2,000,000 for this purpose. 

The Start-Up Visa is for those interested in starting a company in the UK. There is no requirement for a minimum investment, but candidates must show that they have a lot of potential.

Permanent Residency

If you meet certain criteria, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK and receive permanent residency. If your application is approved, you will be able to live in the United Kingdom without being subjected to any immigration restrictions, but you won’t be able to hold a UK passport or vote until you get citizenship. 

In order to get permanent residency, you need to have lived legally in the UK for a minimum of five years and spent no more than 180 days outside the UK over a period of 12 months. 

You also need to show command of the English language and an understanding of British culture.

Workplace Culture in the UK

People in the United Kingdom usually work Monday through Friday, with workdays beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. Your contract should specify your work hours. You don’t have to work more than 48 hours a week unless you want to. If your employer is putting pressure on you to work more than these 48 hours per week, they are breaking the law. Most full-time employees put in 35 to 40 hours a week on average. 

It should be noted that all employees have the right to request flexible or part-time work schedules as well.

Adult workers are entitled to at least one day off per week. You also have the right to sick pay, four weeks of paid leave and maternity or paternity leave. Employers are not compelled by law to give you days off on public holidays, even though the majority do.

If you land a job in the UK, you’ll likely begin with a probation period. This probation period shouldn’t be longer than six months, and the notice period for terminating your contract may be shorter during this time.

Social security enrolment and monthly contributions from your salary are your employer’s responsibility, and these will provide you with access to benefits and entitle you to a state pension when you reach retirement age. You may be able to enrol in a business pension to complement your state pension, depending on your employer.

Employers must also carry liability insurance to cover any illnesses or injuries that occur on the job. You have a right to compensation if you are injured or develop health problems as a result of your job because your employer is accountable for your safety. You can read more about health and safety regulations and compensation claims by visiting CompensationCalculatorUK.

Many businesses in the United Kingdom offer extra benefits, like private health insurance.

Companies in the UK normally have clear hierarchies, with managers making most of the decisions. A good manager needs to be able to lead a team effectively and build good working relationships with the employees. There’s also a strong emphasis on teamwork, with colleagues routinely getting together for drinks.

Meetings are a given if you work for a British company. These meetings have definite agendas, despite the fact that the tone can be fairly informal. The objective is for each person to leave with a defined assignment and the information necessary to complete it.

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