UK Student Visa 2026: Documents, CAS, Proof of Funds and TB Test for Nigerians

• Nigerians applying for a UK Student Visa in 2026 must prepare their CAS, proof of funds, TB test certificate and supporting documents carefully.

Here is the latest requirement, including how much money you need for London and outside London.

Nigerians planning to study in the United Kingdom in 2026 must apply for a UK Student Visa after receiving an unconditional offer from a licensed UK student sponsor.

The visa has replaced the old Tier 4 Student Visa and is required for most international students aged 16 and above who want to study a further or higher education course in the UK.

As of July 19, 2026, the UK Student Visa fee is £558 when applying from outside the UK. Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, IHS, which is currently £776 per year for students.

What Is CAS for UK Student Visa?

CAS means Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies.

It is a unique reference number issued by your UK university or college after you have received an unconditional offer and met the school’s requirements.

You cannot apply for a UK Student Visa without a CAS.

Your CAS will usually contain:

• Your personal details
• Course title
• Course start and end date
• Tuition fee
• Amount already paid
• Sponsor licence number
• English language confirmation
• Academic documents used for admission

You must apply for your visa within 6 months of receiving your CAS if you are applying from outside the UK.

UK Student Visa Proof of Funds 2026

You must show that you have enough money to pay your course fee and support yourself in the UK.

The amount depends on where your school is located.

You must also show enough money to pay your course fee for one academic year, unless the fee has already been paid and recorded on your CAS.

Example of Proof of Funds Calculation

If your tuition fee is £16,000 and you have already paid £5,000, your remaining tuition balance is £11,000.

If your school is in London:

£11,000 + £13,761 = £24,761

If your school is outside London:

£11,000 + £10,539 = £21,539

This is the minimum amount you should be able to show in your bank statement, based on that example.

Bank Statement Rule for UK Student Visa

Your money must stay in the account for 28 days in a row.

The bank statement must also be dated no more than 31 days before the date you apply for your visa.

The account can be:

• Your personal account
• Your parent’s account
• Your partner’s account, if your partner is in the UK or applying at the same time
• A valid student loan
• Official financial sponsorship

If you use your parent’s account, you should provide your birth certificate and a consent letter from your parent.

You cannot use cryptocurrency, stocks, shares, overdrafts or pension funds as proof of funds.

UK Student Visa Documents for Nigerians

Nigerian applicants should prepare:

• Valid international passport
• CAS reference number
• Proof of funds
• Bank statement or sponsorship letter
• TB test certificate
• Academic documents listed on CAS
• English language evidence, if required
• ATAS certificate, if your course requires it
• Birth certificate and parent consent, if under 18
• Parental consent letter, if using parent’s bank account
• Visa application form
• IHS payment confirmation
• Visa fee payment confirmation

Some applicants may be asked for additional documents depending on their personal situation.

TB Test for UK Student Visa in Nigeria

Nigerians applying for a UK visa of more than 6 months usually need a tuberculosis, TB, test certificate.

The test must be done at a UK Home Office-approved clinic. TB tests from unapproved hospitals will not be accepted.

Approved TB test locations in Nigeria include:

• Abuja
• Benin City
• Lagos

The TB certificate is usually valid for 6 months from the chest X-ray date. If you have been in contact with a family member with active TB, it may be valid for only 3 months.

Current TB test fees vary by clinic. Some IOM centres list fees around $94 for applicants aged 11 and above, while some Lagos clinics list fees around ₦120,000.

Can Nigerians Bring Dependants on a UK Student Visa?

Not every student can bring dependants.

You may be able to bring your partner or children if you are:

• A government-sponsored student on a course longer than 6 months; or
• A full-time postgraduate student on a qualifying research-based higher degree or PhD/doctorate course

For courses starting after January 1, 2024, taught master’s students generally cannot bring dependants unless they meet specific exemptions.

Dependants also need proof of funds:

When To Apply for UK Student Visa

If applying from Nigeria, you can apply up to 6 months before your course starts.

The standard decision time is usually about 3 weeks after application and biometrics, but delays can happen if documents need verification or if UKVI requests additional information.

Common Reasons UK Student Visa Is Refused

UK Student Visa applications may be refused because of:

• Wrong proof of funds
• Money not held for 28 days
• Bank statement older than 31 days
• Fake or unverifiable bank documents
• Missing TB certificate
• Wrong CAS details
• Inconsistent course or study history
• Failure to attend interview
• Unclear source of funds
• Documents not matching the application form

Applicants should avoid agents who promise guaranteed visas. UKVI decides each application based on documents, eligibility and immigration rules.

Final Checklist Before Applying

Before submitting your UK Student Visa application, confirm that:

• Your CAS is correct.
• Your passport is valid.
• Your money has stayed in the account for 28 days.
• Your bank statement is not older than 31 days.
• Your TB certificate is from an approved clinic.
• Your tuition payment is reflected on your CAS.
• Your names match across all documents.
• Your course start date is correct.
• You have paid the visa fee and IHS.

Finally, the UK Student Visa process is straightforward if your CAS, proof of funds and documents are correct. For Nigerian applicants, the most important areas to handle carefully are bank statement rules, TB test certificate and accurate CAS information.

Always apply through the official UK government website and avoid fake visa agents.