If you are making arrangements to travel to the United Kingdom to study, visit, for business or to live and work, and you do not know the steps to take to get a visa, all information on the steps to get your visa easily is given in this article.
Before you can apply for a UK Visa there are several requirements, the most important of these requirements is a valid Nigerian Immigration passport valid for at least 30 days after the number of days to be spent in the UK. Application for an immigration passport can be done online or can be done at any immigration office in Nigeria.

TYPES OF VISA
To travel to the UK to stay for a long period of time the Long Term Visa is applied for. The Consulate expects you to have a tangible reason for you staying for that long.

The Visitor Visa: This is the most common type of visa. Individuals issued with this kind of Visa wishes to stay in the UK for a short period and the purpose for this kind of Visa is to visit friends and loved ones, for holiday, study, business, training, attend conference

Transit Visa: This Visa is usually issued when you are just passing through the UK.

Official Diplomatic Visas: This kind of Visa is usually short term. They are Visas issued to Government Official.

Student Visa: This Visa is issued to students who wants to study in the UK for a long period of time that can last up to three years.

How to Apply for UK Visa

Step 1: The UK Visa can be applied for at Teleperformance – UK Application Centers in Lagos or Abuja. This company is in partnership with the UK Government for visas and immigration in Nigeria.

Step 2: You have to find out the type of Visa that meet your requirements. The different kinds of Visa can be found on the UK immigration and Visa website. The UK Visa fee varies, the fees for different kinds of visas are indicated on the website. But, the fees for general visitor staying for a short period is 141 US Dollars. Your application fee can be seen on the website and appointments are booked at the UK Visa Application Centre.

Step 3: Once the form has been filled online, GWF number will be issued, this number should however be taken note of for you will need this at some point during the processing your visa. An email will be sent which will confirm your appointment date, location and the required documents to take along.

Step 4: Register your details on Teleperformance website, once your appointment has been booked. If you do not register, you will not be allowed to attend your appointment. Your application can also be tracked on Teleperformance website after you must have registered your details on their website.

Step 5: When going for your appointment the following are required to be taken along to the UK Application Centre:
• Copies of your application form and appointment confirmation
• Your passport and other documents that will be required.

After paying your Visa fess, your photo and fingerprints will be taken which is called biometrics and these are done at the Visa Application Centre. After this is done, your visa fee will not be refundable.

Do not be late for your appointment. Check your confirmation email for the date and time and make sure you get there in time for your appointment. If you are late, your application may be delayed as you will have to rebook your appointment.

According to Teleperformance website; “Due to global changes in the way visa application are processed, children under 5 years old are now required to attend the Visa Application Centre to complete the application process. It is now mandatory for them to have their photo taken at the VAC. These changes do not affect applications that have already been submitted.”

Application Submission
Submission of passports and other application requirements should be done on Monday to Friday between 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M except on public holidays in Lagos and Abuja UK Application Center.

Visa Processing
The visa application processing takes within four to six working days. However, some visa applications take more time in cases that have special attention in crime or history of refusal.

Collection
Your Visa can be collected between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Except for Public Holidays) from Monday to Friday. You should come with your application checklist, original ID and a photocopy of the data page of your passport. An SMS will be sent to you to confirm that your application has been sent to the UK Embassy on the submission day and you will be notified to come and retrieve your passport when it arrives back to the UK Application Center.

A third party cannot collect your documents for you except Government representatives, a parent collecting for your child or collecting on behalf of your family if you applied together.