How to Get CoS in UK from Nigeria (2026 Guide)
Last updated on August 6th, 2026
How to get CoS in UK from Nigeria comes down to 3 steps: get a UK job offer, gather the Nigerian documents, then get your CoS reference number.
Knowing how to get UK Certificate of Sponsorship from Nigeria keeps your 3-month window from slipping away.
This guide details how to get CoS in UK from Nigeria, covering the TB test, police clearance, biometrics appointment and expected timeline.
Quick highlights
- Applying from Nigeria adds three extra steps: TB test, Nigeria Police clearance certificate and biometrics.
- The TB test costs $94 for adults, paid in naira on the day, with results in 1-2 days.
- Police clearance is the slowest document to get on the list.
- A realistic UK CoS processing time from Nigeria runs 6-10 weeks.
- Most work visa decisions now arrive as digital eVisa rather than a passport sticker.
In this post
What makes this different from the general CoS process?
The steps to get UK Certificate of Sponsorship are the same everywhere.
- Your employer asks for it.
- The Home Office approves it.
- You get a reference number tied to your job, salary and start date.
None of these changes by where you live.
But applying from Nigeria adds three extra steps:
- A TB test at an approved clinic in Lagos or Abuja.
- A Nigeria police clearance certificate.
- Biometric capture at a set centre.
Skip any and your CoS window can run out.
These extras are what makes how to get CoS in UK from Nigeria different from the general process.
And they determine if your Defined CoS moves fast or stalls for reasons beyond your job offer.
Every Nigerian applicant follows the same 5 steps in this guide.
And knowing them now removes the guesswork from your UK Certificate of Sponsorship application.
Let’s start with the offer itself.
Step 1: Secure a job offer from a UK licensed sponsor
Your employer must first have an active sponsor licence.
Check this on the official UK Government Register early because no job offer can get a CoS without that license.
Applying from Nigeria means you need a Defined CoS, which is different from the undefined one for those already in the UK.
Your employer handles this technical side.
They confirm your job code, salary and allocation via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS).
Once your employer’s side starts, your part is to gather those documents that make getting a UK Certificate of Sponsorship from Nigeria different from general application.
Step 2: Gather the Nigerian documents early
Three documents remains the core in how to get CoS in UK from Nigeria.
Start all three early, even before your CoS reference number is ready.
(a) TB test
Only an approved IOM clinic in Lagos or Abuja counts.
The fee is $94 for adults and $49 for children and you pay in naira on the day, at that day’s rate.
Your result comes in 1-2 days and the certificate is valid for 6 months.
But if your chest X-ray flags anything, you may need a follow-up sputum test which can add several weeks to your wait.
So, book this test first, not last.
(b) Police clearance certificate
Every Skilled Worker visa CoS applicant from Nigeria needs one from the Nigeria Police Force.
And you apply through the POSSAP portal.
The cost is from ₦10,000–₦30,000 depending on how you apply and any extra station charges.
Check the Current Fee on POSSAP.
The online form still needs a physical biometric appointment at a police registry before the certificate after several weeks.
(c) Proof of funds
You only need this if your employer didn’t certify your maintenance on your CoS.
Without that certification, you need a minimum of £1,270 in your account, which must have been there untouched for at least 28 straight days before you apply.
Ask your employer early if they’ll certify your maintenance.
| Document | Source | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| TB test | IOM clinic, Lagos or Abuja | $94 adults, $49 children |
| Police clearance | Nigeria Police Force via POSSAP | ₦10,000-₦30,000 |
| Proof of funds | Your bank account | £1,270 held for 28 days |
Next is the CoS reference number itself.
Step 3: Receive your CoS reference number
Once your employer’s request is approved by the Home Office, you get your UK Certificate of Sponsorship.
It’s not a paper document but an electronic reference number containing your job title, job code, start date, salary and whether your employer has certified your funds.
Upon getting UK CoS, a strict 3-month clock starts within which you must submit your online visa application.
Any delay here (often while waiting for the Police clearance) beyond the given window will require you to ask your employer to pay for and issue a brand new CoS.
With this deadline, how your CoS application from Nigeria goes depends on how fast you get those three Nigerian documents.
Now to your online application.
Step 4: Apply for your visa online
Your CoS reference number goes into the UK online visa portal along with your salary, job code and personal details.
These details must match your Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Visit the VFS Global portal
- Upload your documents
- Book your biometrics appointment
VFS Global run all UK visa centres in Nigeria.
You can upload documents yourself through self service or pay for VFS Global assisted service and a staff handles it for you.
Once your documents are up and appointment is booked, the next step happens in person.
Step 5: Attend your biometrics appointment
VFS Global runs three centres in Nigeria.
Two in Lagos, at Ikeja and Victoria Island. One is in Abuja.
Go with your passport, appointment confirmation and any papers your booking asks for.
- Self service costs less and works well if your documents are clear and well-labelled.
- Assisted service costs more and staff handle the scanning and formatting for you.
Don’t pay for assisted service and then try to upload documents yourself as this will cause confusion at VFS Global centres.
Pick one option and stick with it.
Once your biometrics are captured and your documents are in, your application enters UKVI’s decision queue.
What’s UK CoS processing time in Nigeria?
The standard wait for Skilled Worker visa from outside UK is up to 3 weeks which starts once you submit your biometrics.
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| TB test booking and results | 1-2 weeks, longer if retested |
| Police clearance certificate | 2-4 weeks |
| UKVI decision after biometrics | ~ 3 weeks |
| Total | 6-10 weeks |
Most visa decisions come as digital eVisa, where your status gets confirmed by email and shown in your UKVI account.
Your passport comes back to you before the process ends.
Mistakes Nigerian applicants make
A few avoidable errors cause most delays in CoS applications from Nigeria.
Common mistakes include:
- Submitting an unsigned offer letter or personal details that don’t match your CoS.
- Booking your TB test after your biometrics appointment, which leaves you at the mercy of whatever slot is free.
- Uploading documents yourself after already paying for assisted scanning
- Underestimating how long Nigeria Police Force clearance can take.
These mistakes are all within your control to avoid.
FAQs on getting CoS in UK from Nigeria
1. Where do I get my TB test done in Nigeria?
Only at a Home Office approved IOM clinic in Lagos or Abuja.
A certificate from anywhere else won’t be accepted, no matter how good the clinic is.
2. How long does Nigerian police clearance take for UK visa?
It depends on how fast you can book a biometric appointment.
The processing itself can move fast once biometrics are done.
But the full process with appointment often takes 2-4 weeks.
3. Can I submit my TB test certificate after my biometrics appointment?
No. Submit it at or before your biometrics appointment.
Book the test early enough to have your result ready before your VFS Global date.
Conclusion
Keep checking these places for updates on your application:
- The official VFS Global portal
- UKVI email updates
These are your most reliable sources.
Don’t rely on someone else’s timeline, because every UK Skilled Worker visa CoS application from Nigeria is different.
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