Can Nigerian nationals get ILR in the UK?

Yes. Nigerian nationals can apply for ILR through any qualifying route, including the Skilled Worker visa, spouse visa, long residence, or ancestry visa. Nigeria is one of the top nationalities for ILR applications in the UK.

Does Nigeria allow dual citizenship?

Yes. Nigeria allows dual citizenship under Section 28 of the 1999 Constitution. This means you can become a British citizen after ILR without losing your Nigerian citizenship. You can hold both a Nigerian and British passport.

Do I need a police clearance certificate from Nigeria for ILR?

A police clearance certificate from Nigeria is not required for the ILR application itself. However, if you later apply for British citizenship, you may need one if you have spent significant time in Nigeria during the qualifying period.

Can I use the ancestry visa route as a Nigerian national?

If you have a grandparent born in the UK (including during the colonial period when Nigeria was a British colony), you may qualify for the UK ancestry visa. After 5 years on the ancestry visa, you can apply for ILR. This route is available to all Commonwealth citizens, including Nigerians.

ILR for Nigerian Nationals: Complete Guide

Nigerian nationals can apply for ILR through the Skilled Worker, spouse, long residence, or ancestry visa routes. Nigeria allows dual citizenship, so you can later pursue British citizenship without losing your Nigerian nationality. The ancestry visa is a particularly useful route for Nigerians with a grandparent born in the UK. Documents in languages other than English need certified translations.

Common ILR Routes for Nigerian Nationals

Nigerian nationals in the UK typically qualify for ILR through one of these routes:

Skilled Worker visa: After 5 years on the Skilled Worker route, you can apply for ILR. This is the most common work-based route for Nigerian nationals, particularly in healthcare, technology, and financial services.
Spouse or partner visa: If married to or in a relationship with a British citizen or settled person, the spouse route to ILR takes 5 years.
Ancestry visa: As a Commonwealth citizen, you may qualify for the ancestry visa if you have a grandparent born in the UK. After 5 years, you can apply for ILR. This route has no salary threshold or sponsorship requirement.
Long residence: After 10 years of continuous lawful residence, the long residence route is available regardless of which visa categories you have held.

Dual Nationality: A Key Advantage

Unlike some countries, Nigeria permits dual citizenship. Section 28 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended) provides that a Nigerian citizen who acquires another nationality does not automatically lose Nigerian citizenship.

This is a significant advantage when planning your long-term future in the UK. After receiving ILR, you can pursue British citizenship while retaining your Nigerian passport and all rights associated with Nigerian nationality.

Having both nationalities gives you the freedom to travel on whichever passport is most convenient, own property in both countries, and maintain full civic rights in Nigeria while enjoying the benefits of British citizenship.

Document Requirements for Nigerian Nationals

The core documents for ILR are the same regardless of nationality. See our ILR documents checklist. Nigerian nationals should pay particular attention to:

Nigerian passport: Ensure your passport is valid. If you have renewed your Nigerian passport during your time in the UK, provide all passports covering the qualifying period.
Translations: Any documents in Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or other Nigerian languages must be accompanied by certified English translations.
Marriage certificates: If your marriage took place in Nigeria, provide the marriage certificate with a certified translation if it is not in English. The Home Office accepts Nigerian marriage certificates from both statutory and customary marriages.
Educational qualifications: Nigerian degrees and qualifications may need a UK ENIC equivalency statement if used to satisfy the English language requirement.

The Ancestry Visa Route

The ancestry visa is worth special mention for Nigerian nationals. Nigeria was a British colony until 1960, and many Nigerians have grandparents who were born in what was then British territory. Under the ancestry visa rules:

You need a grandparent who was born in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or (before 31 March 1922) what is now the Republic of Ireland.
A grandparent born in colonial Nigeria does not qualify, even though Nigeria was under British rule. The birthplace must be in the UK itself.
You must be a Commonwealth citizen (Nigeria is a Commonwealth member).
You must be able and intend to work in the UK.

For more on the ancestry visa, see our ancestry visa guide.

Financial Considerations

The financial requirements for ILR depend on your route. On the Skilled Worker route, you need to meet the salary threshold. On the spouse route, you need to meet the income threshold.

Nigerian nationals who send remittances to family in Nigeria should keep records of these transfers. Large regular transfers abroad are not a problem, but the Home Office may ask about them if they affect your ability to meet financial thresholds.

For a complete breakdown of costs, see our ILR cost breakdown guide.

Travel and Absences

Flights between Nigeria and the UK are frequent and direct, making it straightforward to track your travel dates. When planning trips to Nigeria, be mindful of the ILR absence rules. On most 5-year routes, you must not be absent for more than 180 days in any 12-month period.

Keep records of all your travel. Your passport stamps and airline booking confirmations are useful evidence. The Home Office can also check your travel history through UK Border Force records.

After ILR: Citizenship for Nigerian Nationals

Because Nigeria allows dual citizenship, many Nigerian nationals choose to pursue British citizenship after receiving ILR. The benefits include a British passport, voting rights, and permanent status that cannot be lost through absence.

For the full citizenship process, see our citizenship guide for Nigerian nationals. For general citizenship requirements, visit the GOV.UK citizenship page.

If you are weighing up whether to stay with ILR or pursue citizenship, our ILR rights and benefits guide explains what you already have as a permanent resident.