The United Kingdom government has updated its official guidance for tuberculosis (TB) testing centres approved for Nigerian applicants seeking UK visas, with revised fees and clinic details now in effect for 2026. The update affects Nigerians planning to travel to Britain for study, work, family reunification, or long-term residence.
Under current UK immigration rules, applicants from Nigeria who intend to stay in the UK for more than six months are required to undergo a TB screening test before submitting their visa applications. The requirement also applies to some applicants seeking fiancé or family visas, as well as returning residents who have spent more than two years outside the UK.
According to updated guidance published by GOV.UK, applicants must complete the test only at clinics approved by the UK Home Office. Certificates issued by non-approved centres will not be accepted during visa processing.
The approved TB test clinics in Nigeria are located in Abuja and Lagos. In Abuja, testing is conducted at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Migration Health Assessment Centre located in Asokoro. In Lagos, approved centres include two IOM clinics in Ikeja, Q-Life Family Clinic in Victoria Island, St. Nicholas Hospital on Lagos Island, and The Consultants Practice in Ikoyi.
The UK government stated that applicants aged 11 years and above are generally required to undergo a chest X-ray examination, while children under 11 may only need a physical assessment before receiving clearance certificates. Additional sputum tests may be required if abnormalities are detected during screening, a process that can extend the waiting period for final results by up to eight weeks.
Revised fees released in April 2026 show that IOM clinics in Abuja and Lagos currently charge 94 US dollars for applicants aged 11 and above, while children under 11 pay 49 dollars. Reissuing certificates costs an additional 16 dollars. Meanwhile, Q-Life Family Clinic, St. Nicholas Hospital, and The Consultants Practice charge ₦120,000 for adults and ₦60,000 for children.
Applicants are advised to schedule appointments directly with the approved clinics and clearly indicate that the screening is for a UK visa application. Authorities noted that appointments are often available within a few days, although waiting times may increase during the peak UK student visa season between June and September.
The guidance also explains that applicants must present valid identification, preferably an international passport, proof of payment, and previous medical records if they have a history of tuberculosis or lung disease. Cash payments are not accepted at some centres, with most clinics requiring bank transfers or online payments before appointments.
Successful applicants receive a TB clearance certificate, which is normally valid for six months from the date of examination. However, certificates may only remain valid for three months in cases where applicants have recently been in contact with someone diagnosed with active pulmonary TB.
The UK Home Office has repeatedly warned visa applicants against using unauthorised clinics, stressing that only certificates issued by officially approved centres will be recognised during immigration processing.
