KEY POINTS
- Migrants face steep financial burdens for UK visa applications.
- Families often spend over £6,000 on post-study visas.
- Economic pressures strain both migrants and their families back home.
Migrating to the United Kingdom comes with many challenges, especially financial ones. Toyyib Adelodun, a Nigerian migrant based in the UK, recently shared his experience navigating the steep costs of visas and living expenses.
His story sheds light on the struggles faced by international students and their families, who often find themselves grappling with unexpected financial burdens.
In a TikTok video shared on Friday, Adelodun explained the reality of securing post-study work visas after completing higher education in the UK. The costs, he revealed, can be overwhelming for individuals and even more so for families.
Visa fees place a heavy burden on migrants
International students pursuing a master’s degree in the UK pay tuition fees averaging £15,000. However, the financial challenges do not stop there. Students must also secure a post-study work visa, which costs an additional £2,800.
Breaking down the expenses, Adelodun explained, “The visa application itself costs £800, and then there’s the NHS surcharge, which is £1,000 per year. If you have a wife or a child, they also need to pay the same fees.”
For a family of three, the costs can quickly exceed £6,000. This financial burden often places families in difficult positions, forcing them to make sacrifices or, in some cases, abandon their plans.
High costs force migrants to make tough choices
Many migrants hope to gain work experience in the UK to improve their global job prospects, but the high costs often make this unattainable. Adelodun pointed out that the two-year post-study work visa is critical for those who want to gain UK experience and enhance their value in the global job market.
“There are people who had to go back home because they couldn’t raise the money,” he said. “They just needed those two years of work experience to improve their career prospects.”
In addition to these challenges, migrants also face misconceptions about their financial contributions. Adelodun emphasized that migrants pay hefty fees without access to public funds.
“People don’t realize how much migrants contribute,” he said. “We pay for everything—visa fees, NHS surcharges, and even indefinite leave to remain, which costs £2,800 per application.”
Balancing home expectations and survival abroad
Migrants are also under pressure from their families back home, who often have high expectations of financial support. Adelodun shared how these expectations can lead to misunderstandings.
“You’ll hear things like, ‘He’s in the UK, why can’t he send money for this or that?’” he said. “But they don’t see the financial struggles we’re dealing with here.”
According to Punch, Adelodun encouraged migrants to be patient with themselves and seek support from their communities.
“It takes time to figure out life in a new country,” he said. “Find good people around you, and don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s not easy here, but God will help us.”
