Paying Your CAS Deposit and IHS Fee: UK Visa Guide
Before you can book your flight to the United Kingdom, every Nigerian student must clear two major financial hurdles: the CAS deposit and the IHS fee. Because the British Pound (GBP) is highly valued against the Naira, figuring out exactly how to pay these fees without losing money is critical.
1. The CAS Deposit (Tuition Deposit)
To officially secure your admission, your UK university will ask you to pay a deposit. Once they receive this money, they will issue your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Without a CAS number, you cannot apply for a UK student visa. This deposit usually ranges from £2,000 to £5,000, depending on the university.
2. The IHS Fee (Immigration Health Surcharge)
When applying for your student visa online, you must pay the IHS fee. This is a mandatory payment that gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) while you study. Currently, the UK Home Office charges students £776 per year of study. If you are going for a standard one-year Master’s program, you will pay £776. If your course is longer, this amount multiplies.
How to Pay and Why the Black Market Rate Matters
You cannot use a standard Nigerian Naira ATM card to pay your IHS fee online, and using the official CBN Form A for your CAS deposit can cause severe delays that might make you miss your intake deadline.
To pay these fees quickly, most students use Virtual Pound or Dollar Cards (like Grey, Geegpay, or Chipper Cash) to pay the IHS fee directly on the UK visa portal. To pay the CAS deposit, students often use fast remittance platforms like LemFi or Flywire.
Because you are funding these apps yourself, your Naira will be converted at the live parallel (black market) rate, not the official bank rate.
Calculate Your UK Visa Costs Below
Need to fund your virtual card for the IHS payment or send your CAS deposit today? Enter your required British Pounds (GBP) into our live tracker below to see exactly how much Naira you need in your account right now.
Today, the Naira Black Market exchange rate for 1 European currency (Euro) is 1,595 Naira. If you are exchanging British Pounds, the current rate is 1,870 Naira per Pound.
If you are among Nigerians looking for a way to convert Pounds to Naira, you are the right place.
Use our Currency Converter calculator to check how much is Pounds to Naira today.
1 Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Live USD to NGN conversion for parallel market users.
| Amount in Pound (£) | Black Market Exchange Rate in Naira |
|---|---|
| 1 British Pound (£1) to Naira | ₦1,870.00 |
| 5 British Pound (£5) to Naira | ₦9,350.00 |
| 10 British Pound (£10) to Naira | ₦18,700.00 |
| 20 British Pound (£20) to Naira | ₦37,400.00 |
| 50 British Pound (£50) to Naira | ₦93,500.00 |
| 100 British Pound (£100) to Naira | ₦187,000.00 |
| 200 British Pound (£200) to Naira | ₦374,000.00 |
| 300 British Pound (£300) to Naira | ₦561,000.00 |
| 400 British Pound (£400) to Naira | ₦748,000.00 |
| 500 British Pound (£500) to Naira | ₦935,000.00 |
| 1,000 British Pound (£1,000) to Naira | ₦1,870,000.00 |
Naira to Pound Exchange Rate Currency Conversion Table
| Amount in NGN | Black Market Rate in Pound (£) |
|---|---|
| 1 Naira to GBP | £0.001 |
| 5 Naira to GBP | £0.003 |
| 10 Naira to GBP | £0.005 |
| 20 Naira to GBP | £0.011 |
| 50 Naira to GBP | £0.027 |
| 100 Naira to GBP | £0.053 |
| 200 Naira to GBP | £0.107 |
| 300 Naira to GBP | £0.160 |
| 400 Naira to GBP | £0.214 |
| 500 Naira to GBP | £0.267 |
| 1,000 Naira to GBP | £0.535 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the UK “28-day rule” for Proof of Funds? The UK Home Office requires your living expenses and remaining school fees to sit in your bank account for 28 days in a row. If the money drops even one Naira below the required amount during those 28 days, your visa will be rejected. The 28-day period must finish within 31 days of the date you apply for your visa online.
How much do I need for my UK living expenses in 2026?
The UK government recently increased the required living expenses (maintenance funds). If your university is inside London, you need £1,529 per month (up to 9 months, which totals £13,761). If your university is outside London, you need £1,171 per month (up to 9 months, which totals £10,539). This is in addition to your unpaid tuition fees.
Should I use the black market rate or official rate for my bank statement?
The UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) office uses the OANDA official exchange rate on the day you submit your application to check your Naira bank statement. However, because the official rate fluctuates, it is highly recommended to keep extra money in your account. To be 100% safe from sudden rate changes, many students calculate their required balance using a rate closer to the parallel (black market) rate.
Can I use the CBN Form A to pay the IHS fee?
No. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a visa fee paid directly on the UK government website during your application. You cannot use Form A for this. You must use a virtual Pound or Dollar card, or have someone in the UK pay it for you using their local card.
Does my Proof of Funds include my CAS deposit?
No. You must pay your CAS deposit before the school gives you your CAS number. Once you have the CAS number, your Proof of Funds only needs to show your remaining tuition balance plus your living expenses.
