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The short answer
Build your japa budget in the currency of the country you are moving to, split into three parts: application costs, proof-of-funds money that must sit untouched, and a landing fund for your first three to six months. Save in naira for naira costs, and move the rest into the destination currency in planned stages rather than in one rushed conversion.
Start with the destination currency, not naira
Relocation costs are set abroad. Visa fees, health surcharges, rent deposits and the living costs a visa requires you to show are fixed in pounds, dollars, euros or Canadian dollars. A plan written only in naira will be wrong by the time you apply if the exchange rate moves. Write every cost in the currency it will be paid in, then work out the naira equivalent at a cautious rate.
The three buckets of a japa budget
| Bucket | What it covers | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application costs | Visa fees, health surcharge, tests, document translation, medical checks | Before and at application |
| 2. Proof of funds | Money the visa rules require you to hold for a set period | Weeks before applying, then until decision |
| 3. Landing fund | Flights, first rent and deposit, transport, food, winter clothing, the gap until first salary | On arrival and the first months |
Proof of funds and the landing fund can overlap: money shown for the visa is usually the same money you live on when you arrive. But do not count on that money for application costs, because spending it can break the holding period.
Example figures for a UK student route
For a UK Student visa, the Home Office sets living costs of £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to nine months, plus unpaid first-year tuition. The money must be held for 28 days in a row, and the evidence must be no more than 31 days old when you apply. Each dependant adds £845 a month in London or £680 elsewhere. The Immigration Health Surcharge for students is £776 per year of stay, plus £388 for any extra period under six months. Other routes and countries have their own figures; check the official government site for yours.
Our guide on how much money you need for a UK student visa works through the numbers in naira.
Worked example: a family of three
Example only. Seun is moving to Birmingham to study, with his wife as a dependant. Unpaid tuition is £12,000. Rates and some costs are invented to show the method.
| Item | Pounds |
|---|---|
| Unpaid tuition | £12,000 |
| Seun's living costs: £1,171 × 9 | £10,539 |
| Wife's living costs: £680 × 9 | £6,120 |
| Proof of funds total | £28,659 |
| IHS for two people, one year plus extra months (£1,164 each) | £2,328 |
| Visa fees, flights, first-month extras (example) | £4,000 |
| Overall target | £34,987 |
At an example rate of ₦2,050 to £1, the target is about ₦71.7 million. If the naira weakened by 10% during the year he is saving, the naira cost would rise by about ₦7 million. That is the risk a currency plan has to manage.
Timing conversions
- Decide your application month, then count back: when must the proof-of-funds money be in place? When are fees paid?
- Convert in stages. For example, a share each month over the saving period, so you are not exposed to a single day's rate.
- Convert proof-of-funds money early enough that it has settled and been held for the required period before you apply.
- Keep naira for naira costs, such as passport renewal, document certification and goodbye costs at home.
- Keep a buffer of 5% to 10% above the target for rate moves and surprises.
What to do with naira assets you leave behind
Many people relocating still have naira commitments and assets: a car to sell, a rent deposit to recover, contributions to family, an ajo group, savings that mature after you leave. List them and decide for each whether to sell, keep or hand over. Keep at least one Nigerian account active for what stays, and read what to do with your Nigerian bank accounts before you go.
Carrying money when you leave
If you take cash, Nigerian law requires you to declare to Customs any amount above US$10,000 or its equivalent when leaving, under the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. For a relocation, moving money by account transfer is usually safer and leaves a clean record. See how much cash you can carry out of Nigeria.
Where Pryme fits
A Pryme Personal Account holds NGN, GBP, USD and EUR in one place, with local account details for each, so you can convert in stages with Swap, seeing the rate and fee before you approve, and hold the pounds until you need them. For the naira part of your plan, a Savings Box keeps relocation money separate; see Boxes. You can also generate a verifiable statement through our VerifyDoc.ai partnership to share with anyone who needs to check your balance.
Questions people ask
How much money do I need to japa to the UK?
It depends on the route. For a Student visa, you need unpaid tuition plus £1,171 to £1,529 a month for up to nine months, plus the IHS, visa fees and a landing fund. Check GOV.UK for your route.
Should I save for japa in naira or dollars?
Save naira for naira costs and move the rest into the destination currency in stages, so you are not exposed to one day's rate.
How long before japa should I start saving?
As early as you can, and at least a year for most routes. Count back from your application date to set conversion and proof-of-funds deadlines.
Can I use borrowed money for proof of funds?
It is risky. Funds that appear and leave around the application can be questioned, and you need the money on arrival. Use money that is yours to keep.
Sources
- Financial evidence for Student and Child Student route applicants (GOV.UK) · accessed Oct 2026
- Immigration Health Surcharge for students (University of Westminster) · accessed Oct 2026
- Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 (LawPadi) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.