Best time to apply
Apply too late and you miss your course or trip. Apply too early and the embassy won't accept it. These are the usual windows.
🇬🇧 UK Student
Apply up to 6 months before your course starts. Aim for at least 3 months before, because June to September is peak season and slows everything.
🇬🇧 UK Visitor
Apply up to 3 months before you travel. Avoid applying in the busy summer and December holiday rush.
🇪🇺 Schengen
Apply up to 6 months before travel and no later than 15 days before. Appointments in Lagos and Abuja fill up early for summer, so book in spring.
🇨🇦 Canada Study
Apply as soon as you have your acceptance letter. September intake applications pile up from May to August.
🇺🇸 USA
Routine visas for Nigerians are now processed only in Lagos, and many visitor and student visas are suspended. Check the latest news before paying any fee.
🇯🇵 Japan & 🇰🇷 Korea
Japan starts in April and October; Korea in March and September. Schools need about 6 months to process papers, and GKS embassy applications usually open early in the year.
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Intakes are February and July. Apply at least 3 months ahead, as visa queues build before February.
🇫🇷 France & 🇮🇹 Italy
Start in the autumn or winter before you want to begin. Campus France and Italian pre-enrolment deadlines usually close by spring.
🇦🇺 Australia Student
Apply from outside Australia, early. New rules from 2 October 2026 stop most people switching to a student visa inside the country.