Last updated: 10 October 2026 · Converted at about ₦1,757 / GH₵15.59 per £1, ₦932 / GH₵8.26 per C$1, ₦1,332 / GH₵11.75 per US$1 and ₦1,490 / GH₵13.20 per €1 (9 October 2026)
Winning a scholarship or admission is only half the journey. The visa is where many Nigerian and Ghanaian students get stuck, and money is usually the reason: the wrong amount, money that did not stay in the account long enough, or a sponsor letter that does not say what the embassy needs.
This guide explains, in simple words, the official 2026 visa fees and proof of funds amounts for the UK, Canada, the USA and Germany, converted to naira and cedis, and exactly how a scholarship counts as proof of funds. Always check the official page before you apply, because these amounts change.
In this guide
Quick summary table
| Country | Main fee(s) | Living funds to show (single student) | Can a scholarship replace it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Visa £558 (₦980,500 / GH₵8,700); health surcharge £776 a year (₦1.36m / GH₵12,100) | £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 elsewhere, up to 9 months | Yes, an official financial sponsor letter can cover it |
| Canada | Study permit C$150 (₦139,800 / GH₵1,240); biometrics C$85 (₦79,200 / GH₵703) | C$23,448 a year (₦21.85m / GH₵193,800) plus tuition and travel | Yes, scholarships count as proof of funds |
| USA | Visa fee US$185 (₦246,400 / GH₵2,170); SEVIS US$350 for F-1 (₦466,200 / GH₵4,110) or US$220 for J-1 (₦293,000 / GH₵2,580) | Enough for all study, living and travel costs, as shown on your I-20 or DS-2019 | Yes; some government-sponsored J-1 exchanges pay no visa or SEVIS fee |
| Germany | National visa fee (check the German mission) | Blocked account of at least €11,904 in 2026 (about ₦17.74m / GH₵157,100) | Yes, a scholarship from public funds or DAAD can replace the blocked account |
UK Student visa
- Visa fee from outside the UK: £558 (about ₦980,500 / GH₵8,700) (GOV.UK).
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £776 a year for students (about ₦1.36 million / GH₵12,100) (GOV.UK).
- Living costs: £1,529 a month in London or £1,171 a month outside London, for up to 9 months, plus any course fees you still owe (GOV.UK). That is up to £13,761 in London (about ₦24.2 million / GH₵214,500) or £10,539 elsewhere (about ₦18.5 million / GH₵164,300).
- The 28-day rule: the money must be in your account for at least 28 days in a row, and that 28-day period must end within 31 days of the date you apply.
How a scholarship helps: under the UK rules (Appendix Finance and Appendix Student), an “official financial sponsor” such as the UK government, your national government, the British Council, an international organisation or a university can sponsor you. If you rely on such sponsorship, you do not need to show the 28-day funds for what the sponsor covers. Chevening’s 2026 visa guide says Chevening scholars pay no visa application fee and the UK government pays their health surcharge.
Nigeria and Ghana are not on the list of nationalities exempt from showing financial evidence, so prepare full evidence even if you think it may not be checked.
Canada study permit
- Proof of funds: for applications from 1 September 2026, a single student outside Quebec must show C$23,448 for living costs for one year (about ₦21.85 million / GH₵193,800), plus tuition and travel. It was C$22,895 before that (IRCC).
- Scholarships count. If your scholarship covers tuition only, you must still show living and travel money.
- Fees: study permit C$150 and biometrics C$85 (IRCC fees).
- Provincial attestation letter (PAL): most applicants need one, but master’s and doctoral students at a public designated learning institution are exempt from 1 January 2026, as are recipients of Global Affairs Canada scholarships. You must submit proof of the exemption (IRCC).
USA F-1 and J-1 visas
- Visa application fee: US$185 (about ₦246,400 / GH₵2,170). Applicants on official US government-sponsored J exchange programmes pay no application fee (travel.state.gov).
- SEVIS I-901 fee: US$350 for F-1 students and US$220 for J-1 exchange visitors; some federally sponsored J programmes pay nothing (ICE).
- Funding: the consular officer may ask how you will pay all educational, living and travel costs (travel.state.gov). Your university issues the I-20 (F-1) or your sponsor the DS-2019 (J-1) based on proof that the money is available. Fulbright students travel on J-1 visas.
- Ties to home: under section 214(b), you must show strong ties to your home country, such as family, work or property (visa denials page). A refusal is for that application; you can reapply if your circumstances change significantly.
Check the State Department fee page for any new or changed fees just before you pay.
Germany student visa
Most international students prove their funds with a blocked account. For 2026, Germany’s official Make it in Germany portal gives a minimum of €11,904 (€992 a month, about ₦1.48 million / GH₵13,100 a month). The German Federal Foreign Office says a scholarship from public funds or a recognised organisation, including DAAD, can replace the blocked account. Other options include a declaration of commitment or a German bank guarantee.
De Auditor’s tip
Never move money into your account the week before your visa application and hope it works, I have always said this, be intentional and do everything earlier and in the right way. Embassies look at the history. Keep the funds there for the full period required (28 days for the UK), and be ready to explain where large deposits came from. Keep every paper trail, receipts, transfers and deposit slips intact, and file them in a folder or briefcase kept only for your documents. I also recommend scanning all your documents, files and all receipts into your google drive so that you can access them on the go wherever you are at anytime.
What a sponsor letter must show
For the UK, the official guidance on financial evidence says a sponsor letter must show:
- The date of the letter
- The sponsor’s name and official contact details
- How long the sponsorship lasts
- The amount of money they will give you, or confirmation that they will pay all your fees and living costs
A good letter is on official letterhead, signed, and names you exactly as on your passport. If your sponsor is a parent or relative instead (where allowed), you will usually also need proof of relationship, such as a birth certificate, and their bank statements.
If your scholarship is partial
A partial scholarship reduces what you must show, but does not remove it. For example, a student going to a UK university outside London with a £10,000 tuition award must still show the remaining tuition plus up to £10,539 for living costs, and pay the £558 visa fee and £776 a year surcharge. Read our guide to fully funded vs partial scholarships to calculate your gap.
Mistakes that lead to refusals
- Funds that did not stay in the account for the required period.
- Statements older than allowed, or not in the right format.
- A sponsor letter missing the amount, dates or contact details.
- Large unexplained deposits.
- Different names or spellings across documents.
- Booking flights or paying non-refundable rent before the visa is granted.
- Using an “agent” who supplies fake bank statements. This can lead to a refusal and a ban from applying again.
De Auditor’s note
James Christian Unya, founder of Scholarship Auditor
Visa time no be time to do magic. I don see people wey get scholarship, but dem carry borrowed money enter account last week, or dem buy fake statement from one agent. Na so dem take spoil their own chance, sometimes for many years, because a refusal can follow you into future applications, ensure you keep clean and truthful records.
Do am the clean way. If your scholarship cover everything, make sure the sponsor letter talk am clearly. If you get gap, plan the money early, keep am for account the full period, and keep every document straight. Clean paper na your best friend for embassy and get that at the back of your mind.
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Related guides: WAEC results and transcripts for study abroad · Chevening Scholarship 2027/28 · Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027/28 · Scholarship calendar 2026–2027
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UK student visa fee from Nigeria or Ghana?
£558 when applying from outside the UK, about ₦980,500 or GH₵8,700, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 a year. Chevening scholars pay no visa fee and the UK government pays their surcharge.
How much proof of funds do I need for Canada in 2026?
For applications from 1 September 2026, a single student outside Quebec needs C$23,448 for one year of living costs (about ₦21.85 million / GH₵193,800), plus tuition and travel.
Does a scholarship count as proof of funds?
Yes, in the UK, Canada, the USA and Germany an official scholarship or sponsor letter can count. If it covers only part of your costs, you must show the rest.
What is the 28-day rule for UK student visas?
The required money must stay in your account for at least 28 days in a row, ending within 31 days of your application date. Students fully covered by an official financial sponsor do not need to show those funds.
Can DAAD replace the German blocked account?
Yes. The German Federal Foreign Office says a scholarship from public funds or from DAAD can replace the blocked account.
Sources and verification
Fees and rules were checked on 10 October 2026 on official sites: GOV.UK Student visa, GOV.UK health surcharge, GOV.UK money, Appendix Finance, financial evidence guidance, Chevening visa guide, IRCC proof of funds, IRCC fees, IRCC PAL, US State Department fees, ICE SEVIS, Make it in Germany and the German Federal Foreign Office. Exchange rates are indicative; your bank’s rate will differ. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice; always follow the official guidance for your application.
Yes, It is me. I’m the De Auditor
James, known as the De Auditor, is the founder and editor of Scholarship Auditor and the Founder and Group CEO of De Auditor Group Ltd, based in Benin City, Nigeria. He checks every scholarship against the provider’s official website before it is published, and corrects posts when providers change their rules. Contact: info@scholarshipauditor.com