UK Immigration Visa Rules Change Sparks Uncertainty for Thousands of Nigerian Workers Facing Job and Visa Crisis

Thousands of Nigerians living and working in the United Kingdom are grappling with uncertainty following a sweeping overhaul of immigration rules that has thrown their future into jeopardy. The British government recently announced major changes to its Skilled Worker and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) visa schemes, eliminating over 100 previously eligible job roles and sharply increasing salary thresholds across several sectors.

New policies that took effect on July 22, 2025, aim to curb overall immigration numbers but have left many foreign workers, particularly Nigerians, anxious about what lies ahead. Among the key shifts is the removal of numerous roles from the list of eligible jobs for CoS. These include jobs in agriculture, hospitality, logistics, health and community care, law enforcement, and even the creative arts.

Affected positions now range from prison officers and community workers to opticians, translators, and fashion designers. Many of these roles fall within the RQF Level 3 to 5 categories, which have now been stripped of eligibility unless listed on the newly created Temporary Shortage Occupation List. With the UK raising the required skill level to RQF Level 6, only jobs demanding at least a Bachelor’s degree now meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship.

The salary thresholds have also been revised significantly. While the benchmark for most Skilled Worker visas has jumped to £41,700 annually, roles in the health and care sector retain a lower minimum of £25,600. However, under the updated rules, employers must prove that this amount reflects take-home pay, after deductions for housing, transport, or other allowances.

These developments have sparked widespread concern among Nigerians currently on CoS or Skilled Worker visas. Many worry they may be forced to return home when their current visa period ends, especially if their job roles have been delisted or their employers cannot meet the new salary requirements.

Kayode Alabi, a UK-based travel consultant and CEO of Phika Travels and Tours, shared that although no mass dismissals have occurred yet, anxiety is mounting. He explained that many affected workers will be unable to renew their visas once their current employment contracts, which typically last between one and five years, expire.

According to Alabi, “The real crisis will hit when people try to renew. If your job is no longer eligible, and you can’t get a new sponsor under the new rules, you’re out. You automatically become undocumented once your visa lapses.” He added that even those in roles still allowed under the scheme face hurdles, as the elevated salary thresholds might be beyond their employers’ capacity.

Fears of displacement and deportation are rising. Banjo Fola, a Nigerian residing in the UK, admitted he is among those affected. His visa is due to expire in a few months, but his employer has already stated they cannot meet the new wage floor. “I’m stuck,” he said, visibly distressed. “If I don’t find another job with better pay, I will have to leave.”

Others are in similar predicaments. One Nigerian caregiver, whose visa expires in August, revealed that she has already begun searching for alternatives but has not found any employers willing to offer a salary that meets the updated requirements. “It’s hard to accept, but I might be returning home,” she said quietly.

Many Nigerians had pinned long-term career hopes on UK employment. Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, estimated that over 10,000 Nigerians could be directly affected by the changes. He called the government’s decision disheartening, particularly because Nigerians have contributed immensely to the UK workforce in various sectors.

Okewole emphasized that the increase in salary thresholds will discourage employers from offering sponsorship, especially in sectors already facing budget constraints. “This move is clearly aimed at reducing net migration, but the human cost is high,” he noted. He further predicted that more Nigerians would now look to other countries for job opportunities, potentially marking a shift in migration trends away from the UK.

The emotional toll is also being felt by the families of affected workers. Eniola, a student in Nigeria, said her mother, who has worked as a caregiver in the UK since 2023, is struggling to come to terms with her likely return. “She’s scared. She says her role has been removed from the list, and she doesn’t know what comes next.”

Data from the UK Home Office shows a dramatic rise in the number of Nigerians receiving Skilled Worker visas in recent years. From 10,245 in 2021 to 26,715 in 2023, the increase reflects the strong demand among Nigerians for work in the UK. But early 2024 figures indicate a decline, especially in the Health and Care Worker category.

As the new rules continue to ripple through the migrant community, many Nigerians in the UK face difficult choices. For now, the hope is that either new policy relief or flexible pathways will emerge, giving those affected a lifeline before their sponsorship agreements run out. Until then, uncertainty looms large.