The United Kingdom has introduced sweeping immigration reforms to reduce net migration.
This places thousands of Nigerian professionals working under the UK’s Skilled Worker visa at risk of job loss or forced return.
On July 22, 2025, the UK government raised the eligibility bar for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. The skills threshold was increased to RQF Level 6, meaning only degree-level jobs now qualify, while over 100 job roles have been removed from the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) list.
This has hit hard at Nigerian migrants, particularly those working in mid-level positions across healthcare, logistics, agriculture, creative industries, and law enforcement roles that now fall below the new threshold.
The minimum salary for general Skilled Worker visa roles has jumped from £26,200 to £41,700 while the Temporary Shortage Occupation List now holds the few exceptions still eligible for lower salaries.
Over 100 previously eligible jobs have been delisted, including caregivers, youth workers, counsellors, police officers, firefighters, and prison staff, artists, translators, fashion designers, photographers, hospitality, logistics, and agriculture supervisors.
Nigerians made up one of the largest groups of Skilled Worker visa recipients in 2023, with 26,715 visas issued, up from 8,491 in 2022. But the 2024 and 2025 numbers are declining as a direct result of the UK’s shifting immigration stance.
According to UK-based travel consultant Kayode Alabi, the new policy has not led to mass dismissals yet but it has created a dangerous limbo:
“Once a person’s current sponsorship expires and their role is no longer eligible under the new rules, they cannot renew. Without a valid visa, they risk deportation.”
Another industry expert, Sulaimon Okewole, predicted that over 10,000 Nigerians may be forced to return:
“This hits the health and care sector especially hard. If employers can’t meet the new salary benchmarks, many workers won’t qualify to stay.”
Related Development: Nigerian Passport Sees Best Ranking in 11 Years
Amid the visa saga, Nigeria has seen a modest improvement in its Henley Passport Index ranking, moving up to 88th place globally, its highest since 2014.
However, this progress is mostly symbolic. Nigerian passport holders still enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 45 countries, a figure unchanged from the previous year. Analysts say the real mobility of Nigerians remains among the lowest in Africa, behind countries like South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and even Benin Republic.
Living in the UK under a Skilled Worker visa now feels precarious, with many migrants fearing termination could mean instant relocation.
Migrants have only 60 days to find a new sponsoring employer if their current visa is disrupted.
Professionals may also begin shifting focus to other countries with friendlier migration policies, such as Canada, Australia, or Germany.
