Nigeria: UK’s new immigration rules spark panic among Nigerians
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Thousands of Nigerians working in the United Kingdom on Certificate of Sponsorship or Skilled Worker visas are facing uncertainty due to new regulations announced by the British government. The UK government has removed over 100 jobs, including skilled worker roles, from CoS eligibility and increased salary thresholds for other jobs by at least 30%.
The delisted jobs include managers and proprietors in agriculture, forestry, hospitality, and logistics, as well as health, community, and welfare roles, protective service roles, and creative and performing arts professionals. The new regulations affect various visa routes, including the Skilled Worker and Health and Care visas.
Many Nigerians are worried about their future in the UK, as their current jobs have been removed from CoS eligibility. A UK-based travel agent, Kayode Alabi, said Nigerians on CoS visas secured with the delisted jobs might be stranded at the end of their agreement with their sponsors. Some Nigerians have expressed fear that they might return home at the expiration of their sponsorship.
The general Skilled Worker salary threshold has been increased to £41,700 or higher, depending on the role. Health and care roles remain at £25,600, but employers must show the salary after all deductions. This has raised concerns among Nigerians who may not meet the new salary requirements.
Many Nigerians are already panicking about their fate. A Nigerian caregiver said she may be forced to return home due to the new salary threshold and job delisting. Another Nigerian expressed uncertainty about his future in the UK, saying he may not be able to find a new job that meets the new salary threshold.
The new regulations may lead to over 10,000 Nigerians returning home, according to Mr. Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services. He also predicted that more Nigerians seeking foreign employment would likely begin exploring opportunities in other countries
According to the UK Home Office, 10,245 Nigerians were issued Skilled Worker visas in 2021. The figure dropped slightly to 8,491 in 2024 before rising to 26,715 in 2025. However, recent data shows that work visa grants for Nigerians are beginning to decline.
