Panic has gripped thousands of Nigerians working in the United Kingdom on Certificate of Sponsorship or Skilled Worker visas over the new regulations announced by the British government
LONDON, UK — Thousands of Nigerians holding Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Skilled Worker visas in the United Kingdom are gripped by panic following the implementation of new British government immigration regulations. These stringent rules, which took effect on July 22, 2025, aim to curb immigration by delisting over 100 job categories from CoS eligibility and increasing salary thresholds for other roles by at least 30 percent.
The revised regulations have removed numerous lower-skilled positions (previously RQF Level 3–5) from CoS eligibility unless they appear on a new Temporary Shortage Occupation List. Affected roles span various sectors, including agriculture, hospitality, health and welfare (e.g., dispensing opticians, youth workers), protective services, and creative arts (e.g., artists, actors, designers). The general Skilled Worker salary threshold has risen significantly to £41,700, though health and care roles remain at £25,600, with a new stipulation that this is the minimum net amount after all deductions.
The changes have sent “jitters down the spine” of thousands of Nigerians, many of whom now face an uncertain future. UK-based travel agent Kayode Alabi, CEO of Phika Travels and Tours, explained the grim reality: “No Nigerians have been sacked because of the new regulations, but their fate will hang in the balance because at the end of their current sponsorship, those whose jobs have been removed from CoS eligibility will not be able to find a new job in that category, and their visa will not be renewed. If you don’t have a valid visa, you become an illegal immigrant.” He added that employers might struggle to meet the new £41,700 salary threshold for retained jobs.
Affected individuals expressed profound anxiety. Banjo Fola, a Nigerian in the UK, stated, “My visa with this current job will expire in some months, and my employer has said he cannot afford the new salary threshold. It is very hard. I don’t even know what to do.” Another Nigerian caregiver revealed, “My sponsorship will expire in August, and the new regulation has made it impossible to get a new job because of the salary threshold. I may likely return home.”
Mr. Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, estimates that “over 10,000 Nigerians will be affected by this new regulation, as they will probably return home or find another destination.” He highlighted the disheartening impact on those who made long-term career plans in the UK, noting that the increased salary thresholds could mean fewer job offers for Nigerians unless employers substantially adjust pay. This shift is expected to prompt more Nigerians seeking foreign employment to explore opportunities in other countries.
Data from the UK Home Office shows a surge in Skilled Worker visas issued to Nigerians, from 10,245 in 2021 to 26,715 in 2023. However, recent figures for 2024 indicate a decline in work visa grants for Nigerians, particularly in Health and Care Worker categories, signaling the immediate impact of these new, stricter immigration policies.