Thousands of Nigerians working in the UK on Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Skilled Worker visas are facing uncertainty following new immigration regulations announced by the British government.
The updated rules, which took effect on July 22, 2025, have removed over 100 job roles from CoS eligibility, including many skilled and lower-skilled positions, while raising salary thresholds for eligible roles by at least 30%.
Jobs now excluded from sponsorship include roles in agriculture, hospitality, logistics, healthcare support, community services, protective services (like police and fire officers), and various creative professions. Only positions on a newly created Temporary Shortage Occupation List remain eligible if they fall under lower skill categories (previously RQF Levels 3–5).
The salary threshold for most Skilled Worker roles has been raised to £41,700 per year, up from around £24,000–£26,000, while the threshold for Health and Care workers remains at £25,600 — but this must now be the net income after all deductions, including housing and transport.
These changes have sent shockwaves through the Nigerian community in the UK, many of whom fear job loss, visa ineligibility, or forced return home when their current sponsorship ends.
Kayode Alabi, a UK-based travel consultant, explained that while no Nigerians have yet been dismissed, many could face deportation if their current roles are no longer eligible for visa renewal. “Once your sponsorship ends and your job is off the list, you can’t renew your visa. Without a valid visa, you become an illegal immigrant,” he warned.
He added that even those with retained job categories face another challenge: employers may struggle to meet the increased salary requirements. “If your employer can’t afford the new threshold, you’re at risk.”
Several Nigerians already on CoS visas shared their concerns. One man said his current job would not meet the new salary threshold when his visa expires in a few months. Another caregiver shared that her job had been delisted, and she may have to return to Nigeria when her sponsorship ends in August.
“I came to the UK in 2023 on a three-year CoS visa,” said another affected Nigerian. “Now my role has been removed, and I have less than a year to find a new, qualifying job. It’s almost impossible.”
Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, estimated that over 10,000 Nigerians could be forced to return home due to the changes. “This is disheartening for many who had long-term career plans in the UK,” he said. “The new rules have made the UK a far less viable option for skilled migration.”
He also predicted a shift in migration trends, with Nigerians likely to explore alternative destinations due to the UK’s stricter policies.
Eniola, a University of Ibadan student, said her mother, a caregiver in the UK, may soon be jobless. “Her job has been delisted. Her sponsorship ends in November, and she’s not sure she’ll get a new one.”
UK Home Office data shows Nigerian Skilled Worker visa approvals rose from 10,245 in 2021 to 26,715 in 2023, but recent figures suggest a decline in 2024, especially in the Health and Care sector.
The full impact of the new regulations is still unfolding, but for many Nigerian professionals in the UK, the future is uncertain and increasingly precarious.