Thousands of Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom on Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Skilled Worker visas are facing growing uncertainty following sweeping immigration reforms announced by the UK government. The revised rules, which came into effect on July 22, 2025, have effectively delisted over 100 job roles from visa eligibility and raised salary thresholds across multiple sectors.

According to findings by Moji Delano, the new regulations are part of a broader strategy by the UK Home Office to reduce net migration and curb perceived overreliance on foreign labour. However, the policy shift is stoking anxiety within the Nigerian diaspora, many of whom fear redundancy, loss of legal status, or forced repatriation once their current visa sponsorships expire.

Key Changes Spark Uncertainty

Under the revised guidelines, only jobs listed under the newly created Temporary Shortage Occupation List remain eligible for CoS sponsorship at lower thresholds. Previously eligible roles in agriculture, logistics, hospitality, welfare services, and the creative arts, ranging from photographers to youth workers, have been removed from the Skilled Worker route unless employers meet significantly higher salary requirements.

The minimum salary for a general Skilled Worker visa has risen sharply from around £26,000 to £41,700. While roles under the Health and Care Visa route retain a lower threshold of £25,600, employers must now demonstrate that this amount remains intact after all deductions, such as accommodation and transportation costs.

These changes, experts warn, could drastically reduce the number of Nigerians able to renew their work visas or secure new employment under the current system.

“We Are In Limbo”: Voices from the UK

Interviews with affected individuals revealed a wave of anxiety sweeping through Nigerian communities across London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds.

“I sold my car and left my banking job in Lagos for a care job here,” said a Nigerian woman who asked not to be named. “Now I’m being told my role might not qualify for renewal. My visa expires next year. What happens then?”

Another Nigerian, who works as a junior IT analyst in Kent, expressed concern that his salary no longer meets the new threshold. “My employer is struggling financially. I doubt they can raise my pay to £41,700. I may have to return home or overstretch to stay legal.”

“A Visa Time Bomb” – Industry Experts Speak

Speaking to the media, UK-based travel and immigration consultant Kayode Alabi, CEO of Phika Travels and Tours, explained that while no mass terminations have occurred yet, thousands of Nigerian workers are at risk of losing visa status once their current contracts end.

“There is real panic,” Alabi stated. “The majority of CoS holders in the affected roles will not be able to renew their visas. Even for those whose roles were retained, the salary jump is a big hurdle. Many employers won’t be able to meet it.”

He added, “When sponsorship expires and renewal is not possible, people will face three choices: leave the UK, fall into undocumented status, or switch to other complex and costly visa categories.”

Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, estimated that over 10,000 Nigerians could be forced to leave the UK due to the revised criteria.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Okewole said. “Many of these professionals made five-to-10-year life plans. They’ve built families and homes here. The changes have blindsided them.”

Okewole noted that sectors such as healthcare and IT, which have long attracted Nigerian professionals, are now becoming increasingly inaccessible due to financial constraints on UK employers.

“The salary threshold leap is too steep, especially for entry-level and mid-level roles. We’re already seeing fewer visa grants this year compared to 2023.”

Numbers Paint a Stark Picture

Data from the UK Home Office shows a dramatic rise in Skilled Worker visa grants to Nigerians in recent years, from 10,245 in 2021 to 26,715 in 2023. But early 2024 figures already suggest a downward trend, with fewer Health and Care Worker visas issued in the first half of the year.

An immigration lawyer in Manchester, who declined to be named due to professional restrictions, called the new policy a “silent visa time bomb.”

“By tightening eligibility and leaving no room for transition planning, the UK government has effectively created a ticking clock for thousands. Many Nigerians will find themselves without options,” the lawyer explained.

Broader Implications for Migration Strategy

While UK officials defend the move as necessary to reduce dependence on foreign labour and protect local jobs, critics argue that the policy fails to account for labour shortages in key industries, such as social care and logistics.

Furthermore, there are growing concerns that the shift will drive skilled migrants away from the UK toward friendlier destinations like Canada, Australia, or Germany.

“Nigerians are resourceful. They will look elsewhere,” said Okewole. “But it’s unfortunate. The UK is losing a valuable and hard-working community that has contributed immensely to its economy.”

As the UK government tightens its immigration gates, thousands of Nigerians face a future clouded by visa insecurity, financial pressure, and difficult decisions about whether to stay, switch paths, or return home.

With many caught in legal limbo, calls are growing for clearer transition plans, employer support, and diplomatic engagement between Nigeria and the UK to mitigate the fallout.