LONDON, England — Thousands of Nigerians living and working in the United Kingdom (UK) under Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Skilled Worker visas have been thrown into uncertainty following sweeping changes to the UK government’s immigration rules, which took effect on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
The new regulations, part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s effort to rein in net migration, have removed more than 100 job roles from CoS eligibility and raised salary thresholds by at least 30 per cent for others.
Affected categories span multiple sectors, including agriculture, logistics, community health, protective services, and the creative industries.
Jobs no longer eligible include managers in hospitality and logistics, youth workers, counsellors, fire service officers, and creatives such as photographers and designers.
The reforms also raise the minimum skill level to RQF Level 6 (Bachelor’s degree equivalent), eliminating eligibility for many mid-level roles.
For those in health and care roles, the minimum salary threshold remains £25,600.
However, this figure now applies strictly to take-home pay after deductions, placing further strain on employers and employees alike.
In an interview with The Times, UK-based travel consultant Kayode Alabi said Nigerians holding CoS visas in now-delisted roles face the possibility of forced repatriation when their current visa terms expire.
“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,” Alabi said.
“If you don’t have a valid visa, you become an illegal immigrant.”
The situation has triggered widespread panic among Nigerians across the UK, many of whom fear that their long-term plans have been upended. Banjo Fola, a Nigerian worker whose visa expires in a few months, confirmed his employer cannot meet the new salary threshold.
“It is very hard. I don’t even know what to do,” he said.
Another Nigerian caregiver, speaking anonymously, said, “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.”
In Ibadan, Nigeria, a university student named Eniola said her mother, currently working in the UK, is gripped by uncertainty.
“She has practically lost her job because the sponsorship will come to an end in November. She is not sure she will find a fresh sponsor or new job,” Eniola said.
Data from the UK Home Office reveals that 26,715 Skilled Worker visas were granted to Nigerians in 2023 — more than triple the number issued in 2021.
However, this trend is reversing rapidly, with recent figures for 2024 showing a marked decline in visa issuance.
Sulaimon Okewole, Chief Executive Officer of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, warned that over 10,000 Nigerians may be forced to return home.
“While the UK government’s goal of reducing net migration is understandable, the impact on Nigerians, a community known for its immense contribution to the UK’s workforce, demands some discussions,” he said.
He added that many Nigerians, particularly those in healthcare and IT, are now reassessing the UK as a viable destination.
“Professionals who previously saw the UK as a viable destination may now find their options limited unless they secure roles that meet the higher salary bands.”
The new regulations also cast doubt on future sponsorship renewals, with many employers already signalling they cannot meet the £41,700 salary threshold.
This has added a layer of economic anxiety for thousands who had hoped to build a future in the UK.
