UK’s New Visa Rules Threaten Nigerians with Deportation Over Job Cuts
The UK government’s recent immigration reforms, effective July 22, 2025, have sparked widespread concern among Nigerians on Skilled Worker and Health and Care visas, with over 100 skilled jobs removed from the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) eligibility list. Coupled with a 30% salary threshold increase, these changes threaten thousands with job loss and potential deportation, creating uncertainty for Nigerian professionals in the UK.
Details of the New Regulations
The UK’s Immigration White Paper, titled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, aims to reduce net migration by raising the skill threshold for Skilled Worker visas from RQF Level 3–5 (A-level equivalent) to RQF Level 6 (Bachelor’s degree level), eliminating approximately 180 occupations from CoS eligibility. Delisted roles include agriculture and hospitality managers (SOC 1211–1258), health and welfare roles like pharmaceutical technicians and counselors (SOC 3211–3224), protective services such as police and prison officers (SOC 3312–3314), and creative professionals like artists and photographers (SOC 3411–3429). Only jobs on a new Temporary Shortage Occupation List remain eligible for lower-skilled roles.
The general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas has risen from £38,700 to £41,700, while Health and Care visa roles remain at £25,600 after deductions (e.g., accommodation, transport). “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,” said a Nigerian caregiver facing the impact of these changes. Another anonymous Nigerian added, “Things are not easy. The new rules have cut short our plans to stay longer here. I came here in February 2023 on a Certificate of Sponsorship. My sponsorship is for three years, so I have less than a year to find another job, which is not even there because of the new salary threshold.”
The Impact on Nigerians
The reforms have left many Nigerians in limbo. Kayode Alabi, CEO of Phika Travels and Tours, explained, “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 highlighted the challenge of employers meeting the new salary threshold, noting, “If your company can’t pay the new salary threshold, which has risen to £41,700 from £24,000, £25,000 or £26,000 per annum, that is the issue.”
Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, estimated that over 10,000 Nigerians could be affected, stating, “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 warned that professionals in healthcare and IT face fewer job offers unless employers adjust pay scales, predicting many will return home or seek opportunities elsewhere. A Nigerian, Banjo Fola, shared, “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.”
A student, Eniola, expressed concern for her mother, a caregiver, noting, “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.”
UK Home Office data shows 26,715 Nigerians received Skilled Worker visas in 2023, up from 8,491 in 2022, but 2024 saw a decline, particularly in Health and Care Worker visas.
The new rules, closing routes like social care visas for new applicants and raising the settlement period to 10 years, signal a shift toward prioritizing domestic workers. Transitional arrangements allow existing visa holders to renew or switch jobs until 2028, but the Migration Advisory Committee will review the Temporary Shortage List by 2026, potentially tightening rules further. “We can say there is panic among our people. People are afraid,” Alabi confirmed, reflecting the community’s anxiety.
These changes align with the UK’s goal to reduce net migration from 906,000 in 2023 to lower levels, addressing exploitation in sectors like social care. However, they risk exacerbating labor shortages in critical industries. What are your thoughts on these reforms?
