Thousands of Nigerians working in the United Kingdom under the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and Skilled Worker visa schemes are facing an uncertain future following the UK government’s sweeping changes to its immigration and sponsorship regulations.
As part of a broader strategy to cut net migration, the UK recently implemented new rules, effective from Tuesday, July 22, 2025, which remove over 100 occupations from the list of eligible jobs for sponsorship. Affected roles span multiple sectors including agriculture, hospitality, logistics, community health, protective services, and the creative industry.
Under the new regulations, only jobs listed on a newly created Temporary Shortage Occupation List remain eligible for lower-skilled roles. Additionally, the general salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas has risen sharply from approximately £25,000 to £41,700. Although health and care workers remain eligible at the £25,600 salary level, employers are now required to ensure that amount is the actual take-home pay after deductions such as accommodation or transport.
This shift has triggered widespread panic among Nigerian nationals in the UK whose current roles are now ineligible for sponsorship renewal. Without a qualifying job or a valid visa, many could be forced to return to Nigeria once their sponsorship expires.
Kayode Alabi, CEO of UK-based Phika Travels and Tours, explained that while no one has yet been deported or sacked due to the changes, the long-term impact is concerning. “At the end of their current visa, those in delisted jobs won’t be able to renew or switch employers within the same role,” he said. “If their employers can’t meet the new salary threshold, they may become undocumented.”
Alabi added that even those whose roles are still eligible face serious hurdles, as many employers may not be able to meet the steep increase in salary requirements.
The effects of these changes are already being felt across the Nigerian diaspora. Banjo Fola, a Nigerian based in the UK, revealed that his employer has informed him they cannot afford the new salary standard. “My visa will expire soon. It’s very hard. I don’t even know what to do,” he said.
Similarly, a Nigerian caregiver whose sponsorship ends in August shared her worries: “The new regulations make it nearly impossible to find another job. I may be forced to return home.”
Another Nigerian, who arrived in February 2023 on a three-year sponsorship, said he has just one year left but little hope of securing a new role. “Our jobs have been removed from the list, and employers are struggling with the salary hikes. We’re panicking,” he said.
Education and migration consultant Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, estimated that over 10,000 Nigerians could be affected by the new rules. “This is devastating. Many Nigerians had long-term plans in the UK. Now they’re unsure of what’s next,” he said.
He emphasized that sectors such as healthcare and IT, which previously offered a pathway for migration, may no longer be viable unless UK employers adjust salaries, something that may prove difficult amid current economic pressures.
Okewole also predicted that the UK could see a drop in migration from Nigeria as professionals turn to other countries for job opportunities.
The impact is also being felt by the families of migrants. Eniola, a student at the University of Ibadan, expressed concern for her mother, a caregiver in the UK whose sponsorship ends in November. “She’s worried. Her job has been delisted, and there’s no guarantee of getting a new sponsor,” Eniola said.
As the reality of these regulatory changes sinks in, anxiety continues to spread among Nigerian workers in the UK, many of whom now find themselves at a crossroads, unsure whether they will be able to stay, secure new jobs, or return home.
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