A WAVE of panic has swept through the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom following the UK government’s drastic overhaul of its immigration policies, which includes the removal of over 100 job roles from the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) eligibility list for Skilled Worker visas.
News Point Nigeria reports that the new regulations, which took effect on July 22, 2025, are part of the UK’s broader strategy to curb legal migration. They include raising the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas from approximately £26,000 to £41,700, and delisting several roles previously available to foreign workers.
Among the removed occupations are jobs in agriculture, hospitality, logistics, healthcare support, protective services (like prison and fire officers), and the creative arts. Nigerians on CoS visas in these categories may be unable to renew their visas once their current sponsorships expire.
“People are panicking. Many don’t know what will become of them after their sponsorship expires,” said Kayode Alabi, a UK-based travel agent and CEO of Phika Travels and Tours.
He explained that while no Nigerian has been forcibly deported yet, the new rules bar affected workers from renewing or securing new sponsorships in delisted job categories. “Without a valid visa, you become an illegal immigrant,” he warned.
News Point Nigeria further gathered that even Nigerians working in still-eligible job categories are not safe.
Many employers are unable or unwilling to meet the new £41,700 salary threshold, leaving workers stranded once their initial contracts end.
“My visa expires in a few months, but my employer says he cannot meet the new salary. I’m stuck,” said Banjo Fola, a Nigerian living in the UK.
Several Nigerians told News Point Nigeria that they may be forced to return home in the coming months.
One caregiver, whose visa ends in August, said she was already unable to secure a new job under the new salary and job eligibility requirements.
“My job has been removed from the eligible list. I don’t know what I’ll do next,” another Nigerian, who requested anonymity, said. “My plans are falling apart.”
Education consultant Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, warned that over 10,000 Nigerians may be affected, describing the policy shift as “disheartening.”
“These new rules hit Nigerians hard. Many had long-term career plans that are now in jeopardy,” he said.
He noted that the rising thresholds and exclusion of mid-level roles, especially in healthcare and IT, could significantly reduce job offers for immigrants unless employers raise wages, an unlikely move amid the UK’s economic struggles.
Okewole also predicted a shift in migration trends, with many Nigerians likely to begin seeking work and residency in more welcoming countries.
For those still in the UK, the uncertainty is overwhelming. Eniola, a Nigerian university student, said her mother, a caregiver in the UK faces an imminent end to her job and visa.
“She’s been there since 2023. Her job was delisted and her sponsorship ends in November. She’s scared,” she said.
The changes come amid rising pressure on the UK government to reduce net migration figures, but critics argue that the human cost is too high, particularly for communities like Nigeria’s, which have contributed significantly to the UK workforce.
As the new rules take hold, thousands of Nigerians now face an uncertain future forced to choose between returning home abruptly or fighting an increasingly uphill battle to remain.