Panic has spread among the Nigerian community in the United Kingdom following the UK government’s decision to remove over 100 job roles from its Certificate of Sponsorship list, a key requirement for foreign nationals working under Skilled Worker visas.

The policy, which took effect on July 22, 2025, threatens the legal status of thousands of Nigerian professionals in the UK, who may no longer qualify to live and work in the country once their current visa sponsorships expire.

The delisted roles span a wide range of sectors including healthcare, hospitality, law enforcement, creative arts, and community services. Among the affected professions are actors, dancers, translators, fashion designers, community workers, opticians, prison officers, and police officers below the rank of sergeant.

In addition to job removals, the UK Home Office has also raised the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas to £41,700, a significant increase from the previous range of £24,000–£26,000. Workers in the Health and Care category must now earn at least £25,600 .

The changes are part of the UK’s broader efforts to reduce net migration by tightening requirements for lower-skilled roles. Most sponsored positions must now require at least a bachelor’s degree qualification.

Kayode Alabi, a UK-based visa consultant, warned that the regulation could force many Nigerians to return home once their sponsorship contracts end.

“No one has been sacked yet,” Alabi clarified. “But when their current sponsorship ends, they may be unable to find a new job within the permitted categories. Without a valid visa, they risk becoming illegal immigrants.”

Alabi also raised concerns about the ability of employers to meet the new salary benchmarks. “Even for jobs still eligible, the question is whether employers can afford the new £41,700 threshold. That’s where the uncertainty lies.”

He described the mood within the Nigerian diaspora as one of growing panic. “There’s anxiety everywhere. People don’t know what their future holds once their current sponsorship ends.”

Banjo Fola, a Nigerian professional in the UK, echoed this sentiment. “My visa will expire in a few months. My employer has told me they can’t afford the new salary. I honestly don’t know what comes next.”

A caregiver, who requested anonymity, said her CoS would expire in August and that the new threshold had already disqualified her from new employment. “I may have to return to Nigeria,” she said.

Another Nigerian on a CoS visa shared his concerns. “I came here in February 2023 on a three-year sponsorship, but my job has now been removed from the list. That gives me less than a year to find a new eligible role—something that seems impossible right now.”

Sulaimon Okewole, CEO of Cardinal E-School and Edu Services, estimates that over 10,000 Nigerians currently living in the UK could be impacted.

“While reducing migration is a legitimate policy goal, this sudden policy shift affects a community that contributes significantly to the UK workforce,” Okewole said.

He emphasized that the sharp rise in salary thresholds could deter both employers and Nigerian professionals, particularly in essential sectors like healthcare and IT. “If employers can’t meet the new salary standards, many Nigerians will face either returning home or seeking alternatives in other countries.”

Eniola, a student at the University of Ibadan, said her family has already been affected. “My mother is a caregiver in the UK. Her job has been delisted and her sponsorship ends in November. She’s worried she won’t find a new job and might have to come back home.”

Data from the UK Home Office shows a growing reliance on Nigerian talent in recent years: 10,245 Skilled Worker visas were issued to Nigerians in 2021, 8,491 in 2022, and 26,715 in 2023. However, figures for 2024 show a sharp decline, especially in the Health and Care Worker category.

With job categories shrinking and salary requirements rising, experts warn that thousands of Nigerians may be left in limbo unless urgent interventions are made to help them transition into eligible roles or receive support to adjust to the new rules.