UK removes over 100 jobs from Skilled Worker visa, Nigerians affected

 

The United Kingdom Home Office has implemented a sweeping reform of its immigration policy by removing over 100 mid-skilled occupations from the Skilled Worker visa eligibility list, a move that is expected to have significant implications for Nigerian migrants and prospective applicants.

Announcing the policy shift, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the development as part of a “complete reset of the immigration system,” aimed at tightening migration controls and restoring what she termed “proper order.”

“We are delivering a complete reset of our immigration system to restore proper control and order, after the previous government allowed net migration to quadruple in four years. These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down… and to ensure we focus on investing in skills and training here in the UK,” Cooper said.

The overhaul raises the minimum skills requirement for the Skilled Worker visa to RQF Level 6 and above, eliminating a wide range of previously eligible jobs at RQF levels 3 to 5, many of which attracted workers from Nigeria and other developing nations. These roles include positions in hospitality, construction, and various skilled trades.

Among the other key changes are:

• Closure of the social care worker visa route to new overseas applicants, with the government citing systemic abuse and labour exploitation within the sector.
• Introduction of a Temporary Shortage List (TSL) and a revised Immigration Salary List (ISL), limiting access to certain high-demand roles under strict conditions, including bans on bringing dependants and fixed expiration timelines.
• A full review commissioned by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to assess the new TSL and determine whether any roles should be reconsidered in the future.

These changes have raised alarm among many Nigerian migrants currently in the UK under the Skilled Worker visa route, as they may no longer qualify for visa renewal unless they secure a new sponsorship in roles that meet the updated criteria.

Additionally, those intending to switch jobs or employers must ensure that the new role is featured on the updated eligibility lists and satisfies both the new skill level and salary thresholds.

The Home Office maintains that the changes are essential to prioritise domestic workforce development and reduce the UK’s dependence on foreign labour.