Skilled Worker Visa UK For Nigerians

Are You Looking to Come to the UK Through the Skilled Worker Route?

We have helped many clients with their Skilled Worker immigration route to the UK. If you are looking to work in the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa but you’re unsure where to start, contact us to receive professional assistance. Our immigration lawyers can answer any questions regarding your visa application

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What is the Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker Visa is a popular immigration route for Nigerian nationals who wish to take up employment for eligible roles within the UK labour market.

If you are a Nigerian national looking to come to the UK to work and live, you may be eligible for a Skilled Worker Visa if you can prove to the Home Office that you fulfil the required eligibility criteria and have adequate skills and qualifications.

Why is the Skilled Worker Route Important for Those Looking to Work in the UK?

The Skilled Worker Visa is an important immigration route to those who are looking to build their careers in the UK. The UK labour market provides various work opportunities that recognise foreign qualifications, allowing individuals from outside the UK to obtain employment in an eligible occupation and contribute to developing the UK economy.

Subsequently, Skilled Worker Visa holders will be able to apply for a permanent residence if they choose to, and eventually, they can bring their family to join them in the UK through the Skilled Worker Dependent Visa.

New Skilled Work Visa Rules for 2025

The UK government have proposed new changes to the UK immigration rules for 2025 in their Immigration White Paper. These include significant changes to the Skilled Worker visa route, including the following:

• Raising the minimum qualification level for Skilled Worker visas from RQF Level 3 (equivalent of an A-level) to RQF Level 6 (equivalent of a Bachelors degree)
• Increasing the minimum salary threshold
• Raising the English language requirement from CEFR Level B1 to B2
• Replacing the Immigration Salary List with a new Temporary Shortage List, which will allow applicants to apply for positions experiencing temporary workforce shortages
• Increasing the Immigration Skills charge by 32%
• Incentives for industries with high levels of overseas recruitment to focus on domestic skills and training instead
• Extending the standard 5-year route to indefinite leave to remain to 10 years

It has not yet been confirmed when these changes might be brought into effect, nor how this might impact those already in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa.

Reach out to our immigration experts if you’re concerned about the proposed changes, or if you need further advice regarding your work visa application.

Eligibility and Requirements for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

Overview

The Skilled Worker Visa is made up in a way that requires applicants to score 70 points. Applicants with an approved job offer with the necessary skill level and adequate English language proficiency will receive 50 points.

Specific Requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa UK

In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you need to meet the following requirements:

• A UK-based employer must sponsor you – this means that your employer will need to be on the list of licensed sponsors approved by the Home Office, and you need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for your job.
• Your job must be genuine – it has to be one of the eligible occupations. You can find the complete list of eligible occupations on the UK Government website.
• Your role must be a required level and meet the skill level requirement.
• Your minimum salary must be at least £38,700 per year.
• Your English language must be adequate – for example, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) at level B1. However, having a degree or other academic qualification taught in English will also be enough.
• You must meet the financial requirements and prove that you can support yourself during your stay in the UK.

Job Offer Requirements for a Skilled Worker Visa

In order to qualify for this visa, you must have a job offer from an A-rated business on the list of licensed sponsors. You can determine whether the job you have been offered is eligible through the Skilled Occupations Code (SOC) for the role and check the list of eligible occupations to see if it is included.

Common Issues and Misunderstandings Related to Skill Worker Visa Application

One of the most common errors applicants make in their application is using an incorrect SOC, which leads to the refusal of their visa application.

Knowing whether you fulfil the required eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker Visa can be complex. However, if you are unsure whether the job offer you have received from the UK employer meets the required criteria for a Skilled Worker Visa, you can get advice from IAS to determine your eligibility.

We can help you determine your eligibility and guide you through the process of the Skilled Worker Visa application. Contact IAS at +2342013438882 or on our UK phone number at+44 (0) 3316300929 to receive more information.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship Requirements

Another key requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa is a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).  There are two types of Certificate of Sponsorship (the Defined Certificate of Sponsorship and the Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship).

What is the Certificate of Sponsorship?

The Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record of your job, including title, type, start and end dates, gross salary, sponsor licence number and the expiry date. In addition to your employer issuing you with a Certificate of Sponsorship, there are other requirements that they have to fulfil.

What is the Sponsored Licence under the Skilled Worker Route?

Overview

To hire international workers under the Skilled Worker route, UK employers are required to have a valid sponsor licence. You should check the Register of Worker and Temporary Worker Licensed Sponsors on the UK Government website to see if your employer is included.

If your employer is not currently approved, they can apply for a sponsor licence if eligible. However, they will need to pay a fee depending on the nature and size of business and it takes around 8 weeks for a licence application to be approved.

How to Ensure That a Sponsor Meets the Visa Requirements?

The employer who will sponsor you under Skilled Worker Visa will need to meet the following requirements:

• The employer must be a genuine organisation operating legally in the UK.
• The role must be a job offer with duties and responsibilities adequate to the required skill level and for the necessary salary.
• The employer must comply with sponsor licence duties related to record-keeping, monitoring and reporting.
• The employer must be honest and reliable. The Home Office in the UK will carry out background checks on the organisation and the employer must provide adequate documents to prove their eligibility.

Skill Level Requirement for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

You can be considered as a Skilled Worker if the job role you are offered requires skills at level RQF 3 or higher. Your job offer should specify the skill level. However, if you need more clarification, contact your employer to assess whether your job meets the skill level requirement

Minimum Salary Requirement for a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK

Overview

The general salary threshold under the Skilled Worker route is £38,700 per year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. The going rate for the Skilled Worker Visa is based on a 37.5-hour working week. Each occupation has the going rate set by the government, reflecting the amount paid for a particular work. If the going rate for your occupation is higher, your salary will need to match this larger amount of the going rate.

Can I Apply If I Don’t Meet the General Salary Threshold?

You may still be eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa if you don’t meet the minimum salary requirement. In this case, the applicants will still be considered if they:

• Have a job on the immigration salary list, or
• Are a ‘new entrant’ in the UK labour market (you are under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training), or
• Have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education, or
• Have a PhD level qualification relevant to the job

Funds Required for a Skilled Worker Visa

Overview

You will need to provide evidence that you can cover your stay and costs of the visa.  You will need to have enough funds to be able to pay for the following:

• The application fee – is £769 if you are applying to stay in the UK for up to 3 years or £1,519 for more than 3 years (if applying from Nigeria)
• The Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) – £1035 per every year that you have been granted on your Skilled Worker Visa
• Maintenance funds – at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days unless you are exempt. Please note that day 28 must be within 31 days of the visa application.

English Language Proficiency for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

In order to qualify for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to meet the English language requirement. The required English level is B1 on the CEFR scale for reading, writing, speaking and understanding English. There are various ways you can demonstrate your English language skills to be eligible under the Skilled Worker route.

How to Demonstrate English Language Proficiency?

To prove that you meet the English Language requirement and qualify as a Skilled Worker, you would need to provide evidence of one of the following:

• Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) – you can only take SELTs with approved providers. Please check the UK Government website for a list of approved SELT providers.
• Having a GCSE, A Level, Scottish National Qualification Level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English – these have to be gained through study in the UK.
• Having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English – if you did not study in the UK, you’ll need to apply through Ecctis to confirm that your qualification is equivalent to a degree-level.

Required Documents for a UK Skilled Worker Visa

Overview

You will need to provide the following documents to prove your eligibility for a Skilled Worker Visa:

• A valid passport or other documents to show your identity and nationality
• Your certificate of sponsorship number
• The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number
• Your job title and annual salary
• Your job occupation code
• Proof of your knowledge of English

Additional Documents You Might Need to Provide

You might also be asked to provide other documents, depending on your circumstances, such as:

• Evidence of your maintenance funds – bank statements or a certificate of sponsorship which shows your employer can support you.
• Your tuberculosis test results if you are from Nigeria – check the UK Government website for clinics in Nigeria that are approved by the Home Office to provide a medical certificate confirming that you are free from TB.
• A criminal record certificate – if you’re working in an occupation that requires it.
• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, if your job requires you to research sensitive subjects in the UK at a PhD level or higher.
• Your UK PhD certificate or your unique Ecctis reference number (formerly known as UK NARIC reference number).

How to Apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa?

Overview

To apply you will need to submit an online application along with supporting documents and pay the cost of your application. To prove your identity, as part of your application, you will have your biometric information taken (fingerprints and photograph) for your biometric residence permit at a visa application centre nearest to you.

If you are applying from Nigeria, there are UK Visa application centres in Abuja, Lagos Ikeja and Lagos Victoria Island.

UK Skilled Worker Visa Application Stages

You should ensure that you complete the following steps when applying for your visa:

1. Eligibility check
2. Secure a job offer from a licensed sponsor in the UK
3. Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer
4. Gather all the necessary supporting documents for your visa application
5. Complete your visa application form
6. Pay the associated fees (application fee, biometric fee, healthcare surcharge)
7. Submit all the required supporting documents
8. Arrange an appointment at your local visa application centre to give your biometric information

Processing Times for a UK Skilled Worker Visa Application

Overview

Usually, it takes 3 weeks to get a decision on your visa. In some cases, your application processing time will take longer. This can be due to:

• Your supporting documents need to be verified
• You need to attend a visa interview
• Your circumstances require additional background checks; for example, you have a criminal record

Priority Service and Super Priority Service for a Faster Visa Decision

You may get a faster decision on your visa if you pay an additional fee for priority service. However, not all visa application centres offer faster decisions, so you should check with your local visa application centre to see if the option is available.

With a ‘Priority Service’, you can get your decision within 5 working days, while with a ‘Super Priority Service’, you can get it by the end of the next working day.

You will find out if you can get a faster decision when you apply for a visa. You will need to pay one of the following:

• £500, if your visa does not give you the option to settle permanently in the UK

‘Super Priority Service’ costs £1000.

Extending a UK Skilled Worker Visa

Overview

You can apply to extend your Skilled Worker Visa if you have the same job as when you obtained your previous visa.

In addition to this, your job needs to be in the same occupation code as when you obtained your previous visa, and you must still be working for the employer who issued you with your current Certificate of Sponsorship.

Note that you should apply extend your visa before it expires otherwise you may have to reapply from Nigeria.

Supporting Documents Required for a UK Skilled Worker Visa Extension

You may need to provide the following documents to extend your permission to stay in the UK as a Skilled Worker:

• A new Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
• A valid passport
• Updated biometric information
• Evidence of at least £1,270 in your bank account to support yourself on a Skilled Worker Visa route. However, this is not a requirement if you have been in the UK for 12 months or more
• Evidence of an adequate level of English language
• An updated criminal record certificate. However, it is only necessary if your occupation requires it
• Skilled Worker Route Extension Fees

If your visa is about to expire you will need to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa extension, you will need to pay an extension fee. The extension of visa costs £885 for up to 3 years and £1,751 for over 3 years.

In addition to this, anyone who wishes to extend their visa is required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge to access healthcare in the UK. This cost is the same as for initial visa application (£1035 per year).

ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) Through the Skilled Worker Route

After your visa extension you may be able to extend your stay further or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of living in the UK.

To apply for ILR, you must have not been outside the UK for more than 180 days within 12 months of any of the 5 years.  In addition, you must meet certain requirements.

To be eligible you will need to prove to the Home Office that you are receiving the minimum salary required and prove that after obtaining ILR, you will still be needed for your job and will continue to meet the general salary threshold required under the Skilled Worker route.

Indefinite Leave to Remain will allow you to live and to work in the UK without restrictions. If you hold your ILR status for 12 months, you will be able to apply for UK citizenship.

How Can IAS Help?

IAS is a team of professional immigration lawyers with experience in guiding many Nigerians through the visa application process to get their visas approved. Our sympathetic and expert legal advisers can assist you if you have any queries regarding your visa, and they can ensure that your application is completed to the highest standards to increase your chances of visa approval.

To learn more about our services and how we can help you, call IAS on +2342013438882 or our UK phone number, +44 (0) 3316300929 or contact one of our advisers online.