Thousands of Nigerians and other African migrants may face significant challenges in entering or remaining in the United Kingdom, following sweeping immigration reforms unveiled by the British government.
The new measures outlined in the Immigration White Paper released on May 12, 2025, include restrictions on overseas care worker recruitment, higher skill and salary thresholds, and tougher rules on study, family, and asylum visas.
Below are the major policy changes and their implications:
End of Overseas Social Care Recruitment
Impact: Nigerians and other Africans constitute a large proportion of care workers in the UK.
Policy: New overseas applications for social care visas will be halted.
Exception: Only visa extensions and in-country role-switching permitted until 2028.
“We will close social care visas to new applications from abroad.” – UK Immigration White Paper.
Higher Skilled Worker Requirements
Impact: Many Africans in mid-level roles may no longer qualify under revised criteria.
Policy: Only jobs at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above will be eligible.
Salary Discounts: The Immigration Salary List has been scrapped, removing discounts for shortage occupations.
“Skilled must mean skilled… Salary thresholds will rise.”
Graduate Route Reduced to 18 Months
Impact: Thousands of African students rely on the Graduate Route for post-study work experience and potential settlement.
Policy: The post-study work visa period will be shortened from two years to 18 months.
“We will reduce the ability for graduates to remain in the UK after their studies to a period of 18 months.”
Stricter Oversight for Universities
Impact: African students attending institutions with weak compliance records may face visa limitations or rejection.
“New interventions for sponsors… including placing them on an action plan… and imposing limits on new international students.”
Tougher Family Visa and Private Life Rules
Impact: Nigerians seeking protection under Article 8 (right to family life) may find it harder to remain.
Policy: New laws will reduce exceptional considerations and reaffirm
Parliamentary control over immigration decisions.
“We will tackle the over-complex family and private life immigration arrangements.”
Tighter Asylum and Deportation Controls
Impact: Nigerian and other African asylum seekers face stricter return conditions and broader deportation rules.
Policy: Asylum claims are rejected where home-country conditions remain unchanged.
- Deportation to include non-custodial convictions.
- Sanctions for countries obstructing the return of their nationals.
“Review deportation thresholds… and ensure the Home Office is informed of all foreign nationals convicted of offences.”
Broader English Language Requirements
Impact: Applicants and dependants from non-English-speaking countries may face additional hurdles.
Policy: English language tests extended to more visa routes and subject to ongoing assessments.
“Introduce new English language requirements across a broader range of immigration routes.”
Longer Wait for Settlement
Impact: Migrants from Africa seeking long-term residence or naturalisation now face extended timelines.
Policy: The settlement eligibility period will be doubled from five to ten years.
Citizenship Criteria: To be based more explicitly on an individual’s contribution to the UK.
“Double the standard qualifying period for settlement to 10 years.”
