The UK government has announced major changes coming in 2026 that will affect many Nigerians currently in the UK or planning to relocate. Under the new rules, most jobs below RQF Level 6 will no longer qualify for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship.
This means many popular roles—especially in care, hospitality, retail, support work, and other mid-skill sectors—will face stricter sponsorship rules.
Here’s what this change means for you 👇🏾
What is RQF Level 6?
The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is used to classify skill levels in the UK.
- RQF Level 6 = degree-level roles (bachelor’s degree equivalent)
- RQF Levels 3–5 = lower-skilled or mid-skilled roles
Many Nigerians currently sponsored as:
✔ Care assistants
✔ Support workers
✔ Hospitality staff
✔ Customer service officers
✔ Technicians
…fall under RQF 3–5, which will be affected by this change.
Key Changes Coming in 2026
Starting January 2026, the Skilled Worker Visa rules will tighten:
✔ Only RQF Level 6 jobs will automatically qualify for sponsorship.
This includes roles like:
- IT professionals
- Engineers
- Teachers
- Accountants
- Managers
- Analysts
- Healthcare professionals (degree-level)
✔ RQF 3–5 jobs will ONLY remain eligible IF they appear on:
- The Immigration Salary List (ISL)
- The Temporary Shortage List (TSL)
❌ The Temporary Shortage List will end on 31 December 2026
After that, MOST lower-skilled roles will permanently lose sponsorship eligibility.
Why Is the UK Making These Changes?
The government says its goal is to:
- Reduce migration in lower-paid roles
- Push employers to hire and train locally
- Focus visas on graduate-level and professional occupations
- Create a “skills-driven” immigration pathway
This shift will especially impact industries that rely heavily on migrant labour.
Who Will Be Most Affected?
Nigerians Planning to Move to the UK
If you’re applying from Nigeria or elsewhere, avoid planning a move based on lower-skilled roles.
Nigerians Already Working in Lower-Skilled Sponsored Roles
Examples affected include:
- Care assistants
- Senior care workers
- Hospitality supervisors
- Retail supervisors
- Customer service roles
Your current sponsorship is still valid, but new applicants after 2026 may not be eligible.
UK Employers
Companies relying on migrant workers must:
- Reassess staffing plans
- Reduce sponsorship for RQF 3–5 roles
- Train more local workers
- Consider alternative visa options
Transitional Arrangements for Current Nigerian Workers in the UK
Good news: If you already hold a Skilled Worker Visa in a lower-skilled role, you may:
✔ Extend or renew your visa for a limited period
✔ Remain sponsored under special transitional rules
But new applicants for the same role after 2026 will NOT be eligible.
If you plan to switch roles or employers, start planning early.
Final Thoughts
From 2026, the UK Skilled Worker route will become strictly limited to degree-level (RQF 6+) jobs. Nigerians in the UK—especially in the care, support, retail, and hospitality sectors—must be proactive:
🔥 Plan your next career steps
🔥 Upskill where possible
🔥 Explore higher-level roles or alternative visas
🔥 Stay informed and avoid last-minute surprises
Naija UK Connect will continue sharing updates and guidance to help you stay ahead.
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