There may be hope for Nigerians seeking UK work visas as advisers have urged the UK government to review and possibly reduce the current Skilled Worker visa salary threshold.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), an independent body that advises the UK government on immigration, has said that the current salary requirements are too high and are preventing many genuine roles, young professionals, and employers outside London from accessing the Skilled Worker visa route.
Why This Matters to Nigerians in the UK
For many Nigerians already in the UK — or planning to move — the Skilled Worker visa is one of the main legal pathways to work, settle, and eventually gain permanent residence.
However, the current minimum salary requirement of £41,700 has made it difficult for:
- Early-career professionals
- Graduates and “new entrants”
- Employers in lower-paying regions outside London
- Universities, care providers, and research institutions
What the MAC Is Saying
In its latest report, the MAC explained that the salary thresholds are now higher than necessary to protect UK workers’ wages.
In some cases, employers are forced to:
- Pay overseas workers more than UK staff doing the same role
- Abandon sponsorship altogether because it no longer makes financial sense
This has raised concerns about fairness, practicality, and regional inequality.
Real Examples Highlighting the Problem
The MAC shared some striking examples:
- A university can sponsor a professor, but not a junior lecturer or research fellow, simply because of salary bands.
- An academic librarian earning £41,700 qualifies, while an IT director earning £85,000 might not, depending on how roles are categorised.
- A software developer earning the UK median salary (£44,900) may still fail to qualify because higher-paid roles in the same occupation inflate the threshold.
How Did We Get Here?
Under the previous Conservative government, Skilled Worker visa rules were tightened to reduce net migration after Brexit and COVID-19. Employers were required to pay:
- At least the median salary for the role, and
- A general minimum of £41,700, regardless of sector
The current Labour government has gone further by limiting most work visas to graduate-level roles, with only a few exceptions for essential sectors like health and care.
As a result:
- Net migration fell sharply from 649,000 (June 2024) to 204,000 (June 2025) — below pre-Brexit levels.
Why Further Cuts Could Hurt the Economy
Professor Brian Bell, Chair of the MAC, warned that migration numbers are now close to “bottoming out.”
He explained that further reductions would likely target:
- Student visas
- Work visas
These routes are easier to control but are also vital to the UK economy and tax system.
Key Changes the MAC Is Recommending
The MAC has proposed several important adjustments that could benefit Nigerians and other overseas workers:
1. Lower Occupation-Specific Salary Thresholds
- Reduce thresholds to the 25th percentile of UK earnings, instead of the current 50th percentile.
- This still ensures migrants earn more than at least 25% of UK workers in the same role.
2. Keep the General Salary Floor at £41,700
- The MAC believes this level balances:
- Labour market needs
- Tax contributions
- Economic stability
Raising it further may reduce migration slightly but would also reduce tax revenue and make recruitment harder.
3. Introduce a New “New Entrant” Salary Rate
- A proposed £33,400 threshold to support graduates and early-career professionals.
- This would be especially helpful for international students switching to work visas.
4. Remove the PhD Discount
- The MAC found no strong evidence that PhD holders earn less than other workers.
- If the general threshold stays at £41,700, separate PhD or post-doc discounts may no longer be needed.
5. Review Other Visa Routes
The report also looks at salary rules for:
- Health and Care Worker visas
- Global Business Mobility routes
- Temporary Shortage roles
- Scale-up visas (which have seen low uptake)
The MAC cautioned against introducing new visa routes unless there is clear evidence of labour market need.
What Happens Next?
The UK government requested this review after the election and is now considering the MAC’s recommendations.
If approved, changes are likely to take effect from April, when immigration rules are usually updated.
What Nigerians Should Do Now
- Stay informed about Skilled Worker visa updates
- Target employers licensed to sponsor visas
- Pay close attention to salary bands, not just job titles
- Follow trusted platforms like Naija UK Connect for verified updates
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