London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the UK government to pause its new visa regulations, warning that the changes could lead to hundreds of Transport for London (TfL) workers — including many foreign nationals — losing their jobs.
The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) union said as many as 300 TfL employees may be at risk of termination under the new rules.
🚨 What’s Changing in the Visa Rules
In July, the UK government announced new immigration regulations that:
- Raised the minimum salary requirement for visa sponsorship to £41,700 per year.
- Removed several transport roles from the official “skilled worker” list.
These changes are part of the government’s plan to “reduce reliance on lower-skilled international recruitment.”
However, critics — including the London Mayor — argue that the new rules unfairly impact key public sector workers who help keep London moving.
🗣️ Sadiq Khan: “TfL Staff Are Left in Limbo”
Speaking at the London Assembly on October 9, Sadiq Khan said the new measures have “left TfL staff in limbo.”
He confirmed that Seb Dance, the Deputy Mayor for Transport, has written to the Minister for Immigration urging the government to pause the new measures and protect TfL employees immediately.
The Home Office has responded, saying it will review the letter and reply as soon as possible.
💬 “People Are Scared of Losing Everything”
The impact is already being felt among TfL staff. Caroline Russell, Green Party London Assembly leader, raised concerns about the personal toll of these changes.
She shared that one TfL worker — a Nigerian woman expecting her first child — said she was terrified she might be forced to leave the UK before giving birth.
“These workers have invested everything, earned their qualifications, and paid thousands in visa fees. Now they’re being told they don’t belong,” Russell said.
⚙️ Salary Gap Creating Uncertainty
Under the new visa threshold:
- TfL graduates start at £31,000
- Trainee station staff earn between £35,300 and £41,800
That means many TfL employees now fall below the new visa sponsorship limit, leaving their immigration status uncertain.
Eddie Dempsey, General Secretary of the RMT union, described the situation as “needless ambiguity.”
“These are essential frontline workers who keep London moving every day. Their jobs and families are now at risk because of unclear visa rules,” he said.
👥 Up to 300 Workers at Risk
The TSSA union says around 300 TfL staff, mainly customer service assistants on skilled worker or graduate visas, could be affected.
TfL has confirmed it is working directly with staff to explore alternative visa options and provide support where possible.
“We are working with all colleagues affected by the changes to understand whether they have other routes to remain working in the UK,” a TfL spokesperson said.
🇳🇬 What This Means for Nigerians in the UK
If you’re a Nigerian on a Skilled Worker or Graduate Visa, especially in public service or transport roles, it’s important to:
- Review your visa category and salary level.
- Check if your job title remains on the Skilled Worker list.
- Seek legal or HR advice early if you might be affected by these new thresholds.
The situation is still developing — and Naija UK Connect will continue to monitor how these changes impact Nigerians living and working in the UK.
🔗 Read more updates and UK visa news for Nigerians: NaijaUKConnect.co.uk
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