Big news for Nigerians living in the UK or planning to move! The UK Government has just updated the Immigration Salary List and the Skilled Worker visa requirements for July 2025 — and it’s important you know what’s changed.
📈 Higher Minimum Salary for Certain Roles
If you’re classed as a New Entrant, hold a STEM PhD, or your job is on the Immigration Salary List (which gives you a 20% salary discount), your minimum salary is increasing from £30,960 to £33,400.
This means you need to double-check that your job offer meets these new thresholds to stay compliant!
✅ Roles on the New Immigration Salary List (July 2025)
Here are some of the key roles that still qualify for the discounted salary rate:
- Care workers & senior care workers — can be sponsored until 2028 if already working legally in the UK.
- Nursing auxiliaries & assistants — roles in places where registered nurses work.
- Construction trades — including bricklayers, roofers, stonemasons, carpenters & joiners.
- Creative industries — graphic designers, artists, dancers, musicians, producers & directors.
- Skilled trades — welding, boat building (Scotland), fishing industry roles.
- Science & Tech — biological scientists, lab techs with 3+ years legal experience, pharmaceutical techs.
- Animal care — certain racing grooms & stud handlers.
- Fishing industry — deckhands on large fishing vessels with 3+ years’ legal experience.
👉 Heads up: Not every job in these categories is included — some have very specific conditions, so check the full list if you’re unsure.
🎓 RQF Level 6+ Skilled Worker Roles
If you want to apply for or switch to a Skilled Worker visa after July 2025, your job needs to be at RQF Level 6 or higher — unless it’s on the new temporary list.
Good news: If you’re already in the UK and working in a job below RQF Level 6, you can still extend your visa, change employer, or take extra work under the old rules.
Examples of roles that qualify at RQF Level 6+:
- Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, aerospace)
- IT & tech professionals (programmers, cybersecurity, software developers)
- Health & science professionals (biochemists, vets, R&D managers)
- Senior managers & directors across industries
- Teachers, lawyers, accountants, architects
- Musicians & arts officers
- Pilots & air traffic controllers
- Sales & business development managers
📝 Why This Matters for Nigerians
- ✔️ If you’re renewing your visa, changing jobs, or bringing family over, always check your occupation code and salary match the new rules.
- ✔️ Roles in care, construction, and creative industries still offer opportunities — but only under certain conditions.
- ✔️ If you’re planning to come from Nigeria, ensure your job is on the Shortage List or meets the new skill & salary thresholds.
📌 Final Tips
✅ Stay updated — immigration rules change often.
✅ Speak with a trusted immigration adviser if you’re not sure about your specific role.
✅ For more tailored info for Nigerians in the UK, keep following Naija UK Connect!
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