Nigeria Secures 49,498 UK Work Visas in Five Years

According to data from the UK Home Office, 49,498 work visas were granted to Nigerian workers between the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2026. The majority of these visas were issued to healthcare workers, with 42,893 granted in this category alone.

The breakdown includes 22,376 care workers, 9,359 nurses, and 4,267 senior care workers. Nigeria submitted 54,707 work visa applications during this period, achieving a grant rate of 90.5%.

However, the UK tightened its immigration policies in 2024, leading to a significant decrease in visa grants, with only 2,851 visas issued that year. The number of applications from Nigeria dropped by approximately 68% in 2024.

The report indicates that Nigeria led African nations in work visa grants, followed by Zimbabwe and Ghana. The tightening of sponsorship requirements and increased salary thresholds have contributed to this decline.