The UK Skilled Worker visa is still open to people from every African country, but it’s much harder to qualify than it was two years ago. Three rules changed: the type of job, the salary, and the English level.
If you were planning to go as a care worker, read our guide on what replaced the UK care visa first, because that route has closed to people applying from abroad.
The job must be degree level
Since 22 July 2025, the job must be at RQF level 6, which is roughly degree level. Medium-skilled jobs only qualify if they are on one of two lists:
- the Immigration Salary List, or
- the Temporary Shortage List.
The Temporary Shortage List is time-limited to the end of 2026 unless the Migration Advisory Committee recommends keeping it. Workers who come through a job on that list can’t bring dependants.
The salary must be at least £41,700
The general minimum rose from £38,700 to £41,700 on 22 July 2025. If the going rate for your job is higher, you must be paid the going rate.
A lower minimum, from £33,400, applies in some cases, for example to some new entrants. GOV.UK lists the cases.
Doctors, nurses and other health professionals usually apply through the Health and Care Worker visa instead, which has a lower £25,000 floor or the NHS pay scale.
English is now B2
From 8 January 2026, Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker applicants must prove English at B2 level, up from B1. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia are not exempt, even though English is an official language.
With IELTS for UKVI, B2 means 5.5 in each of the four skills. See IELTS fees in Nigeria for what the test costs.
Other changes to know
- Graduate visa: if you study in the UK and apply for the Graduate visa from 1 January 2027, you get 18 months instead of 2 years. PhD graduates still get 3 years.
- Visa brake: the restrictions announced on 26 March 2026 apply to Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan only.
How to apply
- Find a job with an employer that holds a UK sponsor licence. You can check any employer on the register of licensed sponsors.
- Your employer assigns you a certificate of sponsorship.
- Take an approved English test, such as IELTS for UKVI.
- Apply online on GOV.UK and attend your biometrics appointment.
Watch out for fees
Your employer must pay its own Immigration Skills Charge. GOV.UK warns sponsors that their licence may be revoked if they ask a sponsored worker to pay it or any costs linked to their application. Anyone asking you for money for a “certificate of sponsorship” is a red flag.