The UK has quietly shut its doors to foreign workers in over 100 job categories. This bold shift aims to lift local workers and reshape the visa system.
“Cutting net migration means getting the fundamentals right,” said the Home Office in a statement on X. “More than 100 occupations are no longer eligible for overseas recruitment – opening up more jobs for British workers. A fairer, skills-focused system is now taking shape.”
This sweeping reform is one of the first major steps from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who took office on 5 July 2024.
Recalibrating Migration: Skills Over Numbers
Labour’s white paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, stalled low-skilled visa routes and raised the bar for sponsored work roles. It also ended international recruitment for care workers and raised salary thresholds by at least 30 % in many cases.
The goal: cut net migration, invest in British skills, and restore public trust in the system.
Read the white paper to explore the full plan.
Employers and migrant workers were left scrambling as the changes took effect with little notice. Industries such as healthcare, hospitality, and construction now face gaps in staffing.
Meanwhile, those who hoped to fill these roles from abroad suddenly found their paths blocked. What happens now that familiar job paths are suddenly closed?
For Nigerians and other foreign applicants, the reform narrows the visa window. Many roles—like hospitality jobs and caregiving—are no longer options. Opportunities now favour high-skill professions like IT, engineering, or specialised healthcare.
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