Last updated: October 24, 2026
The UK Skilled Worker visa is the main legal route for Nigerians who want to live and work in the United Kingdom. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) route. It lets you move to the UK once a licensed UK employer offers you a job that meets the visa rules. If you are searching for a UK skilled worker visa from Nigeria, the first thing to understand is simple: you need a confirmed job offer from an approved sponsor before you can apply. No sponsor, no Skilled Worker visa.
This guide explains how the route works, who can apply, the steps to follow, how long decisions usually take, what to plan for in costs, what happens after you arrive, and how settlement works. Every figure below comes from the official UK government Skilled Worker visa page. Where a figure is not on that page, we tell you to check the official site instead of guessing.
What the Skilled Worker visa is
The Skilled Worker route is a work visa. It is tied to a specific job with a specific employer. You are allowed to work for the sponsor that issued your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), in the role described on it. Changing employers or roles usually means checking whether a new application or update is needed, so read the rules before you move.
The visa is not a job search visa. You cannot come to the UK on this route and look for work afterwards. The job offer comes first, and the visa follows it.
How it works: sponsor licence and certificate of sponsorship
Two terms matter more than anything else on this route.
A sponsor licence is the permission a UK employer must hold before it can hire a worker from outside the UK on this route. Employers apply to the Home Office for the licence. Not every UK company has one, so you must check before you accept any offer.
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a reference number your sponsor issues for a specific job. Your visa application is built around that CoS. If a recruiter or employer cannot give you a CoS for a real role, your application cannot go ahead.
The UK government publishes a public register of licensed sponsors. Use it to confirm that the employer you are speaking to is on the list and that the role fits the rules. Target sectors with steady skills shortages, such as healthcare, engineering and IT, and apply directly through company or NHS career pages. For a wider view of your options, our guide on relocating from Nigeria compares official study and work routes side by side.
Who can apply
To be eligible, you generally need:
- A confirmed job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship from that employer for the job you are taking.
- A job that is on the eligible occupations list and meets the salary requirement for that role. Check the official site for the current list and the current salary thresholds.
- Proof of English language ability at the level the rules require. Check the official site for the current standard.
- Enough savings to support yourself when you arrive, unless your employer certifies that it will cover this.
Eligibility rules change, and the details of each requirement depend on your job and circumstances. Treat this list as a checklist to confirm, not as a final ruling.
Step by step: how to apply
- Search for roles with employers on the licensed sponsor register. Confirm the employer is on the list before you spend time on interviews.
- Accept a written job offer and ask the employer for your Certificate of Sponsorship. Make sure the job details on the CoS match the offer.
- Check that the job, salary and occupation meet the current rules on the official site.
- Complete the online visa application on the official UK government site. Do not use a third party to fill it in for you.
- Pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge. Check the official site for the current amounts, as they are not listed in this guide.
- Book and attend your biometrics appointment, then submit the documents the official site asks for.
- Wait for a decision. Keep copies of everything you submit.
You can usually apply up to three months before your start date, using the CoS your sponsor gave you. Apply too early and it may be refused. Apply too late and you may miss your start date, so plan the timing with your employer.
Processing times
According to the official guidance, a decision usually takes about three weeks if you apply from outside the UK. If you apply from inside the UK, the decision usually takes about eight weeks. These are typical times, not guaranteed ones. Delays happen when documents are missing or when extra checks are needed, so submit a complete application the first time.
Costs to plan for
Budget for three things: the visa application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge, and any proof of savings you will need to show. The official site has the current figures. Costs change, so check the official site before you pay, and do not rely on figures from old articles or forums, including this one if it is out of date.
If you are also comparing other countries, our Ireland work visa guide sets out a similar route for comparison.
After you arrive
Once you arrive in the UK, follow the instructions in your visa decision letter and your biometric residence permit documents. Start your job on the date and in the role your CoS describes. Keep your payslips, your employment contract and your sponsor details in one place, because you may need them later for renewal or settlement.
The visa is granted for a set period. It can be granted for up to five years before you need to renew, depending on your CoS and the length of your job. If you change jobs, check the rules before you move, because a new sponsor usually means a new application or an update to your status.
Path to settlement
Settlement, which is often called indefinite leave to remain, is possible after a qualifying period on the route. In general, the qualifying period is five years on the Skilled Worker route. Your eligibility depends on the rules at the time you apply, your job history and how you have stayed within the conditions of your visa. Check the official site for the current requirements before you plan around settlement.
Common mistakes
- Accepting a job from an employer that is not on the sponsor register.
- Paying an agent for a Certificate of Sponsorship. Genuine employers do not sell CoS numbers.
- Applying without a job offer in writing, or with a job that does not match the CoS.
- Applying too early or too late for your start date.
- Using old fee or salary figures from an article instead of the official site.
- Leaving out supporting documents, which can delay a decision by weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a job offer first? Yes. A job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, backed by a Certificate of Sponsorship, is the core requirement of this route.
How long does a decision take? About three weeks if you apply from outside the UK, and about eight weeks if you apply from inside. These are typical times and can vary.
How early can I apply? Up to three months before your start date, using your CoS.
How long is the visa valid? It can be granted for up to five years before you need to renew, depending on your CoS.
Can my family join me? Partners and children may be able to apply as your dependants. Check the official site for the rules that apply to your situation.
What is the visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge? Check the official site for the current amounts.
Does it lead to settlement? It can, after a qualifying period on the route. Check the official site for the current period and requirements.
Stay safe from visa scams
No agent can sell you a UK work visa, and a genuine employer will not ask you to pay for a Certificate of Sponsorship. Be very careful with anyone who promises a guaranteed job abroad in return for a large fee. Apply yourself through the official channel, and check every employer on the sponsor register before you pay anyone.
Official source for the route: UK Skilled Worker visa on gov.uk. Always confirm current rules on that page, not on a third-party site.
Related guides
Reviewed by Miles Obi, Careers and Scholarships Editor at Jobviza.
Discover more from Jobviza
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
