Nigerians receive 15,772 UK work visas, second highest
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigerians received 15,772 United Kingdom work visas in the 30 months between January 2020 and June 2022, the second highest after India, according to National Statistics report newly released by the UK Home Office.
The report said UK Government Worker Visa approvals rose 96 per cent from 113,555 in 2019 to 222,349 in June 2022.
Approvals for Nigerians jumped 303 per cent from 3,918 in December 2019 to 15,772 in June 2022, next to Indian workers who grew 80 per cent from 57,087 in December 2019 to 102,981 in June 2022.
The report explained the “Worker” visa category previously known as “Skilled worker” visa includes sponsored visas which typically lead to settlement.
“In the year ending June 2022, ‘Worker’ visa grants increased by 96% (+108,794) to 222,349 compared with 2019, and now represent 67% of all work visas.
“There were 87,266 grants of ‘Skilled Worker’ visas and an additional 96,249 grants of ‘Skilled Worker – Health & Care’ visas,” the report said.
“Grants for ‘Skilled Worker’ visas have grown every quarter since they were first introduced in December 2020, and together represent over half (55%) of all work visas granted in the latest year.
“The ‘Senior or Specialist Worker (Global Business Mobility)’ route was launched in April 2022 to replace the ‘Intra-company Transfer (ICT)’ visa and there have been 2,927 grants to main applicants up to the end of June 2022.
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ICT-related visas
“Excluding dependants, ICT-related visas together represented 18,247 grants which is 33% lower than the 27,138 visas granted in Tier 2 ICT routes in 2019, continuing the decline since 2016 seen in these visa routes,” the report added, per Nairametrics.
Indian nationals continue to be the top nationality granted ‘Worker’ visas, accounting for 46%.
The 30-month period saw the greatest increase across all nationalities, increasing by 45,894 (+80%). But grants to nationals of the United States fell by 1,474 (-16%).
Scale-up Visa
The UK on 22 August opened applications for Nigerians and other foreign nationals to apply for the 2022 Scale-up Visa.
London wants to see growing businesses attract talent to enhance productivity across the economy in the belief that scaling up is an important phase for high-growth businesses to continue growing and drive their international competitiveness.
A Scale-up Worker Visa (or Scale-up business) allows foreigners to come to the UK to do an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business.
Unlike other sponsored visas, Scale-up Visa allows businesses to employ high-skilled individuals who will receive two years’ leave to remain in the UK without requiring further sponsorship or permission beyond the first six months.
Eligible businesses are expected to attract scientists, engineers, programmers, software developers, research and development professionals, economists, architects, technicians, financial and investment advisers, among others.
Small businesses, tech and financial services, and other firms that have achieved growth of 20 per cent or more in employment or turnover year-on-year for at least three years, and employed a minimum of 10 people at the start of the three years, are eligible to sponsor talented individuals through Scale-up Visa.