UK Releases Approved List of Companies Ready To Sponsor Nigerians for Work Visa

• The UK has updated its Register of Licensed Sponsors, raising the total number of approved employer sponsors
• Newly listed organisations span healthcare, technology, hospitality, engineering, and retail, sectors where labour shortages remain significant
• Nigerians seeking UK relocation must secure a job offer from a listed sponsor and obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship before applying for a Skilled Worker visa

The United Kingdom's Home Office has expanded its official list of employers authorised to recruit overseas talent, with the total number of licensed sponsor organisations now standing at 142,459, according to the updated Register of Licensed Sponsors published on July 17, 2026.

The register covers employers approved to issue Certificates of Sponsorship under both the Skilled Worker and Temporary Worker immigration routes.

A Certificate of Sponsorship is a mandatory requirement for any foreign national applying for a UK work visa, and only organisations that have met the government's strict sponsorship criteria are permitted to appear on the list.

Read also

US announces new 'African' job vacancies, salaries and application deadlines emerge

What the Expanded Register Means for Nigerians

The latest update broadens the pool of employers able to hire from abroad, with newly licensed organisations operating across care services, restaurants, information technology firms, construction, retail, manufacturing, educational institutions, religious bodies, and property management companies throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

For Nigerians considering relocation to the UK, the wider register translates to a greater number of potential employers legally permitted to back a visa application.

To be eligible, applicants must receive a confirmed job offer from a licensed sponsor on the register, obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from that employer, work in a qualifying occupation, and satisfy the salary threshold and English language standards set by the Home Office.

Immigration professionals consistently advise prospective applicants to confirm an employer's presence on the official register before accepting any offer or paying recruitment fees, since only listed sponsors can lawfully issue the required documentation.

Some newly listed licensed sponsors and locations

Read also

CBN makes fresh forex changes, announces weekly dollar purchase cap for BDCs

The complete register of 142,459 licensed sponsor organisations is available through the UK Home Office and is updated regularly to reflect newly approved employers and changes to sponsorship licences.

US introduces new visa rules for Nigerians travelling to study, work and other purposes

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the United States government introduced new visa restrictions for Nigerian citizens, reducing the validity of most non-immigrant visas to a single entry with a three-month validity period as part of its revised reciprocal visa policy.

The new policy affects several visa categories, including B1/B2 business and tourist visas, F and M student visas, and J exchange visitor visas.

The US government said visas issued before the policy took effect will remain valid under their original terms

Source: Legit.ng