Since Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (the UK Prime Minister) took office, immigration has been at the centre of the UK’s national conversation. The UK immigration policy 2025, introduced by the Keir Starmer government, proposed reducing net migration in the country while ensuring fairness and economic contribution. Unlike the previous administration led by Rishi Sunak, which leaned heavily on restrictive measures, Starmer’s reforms focus on tightening the inflow of low-skilled migrants. These reforms can potentially keep families apart, as they include the suspension of the family reunion route and the tightening of UK Spouse Visa requirements, as well as other UK visas.

Despite the challenges that Starmer’s immigration reforms in the UK present, viable visa options exist for Nigerian citizens to explore when planning to enter the UK and reunite with their loved ones, including the UK Spouse Visa, Skilled Worker Visa, Student Visa, and Global Talent Visa. The new UK immigration policy 2025 under Keir Starmer proposes a merit-based approach to migration and stricter documentation requirements for family and work-related applications. Due to these changes in the UK immigration policy, Nigerian professionals, students, and families need to plan adequately to enter the UK. This article explains the new UK immigration policy under Keir Starmer, including the UK relocation options for Nigerians, and the impact of the policy on Nigerian immigrants.

New UK Immigration Policy 2025 under Keir Starmer Explained

The Starmer immigration reforms UK were designed to reshape how non-EU nationals, including Nigerian citizens, enter and settle in the UK. The focus areas of the new immigration policy include:

Skilled and Work Visa Adjustments

The new policy aims to align immigration more closely with the UK’s economic needs. This involves a renewed focus on filling vacancies in crucial sectors, including healthcare, technology, and engineering. As such, Nigerian professionals planning to move to the UK for employment must prepare for the updated UK work visa requirements for Nigerian professionals 2025. These changes resulted in an increase in visa costs and the suspension of care worker recruitment from abroad, including Nigeria. Additionally, the updated immigration policy emphasised higher salary thresholds and removed entry-level and lower-skilled positions that were previously eligible for sponsorship. However, UK sectors facing labour shortages, such as healthcare, technology, and engineering, can continue to employ qualified Nigerian professionals, albeit under the stricter terms, including evaluation for English language proficiency (for adult dependents as well) and background verification.

Tackling Illegal Migration and Clearing Backlogs

The UK immigration policy 2025, led by Keir Starmer, directly seeks to tackle illegal migration and clear existing asylum backlogs by:

• Planning to create a new Border Security Command to pursue and disrupt criminal gangs involved in people smuggling.
• Cooperating with other countries to speed up the return of migrants who have no legal right to stay in the UK.
• Tackling illegal working and creating a system, possibly involving digital ID checks, to make it more difficult for undocumented workers to get jobs in the UK.
• Committing to clearing the significant backlog of asylum claims that accumulated under the previous administration.
• Clearing the backlog of court appeals from asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected.
• Committing to end the use of expensive hotels to house asylum seekers by accelerating the processing of claims and reducing the overall backlog.

This reform could result in a quicker and more effective visa processing system for Nigerian citizens moving to the UK in 2025, as it reduces the agonising wait times that can be frustrating.

Suspension of the Family Reunion Route

The UK government suspended the Refugee Family Reunion route in September 2025. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the move was to align the rules with those for British citizens and settled residents, and to address strains on public services, as refugees often applied for family reunion shortly after obtaining protection. While new applications are suspended until at least spring 2026, when a new system is expected to be implemented, applications submitted before the deadline will be processed. However, new applicants must now meet the standard family visa rules, which include a minimum income requirement of £29,000 and English language conditions.

How Nigerian Citizens Can Legally Relocate to the UK in 2025

Despite the new reforms, visa routes that remain open for Nigerian citizens looking to relocate to the UK from Nigeria 2025 legally include the following:

Work Visa Routes

The work visa routes allow Nigerian nationals to enter the UK and work for a UK-based employer. Eligible Nigerian professionals with high on-demand skills can apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, Health and Care Worker Visa, or Global Talent Visa and legally move to the UK.

Family Visa Routes

The family visa allows family members to join a British citizen or a settled resident in the United Kingdom. The visas available under the family route for Nigerian nationals include the UK Spouse Visa, Unmarried Partner Visa, Child Dependent Visa, and Adult Dependent Visa.

Student Visa Routes

The Student Visa allows Nigerian citizens to enter the UK and advance their education. There are three categories: Student visa, Short-term Study visa, and Student Visitor visa. The specific study visa type you must apply for depends on the duration of your study.

Impact of Starmer’s Immigration Policy on Nigerian Migrants

Keir Starmer’s immigration policies have impacted Nigerian nationals seeking to enter the UK by tightening various visa requirements, including the UK Spouse Visa and Skilled Worker Visa. These changes have also resulted in a significant increase in visa costs for employers and a reduction of post-study work opportunities for Nigerian migrants. These changes make the UK a harder destination for Nigerian professionals and students. For Nigerian migrants with a settlement plan, these immigration policies could lead them to seek work or education in another developed country due to stricter criteria for employment and permanent residency in the UK.

Conclusion

The UK’s 2025 immigration policy, under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, presents both opportunities and challenges for Nigerian nationals seeking a better future in the UK. While the reforms aim to manage migration responsibly, they also preserve vital legal routes for skilled workers, students, and families. As a Nigerian citizen, you must prepare your visa application accurately and comply with the current UK visa rules. To increase your chances of success in your UK visa application, it is advisable to seek expert guidance from an immigration lawyer. An immigration lawyer can ensure you apply for the specific UK visa that suits your circumstances and that your application satisfies all the updated requirements of the Home Office.