Foreign
Japa: UK Work Opportunities And Visa Pathways
The United Kingdom is facing a growing demand for skilled professionals, with significant skill shortages across various industries such as healthcare, technology, and construction. To bridge this gap, the country offers a range of work visa options, making it easier for international talent to fill these high-demand roles.
Whether you’re an engineer, healthcare worker, or AI specialist, the UK’s work visa programs provide excellent opportunities for skilled professionals looking to advance their careers while addressing the nation’s critical skill shortages.
Work Opportunities in the UK
The UK is actively opening doors to skilled professionals worldwide, offering numerous work opportunities with visa sponsorship. These initiatives aim to fill critical gaps in key sectors like technology, healthcare, and skilled trades.
Skill Shortages Create Opportunities
The UK is facing a shortage of skilled workers, particularly in sectors such as STEM, healthcare, and construction. This high demand presents excellent opportunities for international workers, as UK employers are eager to sponsor qualified foreign talent to fill these roles.
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Also Read: UK Scraps Shortage Occupation List (SOL) for Skilled Worker Visas
Sectors with High Demand in the UK
As of September 2024, several sectors in the UK are experiencing urgent skill shortages, including:
1. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): The UK’s growing investment in research and innovation has led to a shortage of skilled professionals in engineering, data science, and IT. These roles come with attractive salaries.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: With the UK advancing in AI, experts in data analytics and machine learning are highly sought after, with competitive salaries and career growth opportunities.
3. Healthcare Professions: An aging population and increased healthcare needs have created shortages of healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and medical technicians.
4. Construction and Skilled Trades: The UK lacks sufficient construction workers, electricians, and plumbers. The government is actively recruiting skilled tradespeople from abroad to meet demand.
Top In-Demand Professions for 2025
Several professions are in high demand, with attractive salary packages and visa sponsorship opportunities. Here’s a look at some of the top roles:
Software Engineers:
Salary: £40,000 to £100,000
Qualification: Bachelor’s in Computer Science
Top Employers: Google, Amazon, Microsoft
Data Scientists:
Salary: £45,000 to £85,000
Qualification: MS in Data Science or Statistics
Top Employers: DeepMind, BBC, Lloyds Banking Group
Nurses:
Salary: £27,000 to £50,000
Qualification: Nursing Degree and Registration
Top Employers: NHS, Bupa, Care UK
Civil Engineers:
Salary: £30,000 to £70,000
Qualification: Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering
Top Employers: Balfour Beatty, Atkins, Arup
AI Specialists:
Salary: £50,000 to £90,000
Qualification: MS or PhD in Artificial Intelligence
Top Employers: Google DeepMind, Facebook, NVIDIA
Teachers (STEM Subjects):
Salary: £25,000 to £60,000
Qualification: Bachelor’s in Education or relevant degree
Top Employers: Teach First, Harris Federation, United Learning
Healthcare Assistants:
Salary: £18,000 to £30,000
Qualification: Relevant healthcare certification
Top Employers: NHS, Bupa, Care UK
Electricians:
Salary: £25,000 to £45,000
Qualification: Certified Apprenticeship
Top Employers: Schneider Electric, SSE, Balfour Beatty
Pharmacists:
Salary: £35,000 to £55,000
Qualification: Pharmacy Degree and Registration
Top Employers: Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, Superdrug
How to Find Authorized Employers for Visa Sponsorship
To work in the UK, you must find an employer licensed to sponsor work visas. Here’s how to verify potential employers:
Visit the UK Government’s Register of Licensed Sponsors.
Search for your potential employer’s name.
Ensure the employer’s sponsorship license is valid for your job type.
UK Work Visa Options for Skilled Workers
The UK offers several work visa options for skilled professionals looking to build their careers in the country. These visas come with specific requirements, making it essential for prospective applicants to understand which visa suits their qualifications and career path.
Key Work Visa Options in the UK
The UK provides a range of work visas to attract skilled workers across various sectors. Below are the most common visas for international professionals:
1. Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker Visa is the most popular route for professionals looking to work in the UK. It allows individuals to work in eligible roles for approved employers who hold a sponsorship license.
Key Requirements:
A job offer from a UK-based licensed sponsor.
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer.
Minimum salary requirement of £26,200 per year (or the “going rate” for your job, whichever is higher).
Proof of English language proficiency (equivalent to at least B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference).
Application Process:
Secure a job offer with visa sponsorship.
Receive a CoS from your employer.
Submit your online visa application with all required documents.
Pay the visa application fee (£610-£1,400) and Immigration Health Surcharge (£624/year).
Provide biometrics at a visa application center.
2. Health and Care Worker Visa
This visa is designed for healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other medical staff, who wish to work in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) or for other approved health and care providers.
Key Requirements:
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A job offer in an eligible health or social care role.
A CoS from a licensed sponsor.
A minimum salary of £20,960 per year.
Proof of English language proficiency.
Benefits:
Reduced visa application fees.
Exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Application Process: Similar to the Skilled Worker Visa but with a specific focus on health and social care roles.
3. Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa is aimed at highly skilled individuals in fields like science, engineering, digital technology, and arts. It allows visa holders to work without a job offer, provided they have been endorsed as a leader or emerging talent by a recognized UK body.
Key Requirements:
Endorsement from an approved body (e.g., Tech Nation, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering).
Proof of exceptional talent or promise in your field.
No minimum salary requirement.
Application Process:
Apply for endorsement through a recognized body.
Once endorsed, submit your visa application with supporting documents.
Pay the visa application fee (£623) and Immigration Health Surcharge.
4. Intra-Company Transfer Visa
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa is for employees of multinational companies who are being transferred to a UK branch.
Key Requirements:
Employment with a company for at least 12 months before transfer (unless earning £73,900 or more).
A Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer.
Minimum salary requirement of £42,400 per year.
Application Process:
Receive a CoS from your employer.
Submit your visa application online.
Pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
Provide biometrics.
5. Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker Visa
The Seasonal Worker Visa is available for individuals looking to work in the UK’s agricultural sector for up to six months.
Key Requirements:
A job offer from a licensed sponsor.
Proof of enough money to support yourself (£1,270 in your bank account for 28 days).
Application Process:
Obtain a CoS from a licensed sponsor.
Submit your online visa application.
Pay the visa application fee (£259).
Provide biometrics.
How to Apply for a UK Work Visa
Once you’ve chosen the visa that fits your situation, the application process typically involves these steps:
Find a Job with Visa Sponsorship (for relevant visas like the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker Visa).
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Your employer will provide this reference number for your visa application.
Prepare Your Application: Gather necessary documents such as your CoS, proof of qualifications, and evidence of English language proficiency.
Apply Online: Complete your visa application through the UK Visa and Immigration website.
Pay Fees: The cost of a visa depends on the type and duration, ranging from £259 to £1,400. Don’t forget the Immigration Health Surcharge if applicable.
Attend a Biometrics Appointment: Visit a visa application center to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
Wait for a Decision: UK work visa applications usually take up to 8 weeks to process.
Visa Extensions and Permanent Residency
Most UK work visas allow for extensions, enabling professionals to stay longer or even apply for permanent residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain). The typical eligibility for permanent residency is after 5 years of continuous residence under a work visa.
Conclusion
The UK offers various work visa options tailored to different professions, from healthcare workers to tech specialists. Understanding the specific requirements and benefits of each visa can help you navigate the application process successfully.
With the right visa, skilled professionals can access the wealth of opportunities the UK has to offer and advance their careers on an international scale.
South Africa’s anti-immigration group, March and March, has announced September 30 as a fresh deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country, as it staged a protest outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Durban on Monday.
The group marched through central Durban under the theme, “It’s time to fetch your people,” calling on African leaders attending the 46th SADC Summit to take back their citizens living in South Africa without legal documentation.
March and March had earlier led nationwide protests on June 30, demanding tougher government action against undocumented immigration and warning that its campaign would continue until its demands were addressed.
Announcing its latest action, the group said the September 30 deadline would mark the beginning of what it described as the “mother of all protests”, while urging South Africans to assist the police in identifying undocumented foreigners.
The protest took place as the 46th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government got underway in Durban, with leaders from the regional bloc’s 16 member states in attendance.
The demonstration has renewed debate over South Africa’s treatment of foreign nationals, particularly citizens of other African countries.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently condemned discrimination and violence against foreigners, saying South Africa could not advocate regional integration at the SADC summit while practising exclusion within the country.
The June 30 protests were accompanied by security operations and reports of attacks and looting in some areas, according to police reports cited in the original report.
March and March has continued to demand tougher action against undocumented immigration, while tensions over the treatment of foreign nationals have prompted some African countries to evacuate their citizens from South Africa.
The latest protest has brought the immigration dispute directly to the doorstep of the SADC summit, placing the issue before regional leaders whose citizens are among those affected.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a US deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while calling on Tehran to surrender.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, amid ongoing talks between Oman and Iran over future maritime navigation arrangements through the strategic waterway.
“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump said, referring to the discussions between Oman and Iran as Washington pursues its own negotiations.
Iranian and Omani officials have been holding talks for weeks, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry saying Monday that both sides were working towards a joint declaration on the strait.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the Strait of Hormuz is under US control, despite Iran maintaining an effective blockade that has severely restricted maritime traffic.
On Friday, Trump said he could even declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, prompting Iran to insist that the strategic waterway “will remain Iranian.”
Trump also called on Iran to “put up the white flag of surrender,” according to Yingst.
The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran to the north and Oman to the south, was previously regarded as an open international waterway and carries a significant share of global energy shipments.
AFP
There has been no known deployment of US ground forces in Iran during the Middle East war, with the exception of a rescue mission in April for a downed American pilot.
Hatami did not provide any details on where or when the killing or capturing of US soldiers was expected to take place.
“Anyone who kills or captures and hands over an invading American military personnel will receive a reward equivalent to $30,000 or 5 billion tomans from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army,” Hatami said, using an informal unit equivalent to 10,000 Iranian rials.
The war between Tehran and Washington began on February 28 after the United States, joined by Israel, attacked Iran. It was followed by an April ceasefire after nearly 40 days of fighting, and a June framework for peace talks that later collapsed.
Iran and the United States have since traded fire sporadically, with fighting mainly centred in southern Iran and around the Strait of Hormuz.
AFP
The family of Philip Ifeanyi Elobuike, an indigene of Eziama Village, Ebe, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, has appealed to the public for assistance in locating him after his photograph surfaced on social media following nearly two years without contact.
Elobuike first travelled to the United States around 2004 and initially settled in the Los Angeles area of California. He later moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, before relocating to Dallas, Texas.
According to his family, Elobuike remained in contact with his relatives in Nigeria until around 2024, when communication with him suddenly stopped. Before losing contact, he was active on social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
His family had continued searching for him, and on August 11, 2026, they were relieved when his photograph surfaced on social media. The picture provided them with at least some reassurance that he was alive.
Elobuike Philip
However, contrary to reports circulating in some media outlets and on social media, Elobuike has not been reunited with his family or located by his kinsmen in the United States.
His relatives and members of the Nigerian community reportedly spent the entire day on August 12 searching for him in different parts of Dallas but were unable to locate him.
The family is therefore appealing to members of the public, particularly Nigerians and other individuals in the Dallas area, to assist in locating Elobuike and ensuring that he is safely reunited with his family.
The family also urged people to disregard reports claiming that he has already been found and reunited with his relatives, describing such reports as inaccurate.
Anyone who has information about Elobuike’s whereabouts or comes across him is urged to contact any of the following:
Dr. Fred Ngwu: (214) 418-8145
Moses Onyejekwe: (213) 479-2340
Law Okolo: (646) 302-2597
The family expressed appreciation to everyone who has shared his photograph and appealed for continued circulation of the information until he is successfully located.
No fewer than 205 Nigerians were deported from Canada in June 2026 as Canadian authorities intensified enforcement of the country’s immigration laws, according to official figures released by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Immigration removal statistics published by the CBSA showed that 10,607 individuals were removed from Canada during the month, with Nigerians ranking among the top 10 nationalities affected by the exercise.
The figures indicate that Nigerians accounted for nearly two per cent of all removals carried out in June.
India recorded the highest number of deportations, with 3,323 nationals removed, followed by Mexico with 1,573. The United States accounted for 372 deportees, while Colombia and Romania recorded 354 and 293 removals respectively.
Other countries with significant numbers of nationals deported included Bangladesh, with 227, and Pakistan, with 207.
Explaining the rationale behind the removals, the CBSA said enforcing immigration laws was critical to protecting the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
“Removing individuals who do not have the right to enter or stay in Canada is essential to maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration program and to ensuring fairness for those who come to this country lawfully,” the agency stated.
The latest figures underscore Canada’s continued enforcement against individuals found to have no legal right to remain in the country, as authorities seek to ensure compliance with the nation’s immigration laws.
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