How to Get a Job in the UK From Nigeria in 2024

As a Nigerian looking for a dream job in the UK, the procedure can be scary. There are numerous challenges to overcome, like negotiating the visa procedure, creating the ideal CV, and locating organizations that now hire foreigners.

However, with the appropriate technique and determination, you can achieve your objective of finding a secure job in the UK.

In this essay, we will describe five necessary actions you should follow to get your preferred job in the UK from Nigeria. By following this step-by-step approach, you will discover how to find the correct job vacancies, customize your experience to UK businesses, secure the requisite work visa, prepare for your interview, and eventually land an offer for a position that will allow you to start your career in the UK. With hard work and commitment, you may make your ambition of working in the UK a reality.

Types of Uk work visa

Before beginning the application process, it is critical to understand the several types of work visas accessible to Nigerians seeking to work in the UK. The most popular categories are:

1. Tier II (General) Visa:

• Designed for skilled workers who have received an employment offer from a UK employer.
• Sponsorship is required from the employer.
• A points-based system for analyzing characteristics such as pay, English language proficiency, and upkeep money.

2. Tier 2 visa for intra-company transfers:

• Designed for employees transferring to a UK branch of their present firm.
• Sponsorship is required, as are particular eligibility criteria.

3. Tier 5 (Temporary Worker) Visa:

Individuals traveling to the UK for temporary employment, such as charity workers, religious workers, and creative professionals.

Different subcategories with different eligibility requirements.

a. Startup Visa:

• Designed for entrepreneurs beginning businesses in the United Kingdom.
• Needs approval from an approved endorsing body.

b. Innovator visa:

• Designed for experienced entrepreneurs looking to start an innovative firm in the UK.
• Needs approval and a good business plan.

Understanding the Eligibility Criteria of UK Work Visa

Each form of UK work visa has its own set of eligibility requirements. Nigerians wishing to apply for a UK work visa should carefully research the requirements to ensure they meet all of them. Key elements include:

1. Job Offer:

For Tier 2 (General) and other work visas, an employment offer from a UK employer is often required. The employment must be listed as an eligible occupation and pay at least the minimum wage.

2. Sponsorship:

Most work visas require sponsorship by a UK employer. Employers must register as sponsors with the UK Home Office.

3. English language proficiency:

Applicants may need to demonstrate their English language skills through accepted language examinations.

4. Maintenance Funds:

Adequate funds to support oneself may be required, particularly for specific visa categories.

Step-by-Step Application Process: How to get a job in the UK from Nigeria in 2024 online

Once the eligibility requirements are completed, Nigerians can begin the step-by-step application procedure for a UK work visa. While the details may differ depending on the exact visa category, the basic process involves the following steps:

1. Job Search and Offers:

Identify job opportunities in the UK that match your abilities and qualifications. Get a job offer from a UK firm prepared to sponsor your visa.

2. Sponsorship:

Ensure that your employer is a registered sponsor with the UK Home Office. Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer.

3. Online Applications:

Fill out the online visa application form on the UK government’s official website.

4. Pay the appropriate visa fees.

Ensure you pay the necessary visa fees

5. Biometric information:

Make an appointment to supply biometric information, such as fingerprints and a photograph, at a visa application center.

6. Documents Submission:

Please submit all relevant documents, including the CoS, evidence of qualifications, and financial documentation.

English Language Test:

If relevant, submit proof of English language ability via an approved language test.

Tuberculosis Tests:

Some applicants may be required to take a tuberculosis test, particularly if they are from a high-risk nation.

7. Wait for a decision on your visa application.

Once approved, you will obtain a visa vignette in your passport that will allow you to enter the United Kingdom.

What are the Post-Approval Steps?

After successfully acquiring a UK work visa, many crucial measures must be taken to ensure a smooth transition and conformity with UK immigration regulations:

Travel Arrangements:

Plan your trip to the UK so that you arrive before the visa’s start date. Carry vital documents, including your passport and visa vignette.

Accommodations and living arrangements:

Before you arrive in the UK, make arrangements for lodging. Familiarize oneself with the surroundings and transit choices.

National Insurance number:

Get a National Insurance Number (NIP) for tax and social security purposes.

Once you’ve arrived in the United Kingdom, apply for this number.

Bank Account:

Open a UK bank account to better manage your finances.

Healthcare registration:

To receive healthcare services, you must first register with the National Health Service (NHS).

Compliance With Visa Conditions:

Follow the terms and limitations of your visa, such as job limits and stay duration.

What is the Minimum salary for Skilled Worker visa UK 2024?

A new minimum salary for competent workers went into effect on April 4, 2024. The minimum salary is currently established at the higher of £38,700 or the market rate for the individual’s specific position. Every employment that can be sponsored falls under an appropriate UK Government Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code, with each SOC Code having its own going rate and minimum income.

Most of these minimum salaries are based on a 37.5-hour work week. For example, if a person is offered a skilled worker position in the UK as a software engineer, his or her employment is likely to fall under SOC Code 2134, Programmers and software development professionals, with a minimum wage of £49,400 based on a 37.5-hour week.

It is crucial to note that many positions in the healthcare and education sectors follow different criteria and are listed separately. For example, in these industries, the wage must be the greater of £23,200 or the going rate for the applicable SOC Code.

Visa sponsorship jobs in UK for Nigerian citizens

Here is a list of some of the top jobs in the UK for Nigerians, together with information about the job criteria, the pathways you may need to obtain them, and other useful information.

1. Health Service Managers and Directors

Management positions are critical at the heart of the UK’s NHS and private healthcare companies. These roles necessitate a thorough understanding of healthcare as well as excellent leadership and management abilities.

Nigerians often apply directly to NHS trusts or commercial healthcare organizations prepared to sponsor their visas, as long as they meet the Tier 2 visa standards for skilled professionals.

2. Chemical Scientists in the Nuclear Industry

Another career in the UK that a Nigerian can get on their first day is in the specialty sector of nuclear research, which provides excellent chances. For Nigerians with a background in chemical sciences, concentrating your employment hunt in the UK’s nuclear business could be beneficial.

Engaging with industry-specific job boards and professional networks, as well as contacting corporations directly for sponsorship, are successful ways to land these opportunities.

If you have a company that will hire and help you during your relocation, this is one of the greatest jobs in the UK.

3. Civil engineers.

Civil engineers, as well as any other construction skill or career, are in high demand due to the UK’s infrastructure boom. These roles are broad and luckily abundant, ranging from design to managing construction projects.

However, obtaining a post may require validation from relevant UK professional groups, so begin by aligning your qualifications with UK requirements and seeking out firms willing to sponsor your visa to transfer.

4. Mechanical engineers.

Mechanical engineers have plenty of chances as the manufacturing and engineering sectors thrive. To make your applications stand out, highlight any specific skills or expertise you may have.

Visa sponsorship is frequently available for tasks that are difficult to fill locally, so search job boards such as Indeed and LinkedIn for roles that offer visa sponsorship and relocation pay.

5. Electrical engineers.

Another prospective career path for electrical engineers in the UK is in the energy sector, which includes renewable energy. Skills in designing, developing, and maintaining electrical systems are in high demand because the industry is based on expertise and experience.

Networking with industry professionals and applying for positions at organizations that sponsor visas can help you advance your career in the UK.

How to get a job in UK from Nigeria

The following are the stages for getting a job in the United Kingdom (UK) from Nigeria:

Step 1: Meet the requirements.

It is the first step in getting a job in the UK. I’ve mentioned the general prerequisites above.

However, each profession has strict qualifications before someone may be hired.

For example, some positions require two years of experience in that industry, while others may require no experience.

Some jobs may require higher educational levels than others.

Research what your chosen career positions demand for employment and, if you don’t already, prepare to satisfy those standards.

Step 2: Prepare your CV.

Your CV reveals a lot about you and influences whether you will be hired for the position.

However, because the criteria in Nigeria and the United Kingdom differ, your CV for Nigerian job roles cannot be the same.

As a result, before applying for any job, you need to produce a CV in the UK format to suit the recruiters’ expectations.

The following tips can help you prepare your curriculum vitae:

• Use a chronological CV format, highlighting your most recent work experience first, then your past work experience. It’s the same with your educational background.
• Make sure your words are written in British English, as utilizing any other kind of English may offend your employer.
• Your resume should not exceed two pages.
• If it’s too long, it may not be read correctly.

Remember that you are unlikely to be the only candidate applying for the job, especially if it is a competitive post.

Step 3: Attaching a photo to your CV is often not acceptable.

Include only your contact information, including phone number, full name, address, and email address. Please do not provide your date of birth; it is irrelevant.

Write a succinct personal statement that highlights your abilities, experience, and qualifications for the position.

A personal statement is not required, but it can be an effective method to capture your recruiter’s attention.

Step 4: Draft a Good Cover Letter

A cover letter is another opportunity for your employers to learn about you without meeting you; therefore, it should be well-written.

Before you write your cover letter, do some research on the company.

Understand their principles, vision, and mission, as well as the essential staff and successes.

Remember that a cover letter is not about you but about how well you understand the organization and how you might improve things there.

The letter must be brief, formal, and straightforward. Make sure your grammar and sentence structure are correct.

You need to ensure that everything is in order.

Step 5: Search online.

Technology has simplified things for everyone, even job hunters. You can discover a suitable job from the convenience of your own home by searching job websites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, Reed, and so on. These websites display many types of employment, including descriptions, income ranges, and employers.

There are thousands of jobs to pick from, so you have numerous choices.

However, it is better to decide what you want before beginning your investigation, as you may become confused.

You can also use UK recruitment firms to locate work. Some of them include InterQuest Group, Blue Arrow, and Morgan Hunt.

Step 6: Network

We will all require assistance at some point in our lives because we do not know everything. As a result, most of the time, you will require the assistance of others to secure your ideal work. Meet like-minded people and pitch them.

Attend professional gatherings, conferences, and seminars to develop relationships. Even if you are an introvert, utilize online sites like LinkedIn.

Optimize your profile, upload a professional photo, and make relevant posts. You never know who is watching!

Conclusion

The United Kingdom is an excellent choice for Nigerians pursuing a job in any profession. However, the process of finding work in the UK can be overwhelming. This article has explained how to get a job in the UK from Nigeria. It is best to choose a job once you have examined factors specific to you, such as your qualifications, working hours, income range, and so on.