UK Grants Temporary Visa Relief for Nigerian Prison Officers Amid Staffing Shortage
Story: written by Joseph December 21,2025
Nigerian prison officers working in the United Kingdom will benefit from a temporary exemption to new visa rules after authorities warned that prisons could face serious staffing shortages without overseas recruits. The exemption also applies to officers from other countries, including Ghana, but Nigerians constitute the largest group of foreign nationals in UK jails.
The move comes amid concerns that recent immigration changes could force thousands of experienced officers out of the prison system, potentially compromising security. In July, the UK government increased the minimum salary for a skilled worker visa from £38,700 to £41,700 as part of efforts to reduce net migration.
However, the Prison and Probation Service pay scales show that most new prison officers earn less than the new threshold, particularly outside London. The Prison Officers Association (POA) warned that the higher salary requirement could drive over 2,500 overseas officers from the workforce, describing the potential impact as “catastrophic.”
Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons, emphasised that many jails rely heavily on West African recruits, noting that visa restrictions could have a “devastating effect” on operations.
Temporary Exemption:
Under the new arrangement, foreign prison officers already in the UK can renew or extend their visas using a lower salary threshold of £33,400 until December 31, 2027. The exemption will remain in force until the end of 2026. The Ministry of Justice said the policy is intended to maintain safe prison operations and retain experienced staff.
Since 2023, UK prisons have sponsored visas for overseas recruits to address challenges in attracting enough British applicants. A government report published in April showed that 769 Nigerians took up prison officer roles in 2024, accounting for 29% of applicants and 12% of new hires in prisons across England and Wales. Ghanaians followed with 140 offers, making Nigerians the largest foreign group in the workforce.
