UK Grants Visa Extensions to Nigerian Prison Staff to Prevent Staffing Crisis

The United Kingdom has granted emergency visa extensions to hundreds of foreign prison staff, mostly Nigerians, who faced deportation following changes to UK visa rules in July. The move comes after warnings that several prisons were at risk of a severe staffing crisis.

The exemption applies only to staff already in the UK and will last until the end of 2026, with a reduced salary threshold of £33,400 remaining in place until December 31, 2027. The recent visa changes raised the skilled worker visa threshold to £41,700 annually, higher than the typical starting salary for new prison officers, which averages around £33,000 outside London.

The Prison Officers Association had warned that the new threshold could result in the loss of more than 2,500 overseas recruits, describing the potential impact on prison stability as “catastrophic.” While the union welcomed the exemption, it called the decision a victory for “common sense.” General Secretary Steve Gillan said it would help the prison service remain stable, and national chairman Mark Fairhurst noted that members could now work without fear of removal from the country.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood initially opposed the exemption, arguing that priority should go to British recruits, but Justice Secretary David Lammy emphasized that meeting the demand for prison places was the immediate concern. A Home Office source noted that prisons were being treated differently due to their importance for public safety and national security, and the exemption is intended to be temporary. The Ministry of Justice described the extension as “breathing space” to implement a programme to recruit more UK-based officers.

The government stressed that while net migration has fallen significantly, public safety remains the top priority, and maintaining experienced prison staff is essential. UK prisons have been allowed to sponsor overseas recruits since 2023 due to shortages in British applicants. In 2024, more than 700 Nigerians were recruited, making them the largest group of non-British staff in English and Welsh prisons, followed by around 140 Ghanaians.