Home/Community Stories/Skilled Worker Route as a Senior Software Engineer from Lagos to London

Skilled Worker7 Weeks Total ProcessingVerified UK Immigrant

Skilled Worker Route as a Senior Software Engineer from Lagos to London

Nigeria (Lagos) → United Kingdom (London)

Chinedu O.Relocated 2025-10

The Relocation Journey & Experience

I received my defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) in September. The entire process from biometrics at TLScontact Victoria Island to decision email took exactly 7 weeks on standard processing. Ensure your employer uses the correct SOC code and that your salary meets the new standard threshold. Also book your TB test at IOM well in advance!

Key Advice for Future Applicants

Pay the priority service fee only if you have strict relocation start dates. TLScontact slots in Lagos fill up fast on Mondays.

Practical Tips & Document Notes

Book TB test at IOM Lagos at least 4 weeks before CoS arrives
Verify your degree with Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) early if using it for English requirement
Keep 28 consecutive days bank statements clean without sudden lump sum deposits

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Marcus Bennett

Verified

United States → Edinburgh, UK

5 wks

Global TalentOverseas Relocation

Global Talent Visa (Tech Nation / Exceptional Promise) Endorsement & Stage 2

Applied under Tech Nation exceptional promise route with 3 reference letters from AI founders, GitHub open-source contributions, and media features. Stage 1 endorsement came in 18 days, Stage 2 UKVI clearance took only 2 weeks without needing a sponsor employer.

Key Takeaway:

The Global Talent route gives unmatched freedom to switch jobs, start a company, or consult without sponsor lock-in.

Practical Advice:

Focus on impact rather than just senior titles in your 10 pieces of evidence
Letters of recommendation must be from C-suite leaders who know your work personally

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Emmanuel Mensah

Verified

Ghana → Leeds, UK

6 wks

Health and Care WorkerOverseas Relocation

NHS Registered Nurse Relocation to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Secured NHS Band 5 registered nurse sponsorship through international recruitment. The Health & Care Worker route has reduced visa fees and exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

Key Takeaway:

Ensure your employer includes the Health and Care designation indicator on your CoS to qualify for the fee reduction.

Practical Advice:

IELTS Academic overall 7.0 or OET Grade B required for NMC registration
Exempt from standard £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge

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Farah & Liam Khan

Verified

Pakistan → Birmingham, UK

12 wks

Spouse / FamilyOverseas Relocation

Spouse Visa (Appendix FM) Journey: Meeting Financial Requirements & Relationship Evidence

Applied from Pakistan to join my British citizen husband in Birmingham. We prepared over 80 pages of combined relationship evidence (chat logs, wedding photos, tenancy agreement in UK, 6 months payslips and bank statements). Decision took 12 weeks standard.

Key Takeaway:

Structure your PDF evidence chronologically with an index page. Makes the caseworker’s job 10x easier.

Practical Advice:

A1 CEFR English test certificate is required (valid for 2 years)
Submit continuous 6-month payslips matching bank statement deposit dates

Read Full Journey

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