The UK remains one of the first choices for skilled workers looking to make a new life abroad. The UK Home Office released preliminary figures indicating how many foreign skilled workers have opted to come to the UK to earn a living.

Monthly numbers of Health and Care Worker visa applications from main applicants increased from 4,100 to 18,300 between February 2022 and August 2023, following the addition of care workers to the Shortage Occupation List. However, monthly applications have decreased since August 2023, falling to 2,000 in December 2024.

There were 21,300 applications from main applicants for Health and Care visas between April and December 2024, which is 82% fewer than the same 9 months in 2023.

This followed policy changes affecting social care workers and their family members introduced in March 2024. However, falls were seen since the latter part of 2023 likely due to more scrutiny applied by the Home Office to employers in the health and social care sector, and compliance activity taken against employers of migrant workers.

Monthly applications for dependents on the Health and Care Worker route increased in-line with main applicants, peaking at 23,300 in August 2023. Applications for dependents have decreased since December 2023, falling to 3,900 in December 2024.

There were 42,500 applications for dependents on the Health and Care route between April and December 2024 – 76% fewer than the same 9 months in 2023.

In contrast, the monthly number of Skilled Worker visa applications from main applicants were broadly stable between January 2022 and March 2024 at around 6,000 applications per month. Applications temporarily increased to 10,100 in April 2024, before reducing again and falling to 4,200 in December 2024.

There were 50,900 applications for Skilled Worker visas from main applicants between April and December 2024 – 6% fewer than the same 9 months in 2023.

Applications for dependents on the Skilled Worker route were broadly in-line with the main applicants. There were 42,900 applications between April and December 2024, similar to the same 9 months in 2023.

Source: https://search.app/5G5X1QsRZgZhoNYs6

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