In a striking shift, UK visa applications for work and study dropped by 42 percent between April and December 2024, with nearly 400,000 fewer applications than the same period in 2023.
This dramatic decline has been attributed to a series of restrictive immigration policies introduced by the previous Conservative government, aimed at curbing the number of legal arrivals.
Provisional figures from the Home Office revealed that applications fell from 942,500 in 2023 to 547,000 in 2024, marking a reduction of 395,100. The sharpest declines were seen in two key areas: overseas students and foreign care workers, both of whom have been affected by tighter visa rules.
Steep decline in Health and Care Worker visas
Among the most affected categories, health and care worker visa applications saw a staggering 79% drop, plummeting from 299,800 in the first half of 2023 to just 63,800 in the same period of 2024. This sharp decline follows a ban on overseas care workers bringing family members to the UK, a move that has been widely criticized by the social care sector.
Industry leaders have warned that this policy could worsen the already severe staff shortages faced by care homes and hospitals across the country.
Student Visa applications take a hit
International student visa applications also dropped by 29% from 546,100 to 389,800. The fall in applications comes as UK universities, which heavily rely on international students for tuition revenue, face additional financial pressure.
Critics argue that the restrictions, which include banning dependents from accompanying students, could hurt academic research and innovation, which thrives on a diverse student population.
Impact on Skilled Worker visas
On a more positive note, skilled worker visa applications experienced only a modest decrease of 3%, from 96,600 to 93,800. This smaller drop is likely due to the higher salary threshold, now set at £38,700, which still allows many applicants in sectors such as tech and engineering to meet the new criteria. However, the rise in salary requirements continues to raise concerns about its impact on lower-paid professions and the overall labor market.
UK aims to cut migration by 300,000
The government’s reforms, which included tighter rules on dependents and salary thresholds, were intended to cut annual migration by 300,000. While the policies have led to a significant decrease in visa applications, they have sparked widespread concern, particularly in industries like healthcare and higher education, that may now face even greater challenges in meeting staffing and financial needs.
As the UK grapples with the long-term effects of these policy changes, the true consequences of reduced immigration on critical sectors remain to be seen.
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