UK Work and Study Visas Cut Sharply in 2024 – Key Stats and Trends Revealed

The Home Office of the United Kingdom has released its immigration statistics for the year ending March 2025, showing a significant decline in both work and study visas issued to non-immigrants in 2024.

The numbers paint a clear picture of how recent immigration policies, particularly those related to dependent restrictions and the Health and Care Worker route, have influenced migration trends.

UK Immigration & Visa Trends

This comprehensive report, published shortly after the government’s White Paper, offers a clear picture of the early impacts of policy changes, including restrictions on student dependents and revisions to the Health and Care route.

Here’s a detailed highlighting of key takeaways from the report;

1. Work Visa Grants Plummet by 39%

The UK experienced a significant decline in overall work visa approvals in 2024, largely due to the early impact of new immigration policies and reduced employer demand for foreign workers.

• The UK issued 192,000 work visas to main applicants across all work routes.
• That’s 39% fewer than the previous year, though still 40% higher than in 2019.
• This sharp drop indicates reduced interest in UK employment opportunities post-policy revisions.

2. Health and Care Worker Visas See 85% Drop

A drastic policy shift led to a massive drop in Health and Care Worker visas, highlighting growing challenges in recruiting international staff for the UK’s overstretched healthcare sector.

• Only 23,000 Health and Care Worker visas were granted, down 85% from the peak in 2023.
• The dramatic decline reflects stricter rules on dependents and higher salary thresholds.
• This could further strain the UK’s already stretched social care sector.

3. Skilled Worker Route Shrinks by 23%

The Skilled Worker category also recorded a noticeable decline, revealing reduced uptake amid stricter rules and increased thresholds for those seeking employment in key professional roles.

• Other ‘Worker’ routes, including Skilled Worker visas, declined by 23%.
• Policy tightening and rising eligibility barriers may have made the UK less attractive to global professionals.

4. Temporary Worker Visas Drop Slightly but Remain Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Levels

Temporary Worker visa numbers dipped slightly but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, mainly due to continued reliance on seasonal workers in agriculture and other short-term sectors.

• 75,000 temporary work visas were issued, 6% fewer than the previous year.
• Still, this is 83% more than in 2019, driven largely by the growth in the Seasonal Worker route.

5. Extension Requests Skyrocket—Driven by Graduate and Skilled Workers

While new visa grants fell, extensions soared in 2024. Many visa holders, particularly graduates and skilled workers, opted to extend their stay rather than exit the UK workforce.

• A record 434,000 visa extensions were granted for work, 7 times more than in 2019.
• The spike was primarily due to Graduate, Health and Care Worker, and Skilled Worker visa holders seeking to stay longer in the UK.

6. Student Visa Numbers Down 10%, Dependant Visas Plunge by 83%

International student numbers declined modestly, but dependent visas plummeted after new rules restricted family members from joining most student visa holders, impacting thousands of families.

• 403,000 study visas were issued in the year ending March 2025—a 10% drop from 2024.
• Dependants of students were hit hardest: only 18,000 dependent visas were granted, a staggering 83% decrease.
• The UK remains a top destination for postgraduate students—60% of student visas over the last five years were for master’s degrees.

7. Family Visa Trends: Partner Visas Down, Refugee Reunions Up

Family-related visa trends were mixed. While Partner visas fell, there was a significant surge in Refugee Family Reunion approvals, reaching the highest level since records began in 2005.

• 76,000 family visas were issued, a modest 3% decrease from the previous year.
• Partner visas dropped by 17%, signalling a decline in spousal migration.
• Meanwhile, Refugee Family Reunion visas surged from 12,000 to 21,000, the highest since 2005, driven by more refugee recognitions.

8. More Foreigners Granted UK Settlement and Citizenship

Despite declines in new visa grants, more migrants transitioned to permanent settlement and citizenship, with the Skilled Worker route leading the way in long-term UK residency pathways.

• 173,000 individuals were granted permanent settlement, up by 33% from the previous year.
• The Skilled Worker route alone accounted for 37% of settlement grants, rising by 54%.
• Citizenship numbers also spiked, from 129,000 in 2021 to 269,000 in 2025, showing a growing trend of long-term integration.

What’s Driving These Changes?

These figures align closely with recent UK immigration policy shifts:

• Restrictions on dependents for international students.
• Tougher salary thresholds for foreign workers.
• Revisions to visa eligibility, especially in the care sector.

This data was released shortly after the government published its immigration White Paper, setting the stage for more stringent rules ahead.

Final Thoughts

The UK is clearly recalibrating its immigration system, and these early numbers show the ripple effects. For international students, skilled workers, and employers alike, navigating these shifts will be key in the coming year.

For those planning to work or study in the UK in 2025, staying updated on policy changes and visa requirements is more crucial than ever