UK Issues Over 1.16 Million Visas in One Year, Sees Decline in Work and Study Visas
The UK government has granted a total of 1.16 million visas for work, study, and family reasons in the year ending June 2024, according to newly released immigration data. The report shows significant decreases in key visa categories, with work visas for main applicants down by 11% and student visas dropping by 13% compared to the previous year.
Decline in Work Visas
A total of 286,382 work visas were issued to main applicants, reflecting an 11% decrease from the previous year. However, this figure remains more than double the number of work visas issued in 2019. Notably, ‘Health and Care Worker’ visas saw a 26% decline, with 89,095 visas issued. From April to June 2024 alone, there was an 81% drop compared to the same quarter in 2023. Meanwhile, ‘Skilled Worker’ visas also fell slightly, by 3%, with 88,653 visas granted in the year.
Dependants of workers also represented a substantial group, with 260,392 visas issued, 69% of which were for dependants of health and care workers. Temporary worker visas, including seasonal workers, reached 77,419, with 34,332 for seasonal roles and 24,091 under the Youth Mobility Scheme.
Fewer Study Visas for International Students
The data revealed a 13% decline in student visas, with 432,225 foreign students granted visas to study in the UK. Despite the decrease, this is still 61% higher than the number issued in 2019. Two-thirds of these visas were for master’s level courses.
A significant drop was observed in visas for student dependants, with only 11,675 issued between January and June 2024, an 81% reduction from the same period in 2023. Main applicants saw a 23% decline in the same timeframe.
Family Visas on the Rise
Family-related visa applications surged, with 98,906 visas granted, marking a 40% increase from the previous year. Family visa holders are more likely to settle in the UK long-term, with data showing that 62% of family route migrants since 2007 had been granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR) within five years, rising to 83% after 10 years.
Settlement and Citizenship
Settlement in the UK saw a 17% rise, with 137,020 people granted settlement status. British citizenship was awarded to 246,488 people, representing a 37% increase from the previous year.
Humanitarian Routes
The report also noted that 93,342 individuals were granted safe and legal humanitarian visas in the year ending June 2024, a 39% reduction compared to the previous year. This decrease is largely attributed to the decline in Ukraine Scheme visas.
The latest data highlights shifting trends in the UK’s immigration system, with fewer work and study visas but a notable rise in family-related and citizenship grants.
