The number of people applying for work and study visas in the UK decreased by nearly 400,000 following the introduction of measures aimed at reducing legal migration.
Provisional figures from the Home Office indicate that 547,000 applications were submitted between April and December 2024, compared to 942,500 during the same period in 2023—a drop of 395,100, or 42%. This decline is largely due to a significant decrease in applications from overseas students and foreign care workers.
The former Conservative government implemented restrictions between January and April 2024, including a ban on family dependants for overseas care workers and an increased salary threshold for skilled workers to £38,700, aiming to reduce annual arrivals by 300,000.
Additional reforms prevented overseas students from bringing family members and tightened requirements for Britons with below-average earnings to bring foreign spouses. These policies raised concerns about potential challenges for universities and the care industry.
According to news agency analysis, the overall 42% decline in visa applications masks variations across different visa categories. Applications for health and care worker work visas saw a dramatic 79% drop, from 299,800 in April to December 2023 to 63,800 in the same period in 2024.
The social care sector criticized the dependants ban as “brutal,” attributing it to a reduction in vital overseas staff. Meanwhile, sponsored study visa applications decreased by 29%, from 546,100 in the same period in 2023 to 389,800 in 2024. Universities have expressed concerns about financial challenges due to frozen domestic tuition fees and fewer overseas students.
Conversely, skilled worker visa applications for main applicants and dependants experienced a modest 3% decline, from 96,600 in April to December 2023 to 93,800 in 2024, a figure still higher than the corresponding period in 2022.
Despite the overall decline, the smaller reduction in skilled worker visa applications suggests a relatively stable demand for these roles. This contrasts sharply with the severe impact on sectors reliant on health and care workers, as well as the education sector, which heavily depends on international students.
The introduction of these stringent immigration policies has sparked widespread debate. Critics argue that the restrictions on study and work visa could exacerbate existing labor shortages in critical sectors, particularly healthcare and social care, where the demand for overseas workers has historically been high. Universities, on the other hand, are concerned about the long-term implications for their financial stability, as international students contribute significantly to tuition revenue.
The policy changes reflect the former Conservative government’s commitment to reducing net migration, but the unintended consequences for vital industries are prompting calls for a reassessment of these measures. Industry leaders and academic institutions continue to advocate for more balanced immigration policies that address labor market needs while managing migration levels effectively.
The government, however, maintains that these reforms are necessary to ensure sustainable migration and protect domestic job opportunities. As the debate continues, the impact of these changes will likely be closely monitored, with potential adjustments in policy depending on economic and sectoral pressures.
