UK work and family visa applications fall after rule changes; study visas steady
On 12 May 2025, the UK Home Office announced further changes to immigration rules in its Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper. These measures, which came into force on 22 July 2025, affect both Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa categories. The Home Office stated that policy changes are one of several factors influencing visa application patterns. Higher skill threshold for Skilled Worker visas: To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, jobs must now meet the RQF level 6 skill requirement, equivalent to graduate-level roles. Exceptions apply for positions listed on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, jobs must now meet the RQF level 6 skill requirement, equivalent to graduate-level roles. Exceptions apply for positions listed on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Increase in salary requirements: The minimum annual salary for Skilled Worker visas has risen from £38,700 to £41,700. For Health and Care Worker visas, the threshold remains unchanged at £25,000.
The minimum annual salary for Skilled Worker visas has risen from £38,700 to £41,700. For Health and Care Worker visas, the threshold remains unchanged at £25,000. Overseas recruitment for care workers ends: New international applicants can no longer apply for care jobs in the UK under the existing Health and Care Worker visa route. However, individuals already in the UK working as care workers or senior care workers can apply to switch to a different visa category until July 2028.
Health and Care Worker visas see steep fallApplications from main applicants in this category dropped from 18,300 in August 2023 to 1,300 in July 2025. The decline began in March 2024 after the Home Office increased compliance checks on employers in the health and social care sector and acted against those not meeting legal obligations. Numbers fell further after policy measures in spring 2024 limited international recruitment for care roles.Dependants followed a similar trend, peaking at 23,300 in August 2023 before dropping to 4,900 in July 2025. Under new rules announced in May 2025, no new overseas applicants can apply for care jobs under this visa route, although in-country switching will be allowed for certain roles until July 2028.
Skilled Worker visas decline after stability Main applicant numbers were stable at around 6,000 per month from mid-2022 until early 2024. A temporary rise to 10,100 in April 2024 was followed by a gradual decline to 4,900 in July 2025. Dependants recorded 5,300 applications in the same month. The July 2025 immigration rule changes raised the minimum skill level to RQF 6 and the salary threshold from £38,700 to £41,700 for most roles, with exceptions for jobs on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
Temporary work visas show mixed trends Applications for the Youth Mobility Scheme fell 10% year-on-year to 22,200 in the year ending July 2025. These numbers include the India Young Professionals Scheme, introduced in February 2023. Seasonal Worker visas increased 9% year-on-year to 38,600, remaining within the usual quota range of 30,000–40,000. These visas are tied to seasonal demand and do not permit dependants.
Study visas steady, dependant numbers fall sharply Sponsored study visa applications from main applicants reached 428,900 in the year ending July 2025, down 3% from the year ending July 2024. Numbers tend to peak in August before the academic year, with a smaller peak in December. Dependants recorded 20,200 applications in the same period — an 86% drop from December 2023 levels. The decline followed a January 2024 rule change preventing most students from bringing dependants, except for postgraduate researchers or those on government-funded scholarships.
Family visas fluctuate after income rule changeApplications rose from 7,500 in December 2023 to 12,700 in April 2024 after the government announced higher income requirements. Following the April 2024 implementation, applications fell to 5,100 in June 2024 but gradually recovered to 8,100 in July 2025.
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Mint
3 days ago
- Mint
UK visa applications from Indian students & workers fall sharply due to stricter scrutiny & immigration policy changes
After the United States tightened its visa rules, immigration policy changes in the United Kingdom have resulted in sharp fall in applications from Indian students and workers. In the Skilled Worker visa category, applications, which hovered at around 6,000 per month until 2024, dropped to 4,900 in July 2025, data from the UK Home Office showed. In the Health and Care Worker category, applications, which peaked at 18,300 in August 2023, have plunged to just 1,300 in July 2025, while applications from dependants also plunged from 23,300 to 4,900 over the same period. The steep decline in visa applications follows stricter scrutiny of employers in the health care and other sectors, compliance checks, and policy changes implemented in Spring 2024. Indian students migration has also been affected due to the policy changes in January 2024. The number of sponsored study visa applications from main applicants stood at 428,900 in the year ending July 2025, down 3% a year ago. Applications from student dependants slumped 86% after the new rules restricted dependants to postgraduate research students or those with government-funded scholarships. The number of family visa applications stood at 8,100 in July 2025, up from 7,500 in December 2023, but down from 12,700 in April 2024. Under the temporary work visa category, the Youth Mobility Scheme saw a 10% fall in visa applications to 22,200 in the year ending July 2025, while Seasonal Worker visas rose 9% to 38,600, constrained by annual quotas. In July, the UK government had published a sweeping Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules. The new measures target the Skilled Worker route, which is the pathway for migrant professionals. For employers and licensed sponsors, the changes will likely have a significant impact on hiring strategies, visa processing, and long-term workforce planning. According to the new rules, the minimum skills threshold for Skilled Worker roles will rise substantially. All roles must now be at RQF Level 6 —equivalent to a bachelor's degree. Salary thresholds have also been increased across multiple work visa categories from £38,700 to £41,700 per year.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
After the US, is the UK also losing its appeal for Indian students and professionals? The visa data suggests so
For decades, the US and UK have been the twin magnets for India's ambitious middle class, destinations where academic dreams are nurtured and professional lives are redefined. But the tide, it appears, is shifting. After the United States began tightening its visa and immigration policies, the UK, long seen as a dependable alternative, is also witnessing a sharp drop in applications from Indian students and workers. The latest Home Office statistics offer a telling picture of how shifting policies are reshaping mobility patterns and recalibrating the global race for talent. A sharp slide in Indian work visas In 2023, Indian nationals held the lion's share of UK work visas, accounting for a staggering 162,655 visas. Fast forward to 2024, and that number was halved. Only 81,463 work-related visas were issued to Indians, a 50% decline in just a year according to UK Home Office data, 2025. The drop has been particularly severe in the Health and Care Worker category, which had once been the gateway for thousands of Indian families to settle in the UK. Applications from main applicants in this route peaked at 18,300 in August 2023, before plunging to just 1,300 in July 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mystical Forest Vase: Hot Sale topgadgetlife Shop Now Undo A cocktail of policy changes is to blame: tighter scrutiny of employers, the ban on overseas recruitment of new care workers from July 2025, and restrictions on dependants. Even the Skilled Worker visa, once a relatively stable route, has come under strain. Applications, which hovered at around 6,000 a month until 2024, fell to 4,900 in July 2025. A sharp increase in the minimum salary threshold, now at £41,700 (up from £38,700), has pushed many aspirants out of contention. For Indian professionals, who made up 22% of all UK work visas in 2024, this narrowing door is more than just a bureaucratic hurdle. It signals a fundamental shift in how the UK is recalibrating its immigration framework, prioritising control over openness. Students: A familiar story of falling numbers The story on the education front is no less stark. Indian students, the backbone of UK universities' international enrolment drive, are turning away in large numbers. In 2023, 159,371 Indian students were granted study visas. By 2024, that number had dropped to 92,355, a steep 42% fall according to Home Office data. While India still ranks second only to China in terms of study visa recipients, the decline underscores the chilling effect of immigration curbs. The blow has been particularly hard on dependants. New rules effective January 2024 barred most students, barring research scholars and those on government-funded programmes, from bringing dependants. The impact is visible: Dependent applications fell by 86% between December 2023 and July 2025. For many Indian families, the UK's appeal lay not only in its academic credentials but also in its ability to offer a more holistic migration pathway. With that avenue closing, the cost–benefit calculus of choosing Britain is being rigorously re-evaluated. Policy shifts: A deliberate recalibration The numbers do not exist in a vacuum; they are the direct outcome of policy. The UK government's 'Restoring Control over the Immigration System' white paper, unveiled in May 2025, has significantly reshaped entry routes. Beyond the salary threshold hike and care worker restrictions, the rules raised the skill level requirement for visas to RQF level 6 or above, squeezing out a large pool of mid-level professionals. For students, the tightening of dependants reflects the government's broader pledge to bring down net migration, which hit 745,000 in 2022, according to a report by the BBC. While politically expedient, the fallout is evident in the corridors of British universities and workplaces, where diversity and global talent have long been a strength. Déjà vu after the US crackdown For Indian students and professionals, the déjà vu is unmistakable. The US, once the undisputed first choice, has also tightened post-study work options, imposed tougher scrutiny on student visas, and placed caps on certain categories of employment. With Britain following a similar trajectory, the global education and migration map is being redrawn. Australia and Canada, with comparatively more flexible policies, are now aggressively positioning themselves as the new hubs for Indian talent. Canada, despite recent caps on international student numbers, still offers more post-study work opportunities than the UK. Australia, too, has streamlined visa categories to attract skilled workers, especially in STEM fields. What this means for India's mobility aspirations The fall in visa numbers is more than a statistical blip, it is a reflection of changing aspirations and altered strategies among Indian families. The once linear path of study → work → settlement in the UK is now riddled with obstacles. This also raises a larger question: If both the US and the UK, the traditional bastions of higher education and skilled migration, are tightening their borders, where does India's restless young workforce turn? With nearly 13 million Indians entering the workforce every year, the demand for global education and employment avenues will not dissipate. Instead, it may flow elsewhere, to newer, more welcoming destinations. The fading allure of Britain The United Kingdom has, for long, marketed itself as an open, cosmopolitan society powered by international talent. But the latest visa data paints a sobering picture: The appeal is fading, especially for Indians, who have historically formed its largest student and worker cohort. The symbolism is striking. First America, now Britain. For a generation of Indians who grew up believing that the 'Anglo-American dream' was the surest route to prosperity, the dream is being renegotiated. As policy hardens in London and Washington, it is perhaps in Toronto, Melbourne, or even within India's own borders where the next chapter of that dream will be written. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Economic Times
UK work and family visa applications fall after rule changes; study visas steady
Getty Images Provisional Home Office data for July 2025 shows a sharp decline in applications for Health and Care Worker visas, moderate changes in Skilled Worker visas, and mixed trends across study, family, and temporary work routes. The changes follow stricter immigration rules, increased employer scrutiny, and new eligibility thresholds. On 12 May 2025, the UK Home Office announced further changes to immigration rules in its Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper. These measures, which came into force on 22 July 2025, affect both Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa categories. The Home Office stated that policy changes are one of several factors influencing visa application patterns. Higher skill threshold for Skilled Worker visas: To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, jobs must now meet the RQF level 6 skill requirement, equivalent to graduate-level roles. Exceptions apply for positions listed on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, jobs must now meet the RQF level 6 skill requirement, equivalent to graduate-level roles. Exceptions apply for positions listed on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Increase in salary requirements: The minimum annual salary for Skilled Worker visas has risen from £38,700 to £41,700. For Health and Care Worker visas, the threshold remains unchanged at £25,000. The minimum annual salary for Skilled Worker visas has risen from £38,700 to £41,700. For Health and Care Worker visas, the threshold remains unchanged at £25,000. Overseas recruitment for care workers ends: New international applicants can no longer apply for care jobs in the UK under the existing Health and Care Worker visa route. However, individuals already in the UK working as care workers or senior care workers can apply to switch to a different visa category until July 2028. Health and Care Worker visas see steep fallApplications from main applicants in this category dropped from 18,300 in August 2023 to 1,300 in July 2025. The decline began in March 2024 after the Home Office increased compliance checks on employers in the health and social care sector and acted against those not meeting legal obligations. Numbers fell further after policy measures in spring 2024 limited international recruitment for care followed a similar trend, peaking at 23,300 in August 2023 before dropping to 4,900 in July 2025. Under new rules announced in May 2025, no new overseas applicants can apply for care jobs under this visa route, although in-country switching will be allowed for certain roles until July 2028. Skilled Worker visas decline after stability Main applicant numbers were stable at around 6,000 per month from mid-2022 until early 2024. A temporary rise to 10,100 in April 2024 was followed by a gradual decline to 4,900 in July 2025. Dependants recorded 5,300 applications in the same month. The July 2025 immigration rule changes raised the minimum skill level to RQF 6 and the salary threshold from £38,700 to £41,700 for most roles, with exceptions for jobs on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List. Temporary work visas show mixed trends Applications for the Youth Mobility Scheme fell 10% year-on-year to 22,200 in the year ending July 2025. These numbers include the India Young Professionals Scheme, introduced in February 2023. Seasonal Worker visas increased 9% year-on-year to 38,600, remaining within the usual quota range of 30,000–40,000. These visas are tied to seasonal demand and do not permit dependants. Study visas steady, dependant numbers fall sharply Sponsored study visa applications from main applicants reached 428,900 in the year ending July 2025, down 3% from the year ending July 2024. Numbers tend to peak in August before the academic year, with a smaller peak in December. Dependants recorded 20,200 applications in the same period — an 86% drop from December 2023 levels. The decline followed a January 2024 rule change preventing most students from bringing dependants, except for postgraduate researchers or those on government-funded scholarships. Family visas fluctuate after income rule changeApplications rose from 7,500 in December 2023 to 12,700 in April 2024 after the government announced higher income requirements. Following the April 2024 implementation, applications fell to 5,100 in June 2024 but gradually recovered to 8,100 in July 2025. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Tariffs, tantrums, and tech: How Trump's trade drama is keeping Indian IT on tenterhooks Good, bad, ugly: How will higher ethanol in petrol play out for you? As big fat Indian wedding slims to budget, Manyavar loses lustre As 50% US tariff looms, 6 key steps that can safeguard Indian economy Stock Radar: JSPL forms Ascending Triangle pattern on weekly charts, could hit fresh 52-week high soon Nifty and business are different species: 5 small-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of up to 30% F&O Radar | Deploy Bear Put Spread in Nifty to play index's negative stance amid volatility Wealth creation: Look beyond the obvious in some things; 10 fertilizer sector companies worth watching
