The UK has experienced a dramatic decline in visa applications, primarily due to new restrictions targeting international students and care workers. These measures, introduced to reduce migration figures, have raised concerns about their consequences for vital sectors such as education and social care.
Key Points:
- Visa Applications Drop by 42%: Between April and December 2024, applications fell to 547,000, compared to 942,500 in the same period in 2023.
- International Students and Care Workers Most Affected: Applications for health and care worker visas dropped by 79%, while student visa applications declined by 29%.
- Policy Changes: Measures include bans on bringing dependants, increased salary thresholds, and stricter rules for Britons bringing foreign spouses.
What Has Caused the Decline?
In early 2024, the former Conservative government introduced a series of migration policies aimed at cutting annual arrivals by 300,000. These included:
- Higher Salary Thresholds: Skilled workers now need to earn at least £38,700 to qualify for a visa.
- Dependent Bans: Both care workers and international students were prohibited from bringing family members to the UK, a move criticised as “harsh” by industry leaders.
The Impact on Social Care
Applications for health and care worker visas saw the steepest decline, plummeting by 79% from 299,800 in 2023 to just 63,800 in 2024. This is a serious blow to a sector already struggling with staffing shortages. Social care leaders have described the policies as cutting off a “lifeline” of overseas staff and warn of dire consequences for service delivery.
The Education Sector Suffers
Universities have also been affected, with student visa applications falling by 29% from 546,100 in 2023 to 389,800 in 2024. Many institutions are facing financial strain, with frozen domestic tuition fees and a sharp decline in international students compounding the issue.
Skilled Worker Visas Hold Steady
In contrast, applications for skilled worker visas showed a modest decline of just 3%, dropping from 96,600 in 2023 to 93,800 in 2024. This figure remains slightly higher than in 2022, indicating that some professions are resilient despite the new salary requirements.
Bar Chart: UK Visa Applications by Category (April–December)
| Visa Category | 2023 Applications | 2024 Applications | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health & Care Worker Visas | 299,800 | 63,800 | -79% |
| Sponsored Study Visas | 546,100 | 389,800 | -29% |
| Skilled Worker Visas | 96,600 | 93,800 | -3% |
(Visual representation provided below.)
What Does This Mean for the UK?
These figures reveal the profound impact of recent migration policy changes. As universities and care providers grapple with declining numbers, there is increasing pressure on policymakers to reconsider these measures.
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