In 2024, the United Kingdom issued fewer work and study visas to foreign nationals, reflecting a cooling in demand as well as the early effects of policy changes that restricted certain migration routes. The UK Home Office released immigration figures shortly after introducing its latest policy framework, providing context for the changes being pursued.
The data spans various immigration categories, including international students, employment-related visas, and the care sector. These figures highlight the impact of previous adjustments such as tighter rules on student dependents and changes to the Health and Care Worker route.
Across all categories, approximately 2.2 million visitor, work, study, and other types of visas were granted in 2024.
In terms of work-related migration, 192,000 visas were issued to main applicants across all work categories in the year ending March 2025. This represents a 39% decline from the previous year but remains 40% higher than in 2019. The number of visas granted under the Health and Care Worker category dropped sharply to 23,000—a fall of 85% from its 2023 peak.
Other categories under the Skilled Worker umbrella saw a 23% decline in approvals compared to the year ending March 2024. Meanwhile, the Temporary Worker route saw 75,000 grants, a 6% decrease from the prior year but an 83% increase compared to 2019, driven mainly by the expansion of the Seasonal Worker programme.
There was a significant increase in extensions for work-related visas, with 434,000 granted to main applicants in the same period. This figure is nearly seven times higher than in 2019 and was largely influenced by the Graduate, Health and Care Worker, and Skilled Worker routes.
Student migration also saw a drop. Sponsored study visas for international students totaled 403,000 for the year ending March 2025, down 10% from the previous year but still 50% higher than in 2019. Dependants of students were issued only 18,000 visas—a dramatic 83% decrease. Over the past five years, the majority of student visas have been for postgraduate, master’s-level programs.
Family-related migration experienced modest changes. There were 76,000 family visas granted in the year ending March 2025, slightly down from the previous year but still more than double the number issued in 2021. Partner visas, a key driver of this category’s growth in recent years, declined by 17%. However, family reunion visas for refugees rose sharply, increasing from 12,000 to 21,000—the highest since records began in 2005. This growth is linked to the rising number of people recently granted refugee status in the UK.
Settlement figures also rose. A total of 173,000 individuals were granted settlement in the year ending March 2025, a 33% increase over the previous year, though still below the peak recorded in 2010. Those previously on work routes, particularly Skilled Worker visas, accounted for the largest share—about 37% of all settlement grants—with a 54% increase in this subgroup.
Citizenship grants have also climbed steadily in recent years. From 129,000 approvals in the year ending March 2021, the number more than doubled to reach 269,000 by March 2025, marking a significant upward trend in naturalisation.
