The year 2024 has been a turbulent one for Indo-British migration. With the UK general election, immigration emerged as a central political topic. Both major political parties competing in the election promised to cut net migration. Early in the year, measures were implemented to limit the number of international students, workers, and their dependents.
The reduction in migration figures comes as the former Conservative government’s measures begin to take effect. These include a rise in the minimum salary requirement for Skilled Worker visa applicants, who must now earn £38,700 annually to qualify, and a ban on dependents of Care Worker visa holders and most Student visa holders.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that Indians continue to be the largest group of non-EU migrants to the UK, leading in both student and work visa categories. “Indian was the most common nationality for non-EU+ immigration for both work-related (116,000) and study-related (127,000) reasons in the year ending June 2024,” stated the ONS.
While it may seem from some of the rhetoric coming from the UK in the past year that opportunities for Indians are narrowing, this is not the case. When viewed globally, the restrictions implemented in the UK reflect a broader international trend. For instance, between 2013 and 2023, the rejection rate for visa applications to the EU Schengen area tripled from about 5% to 16%.
Visiting the US has also become more difficult. Appointments for tourist and business visas at the US consulate in Mumbai now take about 14 months, and by October 2024, the US immigrant visa backlog stood at 363,242 cases. Meanwhile, in Australia, the Department of Home Affairs has been overwhelmed by a 70% surge in visa applications compared to the same time last year, leading to delays and backlogs.
From this global perspective, it’s clear why the UK remains a top destination for many skilled Indians seeking to start a new life abroad. The country is likely to remain a top choice in 2025, particularly with the political stability brought about by the new Labour administration.
Under the Labour Party, the UK has taken a more centrist and pragmatic approach, in contrast to the global trend of right-wing governments embracing populism and anti-immigration policies. In Europe, right-wing, anti-immigrant parties are gaining support in countries such as Italy, Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Sweden.
The political landscape in the US is also shifting with the upcoming presidency of Donald Trump, whose strong anti-immigration stance could significantly impact global migration patterns. Trump has pledged to deport millions of immigrants, leading many who had planned to move to the US to reconsider their options.
In light of these developments, the UK remains an attractive option for skilled workers, particularly given its variety of visa routes and the large, well-integrated Indian community. This “living bridge” continues to attract record numbers of Indians to the UK and is expected to remain a draw in the coming year.
For skilled workers, the higher salary threshold for the Skilled Worker visa may limit some applicants, but it also means higher wages for those who succeed. The Health and Care Worker visa remains an appealing option for young, single applicants. Other options include the Indian Young Professionals scheme, the High Potential Individual visa, and various routes under the Global Mobility program. Entrepreneurs can also benefit from self-sponsorship, a growing trend.
All these factors suggest that 2025 will be a more welcoming year for Indian migrants looking to settle in the UK.
