The number of people applying for UK visas has dropped significantly in the past year, according to new data from the UK Home Office. In the fiscal year ending March 2025, there were approximately 772,200 applications across all major visa categories, representing a 37% decrease from nearly 1.24 million the previous year. The decline follows recent changes to UK immigration rules aimed at reducing overall net migration.
Work visa applications saw a notable fall, with fewer than 181,000 visas granted to foreign workers out of about 560,000 applications. The Skilled Worker visa remains the most common route for migrant workers, and there is currently no limit on the number that can be issued. Despite this, the number of monthly applications for Skilled Worker visas has decreased. After briefly rising to 10,100 in April 2024, applications dropped back to around 3,400 by March 2025. Applications from dependants of Skilled Worker visa holders followed a similar trend, with 3,800 submitted in March 2025.
The Health and Care Worker visa route initially experienced a significant rise after care workers were added to the Shortage Occupation List. Applications increased from 4,100 in February 2022 to a peak of 18,300 in August 2023. However, by March 2025, applications had declined to 1,700. Applications from dependants of Health and Care Workers also decreased, from a peak of 23,300 in August 2023 to 3,900 in March 2025.
International student interest in the UK has also declined. There were 417,000 applications for Sponsored study visas from main applicants in the year ending March 2025, an 11% drop compared to the previous year. The number of applications from student dependants fell sharply to 20,100—a decrease of 86% compared to the year ending December 2023. This decline is linked to new restrictions introduced in January 2024, which prevent most international students from bringing dependants unless they are enrolled in postgraduate research or government-funded courses.
The latest figures highlight the impact of recent immigration policy changes and reflect a broader shift in the UK’s approach to managing migration, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, and skilled labour.
