The latest immigration statistics published by the Home Office of work study visas issued in 2024 have shown a significant decline in the number of issued work and study visas in the United Kingdom (Immigration Statistics). These has decreases are chiefly caused by current policy adjustments with respect to strengthening immigration actions, specifically in the Health and Care Worker route and international student dependants.
Work Visas: A 39% Drop
The main applicants had a total work visa number of 192,000 in 2024 representing a 39 percent of the previous year. Although this figure has dropped considerably, it is 40-percent higher in comparison to that of 2019, which means that although the immigration has shrunk, the UK continues to attract more foreign workers than before the pandemic.
Health and Care Worker Visas
The largest decrease was that of the Health and Care Worker visas with only 23,000 by 2024, down 85 percent of the 2023 high. It is mainly reflected in lower allowance on dependants and increased levels of salary, the measures that were adopted to reduce the inflow of foreign workers in the area of care.
These transformations have brought about questions regarding the pressure that the social care system in the UK would face because such a system is highly dependent on the presence of international workers.
Professional Pathway
The route of Skilled Worker also fell in number with a resulting 23 percent reduction in visas granted. This decrease is due to the changes in the policy and the higher eligibility criteria thus UK is considered less appealing to the professionals and those skilled workers in different parts of the world when it comes to their employment opportunity.
Visas of Temporary Workers
The Temporary Worker that consists of short term workers in agriculture and other short term industries decreased by just 6 to 75,000. Nonetheless, this figure is still 83 percent compared to 2019, which shows that the temporary foreign labor is still a necessity in some industries.
Visa Extensions
New granting of visas has dropped but the number of this visa extension is now swirling. More than 434,000 work permits were renewed in 2024, which is almost seven times as many as in 2019. The major contributory factors to this trend relates to the fact that the Graduate, Health and Care Worker, and Skilled Worker visa holders prefer to stay on in the UK workforce instead of quitting.
| Work Visa Category | 2024 Grants | Change from 2023 | Change from 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Work Visas | 192,000 | -39% | +40% |
| Health and Care Worker | 23,000 | -85% (from peak) | – |
| Temporary Worker | 75,000 | -6% | +83% |
| Extensions | 434,000 | – | x7 |
Study Visas: A 10% Decrease with Dependants Plunging by 83%
The number of study visas issued to foreign students declined, with 403,000 granted in the year ending March 2025—a 10% drop from 2024. Despite this decrease, the UK remains a popular destination for international students, particularly for postgraduate studies, with over 60% of student visas over the last five years being for master’s degrees.
Dependant Visas
The most striking change in the study visa category was the drastic reduction in dependant visas. Only 18,000 visas were issued to dependants of students, an 83% decrease from the previous year. This plummet is a direct result of new rules restricting family members from joining most student visa holders, aimed at reducing overall migration numbers.
| Study Visa Category | 2024 Grants | Change from 2023 | Change from 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Study Visas | 403,000 | -10% | +50% |
| Dependant Visas | 18,000 | -83% | – |
Family Visas: Mixed Trends
Family visa trends showed a mixed picture. The total number of family visas issued was 76,000, a modest 3% decrease from the previous year. Within this category, Partner visas dropped by 17%, signaling a decline in spousal migration. Conversely, Refugee Family Reunion visas surged from 12,000 to 21,000, the highest since records began in 2005, driven by increased refugee recognitions.
| Family Visa Category | 2024 Grants | Change from 2023 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Family Visas | 76,000 | -3% | – |
| Partner Visas | – | -17% | Decline in spousal migration |
| Refugee Family Reunion | 21,000 | +75% (from 12,000) | Highest since 2005 |
Policy Changes Driving the Trends
The decreases in work and study visas are closely linked to the recent UK policy changes concerning immigration which include:
- Restrictions on Dependants to International Students: This will restrict the chance of the students bringing their relatives to the UK, a considerable decrease in the availed dependant visas.
- Stricter Pay Conditions on Foreign employees: A higher pay has ensured that lower paid sectors like social care find it difficult to employ foreigners.
- Changes in Visa Eligibility: Tightening of the rules especially in the care industry would guarantee working in the UK only to individuals complying with certain requirements.
Such policies can be explained by the governmental strategy to slacken the net migration and focus on domestic labor that is discussed in the immigration White Paper released earlier this year.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 statistics on immigration shows the significant influence of the recent policy changes of the UK on immigration pattern. Though the introduction of new work and study visas has reduced considerably, the high number of visa extensions and settlements indicated that many migrants in the UK are taking the option of permanent residency.
It is important to monitor changes in policies and visa requirements to those who are going to study and/or work in the UK in 2025. With the UK still reorganizing its system of immigration, subsequent changes will come about due to both internal demands and external patterns.
