The United Kingdom has seen a significant decline in visa applications, with a 35% drop in the past year, following the introduction of stricter immigration policies aimed at reducing foreign nationals.
According to Home Office figures, visa applications fell from 141,000 to 91,000 after new rules came into effect in January 2024.
The policy changes, introduced in December 2023, targeted international students, restricting them from bringing dependants unless enrolled in postgraduate research courses or government-funded scholarship programs. This move was part of the government’s effort to curb immigration, which reached a record high of 1.22 million last year.
The education sector has been severely impacted, with study visa applications dropping by 16% between January and July 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. Visa applications from dependants of students declined by 81%, reflecting the sharp effect of the new rules.
The healthcare sector has also been affected, with Health and Care Worker visa applications plummeting by 80% during the same period. Nadra Ahmed, Executive co-chairman of the National Care Association, expressed concern that many healthcare workers are opting to relocate to countries with less restrictive immigration policies.
Despite these challenges, the UK government remains committed to controlling immigration while developing a “homegrown workforce” to address the nation’s shortage of skilled workers.
