UK Visa Applications Fall by 37% Amid Major Policy Shifts
UK immigration figures have dropped sharply — with visa applications falling by 37% in the 12 months leading up to March 2025, according to the latest data from the Home Office.
The total number of applications tumbled from 1.24 million to 772,200, as new government policies introduced in early 2024 placed strict limits on several key immigration routes.
Health and Care Visas See the Biggest Drop
The most dramatic impact was seen in the health and care worker route, which experienced a staggering 78% drop in applications — from 359,300 down to just 80,700.
This collapse is largely attributed to the ban on care workers bringing family members with them to the UK.
- Between February 2022 and August 2023, applications from main applicants surged from 4,100 to 18,300 per month.
- But by March 2025, those monthly figures had fallen to just 1,700.
- Applications from dependants also plummeted, from a peak of 23,300 per month to just 3,900.
“The tightening of immigration rules under the previous government has led to a sharp decline in visa applications over the past year,” said Dr. Ben Brindle from the Migration Observatory at Oxford University.
“This was driven primarily by a fall in applications from health and care workers and students’ family members – most of whom now cannot come to the UK.”
International Students and Their Families Affected
Changes to student visa rules also had a major effect. As of January 2024, most international students are no longer allowed to bring dependants, unless they are:
- Enrolled in postgraduate research programs, or
- Sponsored by a government-funded scholarship.
As a result:
- Dependent visa applications fell by 83%.
- Primary student visas declined by 11%, a more modest reduction.
Post-Brexit Immigration Patterns Still Holding Strong
Despite the sharp overall decline, Dr. Brindle emphasized that UK immigration levels are still higher than pre-Brexit years:
“It’s important to remember that the fall in applications was possible because the number of people coming to the UK since Brexit has been so high. Despite these declines, applications from non-EU citizens remain well above pre-Brexit levels.”
What’s Next for UK Immigration?
Adding further pressure, the UK government increased visa fees again on April 9, 2025 — making it even more expensive for overseas talent to relocate.
With continuous adjustments to the UK’s immigration framework, the landscape remains uncertain — and the effects are being felt across healthcare, education, and the global talent market.
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