UK Work & Study Visas Hit Record Lows in 2025 – Up to 84% Drop in Dependent Approvals

If you’ve been keeping an eye on UK immigration trends, brace yourself—2025 has already been a rollercoaster ride for visa applications. From work visas to student visas, the numbers have shifted dramatically due to new immigration policies. Whether you’re planning to move to the UK for work or study, this latest data will give you a sneak peek into what’s happening in the world of UK visas.

So, let’s break it down!

UK Work Visas Application Approvals: A Mixed Bag of Surprises!

Health and Care Worker Visas—From Boom to Bust?

Once a golden ticket to the UK, the Health and Care Worker Visa has taken a massive hit. Back in August 2023, applications were flying high at 18,300 per month thanks to care workers being added to the Shortage Occupation List. But fast forward to 2025, and things have changed drastically.

• • January 2025 saw only 1,900 applications, a stunning 81% drop compared to the same period a year before!
  • The biggest culprit? Policy changes in March 2024 banning dependents from accompanying social care workers and increased Home Office scrutiny on employers.

And speaking of dependents, their numbers have nosedived too:

• • August 2023: A whopping 23,300 dependant applications
  • January 2025: Just 4,000 applications—an 82% decline!

Looks like the UK government has tightened the screws on this visa category.

British Skilled Worker Visas Approvals —Holding Steady but Facing New Hurdles!

Unlike the turbulence in the care sector, Skilled Worker Visa applications have remained relatively stable. From January 2022 to March 2024, monthly applications were averaging 6,000 per month, with a brief spike in April 2024 to 10,100 applications.

• • January 2025 recorded 4,000 applications, a slight decline but nowhere near the collapse seen in the care sector.
  • Over a 10-month period (April 2024 to January 2025), 54,900 main applicant visas were issued—just 10% fewer than the same period the year before.

Meanwhile, dependents of Skilled Workers also saw a minor decline:

• • April 2024 – January 2025: 46,700 applications (7% lower than before).

But what could be behind this steady demand? The answer is simple: While restrictions have tightened for social care roles, many Skilled Worker occupations still offer a pathway to the UK, even with the salary threshold jumping from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024.

UK Student Visas: A Reality Check for International Students!

Students planning to study in the UK, you might want to sit down for this one. The UK’s Sponsored Study Visa numbers are feeling the impact of the dependent visa ban that kicked in on 1 January 2024.

• • Total study visa applications in the year ending January 2025: 411,100
  • That’s 13% fewer than the previous year!

But the most jaw-dropping stat? The number of student dependent applications:

• • Year ending January 2024: Tens of thousands
  • Year ending January 2025: Only 21,500 (a shocking 84% drop!)

Why the dramatic fall? Well, unless you’re studying a postgraduate research course or have a government-funded scholarship, you can no longer bring your dependents with you. This has pushed many students to rethink their UK study plans.

Change Ratio of UK Visa Application Approvals till February 13, 2025

Following are the indicators so far for the ratios of UK visa application approvals:

Final Thoughts: What’s Next for UK Immigration?

With further updates expected on 13 March 2025, these trends might continue shifting. If you’re considering moving to the UK, watch out for policy changes—especially around minimum salaries, job lists, and student visa rules. The landscape is evolving fast, and it’s clear the UK is becoming much more selective about who it lets in.

Announcement: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/monthly-entry-clearance-visa-applications/monthly-monitoring-of-entry-clearance-visa-applications.

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