UK Visa Numbers Plummet by 32% Due to Changes in Immigration Rules

Strategic Insights -

The United Kingdom has experienced a significant decline in visa numbers over the past year, with new data from the Home Office showing a 32% drop in the number of visas granted. This fall is attributed to the changes made by the previous Conservative government, which included restrictions on international students bringing family members and banning foreign care workers from bringing dependants. The new Labour government has taken steps to address the issues with the immigration and asylum system, citing increased returns of failed asylum seekers, reduced asylum costs, and a decrease in the asylum backlog.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of visas granted in the year ending June 2025 dropped by 32% to 834,977, compared to 1.23 million in the previous year.
  • Work visas saw the biggest fall, decreasing by 48% from 545,855 to 286,071.
  • Study visas declined by 18%, from 530,312 to 435,891.
  • Family visas also fell by 15%, from 83,912 to 70,961.
  • The new Labour government has taken steps to address the issues with the immigration and asylum system, including increasing the return of failed asylum seekers by 30%.
  • The government has also reduced asylum costs by 11% and reduced the asylum backlog by 18%.
  • The new government has prepared plans to reform the asylum appeal system and end the use of asylum hotels.
  • Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that legal migration is now "back under control" with a 48% fall in work visas this year.

Statistics:

  • 834,977 visas were granted in the year ending June 2025.
  • The number of visas granted dropped by 32% compared to the previous year.
  • Work visas decreased by 48%, from 545,855 to 286,071.
  • Study visas declined by 18%, from 530,312 to 435,891.
  • Family visas fell by 15%, from 83,912 to 70,961.
  • The number of visas given under the Ukraine schemes decreased by 48% to 14,216.
  • The number of visas issued under the EU Settlement Scheme decreased by 34% to 9,357.
  • The asylum backlog was reduced by 18%.
  • Asylum costs decreased by 11%.
  • Failed asylum seekers have increased by 30% in the past year.

Sources:

  • "Data on visas granted in the year ending June 2025" from the Home Office.
  • Statement from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper regarding the immigration and asylum system.