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UK immigration policies in 2025 have led to a sharp decline in Health and Care Worker Visas, while Skilled Worker and Student Visas face new challenges. Discover the latest trends and what they mean for applicants.
The UK’s immigration landscape is undergoing a major transformation in 2025, with visa approvals dropping significantly across key categories. Stricter government policies, including higher salary thresholds and dependent visa restrictions, have led to a sharp decline in applications for work and student visas.
While some visa routes remain stable, others—such as the Health and Care Worker Visa—have seen a dramatic downturn. Here’s a closer look at how these changes are reshaping UK immigration.
Health and Care Worker Visas
The Health and Care Worker Visa, once a sought-after route to the UK, has seen a dramatic drop in applications.
• August 2023: 18,300 applications per month.
• January 2025: Only 1,900 applications—a staggering 81% decline.
Why the Decline?
The sharp drop is mainly due to policy changes introduced in March 2024, which banned dependents from accompanying social care workers. Additionally, the UK Home Office has tightened regulations on employer sponsorship, making it harder for care workers to secure visas.
The impact on dependent applications is even more severe:
• August 2023: 23,300 dependent applications.
• January 2025: Only 4,000 applications, an 82% drop.
Skilled Worker Visas
Unlike the decline in the care sector, Skilled Worker Visa applications have remained relatively steady.
• January 2025: 4,000 applications, slightly lower than previous months but far from a collapse.
• April 2024 – January 2025: 54,900 main applicant visas issued, only 10% fewer than the same period the year before.
Dependent applications for Skilled Workers have also declined but at a lower rate:
• April 2024 – January 2025: 46,700 dependent visa applications, a 7% drop.
The relative stability in this category can be attributed to the demand for skilled labor in key sectors. However, the salary threshold increase from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024 has made it more challenging for some applicants.
Student Visas
International students looking to study in the UK are facing new hurdles. The UK government’s dependent visa ban for most students, effective January 1, 2024, has had a significant impact.
• Total study visa applications (Year ending January 2025): 411,100 (13% decrease from the previous year).
• Student dependent applications:
o Year ending January 2024: Tens of thousands.
o Year ending January 2025: Only 21,500 (84% decrease).
With restrictions limiting dependent visas to postgraduate research students and those with government-funded scholarships, many prospective students are reconsidering their UK education plans.
UK Visa Approval Ratios
Here’s a breakdown of the changes in main applicant and dependent visa approvals:
• Health and Care Worker Visas:
o Main Applicant Visas: 81% decrease
o Dependant Visas: 77% decrease
• Skilled Worker Visas:
o Main Applicant Visas: 10% decrease
o Dependent Visas: 7% decrease (relatively stable)
• Student Visas:
o Main Applicant Visas: 13% decrease
o Dependent Visas: 84% decrease
What’s Next for UK Immigration?
The UK government is set to release further immigration updates on March 13, 2025. Potential changes may include:
• Adjustments to minimum salary thresholds for work visas.
• Updates to the Shortage Occupation List.
• Further modifications to student visa rules.
For those planning to move to the UK, staying informed about these evolving policies is essential. With immigration rules tightening, applicants must ensure they meet the latest eligibility criteria before applying.
Source: https://travelobiz.com/uk-immigration-rules-2025-work-student-visa-approvals-drop-sharply/
