UK Immigration Booms: Work, Study, and Family Visas on the Rise

The UK government has released new immigration data for the year ending June 2024, revealing changes in visa grants for work, study, and family categories. Find out how visa trends have shifted, from a drop in health worker visas to a rise in citizenship applications.
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The United Kingdom has published its latest immigration data, covering visas issued for work, study, and family reasons during the year ending June 2024. This comprehensive report highlights key trends in visa grants, including significant changes in specific visa categories.

Overview of UK Visa Grants

In the year ending June 2024, the UK granted 1.16 million visas for work, study, and family purposes, including dependents. These figures represent both short-term and long-term visas, along with visa extensions, changes, and settlement or citizenship grants for those already residing in the UK.

Work Visa Trends

While the overall number of work visas granted has risen, there are notable fluctuations within specific categories. The ‘Health and Care Worker’ visa category experienced a significant decline, with a 26% drop compared to the previous year. However, other work visas, such as ‘Skilled Worker’ and ‘Temporary Worker,’ have seen substantial growth.

1. The decline in Overall Work Visas

A total of 286,382 work visas were granted to main applicants in various categories, marking an 11% decrease compared to the previous year. However, this figure is still 109% higher than 2019 levels.

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2. Health and Care Worker Visas See Major Drop

The ‘Health and Care Worker‘ visa category saw a sharp decline, with only 89,095 visas issued, down by 26% compared to last year. The latest quarter (April to June 2024) experienced an 81% drop compared to the same period in 2023.

3. Skilled Worker Visa Numbers

Visas issued to main applicants in the broader “Worker” category, which includes Skilled Worker visas, have more than doubled since 2021. However, in the past year, this category saw a slight decrease of 3%, with 88,653 visas granted.

4. Dependants of Work Visa Holders

Dependants of work visa holders accounted for 260,392 visas, with 69% of these issued to dependants of Health and Care Workers.

5. Temporary Workers and Seasonal Labor

The UK issued 77,419 Temporary Worker visas, which include 34,332 grants for seasonal workers and 24,091 under the Youth Mobility Scheme.

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Study Visa Trends

The UK’s educational institutions continue to attract a large number of international students. Sponsored study visas issued to foreign students increased by 13% in the past year, reaching a total of 432,225. Masters-level courses remain the most popular choice among these students.

1. Fewer Study Visas Granted in 2024

In the year ending June 2024, 432,225 sponsored study visas were granted to international students. This represents a 13% decrease from the previous year, though the number remains 61% higher than in 2019.

2. Masters-Level Courses Dominate

The majority of student visas (65%) were issued for master’s level programs. Additionally, during the first half of 2024, visas for student dependants dropped sharply by 81%, with the number of visas for main applicants falling by 23% over the same period.

Family Visas See Significant Growth

Family-related visas have experienced a significant surge, with a 40% increase compared to the previous year. This indicates a growing trend of family reunification and immigration.

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1. Surge in Family Visa Applications

Family-related visa applications saw a notable 40% increase in the year ending June 2024, with 98,906 visas granted. Those on family visas tend to stay longer in the UK compared to work and study visa holders.

2. Higher Likelihood of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

The Migrant Journey 2023 report showed that individuals on family visas have a much higher chance of obtaining ILR. Of those who entered on family visas in 2007, 62% secured ILR after five years, rising to 83% after 10 years.

Settlement and Citizenship Grants

1. Settlement Grants on the Risel: The UK granted 137,020 settlement visas in the year ending June 2024, marking a 17% increase from the previous year.

2. British Citizenship Applications Surge: A total of 246,488 people were granted British citizenship, a significant 37% rise compared to the previous year’s 180,243.

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Conclusion

The year ending June 2024 saw a variety of changes in the UK immigration landscape, with notable declines in certain work and study visa categories but a surge in family visas and British citizenship grants. These figures reflect ongoing shifts in the UK’s immigration system, as well as the growing demand for settlement and long-term residence options.


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Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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