UK Visa Landscape: Work, Study, and Family Visas for 2024

The United Kingdom is a prominent destination for individuals seeking opportunities in work, education, and family reunification. Recent immigration data for the year ending June 2024 reveals crucial insights into the trends and shifts in visa applications and approvals. This extensive report, released by the UK government, indicates a notable shift in visa categories with significant decreases in certain types of visas but also a rise in family-related visa applications. UK Visa Landscape

Overview of Visa Grants

In the year ending June 2024, the UK government granted a total of 1.16 million visas across various categories, including work, study, and family reunification. This number includes visas for both primary applicants and their dependents. Despite the large number of visas issued, there have been noticeable declines in several key visa categories compared to the previous year. UK Visa Landscape

Work Visas: A Decrease in Approvals

For the year ending June 2024, a total of 286,382 work visas were granted to main applicants. This represents an 11% decrease from the previous year but is still more than double the number issued in 2019. UK Visa Landscape

Health and Care Worker Visas

One of the most significant declines was observed in the ‘Health and Care Worker’ visa category. Only 89,095 visas were issued, marking a dramatic 26% drop from the previous year. The reduction is particularly stark from April to June 2024, where there was an 81% fall in visas issued compared to the same period in 2023. This decline raises questions about the factors contributing to this shift and its impact on the healthcare sector. UK Visa Landscape

Skilled Worker Visas

Conversely, the ‘Skilled Worker‘ visa category has seen an increase over the years. However, in the most recent year, there was a slight reduction of 3%, with 88,653 visas granted. This category, which has more than doubled since 2021, continues to be a critical pathway for skilled professionals coming to the UK.

Temporary Worker Visas

Temporary worker visas also contributed to the statistics, with 77,419 visas granted in the year. This total includes 34,332 seasonal worker visas and 24,091 visas issued under the Youth Mobility Scheme. Despite the decrease in certain categories, temporary worker visas remain an important aspect of the UK’s visa system.

Dependents of workers also saw a significant number of visas granted. In total, 260,392 visas were issued to dependents, with 69% of these belonging to health and care worker dependents. This reflects the substantial role that dependents play in the overall immigration landscape.

Study Visas: A Decrease in Foreign Student Visas

The number of study visas granted to foreign students has experienced a decrease. In the year ending June 2024, there were 432,225 sponsored study visas issued, which represents a 13% drop from the previous year. Despite this decline, the number of study visas granted is still 61% higher than in 2019.

Master’s Level Courses

A notable portion of these visas were for master’s level courses, with 65% of the total study visas being allocated to students pursuing postgraduate education. This indicates a continued strong interest in advanced studies within the UK.

Dependants of Students

The issuance of visas to dependants of students has decreased dramatically. Between January and June 2024, only 11,675 visas were granted to student dependants, marking an 81% reduction compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, the number of visas granted to main applicants saw a 23% decline in this timeframe, further emphasizing the reduction in study-related immigration.

Family Visas: An Increasing Trend

In contrast to work and study visas, family-related visa applications have surged. The year ending June 2024 saw 98,906 family visas granted, a substantial 40% increase from the previous year. This rise indicates a growing trend of individuals arriving in the UK through family reunification routes.

Family visa holders tend to settle in the UK long-term more frequently compared to those arriving for work or study. According to the 2023 Migrant Journey report, 62% of individuals who entered the UK on family routes since 2007 had been granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR) within five years. This figure increased to 83% after 10 years. In contrast, only 21% of work visa holders and 7% of student visa holders obtained ILR after a decade.

Settlement and Citizenship Statistics

The statistics for settlement and citizenship in the UK also show noteworthy trends. In the year ending June 2024, 137,020 people were granted settlement status in the UK, representing a 17% increase from the previous year’s 117,023.

In terms of British citizenship, nearly a quarter of a million people (246,488) were granted citizenship, reflecting a 37% increase compared to the year ending June 2023, when 180,243 people were granted citizenship. This rise indicates a significant number of immigrants achieving permanent status and becoming British citizens.

Safe and Legal (Humanitarian) Routes

Humanitarian visas, which provide safe and legal routes for individuals in need, experienced a reduction in the year ending June 2024. A total of 93,342 people were offered such routes to come to or remain in the UK. This figure represents a 39% decrease compared to the previous year, largely due to a reduction in the use of Ukraine Scheme Visas and Extensions. This decline highlights the changing dynamics in the provision of humanitarian assistance and its impact on the visa landscape.

Conclusion

The UK’s immigration data for the year ending June 2024 presents a complex picture of visa trends and shifts. While there has been a decline in certain visa categories such as work and study visas, the rise in family visas and increases in settlement and citizenship grants indicate significant changes in immigration patterns.

These trends underscore the evolving priorities and challenges within the UK’s immigration system. Whether you’re considering moving to the UK for work, study, or family reunification, understanding these statistics can help you navigate the visa application process more effectively.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog post is based on data available up to September 2024 and may be subject to change. For the most current and personalized immigration advice, please consult an immigration expert or visit the official UK government website.

Source: www.business-standard.com

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UK’s Visa Landscape: Work, Study, and Family Visas for 2024