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The United Kingdom has experienced a significant 35% decline in visa applications over the past year, attributed to the implementation of stricter immigration policies aimed at curbing the influx of foreign nationals. According to data released by the Home Office on August 8, 2024, the number of visa applications dropped from 141,000 to 91,000 following the enforcement of new rules in January 2024.
The policy changes, introduced in December 2023, primarily target international students by restricting them from bringing dependants unless they are enrolled in postgraduate research courses or government-funded scholarship programs. This move is part of the UK government’s broader strategy to reduce immigration, which peaked at a record 1.22 million last year.
The education sector has felt the brunt of these new restrictions. Between January and July 2024, study visa applications decreased by 16% compared to the same period in 2023. The most drastic impact was seen in visa applications from the dependants of students, which plunged by 81%, underscoring the sharp effect of the new rules.
The healthcare sector has also been severely impacted, with Health and Care Worker visa applications plummeting by 80% during the same period. This decline followed a previous surge in applications after care workers were added to the skilled worker visa category in 2022. However, the trend reversed after August 2023, with applications dropping to just 2,900 in July 2024.
Nadra Ahmed, Executive Co-Chairman of the National Care Association, voiced concerns that many healthcare workers are now choosing to relocate to countries with less restrictive immigration policies. Despite these challenges, the UK government remains committed to controlling immigration while also focusing on developing a “homegrown workforce” to address the nation’s shortage of skilled workers.
