UK visa applications have seen a major drop, falling over 37% in the year ending March 2025, with only 772,200 applicants compared to 1.24 million the year before. This decline follows new immigration rules aimed at reducing net migration.
Despite fewer applicants, experts like Yash Dubal suggest now is a good time to apply, especially for the Skilled Worker visa, which has no cap on issuance.
Student visa applications have also decreased, with 417,000 Sponsored Study visa applicants, 11% lower than the previous year.
Seasonal trends remain, with peaks in August and December. However, new rules introduced in January 2024, which limit student dependents, have further reduced application numbers.
Interestingly, Health and Care Worker visa applications rose sharply between February 2022 and August 2023 due to care workers being added to the Shortage Occupation List.
Yet overall, fewer people are choosing the UK as a migration or study destination.
