Dubai: The United Kingdom has witnessed a significant decrease in visa applications following the introduction of stricter immigration policies earlier this year.
According to recent data from the Home Office, visa applications across key routes plummeted by 25% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The government aims to curb unsustainable migration
Home Secretary James Cleverly attributed the decline to the government's plan to manage legal migration, stating, "The plan to reduce legal migration in the UK is working." These measures aim to prioritize opportunities for British workers in the job market.
Student visa applications plummet
One of the most significant impacts has been on student visas. The UK implemented stricter student visa protocols in January 2024, leading to a noticeable drop in both student and student-dependent applications. Official records show a staggering 79% decrease in student-dependent visa applications between January and April 2024 compared to the same timeframe in 2023.
There was also a substantial reduction of 30,000 student visa applications in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
New rules for healthcare workers and skilled laborIn April 2024, new visa regulations were introduced for foreign healthcare workers, restricting their ability to bring their families with them to the UK. This decision resulted in a marked decline in Health and Care dependent applications.
The UK recorded a 58% reduction in such applications in April 2024 compared to April 2023, with only 6,400 applications received.
The government has also implemented new guidelines to reduce overall immigration while prioritizing opportunities for British citizens. A significant change includes raising the minimum salary threshold for foreign nationals entering the UK under the Skilled Worker visa category.
This threshold is now set at £38,700, a substantial increase from the previous £26,200.
Further measures on the horizon
Despite the initial success of these measures, the government has warned that further immigration restrictions may be implemented if deemed necessary.
These initiatives are part of Home Secretary Cleverly's strategy to reduce legal migration, potentially impacting the nearly 300,000 individuals who arrived in the UK last year.