Provisional Home Office data for July 2025 shows a sharp decline in applications for Health and Care Worker visas, moderate changes in Skilled Worker visas, and mixed trends across study, family, and temporary work routes. The changes follow stricter immigration rules, increased employer scrutiny, and new eligibility thresholds.
On 12 May 2025, the UK Home Office announced further changes to immigration rules in its Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper. These measures, which came into force on 22 July 2025, affect both Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa categories. The Home Office stated that policy changes are one of several factors influencing visa application patterns.
Health and Care Worker visas see steep fall
Applications from main applicants in this category dropped from 18,300 in August 2023 to 1,300 in July 2025. The decline began in March 2024 after the Home Office increased compliance checks on employers in the health and social care sector and acted against those not meeting legal obligations. Numbers fell further after policy measures in spring 2024 limited international recruitment for care roles.
Dependants followed a similar trend, peaking at 23,300 in August 2023 before dropping to 4,900 in July 2025. Under new rules announced in May 2025, no new overseas applicants can apply for care jobs under this visa route, although in-country switching will be allowed for certain roles until July 2028.
Skilled Worker visas decline after stability
Main applicant numbers were stable at around 6,000 per month from mid-2022 until early 2024. A temporary rise to 10,100 in April 2024 was followed by a gradual decline to 4,900 in July 2025. Dependants recorded 5,300 applications in the same month.
The July 2025 immigration rule changes raised the minimum skill level to RQF 6 and the salary threshold from £38,700 to £41,700 for most roles, with exceptions for jobs on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
Temporary work visas show mixed trends
Applications for the Youth Mobility Scheme fell 10% year-on-year to 22,200 in the year ending July 2025. These numbers include the India Young Professionals Scheme, introduced in February 2023.
Seasonal Worker visas increased 9% year-on-year to 38,600, remaining within the usual quota range of 30,000–40,000. These visas are tied to seasonal demand and do not permit dependants.
Study visas steady, dependant numbers fall sharply
Sponsored study visa applications from main applicants reached 428,900 in the year ending July 2025, down 3% from the year ending July 2024. Numbers tend to peak in August before the academic year, with a smaller peak in December.
Dependants recorded 20,200 applications in the same period — an 86% drop from December 2023 levels. The decline followed a January 2024 rule change preventing most students from bringing dependants, except for postgraduate researchers or those on government-funded scholarships.
Family visas fluctuate after income rule change
Applications rose from 7,500 in December 2023 to 12,700 in April 2024 after the government announced higher income requirements. Following the April 2024 implementation, applications fell to 5,100 in June 2024 but gradually recovered to 8,100 in July 2025.
On 12 May 2025, the UK Home Office announced further changes to immigration rules in its Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper. These measures, which came into force on 22 July 2025, affect both Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visa categories. The Home Office stated that policy changes are one of several factors influencing visa application patterns.
- Higher skill threshold for Skilled Worker visas: To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, jobs must now meet the RQF level 6 skill requirement, equivalent to graduate-level roles. Exceptions apply for positions listed on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
- Increase in salary requirements: The minimum annual salary for Skilled Worker visas has risen from £38,700 to £41,700. For Health and Care Worker visas, the threshold remains unchanged at £25,000.
- Overseas recruitment for care workers ends: New international applicants can no longer apply for care jobs in the UK under the existing Health and Care Worker visa route. However, individuals already in the UK working as care workers or senior care workers can apply to switch to a different visa category until July 2028.
Health and Care Worker visas see steep fall
Applications from main applicants in this category dropped from 18,300 in August 2023 to 1,300 in July 2025. The decline began in March 2024 after the Home Office increased compliance checks on employers in the health and social care sector and acted against those not meeting legal obligations. Numbers fell further after policy measures in spring 2024 limited international recruitment for care roles.
Dependants followed a similar trend, peaking at 23,300 in August 2023 before dropping to 4,900 in July 2025. Under new rules announced in May 2025, no new overseas applicants can apply for care jobs under this visa route, although in-country switching will be allowed for certain roles until July 2028.
Skilled Worker visas decline after stability
Main applicant numbers were stable at around 6,000 per month from mid-2022 until early 2024. A temporary rise to 10,100 in April 2024 was followed by a gradual decline to 4,900 in July 2025. Dependants recorded 5,300 applications in the same month.
The July 2025 immigration rule changes raised the minimum skill level to RQF 6 and the salary threshold from £38,700 to £41,700 for most roles, with exceptions for jobs on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List.
Temporary work visas show mixed trends
Applications for the Youth Mobility Scheme fell 10% year-on-year to 22,200 in the year ending July 2025. These numbers include the India Young Professionals Scheme, introduced in February 2023.
Seasonal Worker visas increased 9% year-on-year to 38,600, remaining within the usual quota range of 30,000–40,000. These visas are tied to seasonal demand and do not permit dependants.
Study visas steady, dependant numbers fall sharply
Sponsored study visa applications from main applicants reached 428,900 in the year ending July 2025, down 3% from the year ending July 2024. Numbers tend to peak in August before the academic year, with a smaller peak in December.
Dependants recorded 20,200 applications in the same period — an 86% drop from December 2023 levels. The decline followed a January 2024 rule change preventing most students from bringing dependants, except for postgraduate researchers or those on government-funded scholarships.
Family visas fluctuate after income rule change
Applications rose from 7,500 in December 2023 to 12,700 in April 2024 after the government announced higher income requirements. Following the April 2024 implementation, applications fell to 5,100 in June 2024 but gradually recovered to 8,100 in July 2025.
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