The number of visas issued to foreign nationals entering the United Kingdom for work, study, family, and humanitarian purposes has dropped sharply, according to new data from the UK Home Office.
Figures show that 834,977 entry visas were granted in the year to June 2025 — a 32 percent fall from 1.23 million issued in the previous 12 months. This marks the lowest total for any 12-month period since September 2021, when 802,415 visas were approved.
Steep Fall in Work Visas
Work-related visas recorded the biggest decline, plunging 48 percent from 545,855 to 286,071. The government said the fall was driven by new restrictions on overseas workers, including care workers who are no longer allowed to bring dependants.
Study and Family Visas Also Decline
Study visas, mostly for international students, fell 18 percent — from 530,312 to 435,891. This followed a ban on most foreign students bringing family members to the UK.
Family visas also dropped by 15 percent, from 83,912 to 70,961, reflecting tighter rules on legal migration.
Humanitarian and Resettlement Visas Cut Almost in Half
Visas issued under humanitarian and resettlement categories also dropped significantly.
• Ukraine schemes: 14,216 visas (down 48%)
• British National Overseas (BNO) status holders from Hong Kong: 11,804 visas (down 47%)
• EU Settlement Scheme: 9,357 visas (down 34%)
In addition, 3,640 visas were issued to dependants and 3,037 under other settlement schemes.
Government Says “Broken System” Fixed
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper attributed the sharp decline to stronger immigration controls introduced by the Labour government after what she described as a “chaotic legacy” from the previous Conservative administration.
“We inherited a broken immigration and asylum system that the previous government left in chaos,” Cooper said.
“Since coming to office, we have strengthened Britain’s visa and immigration controls, cut asylum costs and sharply increased enforcement and returns, as today’s figures show.”
She listed key achievements in the last 12 months, including:
• A 30% increase in returns of failed asylum seekers
• 11% cut in asylum costs
• 18% reduction in the asylum backlog
• Plans to overhaul the asylum appeal system to end the use of asylum hotels
Further Reductions Expected
Cooper also confirmed that stricter measures are on the way. The government’s White Paper on immigration has introduced higher skill requirements and tighter visa rules, which are expected to drive the numbers down further.
“At the same time, we are bringing legal migration back under control, with a 48 percent reduction in work visas this year,” she said.
