United Kingdom, UK visa applications have taken a nosedive in June 2025, official data has revealed.
Official statistics for monthly entry clearance visa applications released by the Home Office revealed that the recent stringent immigration rule changes introduced earlier this year have taken a toll on immigrants.
Home Office data reveals a 1.1% drop in study visa applications compared to June 2024, with 27,900 applications recorded, marking the first year-on-year decline in six months.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the drop in UK visa applications comes after policy shifts outlined in the government’s May 2025 White Paper, “Restoring Control over the Immigration System.”
Below is the full breakdown of the UK visa applications for June 2025;
1. Health and Care Worker Visa
In 2023, there was a surge in applications for the Health and Care Worker visa, peaking in August with 18,300 main applicants following the inclusion of care workers on the Shortage Occupation List.
However, as of June 2025, this number had plummeted to just 1,700. It was gathered that the decline is due to heightened scrutiny of UK employers and the implementation of new restrictions that took effect in Spring 2024.
Similarly, applications from dependents of care workers also saw a dramatic drop, from 23,300 in August 2023 to 4,300 in June 2025.
2. Skilled Worker Route
The Skilled Worker visa route, a favored choice for professionals, also experienced a slowdown as of June 2025, according to official data. Throughout mid-2022 to early 2024, monthly applications consistently averaged around 6,000.
However, there was a notable spike to 10,100 in April 2024, which turned out to be a temporary increase. By June 2025, the number of main applicants had significantly dropped to 3,800.
Dependants followed suit, with 4,200 applications in June 2025.
3. Youth Mobility and Seasonal Worker Visas
The Youth Mobility Scheme and Seasonal Worker Visas continue to display strong seasonal trends. Unlike the other routes, temporary work visas are more consistent, though not immune to change.
Youth Mobility Scheme: 22,200 applications were made in the year ending June 2025, down 10% from the year before. This includes numbers from the India Young Professionals Scheme, first launched in 2023.
Seasonal Worker visa: 38,600 applications were made, up 10% from last year. This remains tied to the annual quota, usually between 30,000–37,000.
4. Student Dependent Visas
While the number of Sponsored Study visa main applicants remains high at 424,900 (down just 7% from last year), the real story is with student dependents.
Only 19,400 applications from dependents were made in the year ending June 2025.That’s a massive 87% drop from December 2023 levels.
This comes after policies that allowed only students studying postgraduate research or receiving government-funded scholarships to bring dependents.
5. Family Visa Applications
Following the announcement of income requirement increases in December 2023, there was a rush in family visa applications.
From 7,500 in December 2023 to 12,700 in April 2024. After the new rules kicked in, the number plunged to 5,100 in June 2024. In June 2025, applications stabilised slightly at 7,000.
