Applications to come to the UK on skilled worker and health and care visas fell steeply in 2025, according to newly released Home Office figures, following tougher immigration controls. The number of people applying for the health and care worker route dropped to around 61,000, a fall of just over 50% compared with the previous year. Skilled worker visa applications also declined sharply, down more than a third to 85,500.

The reduction follows changes introduced by the Labour government in summer 2025, including an end to overseas recruitment for care workers and an increase in the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers to £41,700. These measures built on restrictions brought in earlier by the former Conservative government, such as limiting dependants for care workers and raising salary requirements for work and family visas.

Other visa routes have also seen sustained declines. Applications for study visas remained well below their 2023 peak, while family visa applications fell by 12% year on year. Overall, total visa applications across all categories fell to 737,100 in 2025, continuing a downward trend from previous years and suggesting further reductions in net migration.

Government ministers say the figures show progress in reducing migration levels. Net migration is estimated to have fallen to just over 200,000 in the year to June 2025, a dramatic decrease compared with earlier highs. Further reforms are planned, including longer waiting periods for settlement and stricter criteria for indefinite leave to remain, though legislation has yet to be brought forward.