UK Immigration Trends (2023–2025)

📈 Net Migration: 2022–2024

According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), net migration in:

• 2022: 745,000 (record high)
• 2023: 685,000 (slight decrease)
• 2024 (early estimate): 672,000

The increase was largely driven by students, healthcare workers, and family routes.

📊 Net Migration Trends Chart

🎯 Government Migration Targets

• ⚠️ Reduce net migration to below 300,000 by 2026
• 📉 Reduce dependence on care workers and low-wage roles
• ⛔ Crackdown on student dependants and misuse of Graduate Route
• 📜 Raise salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas

🔁 Key Policy Changes (2023–2024)

• 🚫 Student Dependants Ban: From Jan 2024, most international students can no longer bring dependants unless on postgraduate research
• 🩺 Care Worker Dependants Ban: From July 2024, care visa holders cannot bring family members
• 💰 Skilled Worker Salary Threshold Raised: Increased from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024
• 🛂 IHS Fee Increased: £1,035/year per person (from Feb 2024)
• 🔍 Graduate Route Under Review: Expected reforms by end of 2025

📉 Impact of New Policies

• Student visa applications fell by 24% in Q1 2024
• Care worker sponsorship applications down by 35% after dependant ban
• Increase in switching to Skilled Worker visa from PSW route
• Family visa refusals rose due to stricter income rules

📢 Public Sentiment & Political Pressure

Immigration remains a top voter concern in the UK. Upcoming elections are likely to influence policy:

• Pressure from right-wing groups to tighten all routes
• Labour and some business leaders argue for balanced skilled migration
• Calls to protect international students’ contribution to economy (£41 billion)

🔮 Forecast for 2025–2026

• Further tightening of Graduate Route likely
• Possible cap on international student numbers
• Expanded use of digital immigration status (no more BRPs from 2025)
• Expected review of Skilled Worker list based on labour shortages
• Public inquiry into overall migration system expected after next general election