The number of foreign health and care workers applying for UK work visas has fallen by 76%, it was revealed on Wednesday.
The number of applications for the skilled worker route fell by more than three-quarters in the first four months of this year compared to the equivalent period in 2023.
According to provisional government data, approximately 12,400 major applications were made between January and April 2024, a 76% decrease compared to 50,900 in the same period last year.
It comes after the Home Office introduced tough new rules for overseas care workers this year in a bid to prevent legal immigration to the UK.
The government has banned foreign carers from bringing loved ones to the UK from March 11th, in a move to curb legal immigration.
The wage threshold has also increased from £18,600 in April to £29,000.
The policy has been heavily criticized by opposition politicians, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said it would put further pressure on the “already strained” NHS and social care system.
The number of dependents included in these claims decreased by 6% from 59,300 in January to April 2023 to 55,700 in the same period this year.
However, the number of applications for other skilled worker visas increased year-on-year, with 29,200 main applicants in the first four months of 2024, an increase of 41% from 20,700 in the same period in 2023. The number of dependents also increased by 62% to 26,300. 16,200.
The number of main applicants for sponsored student visas from January to April 2024 was 43,600, down 12% from 49,400 in the same period in 2023.
The number of dependents included in these claims decreased by 79 percent, from 38,900 to 8,300.
The Home Office said: “To see the full effect of recent policy changes and other impacts, we will need to wait for next year's peak student applications, which typically comes in August and September.” ”.
