United Kingdom implements measures to reduce net migration

The United Kingdom is implementing significant policy reforms aimed at reducing net migration. According to the Office for National Statistics, net migration for the year ending December 2023 was estimated at 685,000, a decrease from the 764,000 estimated for the year ending December 2022.

Recent government measures have targeted specific visa routes. In the first four months of 2024, visa applications for Skilled Worker, Health & Care, and Study routes fell by 25% compared to the previous year. Specifically, student dependant applications dropped by 79%, and Health and Care dependant applications fell from 15,100 in April 2023 to 6,400 in April 2024.

These changes follow restrictions introduced in early 2024, including limits on overseas students and care workers bringing family members to the UK. Debates continue regarding the long-term fiscal impact of migration and potential proposals to extend the qualifying period for permanent settlement and welfare eligibility from five to 10 years.