The number of visas issued by the United Kingdom has dropped significantly following the introduction of tougher immigration controls.
Home Office data shows that 834,977 visas were granted in the year to June 2025 — a 32% decline from 1.23 million in the previous year, and the lowest figure since September 2021.
Work visas recorded the steepest fall, plunging 48% from 545,855 to 286,071. Student visas dropped 18% to 435,891, while family visas fell 15% to 70,961. Humanitarian schemes also declined sharply, with approvals for Ukraine programs down 48%, Hong Kong’s BNO holders down 47%, and EU Settlement Scheme visas down 34%.
The reductions follow measures introduced by the former Conservative government, which barred international students from bringing dependants and stopped care workers from sponsoring family members.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper welcomed the figures, saying they reflect progress in “restoring order” to the immigration system.
“We inherited a broken immigration and asylum system that the previous government left in chaos,” she said, adding that enforcement, asylum cost reductions, and tougher visa requirements were already making an impact.
Cooper noted that more reforms outlined in the government’s White Paper will further cut legal migration in the coming months.