Neither students are coming to study, nor skilled workers are coming to work…everyone is disillusioned with Britain! Know the reason

UK Study-Work Visa: Britain was once known worldwide for its quality education. Even today, the world’s top universities are present here. But now students have started getting disillusioned with Britain. Recently released data shows that the number of study visas issued to foreign students in Britain is decreasing. Not only this, but people in Britain are now also shying away from working. There has also been a decline in the number of work visas. In fact, the British government has recently released immigration data for the year ending in June 2024. It has been told that 11 lakh visas have been issued by the government, which are in the work, study and dependent categories. The data shows that there has been a decline in the major visa categories as compared to last year. There has been an 11 percent decline in the number of applicants for work visas and a 13 percent decline in study visas given to foreign students.

Reason for decline in work visa?

In the year ending June 2024, 286,382 people were granted work visas across all work visa categories. This represents a decline of 11% compared to the previous year. The most prominent decline has been in the ‘Healthcare Worker’ visa, where only 89,095 people have received visas. This is a decline of 26% compared to the previous year. There has also been a 3% decline in the ‘Skilled Worker’ category visa, where only 88,653 visas have been granted to the main applicants. Foreign workers are reluctant to go to the UK for certain reasons.

The British government has tightened its visa rules a lot in recent times. It is becoming even more difficult to bring family members through dependent visa. On top of this, the economy of Britain is also facing hiccups these days, due to which workers from other countries including Indians are moving to other countries. The rising inflation in Britain is also constantly worrying skilled workers. Due to this, they are going to those countries where the economic conditions are better.

Study visas also declined

In the year ending June 2024, 4,32,225 sponsored study visas were granted to foreign students, which was 13% less than the previous year. Two-thirds of the students who received study visas have come to the UK to study masters. There has also been a sharp decline in the issuance of visas to dependents (family members) of students. Only 11,675 visas were issued to dependents of students between January and June 2024, which is a decrease of 81% compared to the same period in 2023.

Students are also shying away from taking admission in universities here due to the uncertain environment in Britain. Recently, many universities openly said that there has been a decline in the admission of students. Most of the students are not going to study in Britain due to increased inflation and low job prospects. Instead, the number of foreign students turning to countries like Germany, Italy and America is increasing.