In November 2024, the United Kingdom (UK) recorded the lowest number of Skilled Worker visa applications since January 2022.
This is according to a report by The Standard based on the latest data released by the Home Office.
The number of Skilled Worker visa applications in November 2024 amounts to only 4,100, marking a sharp decline from previous years.
This has raised concerns about labor shortages in key sectors such as healthcare and construction, which heavily rely on foreign workers.
Skilled Worker visa applications hit a two-year low
The Skilled Worker visa applications in November 2024 show a 33 percent drop from the 6,100 applications recorded in the same month last year.
Healthcare and care worker visas—a critical subset of the skilled worker category—dropped even more dramatically.
Only 1,900 healthcare-related visa applications were submitted, compared to nearly 10,000 during the same period in 2023.
This decrease is particularly concerning for the National Health Service (NHS), which has long depended on international professionals to fill staff shortages.
The construction industry, another major employer of skilled foreign workers, has also been significantly affected.
Many building projects nationwide are now delayed due to a lack of skilled labor, complicating plans to address the UK’s housing crisis.
Reasons for the decline in applications
The drop in visa numbers is attributed to immigration policies announced in December 2023 and introduced in the first half of 2024.
These new rules have made qualifying for visas more challenging for many foreign workers.
Higher salary thresholds
The UK immigration system requires skilled workers to meet a minimum annual salary threshold.
In April 2024, the government raised this from £26,200 to £38,700, affecting the going rates for other roles.
The Home Office also replaced the Shortage Occupation List with the new Immigration Salary List (ISL).
This allows employers to prioritize hiring local workers over paying less for overseas workers in shortage occupations.
Many healthcare and construction jobs struggle to meet new salary thresholds and rates, complicating employer sponsorship of workers.
Changes to health and care workers’ visa rules
The UK Government has also implemented new measures to manage the health and care visa route.
In March 2024, care firms that plan to employ migrant workers must register with the Care Quality Commission. (CQC)
This change aims to help crack down and prevent worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.
Health and care workers are also now not allowed to bring dependants to the UK.
This change may encourage health and care workers to work in the UK while away from their families.
Rising visa costs
The cost of obtaining a UK visa has risen sharply, especially when additional charges for healthcare surcharges and dependants are factored in.
In February 2024, the annual immigration health surcharge (IHS) hiked from £624 to £1,035 for adults.
The IHS fee for children under 18, students, and applicants for the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) increased from £470 to £776 per year.
For many potential applicants, the financial burden makes options for other countries like Canada or Australia more attractive.
Global competition
The UK faces increased competition from other nations offering more favorable visa terms.
For instance, Canada recently introduced new programs to fast-track skilled worker applications.
This type of migrant worker-friendly program can draw applicants who might have considered the UK in the past.
Impact on healthcare and construction sectors
The decline in Skilled Worker visa applications has particularly affected the healthcare sector.
The NHS, which relies on overseas recruitment to fill thousands of vacancies annually, is already struggling to meet demand.
Healthcare employers described the situation as “deeply concerning,” saying sustaining services without foreign professionals would be impossible.
The NHS has been under immense pressure, and the drop in visa applications only adds to the challenges.
The construction industry also feels the strain of the new visa rules on hiring overseas labor workers.
Delays in major building projects, including housing developments, have raised alarms among industry leaders.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook acknowledged the issue but remained optimistic.
“We’re not looking at easing restrictions, but we will be reliant, partly as a result of the change made by the previous government, on some foreign workers in this space,” told the LBC.
The government has also allocated £140 million to establish training hubs to boost apprenticeships and upskill domestic workers.
“We’ve got to do more to train and skill up our own people to work in this [building] industry,” Pennycook added.
Criticism of visa rules for migrant skilled workers
The government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of reducing dependency on foreign workers.
However, critics argue that current policies are not flexible enough to address immediate labor shortages.
Many in the healthcare sector expressed concerns about the long-term effects of restricting skilled migration.
They claim that developing a domestic workforce does not solve the sector’s current and immediate problems.
Other experts have called for temporarily easing salary thresholds and visa requirements to attract more workers, especially in critical sectors.
Similarly, businesses involved in construction and infrastructure have urged the government to revise its immigration strategy.
Future of international skilled workers in the UK
The decline in Skilled Worker visa applications shows the UK’s ongoing struggle to balance immigration controls with labor market needs.
Government initiatives to build on skills training and train domestic workers are an investment in the long run.
However, industry experts in the most affected sectors warn that the current shortages require immediate action.
The government has heard similar calls from the educational sector as it grapples with the sharp decline in international students.
Student visa applications have also plummeted this year, especially during the key months that affect next year’s enrollment.
This has been attributed to new rules banning bringing dependents and switching to work visas until they finish their courses.
The new Labour Government has affirmed these new visa rules that the previous Conservative Government enacted.
The UK’s record-breaking net migration for the year ending in June 2023 will likely cause these restrictions to remain in place.