The United Kingdom has just released its official statistics for monthly entry clearance visa applications, offering a snapshot of migration and travel trends as of June 2025.
Whether you’re planning to work, study, or reunite with family in the UK, these figures provide valuable insights into the current landscape and what to expect in the months ahead.
UK Visa Applications – June 2025 Update
Here’s a breakdown of where visa applications are rising, where they’re falling, and what it means if you’re planning to work, study, or reunite with family in the UK.
1. Health and Care Worker Visa Applications Plummet
After a huge spike in 2023, applications for the Health and Care Worker visa have sharply declined.
- In August 2023, main applicant numbers hit 18,300 following the addition of care workers to the Shortage Occupation List.
- By June 2025, that number had dropped to just 1,700, reflecting increased scrutiny of UK employers and new restrictions rolled out in Spring 2024.
- Applications from dependants of care workers also saw a dramatic drop, from 23,300 in August 2023 to 4,300 in June 2025.
What this means: The UK government’s tighter enforcement on health sector employers and new rules limiting dependents are having a visible impact. For aspiring care workers abroad, it’s now harder to qualify, and bringing family members is increasingly limited.
2. Skilled Worker Route Also Takes a Hit
The Skilled Worker visa route, a popular option for professionals, is also slowing down in June 2025.
- Monthly applications stayed around 6,000 from mid-2022 to early 2024.
- A spike to 10,100 in April 2024 appears to have been temporary.
- By June 2025, the main applicant numbers fell to 3,800.
- Dependants followed suit, with 4,200 applications in June 2025.
Takeaway: The trend suggests employers are filing fewer sponsorships, possibly due to changing salary thresholds or eligibility rules. It’s a cooling market, especially for non-healthcare skilled roles.
3. Youth Mobility and Seasonal Worker Visas Stay Steady
The Youth Mobility Scheme and Seasonal Worker Visas continue to display strong seasonal trends. Unlike the other routes, temporary work visas are more consistent, though not immune to change.
- Youth Mobility Scheme: 22,200 applications were made in the year ending June 2025, down 10% from the year before. This includes numbers from the India Young Professionals Scheme, first launched in 2023.
- Seasonal Worker visa: 38,600 applications were made, up 10% from last year. This remains tied to the annual quota, usually between 30,000–37,000.
Note: These routes don’t allow dependents and are still popular among younger workers and those seeking short-term farm or horticulture jobs.
4. Big Decline in Student Dependent Visas
While the number of Sponsored Study visa main applicants remains high at 424,900 (down just 7% from last year), the real story is with student dependents.
- Only 19,400 applications from dependents were made in the year ending June 2025.
- That’s a massive 87% drop from December 2023 levels.
Why? Because of new rules introduced in January 2024, restricting dependents to only those studying postgraduate research or receiving government-funded scholarships.
For international students: The UK is still open to solo students, but bringing your family along is now far more difficult.
5. Family Visa Applications Spike, Then Drop
Following the announcement of income requirement increases in December 2023, there was a rush in family visa applications:
- From 7,500 in December 2023 to 12,700 in April 2024.
- After the new rules kicked in, the number plunged to 5,100 in June 2024.
- In June 2025, applications stabilised slightly at 7,000.
Note: People rushed to apply before the income thresholds changed. Now that the new policy is in place, only those who meet the higher requirements are applying.
What Travellers and Applicants Should Watch
If you’re planning a move to the UK this year, here’s what to keep in mind:
- Health and Care Work visas are still available, but harder to get.
- Student visas remain strong, but most students can no longer bring their families.
- Skilled Worker visa demand is dropping, so securing sponsorship may be more competitive.
- Family visa rules are tighter; make sure your financials are in order.
Final Word
June 2025’s UK visa application stats make one thing clear: the door is still open, but the path is narrower. Whether you’re aiming for a work visa, study route, or family reunion, understanding the trends and new rules is crucial to getting your application right the first time.
