UK Net Migration Declines by 20% Due to Visa Restrictions

Net migration to the United Kingdom has fallen by 20%, with figures for the year ending June 2024 at 728,000, down from 906,000 the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics. The decrease is largely attributed to new visa restrictions introduced by the UK government earlier in 2024. The revised figures indicate a significant reduction in long-term net migration, primarily driven by a drop in the number of dependents accompanying international students. Changes in visa policies, such as restrictions on dependents for study visas and care workers, have led to a decline of 94,000 study visa applications compared to the previous year. Although skilled worker visa applications initially rose, they decreased after the UK government revised the list of eligible jobs in April 2024. The report shows that of the 1.2 million people who migrated to the UK, 86% were non-EU nationals, 10% were from the EU, and 5% were British nationals. Indian nationals accounted for the largest group of non-EU migrants, arriving for both work and education. Meanwhile, emigration has increased, with 479,000 people leaving the UK by June 2024, compared to 414,000 the previous year. EU nationals made up 44% of those leaving, 39% were non-EU nationals, and 16% were British citizens.