Why do people come to the UK? Work (2023)

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Data is for the year ending June 2023 and all comparisons are for the year ending June 2022 (unless otherwise noted).

Summary of work visa statistics

In the year to June 2023:

• For all work visas, there were approximately 321,000 grants for top applicants, up 45% year-on-year and nearly two-and-a-half times (+144%) compared to the year to June 2019.
• Skilled visa awards for top applicants increased 34% year-over-year to about 69,000
• The granting of "skilled workers - health and care" visas to top applicants has increased by more than two and a half times (+157%) to around 120,000 compared to the previous year.
• Family members accounted for about 218,000 visas issued, representing 40% of all work visas.

1.Work visas are granted to top applicants

In the year ending June 2023, 321,101 work visas were issued to top applicants, up 45% from the year ending June 2022 and almost two and a half times (+144%) compared to the year ending June 2022. year ending June 2019 before Corona-19. pandemic.

Table 1: Work Visas Granted to Principal Applicants by Type of Work Visa

Bron: Visa applications and results for an entry visa – Vis_D02

Comments:

1. The Other work visas and exceptions category includes the cross-border worker permit, the high-potential individual visa and older routes, such as the entrepreneur under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA), the domestic worker abroad and that of UK descent. ' and other routes that are now closed.

Figure 1: Work Visas Granted to Principal Applicants Between the Year Ending June 2014 and the Year Ending June 2023, by Type of Work Visa

Bron: Visa applications and results for an entry visa – Vis_D02

Figure 1 shows that grants across all work visa categories decreased in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel, before rebounding in 2021. “Worker” visa grants increased in 2022 and this growth continued in 2023 due to the increase in “professional” visas, including “health and care worker” visas.

Part of the increase since the pandemic will reflect a rebound from the 2020 low, as people reorganize their travel and work now that they can. Other increases could be due to changes in immigration rules after the UK leaves the European Union in early 2021. These various factors mean that Home Office visa statistics include a higher level of uncertainty about possible future trends. Please refer to the article for more information and details."Current changes in visa numbers in the data of the Ministry of the Interior"(Internal office, February 2023).

According to the statistics of the Active Population Survey from April to June 2023, published inONSUK Labor Market Outlook: August 2023 EditionThe number of non-UK citizens working in the UK increased by 205,000 (+5%) to 4.17 million last year. It is estimated that there were 1.93 million people notUENationals working in the UK, 142,000 more (+8%) than the previous year and an estimated 2.24 million.UENationals working in the UK, 63,000 more (+3%) than a year earlier.

ofONSthey are evaluating itLFSTherefore, foreign labor force estimates from this source should be used with caution.

1.1"Employee Visa"

The employee visa category includes sponsored work visas that generally result in a settlement. It is the main category of visa for professionals.

“Employee visas” granted to key applicants increased 78% year-on-year in the year ending June 2023, primarily due to a sharp increase in the number of “Skilled Workers – Health and Care” visas granted.

Figure 2: “Employee Visas” Issued to Principal Applicants Between the Year Ending June 2019 and the Year Ending June 2023

Bron: Visa applications and results for an entry visa – Vis_D02

Comments:

1. The Skilled Worker and Skilled Worker - Health and Care visas were introduced in 2020 and together replaced the Tier 2 - General visa.

Figure 2 shows the increase in the number of “employee visas” following the introduction of the “skilled worker” and “skilled worker – health and care” visas in 2020. Historically, “skilled worker” visa awards have increased by 34% (+17,610) amounted to 69,421 in the year. The number of 'Professionals - Health and Care' visa applications increased more than two and a half times (+157% or +74,096) to 121,290 compared to the previous year, representing more than half (57%) of all the staff '. 'Visas.

The recent increase is partly due to theExtension to the end of 2021for “caregivers and home care workers” and “caregivers for the elderly”. In the year to June 2023, approximately 50% of visas issued in the health and care worker visa category were "care workers and home care workers."

Table 2: Issuance of visas for health and care professions within the framework of the “Specialist – Health and Care” visa.

Bron: Profession and Industry Sponsored Entry Visas – Occ_D02

Comments:

1. Based on the main occupational subgroup “health workers”, excluding “physicians” and “nurses”.
2. “Nursing and Home Care Workers” were eligible for the “Skilled Worker – Health and Nursing” visa in February 2022 based on a recommendation by the Migration Advisory Board in its 2021 Annual Report. Thus, the year ended in June 2022 and the course year ending in June 2023 are not directly comparable for this occupation due to an incomplete comparison year.
3. Mature nurses were eligible for the Skilled Worker Visa when it became effective in December 2020 and were added to the list of eligible occupations for the Skilled Worker Visa – Health and Nursing Visa in January 2021.

1.2Temporary worker visa

The temporary worker category refers to short-term work visas that typically do not result in an agreement.

The issuance of "temporary work visas" to top applicants increased by 7% (+4,926) to 75,166 in the year to June 2023 compared to the previous year. The overall increase in “temporary worker” visas compared to pre-pandemic levels is largely explained by the increase in “temporary worker” visas, which allow for seasonal work in horticulture or poultry production. The route started in March 2019 with an annual quota of 2,500, which has since increased to 47,000 by 2023.

Visa grants for “seasonal workers” decreased 18% (-7,122) to 32,750 year-on-year, mainly due to a decrease in the number of Ukrainian citizens. To seeSection 1.5for more details.

Figure 3: Temporary Work Visas Issued to Principal Applicants Between the Year Ending June 2019 and the Year Ending June 2023

Bron: Visa applications and results for an entry visa – Vis_D02

Figure 3 shows that youth mobility visa grants increased by 71% (+9,427) over the past year and are now back to pre-pandemic levels. The program offers a cultural exchange program that allows young people from participating countries and territories to experience life in the UK, which has been severely affected by global travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

1.3All other work related visas

The Investor, Business Development and Talent category includes the Global Talent, Founder Innovator and Startup visas, as well as Tier 1 gated pathways. In the year to June 2023:

• There was a 76% (+1,679) increase in Global Talent visas to 3,901 scholarships, a pathway for individuals with exceptional talent or potential in the sciences, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology, or arts and culture.
• Innovative Founder visas increased by 88% (+231) to 494 grants for someone wanting to start a business in the UK based on a business idea they developed or were instrumental in.
• There was a 19% (+79) increase in the 'start-up' visa with 492 grants awarded to someone wanting to start a business in the UK for the first time, which then closed in July 2023 following the extension of the 'Innovative' visa. route in April 2023

In addition, the number of visas granted to foreign domestic workers increased by 14% last year to 19,780 grants.

1.4completion history

ofcompletion historylaunched on 1 July 2021 and offers students who have successfully completed an undergraduate, postgraduate diploma or other appropriate course of study to stay in the UK for a specified period of time after their studies to work or search employment. It is a national visa and therefore allows the student to apply for a visa extension from the UK without having to return abroad.

In the year to June 2023, a total of 98,394 degree extensions were granted to former students, 74% (+41,936) more than the previous year. Indian nationals represented the largest group of students allowed to stay on the postgraduate route and accounted for 42% of the scholarships.

1.5Work visas by nationality

Indian nationals held the highest nationality for "worker" visas and accounted for almost a third (31%) of the grants. They were by far the highest nationality for “skilled worker” and “skilled health and care worker” visas.

In the year to June 2022, Ukraine was the nationality with the highest number of “seasonal worker” visas; accounted for 35% of the subsidies. However, the number of applications from Ukrainians dropped noticeably after the war in Ukraine: scholarships fell by 10,966 (-78%) to 3,171 last year. In addition, subsidies for Russian citizens fell from 1,621 to 29 and subsidies for Belarusian citizens from 357 to 6, reflecting a drop in requests for travel restrictions. For more details on Ukrainian citizens, see "Statistics on Ukrainians in Great Britain' He.

Table 3: The 3 main nationalities¹of selected visas granted to top applicants in the year to June 2023

Bron: Visa applications and results for an entry visa – Vis_D02

Comments:

1. Top 3 nationalities last year.

In the year ending June 2023, 27,209 work-related visas were issued to principal applicants.EREand Swiss nationals, 3% less (-876) compared to the previous year.

2.Relatives of work visa holders

Most types of work visas allow visa holders to bring their spouses and children (“dependents”) to the UK.

In the year ending June 2023, there were 217,786 grants to dependents of those who had obtained work visas. This was almost double (+99%) the grant compared to the year to June 2022.

The share of all work visas issued to family members was 40%, compared to 33% the year before. On average, 0.7 family members were granted a skilled worker visa per main applicant, while 1.1 family members were granted a skilled worker (health and care) visa per main applicant. .

Figure 4: Visas Granted to Family Members of Work Visa Holders by Visa Route and Proportion of Total Work-Related Visas Granted to Family Members Between the Year Ending June 2019 and the Year Ending June 2023

Bron: Visa applications and results for an entry visa – Vis_D02

Comments:

1. The Skilled Worker and Skilled Worker - Health and Care visas were introduced in 2020 and together replaced the Tier 2 - General visa.

Figure 4 shows that in the year ending June 2023, there were 189,629 grants for family members on Skilled Worker (51,630) and Skilled Worker - Health and Nursing (137,999) visas.

2.1Nationalities of family members with work visas

Indian citizens accounted for 38% of visas issued to family members of work visa holders. This reflects the fact that India was the main nationality granted visas for 'Skilled Workers' and 'Skilled Workers - Health and Care', with the majority of work dependent persons being granted along these two routes.

Table 4: The 3 main nationalities¹of family members granted visas for skilled workers, skilled workers – health and care, and total number of employed family members granted visas

Bron: Visa applications and results for an entry visa – Vis_D02

Comments:

1. Top 3 nationalities last year.

3.Sponsor Certificates (CoS) is used for sponsored work visas (principal applicants).

ACoSit is considered “used” when an applicant receives a decision on their visa application.

In the year ending June 2023, there were a total of 271,523 certificates of sponsorship (CoS) “used” for “salaried” and “temporary worker” (main applicant) visa applications, 57% (+98,760) more than in the year to June 2022.

There were 213,280 of them.CoSused for “employee visas”, which accounted for 79% of the totalCoSused for visas.

Figure 5: Top 5 job sectors¹for sponsor certificates (CoS) used on visa applications for “employee visas” in the year ending September 2019², June 2022 and June 2023

Bron: Work sponsorship (sponsor certificate) - CoS_D01

Comments:

1. The 5 main employment sectors of the last year.
2. Due to data quality issues between October-December 2019 and April-June 2020, pre-pandemic comparisons are made to the year ending September 2019. SeeSection 4.3for details.

Figure 5 shows that “Health and Social Work” was the largest sectorCoSwere used for “employee visas” in the year ending June 2023, representing more than half (56%).

"Human Health and Social Work"CoSThe number of “worker” visas used almost tripled (+182%) last year, while it is almost eight times higher (+682%) than in the year to September 2019, that is, before the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19.

4.About these statistics

The statistics in this section give an indication of the number of people wishing to enter the UK for work purposes.

Before 2021, due to the freedom of movement of the European Union (UE) Domestic, the vast majority of UK immigration control statistics relate to the Non-European Economic Area (ERE) nationals. As of 2021, the statistics in this release cover both, unless otherwise noted.EREand not-EREnationals.

An entry visa allows a person to enter and reside in the UK within the period of validity of the visa. The data in this section refers to the number of entry visas issued for employment purposes during the period. If a person has been granted a visa more than once in a certain period of time, this is counted as multiple issuance in statistics.

Year-on-year comparisons of the number of decisions may be affected by quarterly fluctuations in data. These fluctuations can be examined in the quarterly data of the published tables. Year-end comparisons also take into account the impact of travel restrictions imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

4.1Employees

The employee visa category includes sponsored work visas that generally lead to a branch office and is the primary category of skilled worker visa.

These visas are Tier 2 routes of the Old Points-Based System and its successors: theexperienced worker,Health and care professional, “Transmission within the company” andinternational athletevisas. OfManager or skilled workerIntroduced in April 2022 as part of the new Global Business Mobility travel plans, the visa is also included as a successor to the intra-company transfer visa. besidesescalation workersThe visa introduced in August 2022 falls into this category.

4.2assistant

The temporary worker visa type includes shorter work visas that generally do not lead to an agreement.

Tier 5 was introduced in November 2008 to provide a route for those arriving in the UK for primarily non-economic reasons. Subsequently, the Level 5 routes were closed at the end of 2020 and replaced with equivalent routes from the youth mobility program and external workers.

ofseasonal workersThe route was open to new applicants beginning in January 2019. The quota has increased each year from 2,500 visas in 2019 to a current quota of47,000 will appear in 2023.

ofcreative workerIntroduced in October 2021, the visa replaces the creative element of the Tier 5 (Creative and Sport) visa.

ofbritish consultant,expatriate workers,service provider, InCertified PractitionerVisas for global business mobility routes introduced in April 2022 also fall under this visa category.

4.3Sponsor Certificate (CoS)

From October to December 2019, the method of obtaining certificates of domestic and foreign sponsorship (CoS) Modified data. Data quality issues identified as part of this methodology change resulted in some cases not being individually identified as visa or renewal cases from October to December 2019 and therefore classified as “unknown”.

Applicants for “employee” and “temporary” visas (and extensions) must obtain a certificate of sponsor (CoS) of a registered employer. Any organization wishing to sponsor an employee must be registered with the Department of the Interior's sponsorship registry.

More information aboutCoSThe allocation process is specified in theUser's guideand in theUK Employer Visa SponsorshipGOV.UK section.

4.4other sources

For 2020, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published estimates for long-term international migration (LTIM) in his “Quarterly Report on Migration Statistics' (The latest data available is for the year ending March 2020.) HeONSreview their methods for measuring population and migration, but have published thempreliminary experimental statisticsfor the year ending December 2022.

5.data tables

Data on labor immigration can be found in the following tables:

• Sponsorship of summary tables
• Detailed sponsorship records
• Detailed occupancy records
• Summary tables for entry visas
• Detailed records for entry visas.
• Summary tables of approvals
• Summary tables for extensions
• Verbose logs for extensions