UK Visa Applications Drop Amid Stricter Policies

The number of international students and workers applying for visas to the UK has significantly declined due to stricter immigration policies introduced by the previous Conservative government. These measures included banning most international students and healthcare workers from bringing family dependents and increasing minimum salary requirements for skilled worker visas. Consequently, applications for health and care worker visas plunged by up to 81%, and student visa applications dropped by 16% in the first half of 2024. Despite this, Indian students continue to lead in UK university enrollments, driven by the Graduate Route visa. Meanwhile, in the US, migrant shelters report a sharp decline in numbers due to President Biden's executive action limiting asylum claims and increased enforcement by Mexico. These trends highlight the impact of recent policy changes on migration patterns in both the UK and US.