Number of UK skilled work visas issued rises by 110%

According to new data released by the Home Office, the number of UK skilled worker visas issued to overseas nationals since 2020 has risen by a staggering 110%. The data shows that Indians and Nigerians have benefitted most from being granted skilled worker visas. There were 239,987 work-related UK visas granted in 2021, including visas for dependents.

Much of the rise can be attributed to an increase in travel following the easing of COVID-related restrictions. However, the figure is still 25% higher than the number of skilled worker visas issued in 2019 – the year before COVID struck.

Of the 239,987 work-related visas issued in 2021, more than 150,000 were skilled worker visas. This figure represents over a third more migrants entering the UK than pre-COVID, which has been attributed to a ‘more liberal’, points-based UK immigration system that was launched post-Brexit.

Indians top skilled worker visa numbers

The Home Office figures show that Indian nationals continue to receive the highest number of UK skilled worker visas, accounting for 43% of visas granted, representing a rise of 14% from 2019.

However, the number of skilled workers arriving from the USA was down by a quarter compared to 2019. The largest percentage increase was in visas granted to Nigerian nationals, which increased by 130% to 6,327 from 2019.

Meanwhile, there were large percentage rises in the number of visas issued to people from the Philippines – up 53% compared to 2019 -  and Pakistan – up 62% compared to 2019.

Temporary work visas 

Furthermore, the Home Office data shows a significant rise in the number of temporary UK work visas issued, with 54,000 issued in 2021. In contrast, only 43,000 temporary work visas were granted in 2019. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of temporary work visas issued rose by 132%.

More than 550 Ukrainian workers have been issued with temporary UK work visas since October 2021, allowing them to remain in Britain to work as poultry workers and pork butchers.

The visas issued to Ukrainians initially expired at the end of 2021. However, amid the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, the UK government announced that any Ukrainian nationals in the UK on temporary visas could stay until the end of 2022 or switch to another UK visa route. 

Global Talent Visa

Across other visa categories, more than 3,000 Global Talent Visas were issued in 2021, but so-called ‘high-value’ visa schemes flopped. The combined number of Innovator Visas and Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visas – a route scrapped in 2019 – had dropped by a staggering 66% compared with 2019.

Meanwhile, the Tier 1 Investor Visa route was scrapped in 2022 amid corruption and money laundering fears, with the main perpetrators seen to be Russian oligarchs.

Many of Russia’s wealthiest people with business interests in the UK, including Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who reportedly has a close friendship with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, have been sanctioned by the UK government.

Abramovich had recently put Chelsea Football Club up for sale amid fears he would be sanctioned. However, before any deal could be struck, Abramovich’s assets – including Chelsea – were frozen, plunging the future of the club into doubt.

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