The latest immigration figures for the year ended March 2026 show a substantial decrease in work visas issued by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), with almost 253,000 issued, a drop of 59% since December 2023, and 17% fewer than in the previous year.
The government’s migration transparency data also shows a record level of enforcement action being taken against employers and sponsors.
Work visas by category
Of the 252,775 work-related visas issued in all work categories to the year ended March 2026, 166,576 were granted to main applicants, with the remaining 86,199 issued to dependants.
Skilled worker visas
The figures reveal that there were 111,000 skilled worker visas issued in the year, 76% fewer than the peak in the year ended December 2023.
Temporary worker visas
Some 83,000 temporary worker visas were issued in the year to March 2026, up 7% on the previous year. Most temporary worker visas (98%) were issued to main applicants, and over half of these were seasonal worker visas, with 26% youth mobility scheme visas and 20% other work routes.
Extensions to work visas
Extensions were granted on work routes at a rate of 738,000, which has not varied substantially since the previous year. A large number of entry clearance grants for health and social care workers and skilled workers were issued in 2022 and 2023, along with visas for applicants’ dependants, and many of these visas are now due for extension.
In the year to March 2026, there were 328,232 visa extensions for health and care workers.
Graduate route extensions fell by 36% in the year to March 2026, standing at 167,214. This was largely due to the decline in visas issued to dependants, which was down by 75%. The drop follows restrictions on students preventing them from bringing dependants to the UK.
Graduates switching to skilled worker visas
Around 8,500 graduate visa holders switched to skilled worker visas in the year ended March 2026. Approximately 131,000 applications were made, meaning around 6.5% were successful. Again, the stricter requirements in respect of salary and skill level are likely to play a part in the low rate of transition.
Drop in visas by nationality
The nationalities affected most by the changes are generally those where workers favour health and care visas or lower-skilled work, where visas are no longer available.
Drops in the years 2023-2025 include the following:
India -66%
Vietnam -34%
USA -14%
China -12%
South Korea -10%
Japan -8%
Sponsor licence revocations
The authorities are increasingly revoking sponsor licences, with 1,516 skilled worker licences revoked in Q4 of 2025, the highest quarterly figure ever at that time. Q1 2026 was even higher, at 1,545. The total for 2025 was approximately nine times more than the figure for 2023.
The Home Office does not publish the percentage of sponsor licence holders who have had their licence revoked, but in 2025, there were 126,579 organisations registered with active sponsor licences for work and study in the UK, and 3,100 sponsor licences were revoked in that year, namely 2.45%.
When a licence is revoked, workers must find a new sponsor within 60 days or leave the UK.
In 2025, there were 34,698 applications for sponsor licences, and 18,407 were granted.
How 3CS can help
Our expert immigration solicitors can provide advice and guidance on a full range of immigration and employment issues, including obtaining, managing and retaining a sponsor licence.
For assistance, please get in touch today.
