Official Statistics

Monthly entry clearance visa applications, February 2026

Published 12 March 2026

Next update due: 9 April 2026

This release goes up to the end of February 2026. A “year ending” (YE) period includes the 12 months up to and including the YE month. For example, the YE February 2026 includes the 12 months between 1 March 2025 and 28 February 2026.

The visa application data in this release provides statistics on numbers of people with an intention to enter the UK for work, study and family reasons.

The statistics in this release are provisional. Final numbers will be published in the quarterly Home Office Immigration system statistics.

1. Work visas

1.1 Skilled work routes

Both Health and Care Worker and Skilled Worker visa routes have seen continued, gradual, falls in the number of monthly applications over the last 2 years. Recent falls in applications for these routes have followed policy changes that came into effect towards the end of July 2025 (see ‘Policy changes’ section). This followed rises in visa applications in 2022 and 2023, and notable falls in applications from the latter part of 2023.

Figure 1: Monthly applications for Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas, January 2022 to February 2026

There were 13,400 Health and Care Worker visa applications, from main applicants, in the YE February 2026, a 51% fall from the YE February 2025. Applications were 92% lower compared to the peak in the YE November 2023 (161,600). The falls from late 2023 were initially due to more scrutiny applied by the Home Office to employers in the health and social care sector, and compliance activity taken against employers who did not fulfil their obligations as employers of migrant workers. More recent falls follow policy changes implemented in spring 2024 and July 2025.

There were 42,500 applications from dependants of health and care workers in the YE February 2026, a 33% decrease from the YE February 2025. Applications were 82% lower compared to the peak in the YE February 2024 (233,200). Falls in dependants will be related to fewer main applicants, but also restrictions on dependants of care workers that were introduced in March 2024.

There were 36,100 Skilled Worker visa applications, from main applicants, in the YE February 2026, a 44% decrease from YE February 2025. Applications from dependants on the Skilled Worker route largely follow the trend for main applicants. There were 44,000 applications from dependants in the YE February 2026, a 20% decrease compared to the previous year (55,200).

1.2 Temporary work routes

The main temporary work routes to the UK (the Youth Mobility Scheme and Seasonal Worker route) follow seasonal patterns, typically peaking in spring of each year. Individuals on these routes are ineligible to bring dependants.

There were 21,700 applications for Youth Mobility Scheme visas in the YE February 2026, 6% fewer than the YE February 2025.

Seasonal Worker visas are also subject to an annual quota. There were 41,200 applications for Seasonal Worker visas in the YE February 2026, 12% more than the YE February 2025.

2. Study visas

Figure 2: Monthly applications for Sponsored Study visas, January 2022 to February 2026

Sponsored Study visas follow seasonal patterns, peaking in August, ahead of the start of the academic year (with a second smaller peak in December). Figure 2 shows that applications from Sponsored Study visa main applicants in the YE February 2026 (415,100) were similar to the YE February 2025, but 12% lower than the YE February 2024.

There were 20,600 applications from dependants of students in the YE February 2026, 1% fewer when compared to the YE February 2025. Applications from dependants have been relatively low following rule changes that came into effect from 1 January 2024, which prevent most students from bringing dependants. Applications are 86% lower compared to the YE December 2023; the period before the changes came into effect.

3. Family visas

Figure 3: Monthly applications for Family visas, January 2022 to February 2026

There were 77,900 Family visa applications in the YE February 2026, 7% fewer compared to the YE February 2025. Figure 3 shows that the number of monthly applications has been falling since September 2025, following a pause to new applications for Refugee Family Reunion visas. The monthly number of applications has decreased from 8,400 in September 2025, to 4,800 in February 2026.

4. Policy changes

On 12 May 2025, the Home Office announced further changes to immigration rules in the Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper. The policy changes affecting Work visas came into effect on 22 July 2025. Policy changes are one of a range of factors that can impact visa application trends.

The changes to Immigration Rules affecting Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas, implemented on 22 July 2025, are as follows:

• skill level requirement raised: To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, the job must now be at RQF level 6 or above, with exceptions for jobs which are on the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List
• restrictions on dependants: Workers on the Temporary Shortage List are not permitted to sponsor dependants
• minimum salary: Skilled Worker visas increased from £38,700 to £41,700; for Health and Care Worker visa, the salary threshold stayed the same at £25,000
• ending overseas recruitment for care workers: No new international applicants will be allowed to apply for care jobs in the UK under the current visa route; however some people in care worker and senior care worker roles can continue to apply to switch visas in-country until July 2028

On 4 September, the Refugee Family Reunion route was paused. Those seeking reunification may apply through other family routes, if they believe they meet the relevant immigration rules.

On 16 December 2025, the Immigration Skills Charge increased by 32%, in line with inflation since the charge was introduced in 2017, following the Immigration Skills Charge (Amendment) Regulations 2025 coming into force. This applies to Certificates of Sponsorship assigned on or after this date.

On 8 January 2026, the English language requirement level was raised from B1 to B2 (upper intermediate) for those applying for visas on some work routes, including Skilled Worker visas.

Information regarding policy changes in previous years can be found in the Policy and legislative changes affecting migration to the UK timeline.

5. Data table

Data on monthly applications for Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Sponsored Study, Family, Youth Mobility Scheme and Seasonal Worker visas can be found in the following table:

• Monthly entry clearance visa applications: data tables, February 2026