UK Sees Fewer Family and Work Visa Applications in September 2025

The United Kingdom recorded a sharp fall in family and work visa applications in September 2025, a trend officials and sector groups link to tougher UK immigration rules rolled out in July under the Home Office’s “Restoring Control over the Immigration System” plan. Health and Care Worker visas dropped to 700 in September 2025, down from 18,300 in August 2023. Skilled Worker visas fell to 2,700, compared with an average of 6,000 per month before 2024. Family visas reached 8,400, reflecting a gradual rebound after a mid‑2024 dip.

The government also paused the Refugee Family Reunion route on September 4, 2025, shifting new applicants to standard family migration under Appendix FM. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the September figures reflect tighter qualification standards, higher salary thresholds, and the suspension of the refugee family reunion route. Employers report a cooler climate for international hiring, especially in social care, where overseas recruitment has largely stopped under the new policy.

Policy changes — key details

• From July 2025, Skilled Worker roles must be at RQF level 6 or above, with a minimum salary of £41,700.
• Health and Care Worker visas keep a salary floor of £25,000, but the government has stopped new overseas recruitment for many care roles.
  • Care workers already in the UK can switch visas until July 2028.
• The Refugee Family Reunion route was paused on September 4, 2025; new applicants must now apply under Appendix FM.

Appendix FM requirements and processing:
– Minimum income: £29,000
– English language: approved evidence required
– Application fee: £1,938 per applicant
– Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per adult, £776 per child
– Processing time: typically 12–24 weeks (longer than the 8–12 weeks common under the refugee route)

Applications submitted before the suspension (before 3pm on September 4, 2025) will be handled under the previous rules, with a 240‑day window to submit evidence and biometrics. Families who meet this cut‑off are urged to keep records of submission time, payment receipts, and Home Office references.

Latest application trends and numbers

• Health and Care Worker visas: 700 (Sept 2025) — down sharply from 18,300 (Aug 2023).
  • Dependants of Health and Care Workers: 3,200 (Sept 2025).
• Skilled Worker visas: 2,700 (Sept 2025) — down from ~6,000 per month pre‑2024.
  • Skilled Worker dependants: 3,400 (Sept 2025).
• Family visas: 8,400 (Sept 2025) — gradual rebound after mid‑2024 dip.
  • Refugee Family Reunion grants: 20,817 in year ending June 2025 (a 30% rise year‑on‑year).
• Temporary routes:
  • Youth Mobility Scheme (year ending Sept 2025): 21,900 (down 11% year‑on‑year).
  • Seasonal Worker applications: 38,900 (up 9% from 2024).

These shifts suggest seasonal hiring remains relatively resilient, even as permanent skilled migration tightens.

Impact on applicants and employers

• Social care:
  • The fall to 700 Health and Care Worker visas has left many providers struggling to fill rotas, particularly in rural areas and night shifts.
  • Although the £25,000 salary floor remains, the suspension of most overseas hiring for care roles has been the dominant effect.
  • Employers report longer recruitment times and greater reliance on agency staff.
• Skilled Worker sponsors:
  • Requiring RQF level 6 narrows eligible roles and increases salary budgeting pressures.
  • Some mid‑level roles that qualified before 2024 no longer meet the threshold, contributing to the drop to 2,700 applications.
  • Fewer dependants arriving reduces total inflows tied to each work visa.
• Family migration and refugees:
  • Families rushed applications in early 2024 before income changes — peaking at 12,700 in April — then falling to 5,100 in June.
  • By September 2025, family visa numbers rose to 8,400, showing adjustment to the new rules.
  • The shift from the Refugee Family Reunion route to Appendix FM places significant hurdles on low‑income families and refugees:
  • Combined costs (visa fee, health surcharge, English testing, legal help) can total several thousand pounds per family member.
  • Processing often now takes up to 24 weeks, lengthening family separation.
  • Local councils report fewer new arrivals needing school places but more requests for help to meet the £29,000 income rule.
  • Charities note increased referrals for English testing and document preparation.

Applicants who must now apply under Appendix FM should budget for higher costs and longer waits, and gather robust documentary evidence (income, English test results, housing and relationship documents). If an application was submitted before 3pm on September 4, 2025, use the 240‑day window to complete biometrics and submit any missing evidence.

Practical guidance — what to do next

Actionable steps for different groups:

1. Refugees seeking family reunion
   • Use the Appendix FM online application for partners, parents, or children.
   • Start at the official family visa portal: Apply for a family visa as a partner or parent.
   • Key requirements: £29,000 minimum income, approved English test, and full fee and surcharge payments.
2. Health and Care Worker candidates already in the UK
   • Review visa guidance and consider switching before July 2028 if eligible.
   • Apply via: Apply for a Health and Care Worker visa.
3. Applicants who filed Refugee Family Reunion before the cut‑off
   • If submitted before 3pm on September 4, 2025, you can send evidence and complete biometrics within 240 days.
   • For case updates, contact: [email protected].
4. Employers and sponsors
   • Review job role levels against RQF 6 and model salaries to meet £41,700 where applicable.
   • Care providers should explore alternative strategies:
     • Domestic recruitment and retention measures
     • Apprenticeship programmes
     • Retention bonuses
   • Consider whether some roles still qualify under other limited routes.

For official context on volumes, grants, and policy updates, consult the Home Office’s immigration statistics: Immigration statistics quarterly release.

Warnings and near‑term outlook

• The Home Office plans to propose a new family reunion framework by spring 2026. Officials have suggested possible extra conditions (for example, a two‑year waiting period and added integration steps).
• Advocacy groups warn further limits would prolong family separation.
• The policy direction is clear: fewer work and family entries, a higher skills and salary bar, and a narrower path for refugee families.
• The human impact is uneven — care employers face staffing gaps, while families confront higher costs and longer waits.

Keep careful records of submissions, payments, and Home Office references to avoid delays. Plan recruitment and applications around higher thresholds, longer timelines, and closer documentary scrutiny.