UK study visa applications fall 16% in year to August 2026

Applications for UK sponsored study visas fell 16% in the year ending August 2026, according to provisional data released by the Home Office.

The UK received 360,700 applications from main study visa applicants during the 12 months to August 2026, down from the previous year. The year-ending period covers applications made between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.

Applications from student dependants also declined during the period. The Home Office recorded 17,000 dependant applications, 22% fewer than in the year ending August 2025.


Dependant applications have remained low since January 2024, when immigration rules changed to prevent most international students from bringing family members to the UK. Applications were 88% lower than in the year ending December 2023, before the restrictions took effect.

Study applications follow seasonal trend

Applications for sponsored study visas usually rise in August before the start of the UK academic year. A smaller increase is generally recorded in December.

The latest figures are provisional. The Home Office will publish final numbers in its quarterly immigration system statistics release.

Work visa applications also decline

Applications for Health and Care Worker visas fell sharply during the year ending August 2026.

The UK received 7,600 applications from main Health and Care Worker visa applicants, a 65% decline from the previous year. Applications were 95% lower than the peak recorded in the year ending November 2023, when 161,700 applications were made.

Applications from Health and Care Worker dependants fell 35% to 31,900. This was 86% lower than the peak recorded in the year ending February 2024.

Skilled Worker visa applications from main applicants fell 43% to 26,900. Dependant applications declined 24% to 36,300.

The Home Office linked the falls to increased scrutiny of employers, compliance action and immigration rule changes introduced in 2024 and 2025.

Changes introduced in July 2025 raised the skill level and salary requirements for many Skilled Worker applicants. The government also ended new overseas recruitment for care workers under the current visa route.

Family visa applications fall

Family visa applications fell 20% to 63,800 in the year ending August 2026, compared with 79,900 in the previous year.

Monthly applications declined from 8,400 in September 2025 to 4,100 in August 2026. The fall followed the UK government’s decision to pause new applications under the Refugee Family Reunion route.

Applicants seeking reunification can apply through other family visa routes if they meet the relevant immigration requirements.