UK visas down by 73% in 2020

How many people came to the UK in 2020

The data recorded for entry clearance visas granted outside the UK shows a sharp drop in applications made overseas. At the end of December 2020, a total of 996,636 entry clearance visas were granted, compared to 3,171,721 in 2019. This represents a decrease of 69%.

Reasons people came to the UK

To visit

Since 2012, there have generally been year-on-year increases in the number of visitors to the UK. However, in 2020 the number decreased by 79% (1.9 million), with only 506,644 Visitor visas granted compared to the previous year’s over 2.4 million.

The table below lists the top 10 nationalities that were granted a visitor visa last year.

Rank	Nationality	Applications granted
1	India	111,336
2	Nigeria	34,171
3	Russia	47,776
4	China	51,864
5	Pakistan	21,130
6	Turkey	24,414
7	Thailand	19,369
8	Ukraine	17,703
9	Saudi Arabia	20,578
10	South Africa	17,288

To work

A total of 125,173 work visas were approved by December 2020, of which:

• 77,760 were Skilled Worker visas – down 35% (67,386) from the previous year
• 26,500 were Temporary worker visas – down 39% (16,967)
• 1,669 were high value visas (various business and investor visas) – down 70% (3,935)

It will be interesting to see what this table will look like now that EU citizens must apply for a visa to work in the UK. These are the top 10 nationalities who immigrated to the UK on a work visa in 2020.

Rank	Nationality	Applications granted
1	India	38,117
2	Turkey	5,883
3	Philippines	8,829
4	Ukraine	6,993
5	United States	6,670
6	Australia	6,559
7	Nigeria	5,439
8	South Africa	4,012
9	Pakistan	3,748
10	Egypt	3,335

See also: Business immigration Q&A: EU settled status, Skilled Worker visas and the sponsor licence

To study

The UK has always been a popular place to study due to the abundance of top-class universities and colleges. In 2020, 253,649 Student visas were granted, a 37% (150,716) decrease from the previous year.

China and India continue to hold onto their top spots for the fourth year in a row.

Rank	Nationality	Applications granted
1	China	81,846
2	India	53,263
3	Nigeria	13,067
4	Hong Kong	8,594
5	United States	8,430
6	Pakistan	6,510
7	Saudi Arabia	5,669
8	Malaysia	4,119
9	Bangladesh	3,541
10	Kuwait	3,056

To join family in the UK

There were 40,255 family visas granted, a decrease of 28% (15,388). These included:

• 8,230 dependants joining or accompanying a family member – down 12% (1,151)
• 19,234 EEA family permits – down 58% (26,458)

Rank	Nationality	Applications granted
1	Pakistan	6,543
2	India	3,176
3	United States	1,948
4	Bangladesh	2,123
5	South Africa	1,497
6	Nepal	1,482
7	Nigeria	1,465
8	Iran	1,637
9	Eritrea	1,046
10	Philippines	1,189

See also: FAQ: How to immigrate to the UK under the new points-based system

Permanent residency and ILR

By the end of December 2021, 85,470 non-EEA nationals were granted settlement in the UK. This was a 7% decrease from the previous year.

Sponsorship

The only figure to increase was the number of organisations that registered as a licensed sponsor , which an increase of 5% (32,264).

In 2021, this figure should continue to increase as employers adapt to the new post-Brexit immigration rules when employing EU nationals.

Moving to the UK in 2021 and beyond

While Brexit has brought about many changes to the UK immigration system, it has also created more opportunities for non-EU nationals who want to move to the UK as both EU and non-EU citizens have to apply under the same immigration system. These are the key updates that were implemented in April this year.

Skilled Worker route

From 6 April 2021, rules for the Skilled Worker route were updated to the following:

• Migrants must earn an annual salary of at least £25,600
• The job offered must be at a skill level RQF3 (equivalent to A level) or above
• Employers are no longer required to conduct a resident labour market test to employ a foreign worker
• Suspension of the monthly limit on eligible applicants

New points system - how it works

To apply for a work visa, you must obtain at least 70 points. You’ll earn 50 points when you receive a job offer at a certain skill level from a licensed sponsor. You must also show evidence of your English language ability.

The final 20 points may be obtained via a “tradeable” or mix and match process. The table below outlines how points are obtained.

Characteristics	Mandatory/Tradeable	Points
Job offer from an approved sponsor	Mandatory	20
Job at an appropriate skill level	Mandatory	20
English language ability	Mandatory	10
Salary of £20,480 to £23,039 or at least 80% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)	Tradeable	0
Salary of £23,040 to £25,599 or at least 90% of the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)	Tradeable	10
Salary of £25,600 or above or at least the going rate for the profession (whichever is higher)	Tradeable	20
Job in a shortage occupation as designated by the Migration Advisory Committee	Tradeable	20
Education qualification: PhD in a subject relevant to the job	Tradeable	10
Education qualification: PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job	Tradeable	20

Intra-company Transfer route

A welcome change to the ICT route is that it now allows migrants to switch to the Skilled Worker route from within the UK. This was previously not allowed.

New graduate route

If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa and you completed a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course at an institute that is a licensed sponsor, you may apply for a Graduate visa. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for at least two years. If you have a PhD, or other doctoral qualification, you can stay for three years.

While on this visa you can work, look for employment, be self-employed and leave and re-enter the UK.

EU nationals

EU nationals who came to the UK on/after 1 January 2021 and who wanted to remain in the UK were required to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021. You can still apply if you can show “reasonable grounds” as to why you missed the deadline.

EU nationals will now need to apply for a visa if they wish to stay in the UK for longer than six months.

See also: Moving to the UK: Which visa is right for you?

Want to make the move?

As international borders begin to reopen and Covid-19 restrictions ease, we expect these immigration figures to increase and gradually return previous levels.

If you’re interested in getting a UK visa, ensure that you do loads of research before you take the leap and apply. When the time comes to make your application, the best course of action would be to consult an experienced immigration specialist who can ensure that the visa you are applying for will allow you to achieve your long-term goals.

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Get in touch with our registered immigration experts on immigration@sableinternational.com or give us a call on +44 (0) 20 7759 5330 (UK) or +27 (0) 21 657 2180 (SA).