UK Study Visa Applications Fall 16% Amid Increased Scrutiny

The UK has seen a decline in study visa applications, with a 16% drop in the year ending August 2026. The Home Office reported that there were 360,700 main study visa applications during this period, down from the previous year.

This decrease is part of a larger trend, with dependent applications also falling by 22% to 17,000. Dependent applications have remained low since January 2024, when immigration rules changed to prevent most international students from bringing family members to the UK.

The Home Office attributes the falls in study and work visa applications to increased scrutiny of employers, compliance action, and immigration rule changes introduced in 2024 and 2025. The government has raised the skill level and salary requirements for many Skilled Worker applicants and ended new overseas recruitment for care workers under the current visa route.