How Many People Come to Work and Study in the UK? An In-Depth Look at Migration in 2024

 
20/05/2025
5 min read

Migration continues to shape the demographic and economic landscape of the United Kingdom. As of mid-2024, net migration figures remain high, even amid new government policies aimed at tightening immigration controls. This article explores how many people are coming to the UK to work and study, outlines current visa rules, and examines recent changes and their potential impact.

Net Migration to the UK: A Snapshot

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), net migration—the difference between the number of people entering and leaving the UK—was 728,000 in the year ending June 2024. While this represents a 20% decrease from the record 906,000 in the previous year, it remains significantly higher than historical averages.

The gross figures tell a broader story:

  • 1.2 million people arrived in the UK expecting to stay for at least a year.
     
  • 479,000 people left the UK in the same period.
     
  • Net migration peaked during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and has begun to decline, albeit slowly.

Who Is Coming to the UK?

The vast majority of recent arrivals are non-EU nationals, marking a continuing shift from the pre-Brexit immigration landscape.

Of the 1.2 million arrivals in the year to June 2024:

  • 58,000 (5%) were British citizens.
     
  • 116,000 (10%) were from the EU or associated countries (EEA and Switzerland).
     
  • 1 million (86%) were from non-EU countries.

Among non-EU+ migrants:

  • 82% (845,000) were working-age adults (16–64).
     
  • 17% (179,000) were children under 16.
     
  • 8% (84,000) applied for asylum, either through legal channels or irregular routes like small boat crossings.

India remained the top country of origin for both work and study visa applicants.

Work Visas: Stricter Rules and Higher Thresholds

The UK’s points-based immigration system (PBS) governs most work-related migration. Since April 2024, stricter salary and qualification requirements have been implemented:

  • The minimum salary requirement increased to £38,700, up from £26,200.
     
  • The job must generally require a degree-level qualification, not just A-levels.
     
  • English language proficiency is required for applicants and their adult dependants.

However, exceptions apply for key sectors like:

  • Health and social care
     
  • Teaching
     
  • Jobs on the Immigration Salary List, which include construction, veterinary, and some agricultural roles.

The number of health and social care visas dropped sharply by 81% in 2024, following rule changes that prohibited new care workers from bringing dependants. This policy aimed to curb total migration numbers, but it has raised concerns about staffing shortages in the NHS and care homes.

Student and Graduate Migration

Education remains a major driver of migration to the UK. In 2024:

  • The UK issued 393,125 student visas, a 14% decrease from 2023 but still 46% higher than pre-pandemic levels (2019).
     
  • The number of visas for student dependants fell by 85%, reflecting rule changes effective January 2024 that restrict dependants to postgraduate research students only.

Students can stay in the UK to work after graduation under the Graduate Route:

  • 2 years for most degree holders
     
  • 3 years for PhD graduates

However, upcoming reforms will cut the post-study stay period from two years to 18 months, part of broader efforts to reduce long-term migration.

Family Visas and Income Requirements

Family visas are available for those wishing to join relatives in the UK who are either British citizens or settled residents.

As of December 2024:

  • 86,000 family visas were granted, a 7% increase from 2023.
     
  • Applicants must pass an English language test and meet minimum income thresholds.

The government initially proposed raising the income requirement to £38,700, but public backlash led to a revised threshold of £29,000. Importantly, individuals renewing existing visas are not subject to the new limits.

Seasonal and Temporary Workers

The UK’s seasonal worker visa scheme provides short-term employment opportunities in agriculture and poultry sectors:

  • 35,561 seasonal visas were issued in 2024.
     
  • The 2025 cap is set at 45,000, including 43,000 for horticulture and 2,000 for poultry processing.

Seasonal workers are limited to six months' stay and cannot bring dependants or switch to a permanent job.

Brexit’s Lasting Impact

Since the end of free movement with the EU in January 2021, EU nationals now require visas to work, study, or settle in the UK. This has led to a marked decrease in net EU migration:

  • In the 12 months to June 2024, net EU migration was -95,000 (more left the UK than arrived).
     
  • Net migration of British citizens was -21,000, suggesting more UK nationals emigrated than returned.

What’s Changing: The Labour Party's Proposed Reforms

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged that migration will “fall significantly” under a reformed immigration system designed to be “controlled, selective, and fair.”

Key proposals from the recent immigration white paper include:

  • English proficiency tests for all visa applicants and adult dependants.
     
  • A 10-year residency requirement before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (up from five years).
     
  • Ending the health and social care visa route for new applicants from June 2025.
     
  • Incentives for UK employers to hire domestic talent before seeking foreign workers.
     
  • Revised rules making it easier to refuse entry or deport those who breach immigration laws.

Additionally, the government plans to release new policies on asylum and border security later this year.

Conclusion: A Shifting Migration Landscape

The number of people coming to the UK to work and study remains historically high, even as new policies attempt to curb the trend. In 2024 alone:

  • Over 1.2 million people arrived, mostly non-EU nationals.
     
  • The top motivations were work and education, especially among Indian nationals.
     
  • Stricter visa rules and salary thresholds have already begun reshaping who can come—and under what terms.

As the UK navigates a post-Brexit, post-pandemic era, immigration policy will continue to balance economic needs, public opinion, and international obligations. The full impact of recent reforms will become clearer in the years ahead, particularly as the Labour government seeks to implement a more selective and controlled approach to legal migration