According to the latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), Indians have comprised the largest group of immigrants to the UK, with a total of 250,000 Indians immigrating. This includes 127,000 individuals moving for work, 115,000 for study, and 9,000 for other reasons. Following Indians were Nigerians (141,000), Chinese (90,000), and Pakistanis (83,000).
Despite this inflow, net migration to the UK last year dropped by 10% to 685,000, down from the record high of 764,000 in 2022. The immigration figures include foreigners arriving to study and work. There has been a significant shift in the composition of UK immigration, with non-EU arrivals accounting for 85% of the total in 2023. The primary reason for non-EU nationals moving to the UK is work rather than study. In the year ending 2023, there were 423,000 non-EU nationals coming to work in the UK, representing an increase of 53% from the previous year.
The number of dependents accompanying those on long-term work visas has surpassed the number of main applicants. In 2023, around 279,000 visas were granted to dependents of people on work visas, an 80% increase from 2022. Of these, 203,452 visas were granted to dependents of health and care workers.
The Home Office reported that 337,240 work visas were issued to main applicants in 2023, including 146,477 health and care visas, a 91% increase from 76,724 in the previous year. Among these, 89,236 visas were granted to care workers, with Indians receiving 18,664 care worker visas, making them the largest group of recipients. Additionally, over half of the nurse visas (11,322) were awarded to Indians.
In the realm of education, 114,409 graduate visas were issued to main applicants in 2023, with Indians receiving the largest share at 50,053 visas. Indians also led in the number of study visas granted.
