UK Health and Care Visa Issuance Hits Record High in 2023

The surge in health and care visa numbers reflects the UK's growing reliance on migrant workers in the public sector, amidst slow progress on asylum reform.

The number of health and care visas issued in 2023 exceeded five times the amount in 2021, with a significant portion granted to care workers.
New regulations will prevent care workers from bringing family members to the UK, potentially making the country less attractive to them.
The UK's work visa system is increasingly dominated by the public sector, with health and care visas comprising 75% of all long-term skilled worker visa grants.
The total number of work visas issued in 2023 was 616,371, marking a significant increase from previous years and highlighting the importance of immigration to the economy.
Slow progress on asylum reform continues, with a backlog of applications and thousands still housed in hotels, despite promises to address these issues.