September visa application statistics show further work and family declines
10 Oct 2026
If you're on a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker or Family visa, or planning to apply, new Home Office figures show fewer people are applying. The September 2026 monthly entry clearance statistics were published on 8 October 2026.
For the year ending September 2026, Skilled Worker main applications were down 43% on the previous year, at 26,400. Health and Care Worker main applications fell 63% from the year ending September 2025, to 7,500. Family visa applications were 27% fewer than the year ending September 2025, at 60,200. The monthly figure for family visas fell from 8,400 in September 2025 to 4,800 in September 2026.
The report links the recent declines to "policy changes implemented on 22 July 2025", including raised skill level requirements and higher salary thresholds. These are application statistics only. They do not change any rules or your own application.
You do not need to do anything because of these figures. If you plan to apply, check the current rules and requirements for your route on GOV.UK before you start.
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