UK federal government data launched today revealed a 40% year-over-year decrease in research study visa applications this April, with 8,900 global trainees using to study in the UK, compared to 14,800 the previous year.
The decline brings the overall number of applicants from January to April this year down by 33% on 2025, as stakeholders alert of getting worse headwinds.
“All of this is especially tough given that we also know that the rejection rate is greater now than it has actually been in the past … So, these numbers are positive,” Nous Group director Nicholas Dillon commented.
The drop indicates application levels for the year to April are at their lowest point in 5 years, down by 11% on 2024 when the federal government’s dependants restriction came into force.
Source: UK Office. Applications from dependants are 86 %lower than December 2023 before the policy entered into effect, as continued decreases in skilled employees and health care workers set the UK on track for another year of zero or negative net migration.
The figures precede the Office’s upcoming release of broader Q1 visa information expected later on this month, with stakeholders viewing closely whether high visa rejection rates of Q4 2025 will continue.
They come as it emerged a third of English universities dealt with deficits last year, with a new report from the regulator caution of the threats of “over positive forecasting” of trainee recruitment, highlighting relentless global volatility.
What’s more, it named geopolitical uncertainty, increasing UKVI compliance guidelines and unfavorable global understandings of the incoming international trainee levy as aspects adding to moistening need, warning of the sector’s ongoing reliance on international trainee income.
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