UK immigration: work
UK immigration: work stood at 16,000 people in Dec 2025, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the International migration table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jun 2021 to Dec 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the International migration table
| Indicator | 12-2025 | 09-2025 | 12-2024 | 09-2024 | 06-2024 | 03-2024 | 12-2023 | 09-2023 | 06-2023 | 03-2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration by reason | |||||||||||
| Work | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 16,000 | 17,000 | 17,000 | 18,000 | 19,000 | |
| Work: main applicant | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 13,000 | 13,000 | 14,000 | 15,000 |
Understanding UK immigration: work
Measuring inward migration attributable exclusively to employment-related entry pathways, this series counts individuals entering the United Kingdom on work visas alongside their accompanying dependants. It isolates employment as the primary stated reason for relocation, separating workforce arrivals from students, family reunion applicants, and humanitarian migrants. The count reflects both skilled employment routes and temporary worker programmes that meet the long-term residency duration criteria.
Interpreting these figures requires accounting for policy changes regarding salary thresholds and shortage occupation lists, which alter visa volumes independently of broader economic trends. Seasonal hiring peaks and administrative processing backlogs can introduce volatility into monthly estimates, making rolling annual comparisons more reliable. Analysts should note that this series records visa holders at the time of arrival rather than subsequent job changes or visa extensions occurring within the country.
Frequently asked questions
- Are family members moving with a primary worker included here?
- Yes, dependants arriving alongside primary work visa holders are counted in this category.
- Does this series cover domestic citizens returning home after working abroad?
- No, returning citizens are classified separately from foreign nationals entering on work visas.
- Are short-term business travellers counted in this work migration measure?
- Only individuals staying for a minimum of twelve months qualify as long-term migrants.