In brief
- The Home Office published monthly entry clearance figures on 8 October 2026, covering the year to 30 September 2026.
- Skilled Worker main applications fell 43% to 26,400, and Health and Care Worker main applications fell 63% to 7,500.
- Dependant applications fell: Skilled Worker 25%, Health and Care Worker 36% and student dependants 31%.
- Seasonal Worker was the only work route to rise, up 8% to 42,100.
- Sponsored study main applications fell 19% to 352,500, and Family applications fell 27% to 60,200.
- The figures count applications, not grants. The next release is due on 12 November 2026.
The Home Office published its monthly entry clearance visa statistics on 8 October 2026. They cover the 12 months from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026 and compare them with the previous 12 months. Entry clearance means a visa application made from outside the UK.
The figures count applications, not grants. They show most work and study routes down on a year earlier.
Work routes
Applications for the Skilled Worker visa fell sharply. Main applicants numbered 26,400, a fall of 43%. Health and Care Worker main applications fell 63% to 7,500.
Dependant applications also fell. Dependants are family members who apply to join a main applicant.
- Skilled Worker dependants: 35,500, down 25% from 47,400.
- Health and Care Worker dependants: 31,000, down 36%.
Seasonal Worker was the only work route in the release to rise. It was up 8% at 42,100. Youth Mobility Scheme applications fell 5% to 20,700.
Study routes
Sponsored study main applications totalled 352,500, 19% lower than a year earlier. Applications from student dependants fell 31% to 15,700. See our guide to the Student visa.
A nationality-based "visa brake" has applied to entry clearance since 26 March 2026. It depends on the main applicant's nationality. The Home Office has said the nationalities covered make up a small share of sponsored study applications.
Family applications
Family visa applications were 60,200, down 27% from 82,900. Monthly applications fell from 8,400 in September 2025 to 4,800 in September 2026. The Home Office links this fall to the pause on new Refugee Family Reunion applications. Our page on children, elderly relatives and family reunion explains the wider routes.
Summary table
| Route | Applications, year to September 2026 | Change on previous year |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (main) | 26,400 | Down 43% |
| Skilled Worker dependants | 35,500 | Down 25% |
| Health and Care Worker (main) | 7,500 | Down 63% |
| Health and Care Worker dependants | 31,000 | Down 36% |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | 20,700 | Down 5% |
| Seasonal Worker | 42,100 | Up 8% |
| Sponsored study (main) | 352,500 | Down 19% |
| Student dependants | 15,700 | Down 31% |
| Family | 60,200 | Down 27% |
Background
The Home Office says Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker applications have declined gradually over the past two years, after record demand in 2022 and 2023.
Under the current rules, new care workers cannot bring dependants. The only exception is for a worker who has been continuously employed as a care worker since before 11 March 2024.
Application figures do not show how many people were approved or refused. They also do not show how many people travelled to the UK.
Since then
As of 2 November 2026, we have found no correction or withdrawal of the 8 October figures. The next release, covering October 2026, is due on 12 November 2026 and has not yet been published.
How Garth Coates Solicitors can help
Our immigration solicitors advise individuals, families and employers on work, study and family routes, and on sponsor licences. If you would like advice on your own circumstances, please request a consultation.
This article is general information and was correct on 3 November 2026. It is not legal advice on your circumstances; immigration rules and fees change often. For advice on your case, request a consultation.
