In brief
- The Home Office has listed the October 2026 entry clearance statistics as provisionally due in November 2026; the exact date is not yet confirmed.
- The September 2026 baseline: Skilled Worker main applicant applications 26,400 (down 43%), Health and Care Worker 7,500 (down 63%), sponsored study 352,500 (down 19%), Family 60,200 (down 27%).
- Compare like with like: a single month and a year-ending total are different measures, and the figures are provisional.
- The Home Office says policy changes are only one of several factors behind application trends.
The Home Office has listed its monthly entry clearance visa application statistics for October 2026 as provisionally due in November 2026. The exact publication date has not yet been confirmed. We will update this article with the October figures once they are published.
This is an update to our earlier report, Home Office figures: Skilled Worker visa applications down 43% in year to September. Below is the September baseline to compare against.
The September 2026 baseline
The September figures were published on 8 October 2026. They are for the "year ending" September 2026, meaning the 12 months from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026. The change shown is against the year ending September 2025.
| Route | Applications | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (main applicants) | 26,400 | Down 43% |
| Health and Care Worker (main applicants) | 7,500 | Down 63% |
| Sponsored study (main applicants) | 352,500 | Down 19% |
| Student dependants | 15,700 | Down 31% |
| Family | 60,200 | Down 27% |
Monthly Family applications fell from 8,400 in September 2025 to 4,800 in September 2026. The Home Office links this to a pause on new Refugee Family Reunion applications.
How to read the October release
- Check the basis. A single month and a year-ending total are different measures. Compare like with like.
- Expect revisions. The figures are provisional, so earlier months may be adjusted.
- Be careful about causes. The Home Office links the fall in work visa applications to policy changes that took effect on 22 July 2025. It also says policy is only one of several factors.
- The series may change. The Home Office updates these statistics monthly while it reviews whether users still need monthly updates.
What it may mean in practice
Employers: sponsors should keep their recruitment plans and sponsor licence compliance under review. The Skilled Worker visa rules apply regardless of application volumes.
Students: the figures say nothing about any individual application. Requirements for the Student visa remain the same for each applicant.
Families: applicants for a Spouse visa or other family route should rely on the current Immigration Rules, not on headline trends. See also our page on children, elderly relatives and family reunion.
How Garth Coates Solicitors can help
Our immigration solicitors advise employers, students and families on work, study and family routes. To discuss your circumstances, please request a consultation.
This article is general information and was correct on 12 November 2026. It is not legal advice on your circumstances; immigration rules and fees change often. For advice on your case, request a consultation.
