The Migration Observatory has published a briefing by Ben Brindle and Madeleine Sumption on work visas and migrant workers in the UK. The briefing examines labour migration before and after the implementation of the post-Brexit immigration system, which came into force in January 2021. It presents data on the number and types of work visas issued, changes in the composition of the migrant workforce and the impact of policy reforms such as salary thresholds and sponsorship rules. The briefing also explores sector-specific demand—particularly in health and social care—alongside evidence of exploitation risks for migrant workers and the increasing tendency of international students to remain in the UK through post-study and long-term work visa routes.

The Migration Observatory has published a briefing examining student migration to the UK. It found, among other observations, that 2022 saw student migration reach its peak, with over 484,000 visas issued. 134,000 visas were issued to student dependants in 2022, an eight-fold increase from 2019. In addition, the 2021–22 academic year saw the enrolment of 680,000 international students in higher education, a figure which accounts for 24% of all higher education students across the country. Of the overseas students who enrolled in higher education in 2021–22, the top three countries of origin were China (26%), India (23%), and Nigeria (9%), with enrolments from the EU falling by 53%, this being the first academic year under post-Brexit rules. In terms of reasons for the increase, the Migration Observatory noted that government policy was explicitly aimed at increasing student migration, its introduction of the Graduate Visa in 2021, and that UK universities are facing strong financial incentives to attract more international students. In 2021/22, more than a fifth of British universities’ total income came from the tuition fees of international students. Also, in that time period, other top destinations introduced strict restrictions on student visas.

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has published a briefing which examines factors affecting  deportation and removal numbers from the UK between 2010 and 2024. The briefing notes that the number of non-citizens removed from the UK decreased sharply from 2013 to 2020 and increased again from 2021 to 2024 but remained below the levels seen in the early 2010s. It also points out that the government does not publish statistics on the number or characteristics of people it has identified as liable for removal, which creates difficulty in identifying what ‘share’ of unauthorised migrants who came into contact with the authorities were removed. The briefing identifies multiple factors behind the decline in numbers, including increased legal challenges, administrative delays, lack of co-operation with origin countries or third countries, and resource constraints. In addition, the briefing highlights varying success rates in returns across different nationalities, noting that formal return agreements with origin countries do not necessarily lead to higher return rates.

The Migration Observatory has published a commentary piece which looks back at immigration issues over 2024, and anticipates developments in UK policy for 2025. The commentary states that the Labour government, having inherited and largely maintained Conservative policies, faces important decisions on family migration thresholds pending a Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report. On work immigration, while the government has made clear its plan to link migration and skills policy (which the MAC itself notes may not affect numbers), a forthcoming White Paper should set out further measures. Despite cancelling the Rwanda scheme, the Labour government’s ‘smash the gangs’ approach to unauthorised arrivals currently awaits tangible results. The government also intends to focus on the asylum and appeals backlogs and increased returns of those without legal right to remain, and increased detention in that context. External factors, such as global conflicts, may continue to influence migration patterns, complicating policy outcomes. As visa restrictions take effect, net migration is expected to decrease, though the full impact remains to be seen in the coming year.

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford (Migration Observatory) has published its latest briefing on net migration to the UK, providing an evidence-based assessment of recent trends, drivers and policy developments. The report highlights a sharp fall in net migration from post-pandemic highs, continued negative net migration among EU citizens, and notable shifts in student and work migration patterns under the post-Brexit immigration system.

The Migration Observatory has published a briefing on the new immigration statistics released by the Home Office on 27 February 2025 which give a full picture for  year ending December 2024. The briefing highlights substantial changes in UK immigration patterns throughout 2024, with total visa grants falling by 460,000. Key developments include a 68% reduction in Health and Care Worker visas issued and an 85% decrease in student dependent visas. Following policy changes, other Skilled Worker visa grants declined by 39% after the implementation of the main £38,700 salary threshold, while family visa applications decreased by 8% following the increased income requirement to £29,000. The food and hospitality sector, which includes butchers and chefs, saw the largest decline in Skilled Worker visa grants in the second half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023, falling from 5,000 to 1,330. The asylum system faced continued challenges, with the backlog growing by 5,000 cases between June and December 2024, although removals and deportations reached their highest level since 2016 at 33,400. Despite these reductions, non-EU citizen visa grants remain 46% above pre-Brexit levels.

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has commented on new data showing net migration to the UK reached 728,000 in the year ending June 2024, significantly above pre-pandemic levels. This increase was primarily driven by non-EU citizens, with non-EU net migration at 845,000. Conversely, EU net migration was negative at -95,000. The rise in non-EU migration was largely attributed to work visas, particularly in the health and care sector, and international students. The government introduced measures in early 2024 to curb migration, focusing on family members of international students and care workers. While emigration of international students is increasing, potentially reducing net migration from 2025 onwards, long-term projections remain uncertain. The Observatory notes that official estimates are subject to revision and cautions against interpreting current high levels as a 'new normal'. It also notes that the UK has experienced broadly similar levels of migration compared to other high-income countries, on average, over the past few decades.

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford estimates that approximately 13.5% of people aged 16 or over in England and Wales were foreign citizens in 2025, higher than the 12% figure produced by the Annual Population Survey (APS). The commentary notes that no official estimates of the foreign national population have existed since the 2021 census and cautions that its own estimate is highly uncertain. The APS is likely to undercount non-citizens due to lower response rates among recent arrivals and the exclusion of communal establishments such as asylum hotels and prisons. To bridge this data gap, the Migration Observatory rolled forward 2021 census figures using Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates of population change, incorporating births, deaths, migration flows and Home Office citizenship grant data obtained under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FIA 2000). The lack of reliable population figures complicates policy analysis, including assessments of foreign national conviction rates and universal credit uptake.

The Migration Observatory briefing examines public attitudes towards immigration in Britain, finding that opinion remains divided and varies substantially according to how survey questions are framed and the type of migration concerned. Attitudes became more favourable over much of the period following 2015, but opposition increased in 2023 and immigration regained political salience during 2022–24. Nevertheless, UK attitudes remain comparatively positive by European standards.

The Migration Observatory has published a briefing examining the characteristics of people migrating to the UK and their reasons for migration, including work, study, family and protection. It states that migration is now predominantly from outside the EU, with non-EU nationals accounting for nearly eight in ten people who migrated to the UK between 2021 and 2025. Indian nationals accounted for the largest share of migrants to the UK during this period, with around 1 million arrivals, representing 24% of non-EU immigration.

The Migration Observatory has published a briefing examining the government's May 2025 policy to link immigration and skills policy more closely. The analysis covers policy changes including restrictions on work visas for low- and middle-skilled jobs not related to the Industrial Strategy, the end of overseas recruitment for care workers in 2025, and eligibility for middle-skilled jobs linked to the Industrial Strategy or critical infrastructure through the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). From mid-2026, employers in industrial strategy sectors will require approved workforce plans assessed by the new Labour Market Evidence Group to maintain visa eligibility for their occupations. The Immigration Skills Charge has increased by 32% to £1,320 per worker per year for large employers and £480 for smaller employers. The briefing finds that work visa policy affects only a small share of labour supply, with main applicants on work visas comprising 17% of the 3.45 million non-EU citizens who received visas since Brexit and retained valid immigration status at end-2024. The analysis identifies significant data gaps preventing comprehensive assessment of migration's impact on the UK's skills base.

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford (Migration Observatory) has published a briefing examining the relationship between migrants and the UK’s modern slavery identification and support system, known as the National Referral Mechanism (NRM). The report analyses trends in referrals, decision-making outcomes and recent policy changes, focusing on non-UK nationals identified as potential victims of modern slavery.