Fresh statistics released by the Home Office on Thursday 26 February 2026 reveal a dramatic 22 percent decline in family-related visas issued throughout 2025, as the government intensifies restrictions on dependants accompanying migrant workers and students to the United Kingdom.
Sharp Decline in Partner and Family Visas
The latest official data indicates that only 67,000 visas were granted to spouses, children, and other dependants of migrants last year. This represents a substantial reduction from previous levels, with partner visas experiencing an even steeper 27 percent drop to just 41,000.
This significant decrease follows the implementation of stricter regulations introduced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who has made reducing immigration a central policy objective. The new rules fundamentally alter the pathway for non-British partners seeking settled status in the UK.
Stricter Requirements for Settled Status
Under the revised framework, partners of migrants must now wait a full decade before becoming eligible to apply for settled status. Furthermore, they must qualify independently, requiring proof that their tax contributions exceed any benefits received from the state.
The policy changes also introduce more rigorous English language proficiency requirements than previously mandated, creating additional barriers for family reunification.
Economic Rationale Behind the Crackdown
Government officials and policymakers point to economic research suggesting that migrant dependants often represent a net fiscal burden. According to Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) analysis published last year, individuals arriving on family visas typically have a negative impact on public finances and essential services, irrespective of the primary migrant's salary.
Supporting research indicates that the average lifetime net fiscal deficit for a migrant partner can accumulate to approximately £109,000 per person, providing the economic justification for the government's stricter approach.
Criticism from Immigration Experts
The policy shift has faced substantial criticism from senior immigration lawyers and research organizations. Julia Willemyns, co-founder of the growth-focused think tank Centre for British Progress, advocates for assessing family visas at the household level rather than evaluating individuals separately.
The think tank's recent migration system report argues against the current flat £41,700 salary threshold for skilled worker visas, proposing instead that salary requirements should vary across different age groups to better reflect lifetime contributions to the state.
Broader Immigration Trends
While family visas have decreased sharply, other immigration categories show mixed trends. Worker visas experienced a decline in 2024, with 168,000 applications granted in 2025. Student visas remained relatively stable, falling by only three percent to 407,000 last year, though this figure remains more than one-third below the peak recorded in the year ending June 2023.
Additional data reveals that the number of asylum seekers accommodated in hotels has reached its lowest point in eighteen months, with approximately 31,000 individuals receiving expensive accommodation support.
The ongoing debate surrounding family visa restrictions highlights the complex balance between controlling immigration, supporting economic productivity, and maintaining humanitarian considerations within the UK's migration system.
