Update (October 2026)
The figures in this article relate to the year to March 2023. UK immigration rules have changed significantly since then, including higher Skilled Worker salary thresholds and new restrictions on dependants for most international students and care workers. For current UK visa options, see our UK visas and immigration page.
UK migration statistics show rise in number of visas granted
Immigration has long been a topic of heated debate within the British political and media landscape, and the UK immigration system has certainly become more complicated over the years. However, despite the impression given by some of the rhetoric, the fact is that the UK continues to welcome individuals from around the world to settle, study and work. Last week’s publication of the UK’s official migration statistics by the ONS and the Home Office were the latest evidence that the challenge for individuals or companies looking to arrange visas for the UK is not the migration landscape, but the complexity and bureaucracy of the UK visa application process.
Applications and granted visas up in all categories
In the year to March 2023, the UK granted just over three million visas. This was almost double the amount granted in the previous 12 month period, due in large part to the easing of national and international travel restrictions put in place to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 1.5 million of these visas were visitor visas, with study visas (632,006) and work visas (487,771) the next two largest categories, with significant numbers of visas also granted to individuals seeking to come to the UK from Ukraine and Hong Kong.
In addition to the rise in issues of time-limited visas, applications for and grants of UK citizenship and Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) also increased in the past year. In total, the past year has seen 181,480 new grants of citizenship, while 126,313 individuals were granted settlement in the UK.
Choosing the right visa
While applications and visa grants have increased across the board, the complexity of the UK system is still one of the biggest challenges to anyone wishing to apply for a visa to the UK. The government department responsible for administering the UK visa and immigration system, the Home Office, keeps the already vast array of available UK visas under constant review, making changes to the application process and eligibility requirements as it deems necessary. It will also withdraw visas from time-to-time, such as if it determines that there is no longer a need to fill a particular gap in the UK labour market.
The Home Office will always review each visa application with reference to UK legislation and to the latest official guidance for each visa or category of visa. This means it is essential to make sure before applying that you have identified the visa that best fits your reason for wanting to travel to the UK, and which is right for your specific personal circumstances.
VisaEnvoy expands to the UK
VisaEnvoy is a truly international migration firm, with a long track record of working with both companies and private individuals to understand their personal circumstances and visa needs, and helping them get the right visa for them as quickly and hassle-free as possible.
We understand that the key to a successful visa application is understanding both our clients and the immigration systems with which we work. Our friendly, professional team of migration agents and immigration solicitors have already helped clients from around the world navigate the bureaucracy of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. We are delighted that, by working with trusted partners in London, we are now also able to offer personalised immigration and visa advice for the UK.
If you would like to know more about VisaEnvoy, our agents or the services we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
For individual or corporate visa enquiries, we recommend booking an appointment.
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Demetris Demetriou
Demetris is a dual-qualified lawyer in the UK (Solicitor) and Cyprus (Advocate) with over 12 years of experience in UK immigration law. He completed his legal studies at University College London and City University London.
Demetris is trusted by both corporate and private clients to provide clear, strategic, and practical immigration advice and has personally represented over 1,500 clients across more than 30 visa routes. He has held senior roles as Head of Immigration at Legal 500 firms and within the Big Four, gaining valuable insight into the operations of global organisations and their immigration challenges. Throughout his career, he has delivered innovative and sustainable immigration solutions to multinationals, SMEs, high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and private clients.
Demetris went on to establish Distinct Law, a modern and client-focused immigration practice based in London, through which he advises on all aspects of business immigration, including Sponsor Licence applications, compliance, enforcement actions, Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility visas, as well as Innovator Founder, Global Talent, and High Potential Individual visas. He continues to support applications under legacy immigration routes such as the Sole Representative, Tier 1 Entrepreneur and Investor categories, working with a portfolio of long-standing clients whom he has advised from their initial leave through to their extension and ILR applications.
In addition to his corporate practice, Demetris has extensive experience in personal and family-based immigration, including applications under Appendix FM for spouses, fiancé(e)s, children, and parents of British or settled children. He regularly advises on cases involving complex financial circumstances, previous refusals, adverse immigration history and criminal convictions.
He also assists with UK Ancestry visas, Indefinite Leave to Remain, long residence applications, British nationality and citizenship, as well as applications for PBS dependants and visitors. Where necessary, he supports clients through administrative reviews and appeals.
As a recognised expert in his sector, Demetris has been invited to speak at national and international events, including the Cambridge Network, Westminster Policy Forum, the UK Department for Business and Trade, and more recently at DGEMS, a global mobility summit hosted by Forbes India.
Demetris brings not only legal expertise but also a personal connection to immigration, having relocated to several countries for work and study. Combined with his professional insight, this enables him to deliver an unparalleled client-focused service to both businesses and individuals navigating the UK immigration system.
If you would like to discuss your UK immigration matter or have any questions about your options for immigrating to the UK, you can book a consultation here.
