UK Study Visa Applications Surge Despite Post-Study Work Restrictions – What’s Driving the Boom?

In 2025, applications for UK study visas have increased significantly, despite the UK government’s recent decision to reduce the length of post-study work rights. According to data released by the Home Office, 18,500 sponsored-study visa applications were submitted in May, reflecting a 19% increase compared to the same month in 2024. From January to May, a total of 76,400 international students applied—up 29% from the same period last year—and these figures also exceed those recorded in 2023 and 2022.

This is the first set of data released since the UK government introduced new limitations on post-study work options. As noted by Times Higher Education (THE), the rise in applications suggests that the new policies have not yet significantly deterred interest among international students.

In mid-May, the UK government presented an immigration White Paper that included a proposal to reduce the duration of the Graduate Route visa—from two years to 18 months. Under the new plan, international graduates would need to find graduate-level employment within that 18-month window to remain in the UK. The review of the Graduate Route was initially ordered in March amid concerns that international students may be more attracted by the opportunity to work after graduation rather than the quality of UK education or labor market experience.

Despite earlier government assurances in May 2024 that the Graduate Route would be maintained, the UK also revealed plans to toughen visa rules. These included raising financial maintenance thresholds, standardizing English-language proficiency tests, tightening oversight of recruitment agents, enhancing institutional compliance, and shifting focus back to in-person learning rather than remote education.

Ruth Arnold, director of external affairs at StudyGroup—an international education provider that partners with over 50 universities—said the rise in applications indicates that “fears of the impact of the immigration White Paper may have been avoided,” largely because post-study work opportunities are still available. She also suggested that restrictive visa environments in countries like Australia and Canada, as well as recent uncertainty around U.S. immigration policy, may be driving more students to choose the UK, which is seen as a more stable and secure destination for education.

However, Arnold also pointed out that many international students often apply to universities across multiple countries, which makes it difficult to draw final conclusions from early data alone.

Rachel Hewitt, CEO of the MillionPlus group, echoed this caution, stating that it is likely too soon to evaluate the full effects of the White Paper. Still, she noted that political instability in the United States and what appears to be a more welcoming stance from the UK government may have influenced the recent spike in applications.

Home Office data also shows a continued decline in applications from student dependents. In May 2025, just 1,100 dependent visa applications were received, compared to 1,400 in May 2024 and 7,800 in May 2023. So far this year, there have been 6,300 dependent applications—drastically lower than the 46,700 recorded during the same period in 2024. Over the 12 months to May, visa requests by main applicants dropped by 9%.

This sharp fall follows the UK’s decision, effective January 2024, to prevent most master’s-level students from bringing dependents—a restriction previously limited to undergraduate students.

Separately, data from Studyportals—a global platform that tracks demand for higher education—shows that interest in studying in the United States has dropped to its lowest level since the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Between January 5 and April 30, weekly views for U.S. study programs on the platform fell by 50%, with the U.S. losing 30% of its market share compared to the same period last year. Its current share has nearly halved since its peak in 2023.

Meanwhile, the UK has risen to become the U.S.’s top competitor for postgraduate education. The data shows that nearly 9% of users browsing U.S. bachelor’s or master’s programs also explored UK study options during the same session—an increase from 8.5% the previous year. This indicates that millions of prospective students are now actively comparing study opportunities in both countries, with many viewing the UK as a more attractive and stable destination.