Post-Brexit Trends in the UK’s immigration system have fundamentally altered the profile of work-related migration. With free movement for EU citizens ending, the balance has shifted sharply towards non-EU migration, transforming the sectors, nationalities and visa types driving labour inflows.
Shift from EU to Non-EU Migration
For most of the past two decades, EU nationals were the largest group of labour migrants to the UK. This changed dramatically after Brexit. From December 2020 to December 2024, the number of EU workers in employment fell by 134,000 (-5%). Over the same period, the number of non-EU workers increased by 1.85 million, an 87% rise.
By the year ending March 2025, EU citizens accounted for just 11% of work visa grants. Non-EU citizens are now the main source of labour migration, benefiting from less restrictive post-Brexit rules than before 2021.
Surge and Fall in Skilled Worker Visas
Work visa grants to non-EU citizens rose from 137,000 in 2019 to 312,600 in 2023, with the biggest increase between 2022 and 2023. This surge was led by the Skilled Worker route, which peaked at 200,000 grants in 2023, 72% of them for health and care roles.
However, 2024 brought a reversal. Policy changes, including stricter sponsorship rules in the care sector and higher salary thresholds from April 2024, caused Skilled Worker visa numbers to fall sharply. By March 2025, total work visa grants to non-EU citizens had dropped to 171,000, still above pre-Brexit levels.
Health and Care Sector Dominance
Between October 2024 and March 2025, the health and social care sector accounted for just over a third of Skilled Worker visas. Care workers made up 12% of all grants after the role became eligible in 2022, though numbers fell sharply in 2024 following Home Office scrutiny and mounting evidence of exploitation. As part of wider Post-Brexit Trends, the government ended overseas recruitment of care workers in July 2025, although sponsorship for certain migrants already in the UK will remain possible until 2028.
The UK’s reliance on migrant health professionals has deepened since the pandemic. These roles were largely shielded from the 2024 salary threshold hike due to nationally set pay scales.
Changing Sectoral Patterns
Visa distribution by sector has shifted significantly. In 2024, the IT industry received 40% fewer skilled sponsored visas than the 2010-2019 average, while the hospitality sector saw a dramatic increase, over 16 times more than before Brexit (9,300 vs. 580), driven mainly by newly eligible chef roles. Seasonal Worker visas remained stable at around 34,000 in 2024, below the annual cap of 57,000, with a reduced cap of 45,000 set from 2025.
Exploitation Risks
The post-Brexit system has exposed some migrant workers to heightened vulnerability. As the report notes, “Sponsorship creates a power imbalance between a migrant and their employer because they are tied into their role unless they can find another sponsor.” Low-paid, isolated roles, notably care work, seasonal work, and domestic work, carry higher risks. Between July 2022 and December 2024, 39,000 care workers were linked to sponsors whose licences were revoked.
Student-to-Work Pathways
The Graduate Route, launched in 2021, has become a major pathway into the workforce, with 172,000 visas granted in 2024 and 75,000 in the first quarter of 2025. Many international graduates are also moving directly onto Skilled Worker visas around 40% of these switches in 2024 were into care work.
Nationalities and Visa Types
Indian citizens were the largest recipients of work visas in the year ending March 2025 (16% of main applicants), dominating Skilled Worker grants in both health and other sectors. Citizens of Central Asian countries, particularly Kyrgyzstan, featured prominently in the Seasonal Worker scheme, while US nationals led in “High Value” unsponsored visas.
Conclusion
Post-Brexit Trends in the UK immigration system have created a workforce more reliant on non-EU labour, with a marked rise in health and care sector dependence, new vulnerabilities in low-wage roles, and a growing share of students transitioning into long-term work. Policy changes, particularly around salary thresholds and sector eligibility, have already reshaped these trends and will likely continue to do so in the years ahead.
If you are an employer trying to understand the post-Brexit immigration system or a worker seeking to understand your visa options, Morgan Smith Immigration can help. Our team provides expert guidance on Skilled Worker visas, compliance with sponsorship rules and strategic planning for long-term settlement. Contact Morgan Smith Immigration today to discuss your situation and receive tailored advice from experienced immigration specialists. For any enquiries or assistance, call us at 0203 959 3335 or email [email protected].
