UK doubled visas for residence last year despite aim to cut migration

The figures mark a contrast with the goal of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government cut immigration sharply, one of the main things the Conservatives promised to deliver after leaving the EU

The UK granted residence visas last year at almost double the pace it did before the pandemic as more people came to work and study in the UK.
 

The Home Office issued a total of 1.4 million visas last year, up from 714,300 in 2019 before coronavirus lockdowns halted much travel. Work visas made up a big proportion of this, with one in three of these going to Indian workers. There also were big increases for those entering from Hong Kong and Ukraine.

The figures mark a contrast with the goal of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s