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New Delhi: There is a rapid change in the education landscape because of geopolitical uncertainty. The UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) data reveals that Indian students and workers topped the tally of visa holders leaving the United Kingdom. It revealed that there is a significant drop of 204,000, down 80 per cent from a peak in 2023.
The UK’s ONS report reveals that around 45,000 Indians on study visas, besides 22,000 professionals on work-related visas, had left the UK as their country of residence in the year ending June 2025. Also, 7,000 Indian nationals logged under the “other” visa category also left the UK, making up a total of 74,000 Indian emigrants. India is followed by China as the second highest in the UK's exit tally, with 42,000.
The ONS's data reads, "Indian was the most common non-EU (European Union) nationality to emigrate (or leave) from the UK."
"The increase in long-term emigration of non-EU+ nationals who originally arrived on study-related visas is primarily being driven by the large numbers of Indian and Chinese nationals leaving in YE (year ending) June 2025,” PTI quoted ONS data.
Undeniably, Indians continue to hold the top slot in terms of immigration into the UK with 90,000 logged under study visa grants and 46,000 for work purposes.
The ONS data stated, "Indian, Pakistani, Chinese and Nigerian are regularly among the top five most frequent non-EU+ nationalities for long-term immigration."
The British government has made it a top priority to reduce net migration, or the difference between the number of people leaving the country and those coming into the country. The main reason for the government taking this step is the pressure on the economy from the increasing number of migrants.
"Net migration is at the lowest level seen since 2021, when pandemic lockdown restrictions were lifted and the new immigration system was introduced following the UK’s EU exit,” PTI quoted as saying of Mary Gregory, Executive Director for Population and Census at the ONS.
"The fall is largely due to fewer people from outside the EU arriving for work and study related reasons, with a steep decline in the number of dependents, and a continued, gradual increase in levels of emigration. Overall, non-EU+ net migration has more than halved in the year ending June 2025. Non-EU+ emigration is driven by Indian and Chinese nationals, who originally arrived on study visas, while nine out of 10 British people emigrating are of working age," Mary said.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is putting the best foot forward by tabling a series of tighter measures in Parliament to bring down immigration figures, had welcomed the latest ONS data. She said the net migration was at its lowest level in half a decade and “fallen by more than two-thirds under this government”.
“But we are going further because the pace and scale of migration has placed immense pressure on local communities. Last week, I announced reforms to our migration system to ensure that those who come here must contribute and put in more than they take out,” PTI quoted Shabana Mahmood.
When the government is trying the reduce the net immigration, the Work Rights Centre charity has cautioned that the fall in skilled worker visas will impact the British industries and services. "This government’s preoccupation with reducing immigration is actively working against economic growth," said Dr Dora Olivia Vicol, CEO of the Work Rights Centre.
“The government is prioritising a performative 'tough' stance on immigration, but in doing so, it is gambling with migrant welfare and directly undermining its own manifesto promises to build homes and boost industry,” she said.
