The number of visas issued to Indian students increased
Indian nationals continued to dominate several UK student and work visa extensions, according to the latest migration statistics released by the UK Home Office.
The data shows Indians received the highest number of sponsored study visas, skilled worker extensions and Graduate Route extensions during the year ending December 2025.
Chinese nationals led international student numbers in the UK between 2010 and 2021. Indian students overtook them in 2022 after changes to the country’s post-study work rules.
According to the figures, 95,231 sponsored study visas were granted to Indian nationals in 2025. This accounted for 23% of all study visas issued to main applicants.
Indians were the largest group of international students in the UK. Chinese nationals followed with 89,019 study visas granted.
The number of visas issued to Indian students increased by around three per cent during the year. In contrast, visas granted to Chinese students fell by approximately seven per cent.
Refusal rates for Indian study visa applications also remained relatively low. Around four per cent of applications were rejected.
This rate was significantly lower than the double-digit refusal rates recorded for applicants from Pakistan and Nigeria.
Despite the rise in Indian student numbers, the number of dependents accompanying them declined sharply. The fall followed a January 2024 policy change restricting most international students from bringing family members to the UK.
As a result, dependents linked to Indian students dropped by nearly 80%. The decline contributed to a reduction in overall migration figures despite continued high levels of student visa grants.
Indians also accounted for the highest number of extensions under the UK Graduate Route visa.
A total of 90,153 Graduate Route extensions were granted to Indian nationals in 2025. This represented around 42% of all such extensions issued globally.
Nigerians received 42,220 Graduate Route extensions, while 30,464 were granted to Pakistani nationals.
The Graduate Route allows international students to remain in the UK for up to two years after completing their degree. During this period, they can work or search for employment.
PhD graduates are permitted to stay for up to three years under the same scheme.
Overall, however, the number of Graduate Route extensions granted fell by six per cent during the year.
Indian nationals also led the figures for skilled worker visa extensions.
A total of 90,031 skilled worker extensions were issued to Indian nationals in 2025. Pakistani nationals received 16,098 extensions, while Nigerians were granted 12,485.
The median salary for skilled worker extensions granted to Indians rose to £38,700. This increase reflects revised salary thresholds introduced as part of recent immigration reforms.
In the health and care worker category, 104,555 extensions were granted to Indian nationals. Nigerians received 88,461 extensions, while 28,914 were issued to Zimbabwean nationals.
However, the number of new health and care worker visas issued worldwide fell sharply. The total declined by 91%.
The figures suggest that most approvals were granted to workers already living in the UK who were extending their visas.
Home Office data also showed that around 74,000 Indian nationals left the UK in the year ending June 2025. This represented the highest number of departures among non-EU nationalities during that period.
Meanwhile, the number of people claiming asylum in the UK fell by four per cent in 2025.
Despite this decline, small boat arrivals increased by 13% during the same period.
Indian nationals ranked seventh among asylum applicants in the UK. Pakistan, Eritrea, Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Vietnam were among the leading nationalities.
Officials noted that many of these countries, including India, have experienced significant increases in study and work visa grants since 2021.
The rise follows changes to the UK’s immigration system after Brexit.
Overall, the latest Home Office figures highlight the continued role played by Indian students and professionals across UK universities, healthcare services and the skilled workforce.
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