Indians Lead UK Visa Allocations in 2024
India's thirst for international travel, particularly for academic and professional reasons, is undeniably high.
By: Tupaki Desk | 14 May 2025 10:12 AM ISTIndia's thirst for international travel, particularly for academic and professional reasons, is undeniably high. This is further evidenced by recent figures concerning the United Kingdom's visa allocations, which place Indian citizens at the forefront of visa recipients. In 2024, Indians were awarded a significant portion of the UK's work and student visas, highlighting the country's ongoing preference for the UK as a destination for education and employment.
In the realm of work visas, the UK issued a total of 369,419 visas in 2024, with Indians securing 81,463 of these. This accounts for an impressive 22% of all work visas, underscoring the substantial presence of Indian professionals in the UK. Following India, Pakistan and Nigeria were significant recipients as well, but with considerably smaller shares of 9% and 7%, respectively.
Indian Students Lead in UK Visa Allocations
The trend was similarly observed in the issuance of student visas. A whopping 419,313 student visas were issued by the UK in 2024, with Indian students claiming 92,355 of these. This means that nearly a quarter, precisely 23%, of all student visas went to Indians. This statistic not only reaffirms the preference of Indian students for UK educational institutions but also highlights the UK as a leading destination for international students from India.
The data presented paints a clear picture of India's leading role in the UK's foreign visa allocations. With both work and student visas, Indian nationals are availing themselves of opportunities in the UK more than any other non-EU nationals. This trend not only reflects the strong educational and professional ties between India and the UK but also points towards the growing globalization of the Indian workforce and student body.
In conclusion, the latest statistics on UK visa issuance vividly illustrate India's dominant position in the realm of international travel for education and employment. With Indian nationals receiving the highest share of both work and student visas, the figures underscore the strong connection between the two nations and the continued allure of the UK as a prime destination for Indian students and professionals.
