UK Skilled Worker Visas See 100-Fold Increase in Asylum Claims, Prompting Immigration Reform Concerns

The National Audit Office (NAO) revealed a dramatic rise in asylum claims by Skilled Worker visa holders, from 53 in 2022 to 5,300 in the first ten months of 2024. This comes as the UK prepares to publish a White Paper on immigration reform.

The topic is trending due to the alarming increase in asylum claims and concerns about the effectiveness of the Skilled Worker visa system, which has issued far more visas than anticipated.

Experts highlight the need for better data management and policy assessment to address systemic issues.

The Home Office and departments must make better use of data to understand the impacts of changes to the Skilled Worker visa route, improve customer experiences and prevent the exploitation of visa holders.

I am deeply concerned people who have entered the UK on temporary work visas are now trying to claim asylum. This is an abuse of the system, and spurious asylum applications should be rapidly rejected.

Social media users are expressing concern over the asylum claims surge and calling for stricter immigration controls.

The Skilled Worker visa was introduced in 2020 to address skill shortages. However, recent changes and the significant increase in asylum claims have raised concerns about its effectiveness.

• The Skilled Worker visa route was introduced in 2020 to attract skilled workers.
• Changes in entry requirements, such as easing rules for care workers, have led to an unexpected surge in visa issuance.
• The Home Office lacks comprehensive data on what happens to visa holders after their visas expire.

Additional information for readers

• The UK government plans to publish a White Paper on immigration reform to address these issues.
• Recent changes include increasing the minimum salary for Skilled Worker visas to £25,000 from April 9, 2025.