Over 664,000 visa applications were rejected in the year leading to September 2024, with India facing the highest number of refusals. The rejections have raised fears about labor shortages as businesses struggle with stricter immigration policies. Common reasons for refusal include insufficient funds and documentation problems. Employers express difficulty in recruiting overseas staff due to high salary thresholds and a rigid visa system. The Home Office reportedly retained £125 million in fees from denied applications, prompting concerns over the system's focus on revenue rather than support for genuine applicants.
More than 664,000 applications for work, student, family and visitor visas were turned down in the 12 months to September 2024, with India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe facing the highest refusals.
Employers argue that Britain's rigid visa system, combined with higher salary thresholds, is making it harder to recruit overseas staff, amidst rising domestic unemployment and widening skills gaps.
The rise in refusals reflects a deliberate tightening by the government, with common reasons for refusals including insufficient funds, misleading information, and lack of genuine ties to home countries.
Around 70 percent of applicants still handle their own submissions, exposing many to rejection due to the system's complexity, while the Home Office retained £125 million in fees from refused applications.
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