UK Issued 180 Family Visas to Cameroon Migrants Despite 12 Worker Visas

New Home Office figures show migrant workers from several countries brought family members at ratios up to 15 per worker. The data covers visas issued after a March 2024 restriction on dependants for care workers. Ghana recorded 257 worker visas and 2,131 family visas in the same period.

India recorded 2,395 worker visas and 10,504 family visas. Bangladesh recorded 139 worker visas and 747 family visas. Pakistan recorded 1,029 worker visas and 6,155 family visas. Nigeria recorded 230 worker visas and 1,114 family visas. The average ratio across all skilled worker visas was 1.3 dependants per worker. French workers recorded 1,804 visas and 701 family members, a ratio of 0.4.

Care workers were barred from bringing dependants in March 2024. The restriction was later extended to all migrant workers below degree level, though workers already in the country before the change can still bring family. A Home Office spokesman said the department has reduced dependant visas, contributing to an 82 per cent drop in net migration over three years.

Visa numbers for foreign workers are down 50 per cent from their 2023 peak, the spokesman added. Research cited by the Home Office found 85 per cent of migrants who arrived in 2019 remained after five years, compared with 74 per cent of those who arrived in 2014.

Higher stay rates increase the chance of workers obtaining indefinite leave to remain.