Recent data from the United Kingdom's Skilled Worker Visa program reveals interesting trends in the occupations and nationalities of successful applicants. Notably, these statistics exclude Health and Care visas, which are analyzed separately.
In 2023, the UK granted a total of 65,484 Skilled Worker Visas across various professions. Hospitality-related occupations emerged as the largest category, with Chefs leading the pack at 5,318 visas granted. Other significant hospitality roles included Butchers (1,812), Restaurant and Catering Establishment Managers (1,270), and Catering and Bar Managers (1,005).
Following closely behind hospitality, IT-related professions also showed strong representation. Programmers and Software Development Professionals secured 4,874 visas, while IT Business Analysts, Architects, and Systems Designers received 2,213 visas. Web Design and Development Professionals also featured prominently with 1,115 visas granted.
In terms of nationalities, Indian citizens received the highest number of Skilled Worker Visas at 16,835, accounting for over 25% of the total. Pakistan (6,315), Philippines (3,557), and the United States (3,223) followed as the next most common nationalities.
This data highlights the UK's continued reliance on international talent, particularly in the hospitality and IT sectors, to fill skilled positions within its workforce. It also underscores the global nature of the UK job market, with a diverse range of nationalities contributing to various industries across the country.
Skilled Worker Visa Granted in the United Kingdom by Occupation, excluding Health and Care (Ranked 2023)
- Chefs — 5,318
- Programmers and software development professionals — 4,874
- Management consultants and business analysts — 2,620
- IT business analysts, architects and systems designers — 2,213
- Finance and investment analysts and advisers — 2,166
- Natural and social science professionals n.e.c. — 2,043
- Chartered and certified accountants — 2,012
- Butchers — 1,812
- Sales accounts and business development managers — 1,599
- Restaurant and catering establishment managers and proprietors — 1,270
- Marketing associate professionals — 1,265
- Design and development engineers — 1,152
- Higher education teaching professionals — 1,135
- Web design and development professionals — 1,115
- Secondary education teaching professionals — 1,049
- Engineering professionals n.e.c. — 1,010
- Catering and bar managers — 1,005
- Business and financial project management professionals — 880
- Chief executives and senior officials — 877
- Information technology and telecommunications professionals n.e.c. — 876
- Others — 29,193
Total: 65,484
Skilled Worker Visa Granted in the United Kingdom by Nationality, excluding Health and Care (Ranked 2023)
- India — 16,835
- Pakistan — 6,315
- Philippines — 3,557
- United States — 3,223
- South Africa — 2,704
- France — 1,975
- Turkey — 1,942
- Bangladesh — 1,882
- Italy — 1,775
- China — 1,686
- Others — 23,590
Total: 65,484
Source: Why do people come to the UK? To work