- Indians continue to be among the most mobile groups in the UK, navigating both tightened regulations and robust academic and employment opportunities
- The data underscores India’s expanding international footprint and the significant role Indian migrants play in the UK’s education system, labour market and long-term demographic patterns
New data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that Indian citizens were the largest group of non-EU long-term migrants to both enter and exit the United Kingdom in the year ending June 2025. The figures highlight India’s growing role in the UK’s mobility landscape, driven primarily by education and employment-related movement.
According to the report, around 90,000 Indian nationals arrived in the UK for higher studies, while 46,000 came for work. Another 9,000 travelled for reasons such as family or other long-term stays. The strong presence of Indian students continues to reflect the UK’s popularity as an academic destination, even as immigration policies undergo significant shifts.
- During the same period, nearly 45,000 Indian nationals left the UK after completing studies, while approximately 22,000 exited upon the end of work-related commitments. A total of 7,000 left for other reasons
- This balanced flow of entry and exit aligns with academic cycles and visa completion timelines
One of the most notable findings of the ONS report is the dramatic decline in overall net migration to the UK. Net inflow dropped to 204,000 in the year ending June 2025 — a sharp fall from 649,000 the previous year. Emigration increased as well, rising to a provisional 693,000 compared to 650,000 in the previous cycle.
This decline coincides with tightening immigration rules under successive governments. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s administration implemented strict restrictions that came into effect in early 2024, including a ban on international students and foreign care workers bringing dependents. Salary thresholds for skilled workers were also raised. These policy changes resulted in a steep drop in dependent visas — by 65% for workers and 85% for students.
The current Labour government under Keir Starmer has pushed the reform further, revising asylum laws and publicly consulting on updated settlement policies. The report also shows a rise in asylum applications in 2025 compared to earlier years, reflecting global geopolitical shifts.
