More Indian students and workers visiting UK: Officials

18,735 Indian nationals were granted a Tier 4 student visa in the year ending September 2018. This was a 33% increase on the previous year – which was in itself a 27% increase on the year before that.

In addition, Indian workers continue to receive more skilled work visas than the rest of the world combined, responsible for 55% of all skilled work visas granted globally. Just over 55,000 were granted to Indian nationals – an increase of almost 2,300 on the previous year.

Indian visitors and tourist numbers also saw strong growth. Visit visas increased by 10% to 468,923. This was the largest absolute increase for any country and means that over 1 in 5 UK visit visas are going to Indian nationals.

The British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG, said: “This update provides yet more evidence that the UK is open to Indian business, students and tourists.”

“I’m particularly pleased by the 33% increase in Indian students, which means thousands more young Indians are making the most of the UK’s world-class education system.”

“India continues to receive more skilled work visas than the rest of the world combined.  That is an astounding figure - one that underlines the strength of our trade and investment relationship.  These statistics clearly show that living bridge between the UK and India is only getting stronger.”