The number of visas issued to non-EU migrants reached a record in 2021 as the first year of Britain’s post-Brexit rules led to a more liberal immigration system.
Home Office figures revealed that 843,538 people from outside the EU were granted visas to live, work and study in Britain last year, 107,000 more than in 2019.
Last year’s surge was fuelled by a record number of student visas, with 416,250 granted to study in Britain. Bespoke visa schemes for Hongkongers and Afghan refugees also contributed to the rise.
Of the 97,000 Hongkongers granted a bespoke visa under the British National Overseas scheme, 75,897 were issued last year.
Some 210,396 work visas were granted last year, of which 137,507 were for skilled workers and 48,345 for
