How many South Africans moved to the UK in 2025?
The UK granted 4,947 work, study and family visas to South African citizens in 2025, according to the Home Office (data published 27 August 2026). That is 2,857 fewer than in 2024 (7,804), a change of −36.6%. By type: work 3,674, family 716, study 557. From January to June 2026 (provisional): 2,082.
United Kingdom · South African citizens · 2025: 4,947 work, study and family visas granted
Source: Home Office, Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes detailed datasets, year ending June 2026 (XLSX, published 27 August 2026, downloaded on 15 October 2026; next update 26 November 2026). Entry clearance visas granted, by nationality and year of decision. Figures from 2026 are provisional. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
What this number is, and what it is not
- It is the number of work, study and family visas the UK granted to South African citizens in 2025, applied for outside the UK, including partners and children who came with a worker or student.
- It is not a count of moves: some people with a visa never travel, and study visas include short courses.
- It leaves out visitor visas, people who switched to another visa from inside the UK, and people who are also British or Irish citizens (they do not need a visa).
- It is not the number of South Africans living in the UK, which is much larger.
UK visas granted to South African citizens by type (2025)
| Visa type | 2025 | Share | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work visas | 3,674 | 74.3% | 5,837 | −37.1% |
| Study visas | 557 | 11.3% | 639 | −12.8% |
| Family visas | 716 | 14.5% | 1,328 | −46.1% |
| Work, study and family | 4,947 | 100% | 7,804 | −36.6% |
Source: Home Office, Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes detailed datasets, year ending June 2026 (XLSX, published 27 August 2026, downloaded on 15 October 2026; next update 26 November 2026). Entry clearance visas granted, by nationality and year of decision. Figures from 2026 are provisional. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Work: all work routes (Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, temporary and seasonal work, Global Business Mobility, talent and business visas) and their dependants. Study: sponsored study (Student, Child Student), dependants and short-term study. Family: joining a British citizen or a person settled in the UK, and refugee family reunion. Groups as defined by the Home Office.
UK visas granted to South African citizens, year by year
| Year | Total | Work | Study | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 7,322 | 4,503 | 1,015 | 1,804 |
| 2020 | 5,671 | 3,671 | 574 | 1,426 |
| 2021 | 8,703 | 6,060 | 789 | 1,854 |
| 2022 | 12,774 | 10,046 | 829 | 1,899 |
| 2023 | 12,768 | 9,935 | 721 | 2,112 |
| 2024 | 7,804 | 5,837 | 639 | 1,328 |
| 2025 | 4,947 | 3,674 | 557 | 716 |
| January–June 2026 | 2,082 | 1,713 | 71 | 298 |
Source: Home Office, Entry clearance visa applications and outcomes detailed datasets, year ending June 2026 (XLSX, published 27 August 2026, downloaded on 15 October 2026; next update 26 November 2026). Entry clearance visas granted, by nationality and year of decision. Figures from 2026 are provisional. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Questions people ask
How many South Africans moved to the UK in 2025?
The UK granted 4,947 work, study and family visas to South African citizens in 2025 (work 3,674, family 716, study 557), according to the Home Office. That is 2,857 fewer than in 2024 (7,804), a change of −36.6%.
How many South Africans moved to the UK in 2024?
The UK granted 7,804 work, study and family visas to South African citizens in 2024.
Why do South Africans move to the UK?
In 2025 the most visas granted to South African citizens were work visas (3,674), then family (716) and study (557).
Is this the number of South Africans living in the UK?
No. It counts visas granted in one year to people applying from outside the UK, not people already living there.
Visas and statistics for the UK on this site
- United Kingdom visa income requirements 2026
- United Kingdom Skilled Worker visa: income requirement
- United Kingdom spouse / partner visa: income requirement
- UK visa refusal rate by nationality
- UK spouse and family visa refusal rate by nationality
- UK visa refusal rate for nationals of South Africa
Where else South Africans moved in 2025
How many South Africans moved abroad in 2025 · Who moved where: all nationalities · Visa income calculator