Decline in skilled migration could disadvantage UK in global tech race
The UK is set to fall further behind in the global tech race as the number of skilled tech workers coming to work in the country falls again, according to leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK.
RSM’s freedom of information request to UK Visas and Immigration shows the number of international workers applying for a visa to work in UK tech declined by 7% from 37,376 in 2024 to 34,936 in 2025. It has been on a downward trend since 2022 when applications peaked at 53,729.
Ben Bilsland, partner and head of technology industry at RSM UK said: “Talent shortage remains one of the biggest challenges in the tech industry, and risks holding back growth, both short-term and in the long run, without some form of intervention. Advancements in the sector are happening at a rapid pace, so to be a genuine competitor in the global tech race, the UK needs to be ahead of the game. That starts with having the right people with the right skills.
“That said, there’s currently nervousness among tech businesses to recruit, with employment costs now higher than ever, due to tax changes and the Employment Rights Act. Some businesses will undoubtedly lean on AI more to create efficiencies and boost productivity, but again, skilled individuals are needed to deploy AI safely and successfully.
“There’s an opportunity to unlock growth in the tech industry through visa reform. The UK’s AI minister Kanishka Narayan has already reignited calls for more visas for top engineers, and planning reform for AI, to enable tech companies to scale at home. However, details are lacking on how this will work in practice, and reform must be fast-tracked and prioritised. The visa application process itself must be as seamless and painless as possible, so that it’s accessible for tech businesses of all sizes.”