While the number of visas handed to health and care workers has continued to drop, hitting a low at the end of last year, there was a rise in those issued to foreign-born tradesmen, hospitality and sales staff.
An increase in the number of sponsored visas issued to overseas hospitality and construction staff could be putting foreign workers at risk of exploitation, it has been warned.
Home Office data shows that overall the number of work visas issued has tumbled, particularly for those coming for jobs in the NHS and social care, as the Government sought to reduce record levels of legal immigration.
Sponsored visas issued to migrant tradesmen increased by 3,800 over the two year period, while there were 3,400 more visas issued to migrant sales, customer service and administrative staff compared to 2022.
Charity the Work Rights Centre said this has put an increasing number of "precariously employed, non-unionised migrant workers" at risk in Britain.
