MAC report reveals who stays in the UK on the Skilled Worker Route – Key insights for employers

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published a significant new report examining which Skilled Workers remain in the UK long-term and which are more likely to leave. The findings provide valuable insight into migrant retention patterns and could play an important role in shaping future immigration policy, including the Government’s proposed reforms to settlement.

For UK employers who rely on international recruitment, the report offers important evidence on workforce stability, retention, and the long-term contribution of sponsored workers.

What does the MAC report examine?

Published on 12 May 2026, the MAC’s report, Who Stays, Who Leaves? analyses the immigration outcomes of individuals who entered the UK under the Tier 2 (General) and Skilled Worker routes between 2014 and 2024. Using linked Home Office datasets, the MAC tracked approximately 916,000 migrant journeys to determine whether individuals continued to hold valid immigration status, obtained settlement, or became British citizens. The report refers to this as a migrant’s “stay rate”.

The analysis provides one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of the factors influencing whether sponsored workers remain in the UK over the longer term.

Key findings

Skilled Worker retention has increased significantly

The report found that long-term retention rates have risen substantially over the past decade. Of migrants who first arrived on a Skilled Worker route in 2014, 74% remained in the UK five years later. For those arriving in 2019, the figure increased to 85%. This suggests that the Skilled Worker route is increasingly attracting individuals who view the UK as a long-term destination rather than a temporary place of employment.

Age influences long-term retention

The MAC found that younger migrants are considerably more likely to remain in the UK. Approximately 81% of individuals who obtained their first Skilled Worker visa before age 45 remained in the UK after 5 years. By comparison, only 65% of those aged 45 or over continued to hold valid immigration status after the same period.

This finding may reflect differing career objectives, family circumstances and retirement planning considerations.

Women are more likely to remain than men

Female Skilled Worker migrants demonstrated higher long-term retention rates than their male counterparts. After five years, women were approximately 5% more likely than men to continue holding valid immigration status in the UK.

While the report does not identify a single explanation for this trend, it demonstrates that demographic characteristics can influence migration decisions.

Country of origin matters

The MAC identified a correlation between retention rates and the economic circumstances of migrants’ home countries. Individuals from countries with higher GDP per capita generally showed lower stay rates than those from less affluent countries. The report suggests this may reflect stronger economic opportunities available upon return to their home country.

However, the MAC emphasises that nationality alone is not determinative, and significant variations exist between countries.

In-country switchers are more likely to stay

Migrants who applied for their Skilled Worker visa from within the UK were found to be more likely to remain long-term than those who applied from overseas.

This is particularly relevant for employers recruiting graduates and other migrants already present in the UK, as these individuals may demonstrate stronger long-term commitment to living and working in the UK.

Lower earners demonstrate higher stay rates

One of the more surprising findings was that workers earning less than £40,000 per year generally exhibited higher retention rates than those earning more than £125,000.

Higher earners were more likely to leave the UK over time, potentially reflecting greater international mobility and wider career opportunities across global labour markets.

Health and social care workers have the highest retention rates

The report highlights particularly strong retention within the health and social care sector. Overall retention after five years was approximately 88.2%, with nurses demonstrating retention rates of around 94%. By contrast, occupations within higher education and research showed significantly lower long-term retention rates.

These findings underline the importance of international recruitment in maintaining workforce stability within critical public services and social care settings.

Regional differences are relatively small

The MAC found relatively consistent retention rates across most UK regions. Five-year stay rates generally ranged between 80% and 83%, although somewhat lower rates were observed in Scotland (73%), Wales (78%), Yorkshire and the Humber (78%), and the South East (79%). While geography appears to have some impact on retention, it is considerably less influential than factors such as occupation, age and visa history.