Accredited official statistics

Immigration statistics, July to September 2014

Updated 27 November 2014

This release presents the latest immigration statistics from Home Office administrative sources, covering the period up to the end of September 2014.

This is not the latest release. View latest release.

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

1. Summary points: July to September 2014

All data below relate to the year ending September 2014 and all comparisons are with the year ending September 2013, unless indicated otherwise.

1.1 Key points from the latest release

Work

There were 6% more work-related visas granted (up 9,535 to 161,585), largely accounted for by higher numbers for skilled workers (Tier 2, +9,912 or +13%), and for Youth mobility and temporary workers (Tier 5, +2,207). The 13% increase in skilled worker (Tier 2) visas granted coincided with a 13% increase in sponsored applications for skilled work visas. Most of the sponsored skilled work visa applications were for the Information and Communication, Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities, and Financial and Insurance Activities sectors.

Study

Study-related visas (excluding student visitors) granted rose 3% to 222,941 (+6,140). This corresponded with a 2% increase in university sponsored study visa applications, and a 13% fall for the numbers sponsored by the further education sector.

There were higher numbers of study visas granted (excluding student visitors) for Chinese (+2,286 or +4%), Brazilian (+2,323 or +70%), Saudi Arabian (+1,140 or +12%) and Libyan (+1,061 or +39%) nationals. There were falls for Indian (-828 or -6%), Nigerian (-782 or -7%) and Pakistani (-506 or -10%) nationals.

Student visitors

The number of student visitor visas granted fell by 1% (-1,115) to 75,525, after doubling over the previous 4 years (from 37,815 in year ending September 2009). Student visitors are normally only allowed to stay for up to 6 months (11 months for English Language schools) and cannot extend their stay.

Asylum

There were 24,257 asylum applications, an increase of 2% compared with the previous 12 months (23,805), but low relative to the 2002 peak (84,132). The largest numbers of applications were from Eritrean (2,932), Pakistani (2,891), Iranian (1,999) and Syrian (1,802) nationals.

At the end of September 2014, 22,879 of the applications for asylum received since April 2006 from main applicants were pending a decision (initial decision, appeal or further review). This was 48% more than at the end of September 2013 (15,438). The number of decisions outstanding increased during this period due to a decrease in staffing levels following a restructure initiated by the UK Border Agency. Since January 2014, the Home Office has taken steps to reallocate resources to this area.

Visitors

There was a 1% increase in visitor visas granted to 1.9 million, excluding United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatari and Omani nationals, who were able to visit the UK without a visa from 1 January 2014, following the introduction of the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme. Including these nationals, there were 2% fewer visitor visas granted.

The largest increases in visitor visa grants were for Chinese (+13% or +36,342), Philippine (+36% or +8,401) and Saudi Arabian (+8% or +7,677) nationals. Excluding UAE, Qatari and Omani nationals, the largest decreases were for Russian (-6% or -12,962) and South African (-13% or -11,870) nationals.

The latest data on non-EEA visitors arriving at the UK border, including those who do not need a visa, showed a 13% increase; from 7.7 million in 2012 to 8.7 million in 2013.

1.2 Other points to note

Admissions and refusals at port

The total number of journeys increased by 5% to 115.3 million (up 5.1 million). This was accounted for by 4.4 million more journeys by British, other EEA and Swiss nationals (totalling 100.9 million) and 0.8 million more journeys by non-EEA nationals (14.5 million).

The number of passengers refused entry at port rose by 10% to 17,587 compared with the previous 12 months (16,012).

Family

There were 5% more family visas granted (34,747). Family-related grants to stay permanently fell by 36% to 37,734, continuing the overall downward trend since the year ending September 2010 (75,401). This edition of the Family topic includes additional analysis of trends in recent years, including following the introduction of new rules in July 2012.

Extensions

There were 13% fewer (-37,981) grants of extensions, falling to 247,329 grants, accounted for by 31% fewer work-related grants (-40,678), 13% fewer study-related grants of extensions (-12,864) and partially offset by 77% more grants (+14,771) for other reasons (mainly an increase in discretionary leave).

The fall in work-related grants was mainly accounted for by lower numbers in categories closed to new entrants (39,215 fewer Tier 1 General grants and 1,193 fewer Tier 1 Post-Study grants), together with a 3,754 increase in Tier 1 Entrepreneur grants. Grants for Tier 2 Skilled Workers fell from 63,166 to 60,838 (-4%) reflecting lower numbers in both the Tier 2 General category, from 43,576 to 42,642 and the Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfers category from 18,059 to 16,942.

Permission to stay permanently (settlement)

There were 30% fewer (-46,082) grants of permission to stay permanently (settlement), falling to 107,565. The decrease was accounted for by falls in work-related (-18,255), family-related (-21,539) and asylum-related grants (-8,727). Other grants increased by 2,439.

Detention

The number of people entering detention fell 3% to 29,492. Over the same period there was a fall of 3% in those leaving detention (from 30,102 to 29,151).

There was a continuing small decline in the proportion of detainees being removed on leaving detention to 55% from 57% compared with the previous 12 months. There was a slight increase in the proportion of detainees granted temporary admission or release, from 36% to 37% over the same period.

As at the end of September 2014, 3,378 people were in detention, 8% higher than as at the end of September 2013 (3,115).

In the third quarter of 2014, 26 children entered detention, a small increase on the 19 recorded for each of the first and second quarters of 2014.

Removals and Voluntary Departures

There were 9% fewer enforced removals from the UK (12,461) compared with the previous 12 months (13,740).

The number of passengers refused entry at port and who subsequently departed has increased by 6% to 15,118; however the long-term trends show levels decreasing since 2004.

There were 33,978 voluntary departures recorded in the year ending September 2014. Although this is lower than the 36,448 now recorded for the year ending September 2013 it is higher than the 30,184 originally reported a year ago for year ending September 2013. These latest figures are particularly subject to upward revision due to subsequent data-matching exercises which identify further cases of voluntary departures.

Further, more detailed, analysis can be found below.

2. Data tables

Immigration statistics, July to September 2014: data tables.

3. Work

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

3.1 Introduction

This section includes figures on work-related visas granted, passenger arrivals, extensions granted and permissions to stay permanently (settlement) for non-EEA nationals. It also includes figures on long-term immigration to work (i.e. those intending to stay for at least 12 months for work) for non-EU nationals.

Data include dependants unless stated otherwise.

3.2 Key facts

In the year ending September 2014, there were 6% more work-related visas granted (up 9,535 to 161,585), 31% fewer extensions (down to 89,214) and 30% fewer permissions to stay permanently (down to 42,422) compared with the previous 12 months. Work-related admissions data follow a similar trend to visas data and were 10% higher in 2013 than 2012 (up 13,800 to 156,300).

In the year ending June 2014, there were an estimated 56,000 non-EU long-term immigrants for work, excluding dependants, based on survey estimates from the International Passenger Survey (IPS). This is a statistically significant increase of 33% from the previous 12 months.

The 9,535 increase in work-related visas was largely accounted for by higher numbers for skilled workers (Tier 2, +9,912 or +13%), and for Youth mobility and temporary workers (Tier 5, +2,207), together with 2,730 fewer grants in Tier 1 high value workers as a result of the Tier 1 Post-Study (-2,432) and Tier 1 General (-1,653) categories being closed to new entrants.

The 13% increase in skilled worker (Tier 2) visas granted coincided with a 13% increase in sponsored visa applications for skilled work (52,214 in the year ending September 2014, main applicants). Most of the applications were for the Information and Communication (22,275), Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (9,824), and Financial and Insurance Activities (6,255) sectors.

The 31% (-40,678) fall in work-related extensions was largely accounted for by categories closed to new entrants with 39,215 fewer Tier 1 General grants and 1,193 fewer Tier 1 Post-Study work grants, slightly offset by a +3,754 increase in Tier 1 Entrepreneur extensions.

In the 15 months since the accession of Croatia on 1 July 2013, 717 applications were received from Croatians for either authorisation to work or for a registration certificate confirming that the applicant was exercising a right to reside in the UK.

Work immigration: latest trends

	Year ending Sep 2013	Year ending Sep 2014	Change	Percentage change
Work-related visas granted	152,050	161,585	+9,535	+6%
of which:
High value (Tier 1) visas	12,296	9,566	-2,730	-22%
Skilled (Tier 2) visas	76,912	86,824	+9,912	+13%
Youth mobility and temporary workers (Tier 5) visas	40,685	42,712	+2,027	+5%
Non-PBS/Other work visas	22,157	22,483	+326	+1%
	Year ending Jun 2013	Year ending Jun 2014	Change	Percentage change
Long-term immigration for work (1), excluding dependants	42,000	56,000	+14,000	+33%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics July to September 2014 Visas table vi 04 q, International Passenger Survey, Office for National Statistics Migration.
(1) Immigration for work data are estimates of the number of non-EU nationals intending to change their residence to the UK for at least 12 months based on the International Passenger Survey.

3.3 Long-term trends in work-related immigration

There have been falls in work-related visas granted, admissions and non-EU immigration from 2006 to 2012 and increases more recently (and falls in extensions related to the previous closure of the Tier 1 General and Tier 1 Post-Study categories to new applicants, see Extensions topic).

The chart below shows that International Passenger Survey (IPS) estimates of non-EU immigration are substantially lower than work-related visas and admissions. However, the IPS estimates follow a broadly similar trend with falls from 2006. Two reasons why IPS estimates of immigrants for work are lower than figures for work visas granted or passenger arrivals are that the IPS figures exclude any workers who intend to stay for less than a year and exclude dependants. There has been analysis showing that in recent years the number of visas under one year duration has increased whilst longer term visas have fallen, see short article ‘Entry clearance visas by length’. Visa length is not the same as the IPS intended length of stay and may be driven by different factors which may account in part for different trends.

Despite the general trend being similar, there are instances where the trends in visas granted, admissions and IPS estimates occasionally diverge. This apparent discrepancy is in part due to the potential for a margin of error that is inherent in sample surveys, together with possible changes in the proportion intending to stay for more than a year and the time difference between a visa being granted and the individual arriving.

Further reasons are described in the user guide. The chart below also shows trends in extensions and permissions to stay permanently (settlement) for work reasons.

Long-term trends in work-related immigration

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics July to September 2014 ,Visas table vi 04 q (Visas volume 1), Admissions table ad 02 q, Extensions table ex 01 q and Settlement table se 02 q; Office for National Statistics Migration.

3.4 Register of sponsoring employers

(Tier 2 Skilled workers and Tier 5 Youth mobility and temporary workers)

As part of the application process for visas and extensions for work reasons, main applicants must obtain a certificate of sponsorship from an employer. Sponsorship tables cs 01 q to cs 06 q provide data on the number of employers registered and their sponsor rating, the nationality of main applicants, and the corresponding numbers of main applicants for different industry sectors.

Register of sponsors
An employer may be counted more than once in the total if registered separately to sponsor both Tier 2 and Tier 5 individuals or registered for more than one sub-Tier. Altogether there were 28,873 employers on the register on 30 September 2014, 8% more than on 30 September 2013 (26,820).

3.5 Work-related sponsored visa applications

Skilled individuals (Tier 2)
There were 13% more sponsored visa applications (main applicants) from skilled individuals in the year ending September 2014 compared with the previous year (from 46,141 to 52,214). The majority of the 52,214 certificates used related to the following sectors:

• Information and Communication (22,275, up 15%),
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (9,824, up 19%),
• Financial and Insurance Activities (6,255, up 8%),
• Human Health and Social Work Activities (2,868, up 51%),
• Manufacturing (2,597, up 4%),
• Education (2,555, down 5%).

In the same period there were 4% fewer sponsored extension applications (main applicants) from skilled individuals compared with the previous year (from 35,017 to 33,722). The majority of the certificates related to the following sectors:

• Information and Communication (6,674, down 3%),
• Human Health and Social Work Activities (5,342, down 19%),
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities (5,045, up 4%),
• Education (3,758, down 7%),
• Financial and Insurance Activities (3,642, down 1%).

Youth mobility and temporary workers (Tier 5)
There were 4% more sponsored visa applications (main applicants) from Youth mobility and temporary workers in the year ending September 2014 compared with the previous year (from 43,228 to 45,070). The large majority of these 45,070 certificates related to the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (32,554, up 6%) and Education (4,880, up 8%) sectors. There were a total of 649 sponsored applications for extensions for Tier 5, the relatively small numbers reflecting the rules relating to extensions for such workers.

3.6 Work-related immigration by nationality

Admissions data include both those individuals who require a visa to enter the UK and those who in some circumstances do not (for periods of up to 6 months), known as ‘non-visa nationals’. Work-related admissions data are included in Admissions tables ad 02 to ad 03 and ad 03 w.

For both work-related visas (data for year ending September 2014) and admissions (data for 2013), the 3 nationalities accounting for the highest numbers were Indian, United States and Australian.

The top 10 nationalities granted work visas were the same in the year ending September 2014 as the previous 12 months. The rankings were identical except for Chinese nationals which moved to seventh place from eighth, replacing Pakistani nationals which fell to eighth place. All of the top 10 nationalities had increases in the numbers of work visas granted except Pakistanis, which had a 5% (-265) fall.

Top 10 nationalities granted work-related visas, year ending September 2014

(Total 161,585)

As the table below shows, the largest increases in work visas granted were for Indian and Australian nationals. However, there were also notable increases for nationalities that were not in the list of top 10 nationalities in the chart above, such as Hong Kong, and Venezuela.

The large percentage increase for Venezuelan nationals was related to a recent change in the Immigration Rules. From 5 May 2014, all Venezuelan nationals travelling to the UK needed to apply for a visa. Previously, Venezuelan nationals did not need a visa to visit the UK for 6 months or less if they held a biometric-chipped passport.

Largest increases in work visa grants by nationality

	Nationality	Year ending Sep 2014	Change	% change
1	India	57,165	+5,241	+10%
2	Australia	16,510	+1,208	+8%
3	Hong Kong	1,426	+748	+110%
4	China	5,002	+728	+17%
5	Venezuela	467	+342	+274%
6	South Africa	2,690	+327	+14%
7	Saudi Arabia	657	+250	+61%
8	Egypt	1,798	+220	+14%
9	Canada	6,407	+209	+3%
10	Philippines	8,900	+189	+2%
	Other nationalities (1)	41,029	+2,458	+6%

Table note

(1) Total for other nationalities with an increase and nationalities with no change.

Similarly the table below shows that only one of the nationalities showing the largest decreases was also in list of top 10 nationalities in the chart above (Pakistan).

Largest decreases in work visa grants by nationality

	Nationality	Year ending Sep 2014	Change	% change
1	Nigeria	2,031	-457	-18%
2	Korea (South)	2,345	-286	-11%
3	Pakistan	4,605	-265	-5%
4	Bangladesh	691	-216	-24%
5	Nepal	699	-137	-16%
6	Ghana	731	-132	-15%
7	Belarus	180	-101	-36%
8	Croatia	0	-100	-100%
9	Turkey	1,442	-98	-6%
10	Colombia	318	-62	-16%
	Other nationalities (2)	6,492	-531	-8%

Table note

(2) Total for other nationalities with a decrease.

3.7 Croatia

In the 15 months since accession on 1 July 2013, 717 applications were received from Croatians either for authorisation to work (i.e. for an accession registration certificate) or for a registration certificate confirming that the applicant was exercising a right to reside on a basis other than authorised employment. Of these, 315 were for accession worker registration certificates and 402 were for other registration certificates. As at 16 October 2014, 257 of the accession worker registration certificate applications and 329 other registration certificates had been approved.

3.8 ‘EU2’ countries: Bulgaria and Romania

Applications for accession worker cards, required until 31 December 2013 by Bulgarians and Romanians to work in the UK as an employee, and for registration certificates that provide proof of residency rights, fell in 2013, with falls of 22% to 1,905 and 39% to 17,173 respectively. The corresponding data on approvals show falls of 15% to 1,526 and 42% to 13,066. Applications for accession worker cards and registration certificates followed a downward trend since 2011.

Tables ee 01 and ee 01 q show a complete breakdown of decisions by type in applications for EU2 accession worker cards and registration certificates between 2007 and 2013 along with cases outstanding as at 16 October 2014.

3.9 Extensions to stay for work, and permission to stay permanently (settlement)

The Extensions topic and Settlement topic provide further detail on those granted extensions of stay in the UK for work or work-related grants of permission to stay permanently in the UK.

3.10 Staying in the UK

The Migrant Journey Fourth Report reported that 33% of migrants granted skilled work visas (with a potential path to settlement) in 2007 appear to have legally remained in the immigration system (9%) or have been granted permission to stay permanently (settlement) in the UK (25%) after 5 years (percentages may not sum to totals due to rounding).

The 33% of migrants granted skilled work visas in the 2007 cohort who appear to have legally remained in the immigration system or have been granted permission to stay permanently after 5 years was a fall from 46% of such migrants in the 2004 cohort.

For people granted a skilled worker’s visa in 2004, 31% had gained settlement 5 years later, and a further 16% still had valid leave to remain in the UK.

Comparison of the 2004 cohort to the 3 subsequent cohorts indicates that there has been a rise in the proportion of people whose leave had expired after 5 years, from 54% in 2004 to 67% in 2007. This is reflected in the fall in the proportion of people from these cohorts who had valid leave to remain after 5 years, from 16% in 2004 to 9% in 2007. Some of this difference may be due to the increasing influence of the economic recession over the period analysed, which may have reduced the likelihood of some migrants in the later cohorts choosing to remain longer.

The proportion of skilled non-EEA workers who gained settlement after 5 years was similar for 2004, 2005 and 2006 (31%, 32% and 30% respectively) but was lower for the 2007 cohort (25%). Of the people granted a skilled worker’s visa in 2007, 38% had expired leave after 2 years.

Source: Home Office, Migrant Journey: Fourth Report.

3.11 Data tables

Data on immigration for work, sourced from Home Office administrative systems, can be found in the following tables:

• Sponsorship: (tables cs 01 q to cs 06 q)
• Visas: vol. 1 to 3 (tables vi 01 q to vi 04 q and vi 06 q w)
• Admissions: (tables ad 01 to ad 03 and ad 03 w)
• Extensions: (tables ex 01 to ex 02)
• Settlement: (tables se 01 to se 03)
• European Economic Area: (tables ee 01, ee 01 q and ee 02)

4. Study

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

4.1 Introduction

This section includes figures on study-related visas granted, passenger arrivals, extensions granted for non-EEA nationals. It also includes figures on long-term immigration to study (i.e. those intending to stay for at least 12 months to study) for non-EU nationals.

Data include dependants unless stated otherwise.

4.2 Key facts

Study-related visas granted rose 3% to 222,941 in the year ending September 2014 (+6,140) compared with the previous 12 months.

There was a corresponding 2% increase to 171,081 in university-sponsored study visa applications main applicants in the year ending September 2014, and a 13% fall for the numbers sponsored by the further education sector.

Non-EU long-term immigration for study, excluding dependants, fell by 8% (to 121,000) in the year ending June 2014, compared with the previous 12 months (132,000).

There were higher numbers of study visas granted (excluding student visitors) for Chinese (+2,286 or +4%), Brazilian (+2,323 or +70%), Saudi Arabian (+1,140 or +12%) and Libyan (+1,061 or +39%) nationals. There were falls for Indian (-828 or -6%) and Nigerian (-782 or -7%) and Pakistani (-506 or -10%) nationals.

The number of student visitor visas granted fell by 1% (-1,115) to 75,525, after doubling over the previous 4 years from 37,815 in year ending September 2009. Student visitor visas are granted for short-term study (up to 6 months or 11 months for English Language courses) and cannot be extended.

Study immigration: latest trends

	Year ending Sep 2013	Year ending Sep 2014	Change	Percentage change
Study-related visas granted (excl. student visitors)	216,801	222,941	+6,140	+3%
of which:
General student (Tier 4)	204,561	209,942	+5,381	+3%
Child student (Tier 4)	12,153	12,912	+759	+6%
Student visitor visas (main applicants only)	76,640	75,525	-1,115	-1%
	Year ending Jun 2013	Year ending Jun 2014	Change: latest 12 months	Percentage change
Long-term immigration for study (1) excluding dependants (1)	132,000	121,000	-11,000	-8%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014 Visas table vi 04 q, International Passenger Survey (IPS), Office for National Statistics Migration.
(1) Immigration for study data are estimates of the number of non-EU nationals intending to change their residence to the UK for at least 12 months based on the International Passenger Survey.

Long-term trends in student immigration

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Visas Tables vi 04 q and Admissions table ad 02 q; Office for National Statistics Migration.
(1) Excludes student visitors who are allowed to come to the UK for 6 months (or 11 months if they will be studying an English Language course) and cannot extend their stay.
(2) For periods prior to the year ending September 2008, the count of student admissions is not comparable as there was no specific admissions category for student visitors who may then have been recorded as either students or visitors.

The above chart shows that IPS long-term immigration estimates, while being substantially lower, follow a broadly similar trend to student visas granted and passenger arrivals, with increases in all 3 series during 2009 and decreases after 2011 (and study visas granted increasing more recently). Two of the reasons why IPS estimates of students arriving are lower than figures for student visas granted or passenger arrivals are that the IPS figures exclude the many students who intend to stay for less than a year and dependants of those immigrating for the purposes of study. There has been analysis showing that in recent years the number of visas under one year’s duration has increased whilst longer-term visas have fallen, see short article ‘Entry clearance visas by length’. Visa length is not the same as the IPS intended length of stay and may be driven by different factors which may account in part for different trends.

Despite the general trend being similar, there are instances where the trends in visas granted, admissions and IPS estimates occasionally diverge. This apparent discrepancy is in part due to the potential for a margin of error that is inherent in sample surveys, together with possible changes in the proportion intending to stay for more than a year and the time difference between a visa being granted and the individual arriving.

4.3 Register of sponsoring educational institutions

On 30 September 2014 there were 1,590 educational institutions on the UK Visas and Immigration register of sponsoring educational institutions. This was 1% lower than the number on 30 June 2014 (1,607), and 7% lower than a year earlier (30 September 2013, 1,708) which continues the falls seen since the published series began in October 2011 (2,370).

The decrease in the number of sponsoring educational institutions is consistent with the introduction of new accreditation criteria and conditions of status for educational sponsors from April 2011.

4.4 Sponsored study visa applications by education sector

The number of study-related sponsored visa applications (main applicants) in the year ending September 2014 (211,811) was similar to the previous 12 months (211,095). This included different trends for different sectors. There was a 2% rise in sponsored visa applications for both the university sector (to 171,081) and independent schools (to 14,040) along with falls in the further education sector (to 20,038, -13%) and English Language schools (to 3,402, -1%).

There were 81,674 sponsored applications for extensions (main applicants) in the year ending September 2014, 11% fewer than in the previous 12 months, but, again, the change was not uniform across the education sectors. There were 5% more sponsored applications for extensions in the university sector (to 58,050), and falls in the further education sector (to 20,208, -36%), English Language schools (to 709, - 43%) and independent schools (to 1,542, -36%).

Study-related sponsored visa applications by sector

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Sponsorship table cs 09 q.
‘Universities’ relate to UK-based Higher Education Institutions.
‘Further education’ relates to tertiary, further education or other colleges.

4.5 Top 10 nationalities granted study visas

The number of study-related visas granted (excluding student visitors) rose by 3% (+6,140), to 222,941 in the year ending September 2014 compared with the previous 12 months. The top 10 nationalities accounted for two-thirds (66%) of all study visas granted in the year ending September 2014, with the top 5 nationalities (China, United States, India, Nigeria, Malaysia) accounting for over half (51%).

The number of study-related visas granted to Chinese nationals has increased steadily since the year ending December 2005 (18,977) and for the year ending September 2014 was at the highest level recorded (64,317) using comparable data.

By contrast the numbers of study-related visas (excluding student visitors) granted to Indian and Pakistani nationals have fallen since their peaks in the years ending June 2010 (68,238) and June 2011 (42,710) respectively.

Top 10 nationalities granted study visas (excluding student visitors), year ending September 2014

(Total 222,941)

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Visas table vi 06 q s.

4.6 Latest trends in study visas by nationality: largest increases and decreases

As the following table shows, the nationalities showing the largest increases in visas granted were, in general, also the nationalities with notable increases in sponsored applications and for university-sponsored applications. Note: Increases do not fully correspond due to timing differences between applications and decisions, and /or changes in grant rates which will tend to be amplified in terms of numbers for the larger nationalities.

There were increases for Chinese (+2,286 or +4%), Brazilian (+2,323 or +70%), Saudi Arabian (+1,140 or +12%) and Libyan (+1,061 or +39%) nationals. The largest falls were for Indian (-828 or -6%) and Nigerian (-782 or -7%) and Pakistani (-506 or -10%) nationals. Unlike the 8 other nationalities showing the largest falls in grants, for Hong Kong and Russian nationals the numbers of sponsored applications rose, which may reflect timing and grant rate differences mentioned above.

Largest increases in study visa grants by nationality

Nationality	Change	% Change	Change in sponsored applications	Change in university-sponsored applications
China	+2,286	+4%	+1,257	+328
Brazil	+2,232	+70%	+2,219	+2,276
Saudi Arabia	+1,140	+12%	+329	+201
Libya	+1,061	+39%	+357	+228
Malaysia	+699	+7%	+712	+773
Indonesia	+642	+36%	+404	+411
Bangladesh	+490	+20%	+708	+481
Kuwait	+466	+25%	+435	+296
Qatar	+424	+24%	+423	+157
Oman	+335	+14%	+287	+267

Largest decreases in study visa grants by nationality

Nationality	Change	% Change	Change in sponsored applications	Change in university-sponsored applications
India	-828	-6%	-1,899	-939
Nigeria	-782	-7%	-514	-388
Pakistan	-506	-10%	-2,550	-27
Ghana	-398	-32%	-400	-338
Canada	-343	-9%	-351	-268
Hong Kong	-325	-3%	+110	+113
Ukraine	-284	-23%	-215	-134
Thailand	-249	-5%	-206	-182
United States	-211	-1%	-162	-163
Russia	-178	-4%	+282	+221

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Visas table vi 06 q s, Visas vol. 3 and Sponsorship table cs 09 q.

4.7 Admissions

There were 6% fewer (-12,100) study-related admissions (excluding student visitors) in the calendar year 2013 (199,000) than in 2012 (211,000).

4.8 Immigration for study

In the year ending June 2014, there were an estimated 121,000 non-EU long-term study-related immigrants, 8% fewer than in the previous 12 months (132,000).

Source: ONS, Long-Term International Migration.

4.9 Extensions of stay

Study-related grants of extensions fell by 13% (-12,864) to 86,860 in the year ending September 2014. This followed a 23% fall from 129,840 in the year ending September 2010 to 99,724 in the year ending September 2013.

The 86,860 study-related grants of extensions included 539 grants under the Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme introduced on 6 April 2013.

Note that student visitors are normally only allowed to stay for up to 6 months (11 months for English Language schools) and cannot extend their stay.

4.10 Student visitors

Student visitors are granted a visa for a maximum of 6 months in duration or in a very small number of cases for 11 months if studying an English Language course. Student visitors are not counted as long-term migrants and cannot extend their stay, so they are not included within the references to study visas in this section.

4.11 Student visitor admissions

There were 263,000 student visitor admissions in the calendar year 2013, much higher than student visitor visas granted (77,601 over the same period). This is largely due to many of the top 10 nationalities for student visitor admissions being non-visa nationalities (including the United States and Brazil). Such nationals do not need to obtain a visa if they wish to come to the UK as a student visitor for up to 6 months and so are included in the admissions data but not the visas data.

4.12 Student visitor visas

The number of student visitor visas granted fell by 1% (-1,115) to 75,525, after doubling over the previous 4 years from 37,815 in year ending September 2009.

4.13 Top 10 nationalities granted student visitor visas

The top 10 nationalities in the chart below accounted for almost three-quarters (72%) of the 75,525 student visitor visas granted in the year ending September 2014. Although China is the largest nationality the pattern is different in important ways to that seen for normal study visas (e.g. with Russia and Turkey being the second and third nationalities, even though they do not figure in the top 10 for normal study visas).

The 5 largest increases in student visitor visas granted were for Libyan (+2,432 or +100%), Thai (+900, or +35%), Venezuelan (+625, +190%), Chinese (+548 or +5%), and Egyptian nationals (+247 or 47%). By contrast the largest falls were for Turkish (-1,709 or -19%), Russian (-1,172 or -10%), Omani (-866 or -60%), Ukrainian (-623 or -31%) and Nigerian (-516 or -21%) nationals.

The large percentage increase for Venezuelan nationals was related to a recent change in the Immigration Rules. From 5 May 2014, all Venezuelan nationals travelling to the UK needed to apply for a visa. Previously, Venezuelan nationals did not need a visa to visit the UK for 6 months or less if they held a biometric-chipped passport.

The increases in study (+39%) and student visitor visas (+100%) granted to Libyans follow a previous drop due to civil unrest in Libya.

Top 10 nationalities granted student visitor visas, year ending September 2014

(Total 75,525, main applicants only)

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Visas table vi 06 q s.

4.14 Staying in the UK

The Migrant Journey Fourth Report reported that 15% of migrants granted student visas in 2007 appear to have legally remained in the immigration system or settled in the UK after 5 years. After 5 years 14% had some form of valid leave to remain and 1% had been granted permission to stay permanently (settlement).

Comparison of the 4 cohort years suggests that there has been a sizable fall in the proportion of student migrants who still had valid leave to remain in the UK 5 years after their arrival, or who had achieved permanent settlement in the UK, from 23% in the 2004 cohort to 15% in the 2007 cohort. This is consistent with the tightening of the Immigration Rules for students since September 2007.

Source: Home Office, Migrant Journey: Fourth Report.

4.15 Data tables

Data on student immigration, sourced from Home Office administrative systems, can be found in the following tables:

• Sponsorship: tables cs 07 q to cs 14 q
• Visas vol. 1-3: tables vi 01 q to vi 06 q s
• Admissions: tables ad 02 to ad 03 and ad 03 s
• Extensions: tables ex 01 to ex 02 s

The Office for National Statistics publishes data on student immigration. ONS Migration.

5. Family

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

5.1 Introduction

This section includes figures on family-related visas granted, passenger arrivals, extensions granted and permissions to stay permanently (settlement) for non-EEA nationals. It also includes figures on long-term immigration (i.e. those intending to stay for at least 12 months) for non-EU nationals and on residence document decisions covering EEA nationals and their family members.

People can come to the UK for a range of family reasons, such as to join or accompany family members who are either British citizens or settled in the UK, mainly partners, as ‘other dependants joining or accompanying’ those working or studying in the UK, or as visitors.

5.2 Key facts

In the year ending September 2014, 34,747 family-related visas were granted. This is an increase of 5% compared with the year ending September 2013 (33,240). There was a 2% increase in the number of visas granted to all other dependants (excluding visitor visas) joining or accompanying migrants in the UK (76,658) compared with the previous 12 months (75,172).

The proportion of resolved family-related visa applications that were refused was 30%. This compares with 34% in the previous 12 months.

There were 37,315 extensions of stay for family reasons in the year ending September 2014. Of this total, 18,507 (50%) were granted under the new Family Life (10-year) category and 18,739 (50%) were granted under the partner category.

Family-related grants to stay permanently fell by 36% to 37,734 from the previous year, continuing the overall downward trend since the year ending September 2010 (75,401). There were notable decreases in grants to partners (-36% to 32,142).

In the year ending June 2014 (the latest provisional data available), the International Passenger Survey (IPS) estimated that 54,000 non-EU nationals immigrated to the UK to accompany or join others, with the intention of staying for a year or more. This is a statistically significant increase in comparison to 35,000 in the year ending June 2013.

Family immigration: latest trends

	Year ending September 2013	Year ending September 2014	Change: latest 12 months	Percentage change
Family-related visas granted	33,240	34,747	+1,507	+5%
of which:
Partners	24,620	26,607	+1,987	+8%
Children	3,862	3,076	-786	-20%
Other dependants	4,758	5,064	+306	+6%
All other dependants (excl. visitor visas)	75,172	76,658	+1,486	+2%
	Year ending June 2013	Year ending June 2014(p)	Change	Percentage change
Long-term immigration to accompany or join others (1)	35,000	54,000	+19,000	+54%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014 Visas table vi 01 q, Office for National Statistics Migration.
(1) Immigration to accompany/join others data are estimates of the number of non-EU nationals intending to change their residence to the UK for at least 12 months based on the International Passenger Survey. Latest 12 months for long-term immigration to accompany or join others data is to the year ending June 2014 and is provisional.

5.3 Long-term trends in family immigration

IPS estimates of non-EU immigration of those accompanying or joining others in the UK include those arriving on family visas, as well as persons accompanying those who are arriving for other reasons, such as for work or study. In the year ending June 2014, IPS estimates show that 54,000 non-EU nationals immigrated to the UK to accompany or join others.

The chart below shows that IPS estimates of immigration to accompany or join others have over the long term followed a broadly similar trend to the total visas granted through the family route and to other dependants, although IPS estimates are substantially lower. A reason for the IPS estimates being substantially lower is that the IPS figures exclude the many people who come to the UK but intend to stay for less than a year; visa figures would include these people. There has been analysis showing that in recent years the number of visas under one year duration has increased, whilst longer-term visas have fallen; see short article ‘Entry clearance visas by length’. Visa length is not the same as the IPS intended length of stay and may be driven by different factors which may account in part for different trends.

These measures of immigration for family reasons/to accompany or join others have shown a general downward trend overall since March 2007, albeit with a period of increases around 2010. Visas granted to other dependants have shown a small increase since the year ending June 2013, though not as pronounced as that for the IPS estimates.

The trend for IPS estimates has previously appeared to be broadly similar to figures for family visas alone; however, this is coincidental given that the IPS category includes all migrants intending to stay for a year or more who describe their main reason for migration as to ‘accompany or join’, regardless of the type of visa they hold (so this would tend to include dependants of those arriving as well as dependants who travel subsequent to the main applicant).

Long-term trends in family immigration

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics July to September 2014, Visas table vi 04 q; Office for National Statistics (provisional estimates for YE March and YE June 2014), ONS Migration.
(1) Includes all dependants (e.g. dependants for work and study), but excludes visitors.

Despite the general trends having been similar, there are instances, visible from the chart above, where the trend in family visas granted and IPS estimates of non-EU immigration to accompany or join others appear to be different (as for the trend since the year ending June 2013). It is possible that such differences can be accounted for by the inherent variability associated with sample surveys. There is also the possibility that people intending to stay in the UK for a year or more, or who are arriving to accompany or join others, do not state this when interviewed for the IPS. Some of those stating a main reason for migration as to ‘accompany or join’ may have neither arrived on a family visa or as a dependant of a main applicant. It is also expected that there will be some time lag between an application for a visa and the person arriving in the UK.

5.4 Visas

In the year ending September 2014, 34,747 family-related visas were granted. This is an increase of 5% compared with the year ending September 2013 (33,240).

Nationalities with the highest number of visas granted for family reasons in the year ending September 2014

	Year ending September 2013	Year ending September 2014	Change: latest 12 months	Percentage change
Family-related visas granted	33,240	34,747	+1,507	+5%
of which:
Pakistan	5,804	4,508	-1,296	-22%
India	2,878	3,486	+608	+21%
United States	1,554	2,042	+488	+31%
Bangladesh	1,459	1,292	-167	-11%
Sri Lanka	977	1,273	+296	+30%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014 Visas table vi 06 q f.

Of the total visas granted for family reasons, 26,607 (77%) were granted to partners, 3,076 (9%) were granted to children and 5,064 (15%) were granted to other dependants. Compared with the year ending September 2013, the number of family visas granted to partners increased by 8%, visas granted to children fell by 20% and visas granted to other dependants increased by 6%.

A visa application is resolved when a visa has been granted, refused or withdrawn, or when an application has lapsed. In the year ending September 2014, 30% of resolved family-related visa applications were refused. This compares with 34% in the previous year.

There were 6,412 family-related visa applications refused in the third quarter of 2014 (42% of resolved applications) compared with 2,822 refusals (26% of resolved applications) in the previous quarter. This increase follows the Court of Appeal upholding the lawfulness of the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners and children applying in the family route. Further details are given in the family section of the user guide.

Other dependants can be granted a visa to join or accompany migrants who have not been granted the right to stay permanently in the UK. In the year ending September 2014, 76,658 of these visas (excluding visitors) were granted, an increase of 2% compared with the previous 12 months (75,172). Of the 76,658 visas granted, 60% (45,849) were granted to other dependants of workers, 26% (19,646) to other dependants of students and 15% (11,163) to other dependants accompanying or joining a migrant in the UK.

Despite the increase in visas granted to other dependants joining or accompanying migrants (+2%), the level is much lower than the peak of around 106,723 in the year ending March 2007. There was a sharp decrease in the number of visas granted to dependants coming to the UK between the year ending June 2011 and the year ending December 2012 and this was, in part, consistent with changes to the rules governing visas granted to those coming to the UK for work or study and their dependants, from December 2010 and April 2011 respectively.

5.5 Admissions

Admissions for family reasons fell to 21,000 in 2013 (compared with 27,300 in the previous 12 months), continuing the overall trend since 2006.

5.6 Immigration to accompany or join others

The IPS estimate for non-EU nationals accompanying or coming to join family or friends for a year or more was 54,000 in the year ending June 2014. This is higher than 35,000 in the previous 12 months (+54%; a statistically significant increase).
Source: ONS, International Passenger Survey (IPS), ONS Migration.

5.7 Extensions of stay

Statistics on extensions of stay relate to people wishing to extend or change the status of their stay in the UK. One of the ways that people can do this is for family reasons, and main applicants and dependants can apply under fiancé(e), partner, UK-born children, other relative categories and the new Family Life (10-year) route (where partners and parents who apply in the UK are granted leave to remain on a 10-year route to settlement on the basis of their family life: further information is given in the Extensions topic).

In the year ending September 2014, there were 37,315 grants of extension for family-related reasons. This is an increase from 36,525 in the previous 12 months, which follows year-on-year decreases in each of the previous 3 years from 22,263 in the year ending September 2010 to 15,459 in the year ending September 2012.

Of the 37,315 extensions for family reasons, 18,507 (50%) were granted under the Family Life (10-year) route and 18,739 (50%) were granted under the partner category. Few extensions of stay were granted under the UK-born children, fiancé or other relative categories.

The increase in the number of grants of extensions of stay for family reasons was accounted for by a rise in grants in the new Family Life (10-year) category, from 14,836 to 18,507. There was a fall in grants to partners, from 21,579 to 18,739.

As well as an increase in the number of grants of extensions of stay, there has also been an increase in the number of refusals of family-related extensions of stay. Refusals of family-related extensions rose from 11,900 in the year ending September 2013 to 16,536 in the year ending September 2014 (31% of all decisions); 13,380 refusals were under the new Family Life (10-year) route.

Dependants of migrants in other routes, for example workers and students, excluding visitors, can also apply to extend their stay in the UK. In the year ending September 2014, 53,614 extensions were granted to dependants, a decrease of 16,773 (-24%) from the previous 12 months.

Analysis of extensions of stay by previous category shows that the 35,771 extensions granted to main applicants in 2013 for family reasons included 8,108 people previously in the family route (23%), 5,941 former students (17%), and 4,900 previously in the work category (14%).

5.8 Settlement

Family-related grants to stay permanently fell by 36%, to 37,734 in the year ending September 2014. This continues the overall downward trend since the year ending September 2010 (75,401).

The majority of settlement grants were for partners (32,142; 85%), with the remainder for children (4,984; 13%), parents and grandparents (197; 1%) and other or unspecified dependants (411; 1%).

There were decreases in all the family categories: a 36% fall (-17,941) in grants to partners, a 28% fall (-1,954) in grants to children, an 80% fall (-767) in grants to parents and grandparents and a 68% fall (-877) in grants to other or unspecified dependants.

Family-related grants of settlement have recently fluctuated. Trends in settlement are likely to be influenced by resource availability.

5.9 Staying in the UK

Analysis undertaken for the Migrant Journey Fourth Report showed that 67% of migrants granted family visas in 2007 appear to have legally remained in the immigration system after 5 years. Of these, 3% had some form of valid leave to remain and 64% had achieved settlement. This is an increase from 2004 when 60% of migrants granted family visas appeared to have legally remained in the UK. Source: Home Office, Migrant Journey: Fourth Report.

5.10 Residence document decisions

Under European law, EEA nationals do not need to obtain documentation confirming their right of residence in the UK. However, if they want to support an application for a residence card by any of their family members who are not EEA nationals, they must demonstrate that they are residing in the UK in accordance with the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 and are ‘exercising Treaty rights’ in the UK.

There were 102,006 decisions on applications for EEA residence documents in 2013, 22% (18,362) more than in 2012.

Grants of permanent residence cards have shown a generally rising trend between 2007 (7,623) and 2013 (22,463). This may reflect the numbers previously issued registration certificates and registration cards and living in the UK under European regulations for 5 years becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence cards. Since 2010 Poland has been the top nationality granted permanent residence cards (4,212 in 2013), with Romanian and Bulgarian nationals rising to second and third in 2012 and 2013 (2,828 to Romanians and 2,402 to Bulgarians in 2013).

Grants of registration certificates and registration cards rose in 2013 (by 20% to 38,736), but have shown a generally falling trend since 2007. Polish nationals were granted the most registration certificates in each year between 2006 and 2011, but in 2012 and 2013 nationals of Portugal received the highest number (3,289 and 4,196 respectively).

The number of applications found to be invalid on receipt by the Home Office in 2013 compared to 2012 fell to 4,099 for registration certificates and registration cards (from 14,438) and to 2,390 for permanent residence cards (from 9,568). This category of decision was introduced in 2011 for applications that did not provide key information or documentation but, due to changes in late 2012 to the administration of EEA residence document applications, fewer applications were rejected as invalid in 2013. Applications are either issued or refused instead. Applications refused or found to be invalid may result in an immediate re-application, resulting in a further decision being counted in Table ee 02. The majority of applications recorded as invalid on receipt in 2013 were because the applicant had not included the fee required after 1 July 2013.

5.11 More detailed analysis

Following a consultation on family migration, a number of changes to the Immigration Rules came into effect in July 2012. The changes included:

• introduction of a minimum income threshold of £18,600 (with higher levels for also sponsoring non-EEA dependent children)
• extending from 2 years to 5 years the minimum probationary period before non-EEA spouses and partners can apply for settlement in the UK
• abolishing immediate settlement for the migrant spouse or partner where a couple have been living together overseas for at least 4 years, and requiring them to complete a 5 year probationary period
• introduction of a genuineness test for relationships
• allowing adult dependants to settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK, and requiring them to apply from overseas rather than switch in the UK from another category, for example as a visitor

The new Immigration Rules also aim to balance the rights of the individual with the public interest in controlling immigration and protecting the public, with requirements defining the basis on which a person can enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their family or private life.

Additional Family tables fa 01 to fa 04 for years ending June are included to assist users in understanding the trends before and after the rule changes in July 2012. However, not all of the statistics from 9 July 2012 onwards relate to the new Immigration Rules in Appendix FM (referred to as the new family rules). Some of the previous rules continued to operate due to transitional arrangements, and some of the rules were unaffected by the 9 July 2012 changes. Further details are given in the family section of the user guide. It is important to note that the data from July 2012 onwards reflect both trends that pre-date the July 2012 changes as well as the impact of the new rules. It is not possible to separately identify those cases dealt with under the old and new rules. Similarly it is not possible to separately identify adult dependent relatives.

The total number of family entry clearance visas granted has followed a general downward trend since 2007, from 70,944 in the year ending June 2007 to 33,710 in the year ending June 2013. The reduction in family visas will not solely be due to changes in the Immigration Rules but will also reflect the changing nature of migrants coming to the UK as well as patterns relating to marriage. The number of family entry clearance visas granted then rose by 6% (+2,052) to 35,762 in the year ending June 2014, largely accounted for by increases in the family partner (+1,564) and family other categories (+1,226, these mainly comprise grants under the family reunion policy which was unaffected by the new rules).

Within the family visa total, family partner visas granted fell from 49,821 in the year ending June 2007 to 24,517 in the year ending June 2013, then rose by 6% to 26,081 in the year ending June 2014. Although it is not possible to separately identify cases decided under the new rules, partner visa data for the year ending June 2014 are likely to mainly reflect decisions made under the new rules (most visa appeals under the old partner rules should have been concluded and transitional arrangements for partners of members of HM Forces were in part coming to an end). Between the year ending June 2006 and June 2012 the grant rate for family partner visas ranged between 81% and 85%. The grant rate then fell to 67% in the year ending June 2013 which partly reflected the tighter new rules and the applicants’ lack of familiarity with them. The grant rate then rose to 78% in the year ending June 2014.

From 5 July 2013 to 28 July 2014, around 4,000 partner applications (including dependants) were put on hold pending the Court of Appeal judgment in MM & Others. These were cases which fell to be refused solely because they did not meet the minimum income threshold. On 11 July 2014 the Court of Appeal upheld the lawfulness of the minimum income threshold. Further details are given in the family section of the user guide.

Table 1 Partner entry clearance visas granted

Year	Entry clearance visas granted	Granted as a % of cases resolved
Year ending June 2006	46,906	85%
Year ending June 2007	49,821	84%
Year ending June 2008	47,595	84%
Year ending June 2009	40,506	81%
Year ending June 2010	37,004	83%
Year ending June 2011	35,991	82%
Year ending June 2012	33,905	84%
Year ending June 2013	24,517	67%
Year ending June 2014	26,081	78%
Change: latest 12 months	+1,564
Percentage change	+6%

Table notes

Source: This table is based in data from Family table fa 02 and Visas table vi 06 q f in the Home Office, ‘Immigration statistics, July to September 2014’ release.
Cases resolved = cases granted, refused, withdrawn or lapsed

The partner (immediate settlement) category was closed to new entrants from 9 July 2012 apart from partners who were able to rely on transitional arrangements and those partners of members of HM forces who qualify for immediate settlement. Grants of visas in this category were 2,230 in the year ending June 2010 and have subsequently fallen in each of the following years to 885 in the year ending June 2014. Grants to nationals of Nepal (474) and Fiji (215) accounted for over three-quarters (78%) of the 885 grants in this category in the year ending June 2014. This is likely to reflect grants to partners of members of HM Forces, including partners of Gurkhas or former Gurkhas.

The ‘Other (for immediate settlement)’ category includes adult dependent relatives of British citizens or settled persons. It also includes children accompanying or joining a relative who is settled or being admitted for settlement in the UK. The rise in grants of visas in this category from 4,632 in the year ending June 2006 to 7,856 in the year ending June 2007 was mainly accounted for by an increase in grants to Nepalese nationals from 3,278 to 6,360 and is likely to reflect an increase in grants to family members of Gurkhas or former Gurkhas. Subsequently there has been an overall downward trend. Between the years ending June 2006 and June 2012 the grant rate for Other (immediate settlement) visas ranged between 40% and 73%. The grant rate then fell from 53% in the year ending June 2012 to 29% in the year ending June 2014, reflecting the changes to the family rules on 9 July 2012.

Family-related grants of extensions fell from 24,166 in the year ending June 2009 to 16,392 in the year ending June 2012. The numbers subsequently increased to 30,760 in the year ending June 2013 and 37,180 in the year ending June 2014. The increase was mainly accounted for by the introduction of the new Family Life (10-year) route, ‘Statement of intent: Family migration’. Since 9 July 2012, there has been a new approach to dealing with migrants seeking to remain in the UK on the basis of their family and/or private life (ECHR Article 8 rights) through the Immigration Rules, other than in exceptional circumstances. The introduction of this new route means that the total numbers of family grants of extensions are not comparable over time. In the year ending June 2014, there were 19,398 grants of extension in the Family Life (10 year) category and 14,967 refusals.

Within the family-related grants of extensions, grants in the partner category were falling before the July 2012 changes to the Immigration Rules (from 22,813 in the year ending June 2009 to 16,278 in the year ending June 2012). Grants then rose to 20,491 in the year ending June 2013. Nearly half (46%) of the 20,491 grants of extensions to partners during the year ending June 2013 were made in the first quarter of 2013. This may reflect additional resource deployed to decision-making at the beginning of 2013. Grants then fell to 17,717 in the year ending June 2014 but remained 9% higher than the year ending June 2012. Between the years ending June 2009 and June 2012 the grant rate of partner extensions ranged between 87% and 93%. The grant rate then fell to 81% in the year ending June 2013 before rising again to 87% in the year ending June 2014.

Table 2 Partners granted an extension of stay

Year	Grants of extension	Granted as a % of total decisions
Year ending June 2009	22,813	93%
Year ending June 2010	22,221	89%
Year ending June 2011	18,101	87%
Year ending June 2012	16,278	90%
Year ending June 2013	20,491	81%
Year ending June 2014	17,717	87%
Change: latest 12 months	-2,774
Percentage change	-14%

Table notes

Source: This table is based in data from Family table fa 04 and Extensions table ex 01 q in the Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014 release.

Extensions data will include a mixture of cases considered under old and new rules for some years to come, for example spouses who are unable to meet the higher language requirement for settlement applications may apply for an extension under the old rules under transitional arrangements.

5.12 Data tables

Data on family immigration, sourced from Home Office administrative systems, can be found in the following tables:

• Visas volumes 1 & 3: tables vi 01 q, vi 04 q and vi 06 q f
• Admissions: tables ad 02 to ad 03 f
• Extensions: tables ex 01 q and ex 02 f
• Settlement: tables se 02 q
• European Economic Area: (table ee 02)
• Family: tables fa 01 to fa 04

The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates of those coming to join or accompany others, ONS Migration.

6. Visas

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

6.1 Introduction

The figures in this section relate to applications for and grants of entry clearance visas to individuals outside the UK. Data include dependants unless stated otherwise.

6.2 Key facts

There were 543,586 visas granted in the year ending September 2014, excluding visitor and transit visas, 3% higher (+17,207) than the previous 12 months. This reflected increases for skilled work (+9,912), study (+6,140), family (+1,507) and other (+1,876) visas granted.

The number of student visitor visas granted fell by 1% (-1,115), after doubling over the previous 4 years. Student visitor visas are granted for short-term study (up to 6 months or 11 months for English Language courses) and cannot be extended.

There was a 1% increase in visitor visas granted to 1.9 million in the year ending September 2014, excluding United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatari and Omani nationals, who were able to visit the UK without a visa from 1 January 2014, following the introduction of the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme. Including these nationals the number of visitor visas granted fell by 2% due to the scheme.

The largest increases in visitor visa grants were for Chinese (+13% or +36,342), Philippine (+36% or +8,401) and Saudi Arabian (+8% or +7,677) nationals. The largest decreases were for Russian (-6% or -12,962) and South African (-13% or -11,870) nationals.

Visas granted by reason (excluding visitor and transit visas)

	Total granted (1)	Work	Study	Student visitors (2)	Family	Dependant joining or accompanying	Other
Year ending September 2009	569,889	164,263	269,081	37,815	46,862	20,022	31,846
Year ending September 2010	618,414	161,020	309,004	46,369	52,181	15,448	34,392
Year ending September 2011	594,629	152,132	285,115	59,709	48,780	15,035	33,858
Year ending September 2012	508,200	145,558	210,843	66,547	41,349	11,908	31,995
Year ending September 2013	526,379	152,050	216,801	76,640	33,240	11,899	35,749
Year ending September 2014	543,586	161,585	222,941	75,525	34,747	11,163	37,625
Change: latest year	+17,207	+9,535	+6,140	-1,115	+1,507	-736	+1,876
Percentage change	+3%	+6%	+3%	-1%	+5%	-6%	+5%

Long-term trends in visas granted by reason (excluding visitor and transit visas)

Table and chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, based on data in Visas table vi 04 q, Visas vol. 1.
(1) Figures exclude visitor and transit visas.
(2) Student visitors are allowed to come to the UK for 6 months (or 11 months if they will be studying an English Language course) and cannot extend their stay. For consistency and comparability over time student visitor visas have been excluded from study-related totals. For further discussion see the Study section.

The falls in work, study and family visas granted from 2010 to 2012 are consistent with policy changes which came into effect from the end of 2010. The latest increases for work and study reflect increased levels of applications for particular industry and educational sectors. Detailed briefing on the trends of visas granted for work, study or family reasons (together with dependants joining or accompanying) are available in the Work section, Study section and Family section.

The short article ‘Entry Clearance Visas by length’ indicated that the increase from 2012 to 2013 in visas granted, excluding visitor and transit visas, was accounted for by higher numbers of short-term (less than 1 year) visas.

6.3 Visas granted by nationality

There were 543,586 visas granted in the year ending September 2014, excluding visitor and transit visas, 3% (+17,207) higher than in the year ending September 2013 (526,379).

The following map illustrates the top 10 nationalities granted visas in the year ending September 2014, which accounted for 59% of the total. Chinese nationals were granted the highest number of visas (84,147, 15%), followed by Indian (83,104, 15%) and United States nationals (35,711, 7%). Figures for China exclude Hong Kong.

Top 10 nationalities granted visas

(Total 543,586, excluding visitor and transit visas)

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Visas table vi 06 q, Visas vol. 2.
(1) China excludes Hong Kong.

6.4 Visas granted by nationality: changes

The following table shows that the largest increases in visas granted were for Indian, Chinese, Libyan, Brazilian and Saudi Arabian nationals. Higher numbers of work visas accounted for most of the increase for Indians and part of the increase for the Chinese. The other main contributions to increases were study and student visitor visas.

Largest increases in visa grants by nationality

Nationality	Change	% Change	Main components of change
India	+6,021	+8%	Work: +5,241
China	+4,312	+5%	Study: +2,286, work: +728, student visitors: +548
Libya	+3,878	+70%	Student visitors: +2,432, study: +1,061
Brazil	+2,316	+42%	Study: +2,232
Saudi Arabia	+2,123	+12%	Study: +1,140

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Visas table vi 06 q, Visas vol. 2.

By contrast, the following table shows the largest decreases in visas granted by nationality. The largest falls were for Russian and Pakistani nationals. It is less clear what drives these decreases.

Largest decreases in visa grants by nationality

Nationality	Change	% Change	Main components of change
Russia	-2,258	-10%	Student visitors: -1,172, other: -1,001
Pakistan	-2,043	-10%	Family: -1,296, study: -506
Nigeria	-1,772	-9%	Study: -782, student visitors: -516, work: -457
Turkey	-1,578	-11%	Student visitors: -1,709, offset by an increase in family: +238
Ukraine	-715	-15%	Student visitors: -623

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Visas table vi 06 q, Visas vol. 2.

More detailed commentary on visa statistics by reason and nationality is included in the Work topic, Study topic, and Family topic.

6.5 Visitor visas granted

There was a 1% increase (+14,756) in visitor visas granted to 1.9 million in the year ending September 2014, excluding UAE, Qatari and Omani nationals who were able to visit the UK without a visa from 1 January 2014. The Electronic Visa Waiver scheme was introduced on 1 January 2014 resulting in significant falls for these nationalities. The table below shows the nationalities contributing the largest increases and decreases, excluding the impact of the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme.

6.6 Largest increases and largest decreases in visitor visa grants

(Total change excluding nationalities affected by the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme: +14,756 or +1%)

Nationality	Change	% Change	Nationality	Change	% Change
China	+36,342	+13%	Russia	-12,962	-6%
Philippines	+8,401	+36%	South Africa	-11,870	-13%
Saudi Arabia	+7,677	+8%	India	-6,083	-2%
Kuwait	+5,978	+7%	Ukraine	-4,959	-13%
Venezuela	+5,244	+1,189%	Libya	-3,738	-36%
Colombia	+1,749	+9%	Nigeria	-2,835	-3%
Turkey	+1,449	+2%	Ghana	-2,627	-15%
Kenya	+1,138	+10%	Pakistan	-2,275	-4%
Lebanon	+1,062	+8%	Thailand	-1,823	-3%
Algeria	+764	+6%	Bahrain	-1,123	-10%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigrationstatistics, July to September 2014, Visas table vi 06 q o, Visas vol. 3.

The large percentage increase for Venezuelan nationals was related to a recent change in the Immigration Rules. From 5 May 2014, all Venezuelan nationals travelling to the UK needed to apply for a visa. Previously, Venezuelan nationals did not need a visa to visit the UK for 6 months or less if they held a biometric-chipped passport.

Including UAE, Qatari and Omani nationals, there were 1.9 million (1,891,614) visitor visas granted, a fall of 2%. The falls for these nationalities were -25,572 for UAE (-67%), -13,398 for Qatar (-57%) and -7,703 for Oman (-74%).

6.7 Data tables

Further data on entry clearance visas and sponsored visa applications for the work and study routes (described further in the Work and Study topics) can be found in the following tables:

• Visas vol. 1: (tables vi 01 q to vi 05 q)
• Visas vol. 2: (tables vi 06 q and vi 06 q w)
• Visas vol. 3: (tables vi 06 q s to vi 07)
• Sponsorship: (tables cs 01 to cs 14 q)

7. Admissions

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

7.1 Introduction

The figures in this section relate to the number of journeys made by people entering the UK. Where an individual enters the country more than once, each arrival is counted. For non-EEA nationals who are subject to immigration control, more detailed information is available on their nationality and purpose of their journey.

Total passenger arrival data are available to the year ending September 2014; data on the purpose of journey (e.g. visit, work, study) and data for individual nationalities are available up to the end of 2013.

7.2 Key facts

The total number of journeys increased by 5% to 115.3 million in the year ending September 2014 compared with 110.2 million in the previous 12 months.

The higher number of journeys in the year ending September 2014 (up 5.1 million) was accounted for by 4.4 million more journeys by British, other EEA and Swiss nationals (totalling 100.9 million) and 0.8 million more journeys by non-EEA nationals (14.5 million).

For non-EEA nationals more detailed data by category are less up to date than the totals; however, they do show a comparable increase. There were 14.0 million journeys in 2013, 8% more than in 2012. There was an increase in the work category (+10% or +13,800) and falls for the study (-6% or -12,100), student visitor (-12% or -36,100) and family (-23% or -6,300) categories. The number of visitors increased by 13% (+1.0 million).

The number of passengers refused entry at port rose by 10% to 17,587 in the year ending September 2014 compared with the previous 12 months (16,012).

Admissions by purpose of journey – non-EEA nationals

Year	Total admissions (Millions)	Work	Study	Student visitors (1)	Family	Visitors (Millions)	Other (Millions)
2009	12.3	161,000	291,000	198,000	36,600	6.9	4.8
2010	12.5	163,000	296,000	240,000	37,400	7.0	4.7
2011	13.3	149,000	267,000	262,000	32,300	7.9	4.7
2012	12.9	143,000	211,000	299,000	27,300	7.7	4.5
2013	14.0	156,000	199,000	263,000	21,000	8.7	4.7
Change: latest year	+1.1	+13,800	-12,100	-36,100	-6,300	+1.0	+0.1
Percentage change	+8%	+10%	-6%	-12%	-23%	+13%	+3%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Admissions table ad 02 q.
(1) Student visitors are allowed to come to the UK for 6 months (or 11 months if they will be studying an English Language course) and cannot extend their stay. The student visitor category was introduced in 2007 and may include individuals previously recorded as visitors, so for consistency and comparability over time they have been excluded from study-related totals. For further discussion of study and student visitors, see the Study section. For both visitors and student visitors, non-visa nationals do not require a visa for visits of up to 6 months, so total figures for admissions are not directly comparable with total visitor or student visitor visas.

Long-term trends in admissions

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Admissions table ad 01.

7.3 Non-EEA nationalities admitted to the UK, 2013

United States nationals accounted for more than a quarter (27%) of the 14.0 million journeys by non-EEA nationalities into the UK. The top 10 nationalities accounted for 68% of all journeys made.

Top 10 non-EEA nationalities admitted, 2013

(Total number of admissions 14.0 million)

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Admissions table ad 03.

7.4 Data tables

Further data on admissions and passengers refused entry at port are available in Admissions tables ad 01 to ad 04.

8. Asylum

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

8.1 Introduction

This section covers asylum applications, initial decisions, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASCs), age disputes, support, resettlement and international comparisons.

8.2 Key facts

There were 24,257 asylum applications in the year ending September 2014, an increase of 2% compared with the previous 12 months (23,805). The number of applications remains low relative to the peak number of applications in 2002 (84,132).

Most applications for asylum are made by those already in the country (90% of applications in the year ending September 2014) rather than by people arriving at port. Applicants tend to be young and male. Of those who applied for asylum in 2013, over three-quarters (78%) were between the ages of 18 and 39, and 73% were male.

The number of initial decisions on asylum applications has decreased by 16%, to 15,779 in the year ending September 2014. Of these decisions, 37% (5,915) were grants of asylum, a form of temporary protection or other type of grant, a similar rate to last year.

At the end of September 2014, 22,879 of the applications for asylum received since April 2006 from main applicants were pending a decision (initial decision, appeal or further review). This was 48% more than at the end of September 2013 (15,438). The number of decisions outstanding increased during this period due to a decrease in staffing levels following a restructure initiated by the UK Border Agency. Since January 2014, the Home Office has taken steps to reallocate resources to this area.

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service received 6,570 asylum appeals from main applicants in the year ending September 2014, a fall of 27% compared with the previous 12 months (9,038).

At the end of September 2014, 27,815 asylum seekers were being supported while their asylum claim was finally determined (under Section 95). The number of failed asylum seekers and their dependants receiving support (under Section 4) was 4,885. These were up 26% and 4% respectively compared with the previous year.

Asylum applications and initial decisions for main applicants

Year	Total applications	Total initial decisions	Granted (1)	Granted as a % of initial decisions	Refused	Refused as a % of initial decisions
Year ending September 2010	18,097	21,713	5,281	24%	16,431	76%
Year ending September 2011	19,255	18,238	5,584	31%	12,654	69%
Year ending September 2012	20,890	16,569	5,937	36%	10,632	64%
Year ending September 2013	23,805	18,728	6,975	37%	11,753	63%
Year ending September 2014	24,257	15,779	5,915	37%	9,864	63%
Change: latest year	+452	-2,949	-1,060	-	-1,889	-
Percentage change	+2%	-16%	-15%	-	-16%	-

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Asylum table as 01 q.
(1) Granted includes grants of asylum, humanitarian protection, discretionary leave, leave to remain under family life or private life rules, leave outside the rules and UASC leave.

Long-term trends in asylum applications

The chart below shows the annual number of asylum applications made since 2001.

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Asylum table as 01.
(1) A process preventing certain nationalities from appealing a decision while in the country (non-suspensive appeals process) was introduced in 2002.
(2) Full overseas immigration controls operated by UK immigration officers (juxtaposed controls) were opened in France and Belgium in 2002 and 2004.
(3) Fast-track facilities for asylum applications were introduced in 2003.

Falls in asylum applications since 2002 coincide with: the introduction of a process preventing certain nationalities from appealing a decision while in the country in 2002; the opening of UK border controls (often termed ‘juxtaposed’ controls) in France and Belgium in 2002 and 2004 respectively; and the introduction of fast-track facilities for asylum applications in 2003. Asylum applications have been increasing each year since 2010.

8.3 Nationalities applying for asylum

In the year ending September 2014, the largest number of applications for asylum came from nationals of Eritrea (2,932), followed by Pakistan (2,891), Iran (1,999) and Syria (1,802). Grants rates for asylum, humanitarian protection, discretionary leave or other grants of stay vary between nationalities. For example, 83% of the total decisions made for nationals of Eritrea were grants, compared with 20% for Pakistani nationals, 54% for Iranian nationals and 84% for Syrian nationals.

Top 10 nationalities applying for asylum, year ending September 2014 compared with September 2013

Ranking year ending Sep 2014 (Year ending Sep 2013)	Nationality	Year ending September 2014	Year ending September 2013	Percentage change
1 (8)	Eritrea	2,932	1,026	+186%
2 (1)	Pakistan	2,891	3,471	-17%
3 (2)	Iran	1,999	2,625	-24%
4 (4)	Syria	1,802	1,545	+17%
5 (5)	Albania	1,542	1,197	+29%
6 (3)	Sri Lanka	1,409	1,838	-23%
7 (12)	Sudan	1,215	713	+70%
8 (9)	Afghanistan	1,143	1,013	+13%
9 (10)	Nigeria	853	1,008	-15%
10 (6)	Bangladesh	787	1,190	-34%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Asylum table as 01 q.

World events have an effect on which nationals are applying for asylum at any particular time. For example, there have been increases in the number of applicants from Syria since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in early 2011. Since the early 90s, increasing numbers of people have sought asylum from Eritrea in the circumstances of international concern over human rights within the country.

8.4 Applications pending

At the end of September 2014, 22,879 of the applications received since April 2006 from main applicants were pending a decision (initial decision, appeal or further review), 48% more than at the end of September 2013 (15,438). The increase was largely accounted for by a rise in the number pending an initial decision (+63%). The number of decisions outstanding increased during this period due to a decrease in staffing levels following a restructure initiated by the UK Border Agency. Since January 2014, the Home Office has taken steps to reallocate resources to this area.

8.5 Asylum appeals

The HM Courts and Tribunals Service received 6,570 asylum appeals from main applicants in the year ending September 2014, a fall of 2,468 (-27%) compared with the previous 12 months (9,038). This remains well below the peak in the number of appeals for the year ending June 2010 (16,560) using comparable data available from 2007.

In the year ending September 2014, the proportion of appeals dismissed was 67%, while 27% of appeals were allowed and 6% were withdrawn.

8.6 Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC)

There were 1,651 asylum applications from UASCs in the year ending September 2014, an increase of 37% from the year ending September 2013 (1,205). These applications represented 7% of all main applications for asylum. Despite the recent increase in UASC applications, they remain below the peak of 4,060 in the year ending September 2008.

There were 945 initial decisions for UASCs in the year ending September 2014, 8% lower than in the year ending September 2013 (1,023). Overall, there was a fall in the proportion of decisions that were grants, from 74% of decisions in the year ending September 2013 to 68% in the year ending September 2014.

8.7 Age disputes

The Home Office disputes the age of some asylum applicants who claim to be children.

In the year ending September 2014, 323 asylum applicants had their age disputed and there were 479 recorded as having completed an age assessment. The number of disputes over the ages of applicants does not necessarily relate to the number of age assessments made in the same period.

Of those who completed age assessments in the year ending September 2014, 53% had a date of birth showing that they were over 18 despite claiming to be a child when the age dispute was raised.

8.8 Dependants

Including dependants, the number of asylum applications increased from 30,131 in the year ending September 2013 to 30,816 in the year ending September 2014, an increase of 2%. This is an average of 1 dependant for every 4 main applicants.

In the year ending September 2014, 4,724 initial decisions were made relating to dependants. Of these 1,536 (33%) were granted asylum, 201 (4%) were granted a form of temporary protection or other type of grant, and 2,987 (63%) were refused.

8.9 Support

At the end of September 2014, 27,815 asylum seekers and their dependants were being supported under Section 95. At the end of December 2003 (the start of the published data series), there were 80,123 asylum seekers in receipt of Section 95.

There is a high concentration of those supported under Section 95 in a few local authority areas. For example, at the end of 2013 the 5 local authorities with the greatest number (Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff and Middlesbrough) accounted for 27% of the total, while 75% of all those seeking asylum and supported under Section 95 were in 30 local authorities. The map below shows the local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales according to the number of asylum seekers and their dependants in receipt of Section 95 support within each.

Asylum seekers and their dependants supported under Section 95, by local authority, in England, Scotland and Wales as at 31 December 2013

Map notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Asylum table as 16 q.
(1) Numbers of those in receipt of Section 95 support excludes those in Northern Ireland and cases where no Unitary or Local Authority geographic location information is available.

The number of failed asylum seekers and their dependants receiving support (under Section 4) at the end of September 2014 was 4,885. Failed asylum seekers (main applicants only) receiving support peaked at the end of September 2009 (12,019).

In 2013, there were 13,026 applications for support compared with 11,478 in 2012 and 68,624 in 2002. The overall fall in support applications and numbers receiving support is generally in line with the fall in the number asylum applications since their peak in 2002 (84,132 main applicants) and the clearance of a backlog of asylum cases from the early part of the century.

8.10 Resettlement

In addition to those asylum seekers who apply in the UK, resettlement schemes are offered to those who have been referred to the Home Office by UNHCR (the UN agency for refugees).

In the year ending September 2014, a total of 766 were resettled in the UK through this process. Of these, 90 were granted Humanitarian Protection under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.

8.11 International comparisons

Including dependants, the estimated total number of asylum applications to the EU27 was 409,400 in 2013, an increase of 31% on 2012 when there were 312,400 applications, and the highest since 2002 (from which comparable data are available).

Top 10 EU countries receiving asylum applications, 2013

(Total number of applications 409,400, including dependants)

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Asylum table as 07.
(1) Excludes Croatia which joined the EU on 1 July 2013.
Figures are rounded to the nearest 100 and so may not add up to the total.

The UK had the fourth highest number of asylum applications within the EU in 2013, which is unchanged from 2012. In both 2013 and 2012, Germany, France and Sweden had more asylum applicants than the UK. In 2013 Hungary was in the top 10 (at sixth place) of EU countries receiving asylum applications for the first time.

When the relative size of resident populations of the 27 EU countries is taken into account, the UK ranked 16th in terms of asylum seekers per head of the population in 2013, compared with 13th in 2012.

Quarterly and annual statistics for asylum applications and first instance decisions for the EU Member States are also published by Eurostat (the European statistical organisation). Eurostat figures for 2013 show that the top 3 nationalities of those seeking asylum in the EU27 were Syria, Russia and Afghanistan.

Eurostat quarterly asylum figures are published in ‘Asylum applicants and first instance decisions on asylum applications’. The user guide also provides a discussion on the differences between the definition of asylum applications used in this release compared to those published by Eurostat.

8.12 Data tables

Data referred to here can be found in the following tables:

• Asylum vol. 1: tables as 01 to as 02
• Asylum vol. 2: tables as 02 q to as 06
• Asylum vol. 3: tables as 07 to as 13 q
• Asylum vol. 4: tables as 14 to as 19

9. Extensions of stay

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

9.1 Introduction

The figures in this section relate to individuals inside the UK extending or changing the status of their stay in the UK. An individual may make more than one application in any given year. Data include dependants unless stated otherwise.

The numbers of decisions made are not always fully comparable over time. This is because, as well as reflecting past changes in the levels of those entering the UK, the figures are influenced by policy and legislative changes, for example, when new categories are introduced or when there are changes to the length of leave granted. In addition, the level of decisions made may be affected by the resources available in the Home Office.

9.2 Key facts

There were 15% (53,341) fewer decisions on extensions in the year ending September 2014. Of the 308,571 decisions, four-fifths (247,329) were grants and a fifth (61,242) were refusals.

Work-related grants of extensions fell by almost a third (-31% or -40,678) to 89,214 in the year ending September 2014. This fall was mainly accounted for by lower numbers in categories closed to new entrants (39,215 fewer Tier 1 General grants and 1,193 fewer Tier 1 Post-Study grants), together with a 3,754 increase in Tier 1 Entrepreneur grants.


Study-related grants of extensions fell 13% (-12,864) to 86,860 in the year ending September 2014.

Family-related grants of extensions rose by 2% (+790) to 37,315 in the year ending September 2014. Grants in the new Family Life (10-year) category increased from 14,836 to 18,507 which were partially offset by a fall for partners from 21,579 to 18,739.

Grants of extensions by reason, and refusals

Year	Total decisions	Total grants	Work	Study	Family (1)	Other (1)	Refusals
Year ending September 2010	376,381	312,035	139,317	129,840	22,263	20,615	64,346
Year ending September 2011	356,886	302,601	128,927	129,158	17,645	26,871	54,285
Year ending September 2012	304,487	273,115	142,400	92,997	15,459	22,259	31,372
Year ending September 2013	361,912	285,310	129,892	99,724	36,525	19,169	76,602
Year ending September 2014	308,571	247,329	89,214	86,860	37,315	33,940	61,242
Change: latest 12 months	-53,341	-37,981	-40,678	-12,864	+790	+14,771	-15,360
Percentage change	-15%	-13%	-31%	-13%	+2%	+77%	-20%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Extension table ex 01 q.
(1) The introduction of the new Family Life (10-year) route in July 2012 means that the total number of Family and Other grants are not fully comparable over time.

Long-term trends in grants and refusals of extensions of stay

The chart below illustrates longer-term trends in grants and refusals to extend stay by calendar year.



Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September, Extensions table ex 01.

9.3 Grants of extensions for work

There were 89,214 work-related grants of extensions in the year ending September 2014, 31% lower than the previous 12 months (129,892). Grants in Tier 1 High Value and Tier 2 Skilled Work account for a large majority (79,035) of the 89,214 work-related grants.

Grants of extensions to Tier 1 High Value individuals for work fell from 54,556 to 18,197 (-67%) in the year ending September 2014. This reflected falls in grants in two categories that had been closed to new entrants: Tier 1 General (from 48,289 to 9,074) and Post-Study work (from 1,342 to 149), partly offset by an increase in the Tier 1 Entrepreneur category (from 3,886 to 7,640).

Grants of extensions for Tier 2 Skilled Workers fell from 63,166 to 60,838 (-4%) in the year ending September 2014 reflecting falls in Tier 2 General category, from 43,576 to 42,642, and Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfers category, from 18,059 to 16,942.

Grants of extensions: Tiers 1 and 2

Category	Year ending September 2013	Year ending September 2014	Change: latest 12 months	Percentage change
Total Tier 1 & pre-PBS equivalent	54,556	18,197	-36,359	-67%
of which:
Tier 1 - Entrepreneurs	3,886	7,640	+3,754	+97%
Tier 1 - General	48,289	9,074	-39,215	-81%
Tier 1 - Post-Study	1,342	149	-1,193	-89%
Total Tier 2 & pre-PBS equivalent	63,166	60,838	-2,328	-4%
of which:
Tier 2 - General	43,576	42,642	-934	-2%
Tier 2 - Intra-Company Transfers	18,059	16,942	-1,117	-6%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Extensions table ex 01 q.

9.4 Grants of extensions for study

Study-related grants of extensions fell by 13% (-12,864) to 86,860 in the year ending September 2014. This followed a 23% fall from 129,840 in the year ending September 2010 to 99,724 in the year ending September 2013. The 86,860 extensions included 539 grants under the Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme.

9.5 Grants of extensions for family reasons

Family-related grants of extensions rose by 2%, (+790) to 37,315 in the year ending September 2014. Within this total there was an increase in grants in the new Family Life (10-year) category from 14,836 to 18,507, which was partly offset by a fall in grants to partners, from 21,579 to 18,739.

The introduction of the new Family Life (10-year) route, Statement of intent: Family migration means that the total numbers of Family grants are not fully comparable over time and, since 9 July 2012, follows a new approach to people seeking to remain in the UK on the basis of their family and/or private life.

9.6 Grants of extensions for other reasons

Grants of extensions in other categories increased by 77% (+14,771) to 33,940 in the year ending September 2014. This mainly reflected an increase in discretionary leave grants. From 9 July 2012, discretionary leave is no longer considered for new applicants seeking to stay in the UK on the basis of their family and/or private life (see the new approach taken to these cases referred to above). However, individuals granted discretionary leave before 9 July 2012 for family or private life reasons may apply to extend that leave when their period of discretionary leave expires.

9.7 Refusals of extensions by category

There were 61,242 refusals of applications for extensions in the year ending September 2014 (20% of total decisions), compared with 76,602 in the previous 12 months (21% of total decisions).

There were falls in work-related refusals from 12,175 to 10,235, and study-related refusals from 14,789 to 12,701.

Refusals in the ‘other’ category fell by 42% (-15,968) to 21,770 in the year ending September 2014. This followed an increase from 8,919 in the year ending September 2012 to 37,738 in the year ending September 2013. Refusals of an extension under the Private Life category rose from 4,129 to 7,706.

There were 16,536 refusals of family-related extensions in the year ending September 2014 compared with 11,900 refusals in the previous 12 months. The increase was accounted for by a rise in refusals in the new Family Life (10-year) category from 6,716 to 13,380, which was partly offset by a fall in refusals to partners, from 5,172 to 3,153.

Nationalities granted an extension

(excludes dependants)

Of the total 232,213 extensions of stay in 2013, 38% (87,160) were granted to nationals of South Asia and 22% (50,539) were granted to East Asia.

Top 10 nationalities granted an extension to stay, 2013

(Total number of grants 232,213, excludes dependants)

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Extensions table ex 02.

Nine of the top 10 nationalities granted extensions in 2013 were also in the top 10 list for 2012. The exception was Jamaica (displacing Australia) which ranked eighth, with 5,396 grants (of which 2,832 grants were Discretionary leave and 1,666 grants were in the Family Life (10-year route) category).

9.8 Data tables

Further data on extensions are available in Extensions tables ex 01 to expc 01 o.

A short statistical article on ‘Extensions of stay by previous category’ was also published alongside the Immigration Statistics April–June 2013 release to provide further detailed information.

10. Settlement

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

10.1 Introduction

The figures in this section relate to the number of people, subject to immigration control, who are granted or refused permission to stay permanently in the UK, known as settlement.

10.2 Key facts

In the year ending September 2014, the number of people granted permission to stay permanently fell by 30% (-46,082) to 107,565. The decrease was accounted for by falls in work-related (-18,255), family-related (-21,539) and asylum-related grants (-8,727). Other grants increased by 2,439.

There were 42,422 work-related grants to stay permanently in the year ending September 2014, 30% (-18,255) lower that in the previous 12 months (60,677) and 52% lower than in the year ending September 2010 (88,585). The 18,255 decrease was mainly accounted for by a decrease in settlement granted after 5 years with a work permit (from 14,892 to 5,030) and grants to Tier 1 High Value individuals (from 29,046 to 21,905).

Family-related grants to stay permanently fell by 36% to 37,734, continuing the overall downward trend since the year ending September 2010 (75,401). There were notable decreases in grants to wives (from 33,516 to 21,370) and husbands (from 16,567 to 10,772).

Asylum-related grants to stay permanently fell by 41% to 12,661 in the year ending September 2014, returning to a similar level to the year ending September 2012 (11,958). The levels of asylum-related grants were relatively high in the first half of 2013 which may reflect additional resource deployed to decision-making.

Grants to stay permanently for other reasons rose by 20% (+2,439), to 14,748 but remain significantly lower than 3 years ago.

Grants to stay permanently by reason, and refusals


Year	Total decisions	Total grants	Work	Asylum (1)	Family	Other (2)	Refusals
Year ending September 2010	254,168	241,586	88,585	3,368	75,401	74,232	12,582
Year ending September 2011	191,915	182,892	68,973	11,385	55,407	47,127	9,023
Year ending September 2012	138,749	134,532	65,303	11,958	46,826	10,445	4,217
Year ending September 2013	160,026	153,647	60,677	21,388	59,273	12,309	6,379
Year ending September 2014	113,922	107,565	42,422	12,661	37,734	14,748	6,357
Change: latest 12 months	-46,104	-46,082	-18,255	-8,727	-21,539	+2,439	-22
Percentage change	-29%	-30%	-30%	-41%	-36%	+20%	0%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Settlement table se 02 q.
(1) The low level of asylum-related grants in the year ending September 2010 reflects a rule change in August 2005 that effectively delayed grants for some people. This rule change meant that people given refugee status no longer received a grant immediately, and instead they were given 5 years’ temporary permission to stay.
(2) The high number of grants in the years ending September 2010 and 2011 mainly resulted from a review of the backlog of cases from before March 2007 involving unsuccessful asylum applicants.

Long-term trends in grants to stay permanently

The chart below illustrates longer-term trends in grants to stay permanently for the calendar years back to 2003.

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Settlement table se 02.

The increase in total numbers of people granted permission to stay permanently from 2001 to 2005 was mainly due to increases in work- and asylum-related grants, which then fell in 2006 and 2007. This reflects changes to rules on how quickly those with refugee status or humanitarian protection were granted settlement and how quickly individuals qualified for work-related settlement. The higher total levels in 2009 and 2010 were due to grants given on a discretionary or other basis resulting from a review of the backlog of cases involving unsuccessful asylum applicants, and the falls in 2011 and 2012 follow the completion of the review. More generally, the numbers of applications and decisions reflect changes over time in levels of those entering the UK, as well as policy and legislative changes. Resources available in the Home Office can also affect the numbers.

10.3 Nationalities granted permission to stay permanently

Of the total 154,689 grants of permission to stay permanently in 2013, over a third (36% or 56,323) were to nationals of South Asia and around a quarter (24% or 36,525) were to nationals of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Top 10 nationalities granted permission to stay permanently, 2013

(Total 154,689)

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Settlement table se 03.

Eight of the top 10 nationalities granted settlement in 2013 were also in the top 10 list for 2012. The exceptions were Somalia which ranked 8th, with 4,341 grants and Sri Lanka ranked 10th, with 3,889 grants.

10.4 Data tables

Further data on settlement are available in Settlement tables se 01 to se 06.

11. Citizenship

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

11.1 Introduction

The figures in this section relate to the number of people who are granted or refused British citizenship. 


11.2 Key facts

In the year ending September 2014 there were 156,862 decisions about British citizenship, 24% fewer than in the previous 12 months (205,978). Correspondingly there were 25% fewer people granted British citizenship (down by 49,534 to 149,357).

Applications for British citizenship fell by 21% to 162,846 in the year ending September 2014. A change in language requirements on 28 October 2013 led to an increase in applications in the third quarter of 2013. Subsequently grants also increased in the fourth quarter of 2013 as these cases were decided. Grant levels reduced in the second and third quarters of 2014 as UKVI resources were used to assist HM Passport Office.

There was an increase in refusals and withdrawals (up 418 to 7,505) in the year ending September 2014, mainly due to failures to meet the requirements that came into force on 28 October 2013.

Grants and refusals of citizenship

Year	Total decisions	Total grants	On basis of residence	On basis of marriage	As children	Other grounds	Refusals and withdrawals
Year ending September 2010	205,014	197,051	94,646	48,791	48,093	5,521	7,963
Year ending September 2011	186,733	179,532	92,627	36,969	44,734	5,202	7,201
Year ending September 2012	191,264	184,741	101,257	37,602	40,629	5,253	6,523
Year ending September 2013	205,978	198,891	108,141	41,925	44,475	4,350	7,087
Year ending September 2014	156,862	149,357	80,311	32,896	32,182	3,968	7,505
Change: latest 12 months	-49,116	-49,534	-27,830	-9,029	-12,293	-382	+418
Percentage change	-24%	-25%	-26%	-22%	-28%	-9%	+6%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Citizenship Tables cz 01 q and cz 02 q.

The 49,534 fall in grants of British citizenship was reflected in lower numbers of people granted citizenship in all broad categories. Grants on the basis of residence fell by 27,830 to 80,311, grants on the basis of marriage fell by 9,029 to 32,896, grants to children fell by 12,293 to 32,182 and grants for other reasons fell by 382 to 3,968.

Long-term trends in grants of citizenship

The chart below illustrates longer-term trends in grants of citizenship by calendar year.

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Citizenship table cz 03.

There has been a general increase in grants of citizenship in the last decade, with some fluctuation, that is likely in part to reflect increased grants of permission to stay permanently (known as settlement) up until 2010. After a period of residence those granted settlement become eligible to apply for citizenship.

Grants of citizenship in 2008 were reduced when staff resources were temporarily transferred from decision-making to deal with the administration of new applications. There were 207,989 grants in 2013, more than double the level seen in 2001 (90,282) and the highest comparable annual total since records began in 1962.

Applications have also shown a rising trend since 2001, with notable increases in 2005 (211,911) and 2013 (232,262). The increase in applications made in 2005 may have reflected people anticipating the introduction of the Knowledge of Life in the UK test on 1 November that year. Similarly the increase in 2013 may, in part, have been due to people anticipating the rule change to the English language element of the Life in the UK test as of 28 October 2013. See the Policy and Legislative Changes Timeline.

11.3 Grants of citizenship by previous nationality

Former Indian and Pakistani nationals have accounted for the largest numbers of grants in almost every year from 1998 to 2013, with the exception of 2007, when former nationals of Pakistan accounted for only the fifth highest number. Together, former Indian and Pakistani nationals accounted for more than a quarter (28%) of grants in 2013.

Top 10 previous nationalities granted citizenship, 2013

(Total number of grants 207,989)

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Citizenship table cz 06.

Increased grants to former nationals of Nepal and Poland placed them in the top 10 for the first time in 2013 (displacing Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe), reflecting increased grants of settlement to nationals of Nepal since 2005 and the issue of documents in recognition of permanent residence (under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006) to nationals of Poland since 2009.

11.4 Location of citizenship ceremonies

While the total number of ceremonies attended has changed in line with grants, the geographical distribution has remained similar since 2009. The proportion of ceremonies in the London region was 54% in 2005, but fell to 42% by 2009, with increases over the same period in the proportions for the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands and the South East. However, in 2013 London remained the region with the highest proportion of ceremonies (41%).

11.5 Data tables

Further data on British citizenship are available in Citizenship tables cz 01 to cz 10.

In addition to applications and detailed breakdowns of decisions, these include information on refusals, citizenship ceremonies attended and renunciations of citizenship.

12. Detention

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

12.1 Introduction

The figures in this topic brief relate to the number of people entering, leaving or in detention, solely under Immigration Act powers, at immigration removal centres (IRCs), short-term holding facilities (STHFs) and pre-departure accommodation (PDA).

The Verne IRC (formerly HM Prison The Verne) opened on 28 September 2014, near Weymouth in Dorset, which will increase the capacity of the Detention Estate by 580 when fully utilised. Work started in October 2013 to convert the former prison and included significant security enhancements to the facility. There was an increase, compared to the previous quarter, in those in detention that can largely be accounted for by numbers now detained at The Verne IRC. This may in part reflect use of The Verne IRC for detainees who may previously have been held in prison establishments.

12.2 Key facts

The number of people entering detention in the year ending September 2014 fell to 29,492, down 3% on the previous year (30,384). Over the same period there was a fall of 3% in those leaving detention (from 30,102 to 29,151).

There was a continuing small decline in the proportion of detainees being removed on leaving detention from 57% in the year ending September 2013 to 55% in the year ending September 2014. There was a slight increase in the proportion of detainees granted temporary admission or release, from 36% to 37% over the same period.

As at the end of September 2014, 3,378 people were in detention, 8% higher than the number recorded at the end of September 2013 (3,115) and also 10% higher than at the end of June 2014 (3,079). The Verne IRC comprised 261 or 8% of the total, this figure largely accounting for the quarterly increase.

In the third quarter of 2014, 26 children entered detention, a small increase on the figures for the first and second quarters of 2014.

People entering, leaving and in detention, solely under Immigration Act powers

Year	Entering detention	Leaving detention	In detention (1)
Year ending September 2011	26,363	26,323	2,909
Year ending September 2012	28,702	28,479	3,091
Year ending September 2013	30,384	30,102	3,115
Year ending September 2014	29,492	29,151	3,378
Change: latest 12 months	-892	-951	+263
Percentage change	-3%	-3%	+8%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Detention tables dt 01 q, dt 05 q and dt 11 q.
(1) The in detention figures are as at the end of September in each year.

12.3 Length of detention

During the year ending September 2014, 29,151 people left detention. Of these, 18,165 (62%) had been in detention for less than 29 days, 5,105 (18%) for between 29 days and two months and 3,932 (13%) for between two and four months. Of the 1,949 (7%) remaining, 144 had been in detention for between one and two years and 30 for two years or longer.

Just over a third of people leaving detention were detained for seven days or less (10,820). Of these, 5,912 (55%) were removed, 4,621 (43%) were granted temporary admission or release and 92 (1%) were bailed. Of the 174 detained for 12 months or more, 77 (44%) were removed, 54 (31%) were bailed and 39 (22%) were granted temporary admission or release.

12.4 Children in detention

In the third quarter of 2014, 26 children entered detention, compared with 72 in the third quarter of 2013 and 52 in the third quarter of 2012. Of these, 16 were initially detained at Tinsley House (Family Unit) IRC, 6 at Cedars PDA, 1 at Campsfield House IRC, 1 at Haslar IRC and 2 at Yarl’s Wood IRC.

The number of children entering detention fell from a high of 322 in the third quarter of 2009 to 19 in the first quarter of 2011 and then fluctuated up to the fourth quarter of 2013. 2014 has the lowest three consecutive quarters of children entering detention since the beginning of the data series in 2009.

Of the 27 children leaving detention in the third quarter of 2014, 20 were removed from the UK, 5 were granted temporary admission or release and 2 were released unconditionally. Of those leaving detention, 23 had been detained for less than four days, 1 for between four and seven days and 3 for between eight and fourteen days. The number of children removed from the UK on leaving detention has ranged from 2 out of 24 (8%) in the first quarter of 2011 to 16 out of 20 (80%) in the second quarter of 2014 and currently in this quarter at 74%.

Children entering detention, solely under Immigration Act powers

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Detention table dt 02 q.
(1) Oakington Reception Centre closed on 12 November 2010; Yarl’s Wood closed to families with children on 16 December 2010.
(2) Cedars PDA opened on 17 August 2011. From the third quarter of 2011, all child detainees in Tinsley House are shown in Tinsley House IRC. From January 2013 child detainees in Tinsley House IRC, as part of a family, are shown in Tinsley House (Family Unit) IRC; the remainder are shown in Other IRC/STHF.
(3) Tinsley House IRC closed to new entrants from 18 January to 20 March 2013 due to an infectious illness.

12.5 Immigration detainees in prisons

This quarter we publish for the first time figures for immigration detainees held in prison. As at 29 September 2014 there were 425 detainees held in prison establishments in England and Wales solely under Immigration powers as set out in the Immigration Act 1971 or UK Borders Act 2007.

12.6 Data tables

Further data on detention are available in Detention tables dt 01 to dt 13 q.

13. Removals and voluntary departures

Valid: 27 November 2014 to 25 February 2015

13.1 Introduction

The figures in this section relate to numbers of people, including dependants, leaving the UK either voluntarily when they no longer had a right to stay in the UK or where the Home Office has sought to remove them. While individuals removed at a port of entry have not necessarily entered the country, their removal requires action by the UK Border Force and Home Office, such as being placed on a return flight, and is therefore detailed below.

The numbers of people leaving the UK by the various types of departure (enforced removals; refused entry at port and subsequent departures; and voluntary departures) are given below. The figures for the latest period are provisional and rely upon retrospective data-matching exercises that contribute to figures for voluntary departure and result in future upward revisions.

13.2 Key facts

Enforced removals from the UK decreased by 9% to 12,461 in the year ending September 2014 compared with the previous 12 months (13,740).

The number of passengers refused entry at port and who subsequently departed has increased by 6% in the year ending September 2014, to 15,118 from 14,311 for the previous 12 months. However, the long-term trends show levels decreasing since 2004.

In the year ending September 2014, there were 33,978 voluntary departures. The comparison with the previous 12 months’ figure has not been included due to the retrospective nature of data-matching exercises that are undertaken in counting for some voluntary departures. This means that the figures for the latest periods are particularly subject to upward revision as matching checks are made on travellers after departure (see the section ‘About the figures’). For this reason care should be taken in interpreting figures for voluntary departures, particularly for recent quarters. Results are also influenced by the processes that underpin data-matching and additional work has begun to review these provisional data matching decisions. The outcome of this work is planned to be reported in the next release of statistics in February.

Removals and voluntary departures by type

Year	Total enforced removals	Total refused entry at port and subsequently departed	Total voluntary departures (1)	Assisted Voluntary Returns (2)	Notified voluntary departures (3)	Other confirmed voluntary departures (1)(4)	Other confirmed voluntary departures as a % of voluntary departures
Year ending September 2009	15,354	31,374	20,520	4,851	3,628	12,041	59%
Year ending September 2010	14,966	20,431	27,609	4,922	5,912	16,775	61%
Year ending September 2011	14,786	16,118	24,925	3,004	6,906	15,015	60%
Year ending September 2012	14,985	13,871	29,750	3,701	7,464	18,585	62%
Year ending September 2013	13,740	14,311	36,448	4,166	7,678	24,604	68%
Year ending September 2014	12,461	15,118	33,978	3,093	9,959	20,926	62%
Change: latest 12 months (5)	-1,279	+807
Percentage change	-9%	+6%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Removals table rv 01 q.
(1) The figures for total voluntary departures and confirmed voluntary departures for the latest periods are particularly subject to upward revision as matching checks are made on travellers after departure (see the section ‘About the figures’), so care should be taken when interpreting these figures.
(2) Assisted Voluntary Return: where financial assistance is provided.
(3) Notified voluntary departure: where a person notifies the Home Office that they have departed. This includes those removed from detention facilities.
(4) Other confirmed voluntary departure: where a person has been identified as leaving when they no longer had the right to remain in the UK, either as a result of embarkation controls or by subsequent data-matching on Home Office systems. Embarkation controls ceased from June 2014.
(5) Comparisons with the previous 12 months for voluntary departures have not been included here due to the retrospective nature of data-matching exercises. On account of this recent figures are normally subject to upward revision in future releases. However, additional work has begun to review these provisional data matching decisions. The outcome of this work is planned to be reported in the next release of statistics in February.

Of the total voluntary departures in the year ending September 2014, 62% of those departing were categorised as other confirmed voluntary departures, 29% as notified voluntary departures and 9% as Assisted Voluntary Returns (AVRs). The largest category, other confirmed voluntary departures, are cases where a person has been identified as leaving when they no longer had the right to remain in the UK, either as a result of embarkation controls or by subsequent data-matching on Home Office systems. This category has been the largest within total voluntary departures since 2007 when it surpassed AVRs. Other confirmed voluntary departures increased from 6,883 in 2007 to 26,313 in 2013 and the latest data show 20,926 in the year ending September 2014.

Long-term trends in removals and voluntary departures by type, by quarter

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration statistics, July to September 2014, Removals table rv 01 q.
(1) Voluntary departure figures for recent quarters should be treated as provisional due to the retrospective nature of data-matching exercises. On account of this, recent figures are normally subject to upward revision in future releases. However, additional work has begun to review these provisional data matching decisions. The outcome of this work is planned to be reported in the next release of statistics in February.

The voluntary departure figure for the third quarter of 2014 is lower than previous quarters. Due to the retrospective nature of the data-matching exercise, these figures are usually subject to upward revision as matching checks are made on travellers after departure. Additional work has begun to review these provisional data matching decisions. The outcome of this work is planned to be reported in the next release of statistics in February.

The number of people refused entry at port and subsequently departed has decreased since the beginning of the data series in 2004. The 42% decrease from the third quarter of 2009 (7,751) to the second quarter of 2010 (4,520) has no identified single cause, although 26% of the decrease was due to a fall in the number of nationals of Afghanistan being refused entry and subsequently removed (-855). The overall falls are likely to be due to a combination of factors, including tighter screening of passengers prior to travel and changes in visa processes and regimes; for example, South African nationals have been required to have a visa for any length or type of visit to the UK since July 2009. In the past couple of years, the figures have shown small levels of fluctuations.

The long-term trend in voluntary departures increased steadily to the first quarter of 2010, but quarterly figures since 2010 have shown signs of a more gradual upward trend until the first quarter of 2014, despite some fluctuations. The long-term increase over this period coincides with the Home Office improving its contact management with migrants and its ability to track those that are leaving the UK. The figures include individuals who have been identified by administrative exercises as those who have overstayed their leave, and then subsequently left the UK without informing the Home Office. This identification process allows the Home Office to focus its resources on those who remain in the UK. The figure for the third quarter of 2014 is lower than previous quarters.

Due to the retrospective nature of the data-matching exercise, these figures are usually subject to upward revision as matching checks are made on travellers after departure. For example, the 2013 total voluntary departures figure published in August 2014 (39,282) was revised to show a 20% increase (+6,621) on the total first published in February 2014 (32,661).

From 1 April 2014, the AVR programme is also not available to people held in detention, which averaged over 150 a month in 2013. In addition, embarkation controls ceased from June 2014. Both of these factors potentially affect the number of other confirmed voluntary departures. Results are also influenced by the processes that underpin data-matching and additional work has begun to review these provisional data matching decisions. The outcome of this work is planned to be reported in the next release of statistics in February. This relates to work the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration is currently undertaking as part of an Inspection of Overstayers (see Work in Progress). Home Office Statistics are working closely with the data owners to review and refine the process for the future and the outcome of this work is planned to be reported in the next release of statistics in February.

The number of enforced removals has steadily declined over time, although this has been more gradual in recent years. The latest year-ending figures (for years ending June 2014 and September 2014) represent the lowest levels since the series began in 2004.

13.3 Asylum and non-asylum enforced removals

In the year ending September 2014, there were 4,289 enforced removals of people who had sought asylum at some stage, down 14% from the previous year (5,005). This figure is 63% lower than the peak in 2004 (11,743) when this data series began. This long-term decrease in the enforced removal of those seeking asylum can be viewed in the context of a generally decreasing trend in asylum applications since 2002; although the asylum applications have increased in recent years, they still remain low compared to the peak in 2002.

In the year ending September 2014, 66% of total enforced removals were non-asylum cases (8,172), down 6% from the previous year (8,735) and down 19% from the peak of 10,070 in 2008.

13.4 Removals and voluntary departures by nationality

The highest number of enforced removals in the year ending September 2014 was for Pakistani nationals (1,820; 15% of the total). The second highest was for Indian nationals (1,120; 9% of the total), who have also shown the largest decrease compared with the previous year (-545 or -33%).

The highest number of passengers refused entry at port and subsequently departed was for United States nationals (1,985; 13% of the total). The second and third highest numbers were for Albanian (1,074; 7% of the total) and Brazilian (823; 5% of the total) nationals. United States and Brazilian nationals who are not coming to the UK for work or for 6 months or more do not need to apply for, and be issued with, a visa prior to arrival. The first time that they can be refused entry will therefore be on arrival in the UK.

The highest number of voluntary departures in the year ending September 2014 was for Indian nationals (7,584; 22% of the total). The second highest number was for Pakistani nationals, with 4,012 voluntary departures.

13.5 Departures by ‘harm’ assessment

The harm matrix was introduced in 2007 for monitoring the Public Service Agreement (PSA) that then was applied to measure performance in removing the most harmful people first. However, interest in this topic remains despite PSAs being abolished under the current administration; ‘Higher harm’ assessments include people who have committed serious criminal and immigration offences.

In the year ending September 2014, 12,461 enforced removals and 33,978 voluntary departures were subject to an assessment for a harm rating, of which 16% and 1% respectively were assessed as ‘highest harm’. This is similar to the previous year, when 19% of enforced removals and 1% of total voluntary departures were assessed as ‘highest harm’.

13.6 Foreign national offenders

The Home Office removes foreign national offenders either by using enforcement powers or via deportation. In the year ending September 2014, provisional data show that 4,852 foreign national offenders (FNOs) were removed, a decrease of 2% from the previous year (4,968).

13.7 Corrigendum

The paragraph on foreign national offenders in the ‘Immigration statistics, April to June 2014’ publication had two typographical errors. The text should have read: The Home Office removes foreign national offenders either by using enforcement powers or via deportation. In the year ending June 2014, provisional data show that 4,924 foreign national offenders (FNOs) were removed, an increase of 1% from the previous year (4,879).

The corresponding data tables contained the correct information and are unaffected by this amendment.

13.8 Data tables

Further data on removals and voluntary departures are available in

• Removals vol. 1: tables rv 01 to rv 03 q
• Removals vol. 2: tables rv 04 to rv 04 q
• Removals vol. 3: tables rv 05 to rv 08 q

14. About this release

The Immigration Statistics quarterly release gives an overview of work on immigration control, entry clearance, asylum and enforcement within the Home Office, including the work of UK Border Force and UK Visas and Immigration. It helps inform users including the government, Parliament, the media and the wider public, and supports the development and monitoring of policy.

The release includes the following topic briefings: (cross-cutting) Work, Study, Family, (single topic) Visas, Admissions, Extensions, Settlement, Citizenship, Asylum, Removals and Voluntary Departures and Detention. Detailed tables of figures accompany each of the single topic briefings, providing data up to the third quarter of 2014 (July to September).

The ‘Immigration Statistics’ release is a National Statistics output produced to the highest professional standards and free from political interference. It has been produced by statisticians working in the Home Office Statistics Unit in accordance with the Home Office’s ‘Statement of compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics’ which covers our policy on revisions and other matters. The governance arrangements in the Home Office for statistics were strengthened on 1 April 2008 to place the statistical teams under the direct line management of a Chief Statistician, who reports to the National Statistician with respect to all professional statistical matters.

14.1 National Statistics

The UK Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

• meet identified user needs
• are well explained and readily accessible
• are produced according to sound methods
• are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest

Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.

The assessment report (No. 177) and letter of confirmation as National Statistics can be viewed on the UK Statistics Authority website, UK Statistics Authority Assessments reports.

14.2 Changes to topic briefings and tables

There have been a range of improvements to the following topic briefings and tables in this release.

Detention topic: new data on people held in prison establishments in England and Wales solely under Immigration powers as set out in the Immigration Act 1971 or UK Borders Act 2007 has been added to the detention topic brief. In addition, The Verne Immigration Removal Centre (IRC, formerly HM Prison The Verne) opened on 28 September 2014, near Weymouth in Dorset, which will increase the capacity of the Detention Estate by 580 when fully utilised.

Family topic: more detailed analysis and additional tables for years ending June have been included in this release to assist users in understanding the trends in family data before and after the changes to the Immigration Rules in July 2012.

European Economic Area tables: historical data for 2004 and 2005 have been added to Table ee 02. These data were previously published in Table 4.4 of the Control of Immigration Statistics 2006 command paper.

Geographical regions: geographical regions used in the tables have been updated to reflect the country groupings that ONS have adopted following consultation in early 2014, Country Groupings in International Migration Statistics. This provides a more detailed breakdown of our figures by geographical region and does not in any way restrict the information already available at the level of individual country of nationality.

14.3 Revisions to data

Within the Removals and Voluntary Departures section there have been revisions relating to the category ‘other confirmed voluntary departures’. Retrospective checks mean that figures for voluntary departures are subject to upward revision. This is particularly so for confirmed voluntary departures that are generated as a result of detailed retrospective data-matching, but some more limited revision is needed for notified voluntary departures to allow time for recording notifications from those who have departed. In light of this, notified voluntary departures and other confirmed voluntary departures for the first and second quarter of 2014 combined have been revised upwards from 4,977 to 5,037 (1% increase) and from 9,929 to 11,630 (17% increase) respectively in this quarterly release.

14.4 Future consultation

The conference of the Migration Statistics User Forum in September 2014 included a breakout session on ‘What users would like from Home Office statistical releases on migration’ where users were asked for their views to help develop and improve this publication. We are planning a more formal user consultation with specific proposals. This may include how the Migration Transparency Data webpage could be more closely integrated.

If you have any comments on these plans please contact us via the Migration Statistics Enquiries inbox, MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.

14.5 Migration Statistics User Forum

The Forum has been established for discussion of migration statistics, allowing users to discuss their need for and use of the data and for producers to consult on presentation and changes. The main focus is on figures for the UK, but this would not exclude discussion of migration statistics for other countries. Home Office Statistics intends to use this list for communication with users, including data and release developments. The Forum is a user-led group, with close to 200 members, that is now affiliated to the Royal Statistical Society.

The list also provides access to contact details for the Home Office’s Migration Statistics team via downloading from MIGRATION-STATS File Area.

The distribution list is available to join through the MIGRATION-STATS JISCmail list.

Copies of the presentations made at the last annual conference of the Forum, held on 16 September 2014, are available at 2014 Conference of the Migration Statistics User Forum.

The next conference of the Migration Statistics User Forum is currently being planned for September 2015. Details will be made available in the spring of 2015.

14.6 Home Office statistical work programme

The Home Office has published its ‘Statistical Work Programme 2014 to 2015’ which outlines the most significant outputs, highlights some recent developments and outlines future plans. Pages 3 to 4 of the work programme cover our statistics on immigration. Pages 11 to 12 of the work programme provide details of how you can provide feedback on the work programme and outputs.

14.7 Further information and feedback

We welcome feedback on Immigration Statistics. If you have any comments, suggestions, enquiries or need assistance in accessing the data, please email them to: MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk

Or write to:

The Editor, Immigration Statistics
Migration Statistics
Home Office Statistics
17th Floor Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road
Croydon
CR9 2BY

Press enquiries should be made to:

Home Office Press Office
Peel Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Tel: 020 7035 3535

The Home Office Responsible Statistician is David Blunt, Chief Statistician and Head of Profession for Statistics. The Home Office Statistics mission statement is:

We produce timely, accurate and objective statistics on immigration, crime and policing to support effective delivery of Home Office objectives and to inform government, Parliament and the public.

15. About the figures

This section, ‘About the figures’, provides extra information designed to assist in the interpretation of this release.

The User Guide to Home Office Immigration Statistics additionally provides more detailed information including definitions used, other sources of information, how figures are compiled, data quality and issues arising from figures based on data sourced from an administrative database. The user guide is structured in the same way as ‘About the figures’.

For further information on changes to immigration legislation affecting the statistics see the Policy and Legislative Changes Timeline published alongside the user guide.

15.1 Work, Study and Family

There are a range of measures that can be used to monitor those who are subject to immigration control and are coming to the UK for work, study or family reasons. These include:

• grants of visas for entry clearance, providing information on those intending to come
• admissions data, providing information on migrants at the border
• estimates on non-EU immigration from the International Passenger Survey (IPS) on migrants intending to stay for at least a year
• extensions of stay for work, study or family purposes providing information on case work relating to migrants in-country
• settlement data, providing information on the number of people who are granted or refused permission to stay permanently (settlement) which is an indicator of longer term migration
• data from the Migrant Journey Analysis on outcomes (5 years later) of those receiving work, study or family visas

Trends in extensions and in permission to stay permanently will depend on admissions and immigration in previous years.

ONS figures on long-term immigration relate to non-EU nationals whilst other figures (visas, admissions, extensions, permission to stay permanently) relate to non-EEA nationals.

The various statistics and research presented can appear to give different pictures of immigration for work, study or family. Often this is because the latest data for different measures cover different time periods. In addition, they also count different aspects of the immigration process, with some showing intentions or permissions, while others show actual events. The Before Entry section of the User Guide to Home Office Immigration Statistics includes a discussion on the differences between the various data sources presented on immigration.

ONS has conducted a review (see Quality of Long-Term International Migration Estimates from 2001 to 2011) of the quality of Long-Term International Migration (LTIM) estimates over the decade from 2001 to 2011 which predominantly are based on the International Passenger Survey (IPS). The review follows research conducted in light of the results of the 2011 Census for England and Wales, which found that the Census-based mid-year population estimate was 464,000 higher than the mid-year population estimates rolled forward from the 2001 Census base. Several possible causes for the difference were cited but it was considered that the ‘largest single cause is most likely to be underestimation of long-term immigration from central and eastern Europe in the middle part of the decade’,‘Methods used to revise the national population estimates for mid-2002 to mid-2010’, ONS, 2012 (171.1 Kb Pdf). The review extends this work to compare LTIM estimates to further data from the 2011 Census, as well as a range of other data sources across the decade from 2001 to 2011. IPS figures are compared with visa figures in the topic briefs for work, study and family. However, the IPS estimates used solely relate to non-EU nationals as visas are not required for EU nationals (or other EEA nationals) visiting the UK.

Data include dependants unless stated otherwise.

IPS and LTIM figures for 2013 are final. All other data for 2013 and 2014 are provisional.

Figures for admissions and immigration are estimates rounded to the nearest thousand. For the family topic, figures for non-EU immigration estimated by the IPS are rounded to the nearest thousand.

Figures for immigration in the study and family topics relate to non-EU nationals whilst other figures (visas, admissions, extensions) relate to non-EEA nationals.

Work: Recent falls for work-related visas, admissions and immigration are likely to be partly due to policy changes that came into effect from 2011. The Post-Study work route was closed to new applications on 6 April 2012 but existing applications continued to be processed after this date. From December 2010, Tier 1 General was closed to applicants who are outside the UK and it was closed to migrants who were already in the UK, in most immigration categories, from April 2011. Details of these policy changes, together with information on changes to immigration legislation affecting the statistics, can be found in the Policy and Legislative Changes Timeline published alongside the user guide. Following the accession of Croatia to the EU on 1 July 2013 similar transitional restrictions to those that previously related to Bulgarians and Romanians were placed on Croatians working in the UK. A link to more information on these restrictions can be found in the user guide.

Study: Data for visas and admissions exclude student visitors unless stated otherwise. The student visitor category provides for persons who wish to come to the UK as a visitor and undertake a short period of study. Visa data on student visitors include those who applied on the ‘short-term student’ endorsement prior to the introduction of the ‘student visitor’ endorsement in September 2007. For admissions short-term students may have been classified as visitors prior to September 2007; for consistency and comparability over time they are excluded from study-related totals.

Family: The numbers of applications and decisions made reflect changes in levels of immigration over time, as well as policy and legislative changes, including changes to immigration legislation. The availability and allocation of resources within UK Visas and Immigration can also affect the number of decisions on applications. In July 2012, changes were made to the family Immigration Rules which apply to applications made on or after 9 July 2012. It is not possible to identify separately applications made under the previous and new rules. Spouse, partner and child applications which fell for refusal solely because they did not meet the new minimum income threshold had been subject to a hold on decision-making following a High Court judgment in July 2013. On 11 July 2014 the Court of Appeal upheld the lawfulness of the minimum income threshold for spouses/partners and children applying in the family route. From 28 July 2014, the 4,000 individuals whose applications (visa or extension) were then on hold, pending the Court of Appeal judgment, will receive a decision.

15.2 Visas and sponsorship

Before travelling to the UK, a person may be required to apply for and be granted an entry clearance visa, depending on their nationality, purpose of visit and intended length of stay. On arrival at UK ports, or UK border controls in France and Belgium (often termed ‘juxtaposed’ controls), all individuals have to satisfy a Border Force officer that they have the right to enter the country before being admitted to the UK.

The data in this section include dependants and exclude those visiting the UK or in transit, unless stated otherwise.

Data for visas prior to 2005 are not comparable. All figures for 2013 and 2014 are provisional.

EEA nationals do not require an entry clearance visa. Four-hundred-and-fourteen visas were recorded as granted to EEA nationals in 2013, with 368 of these recorded as nationals of Cyprus, but most likely these people are from the area not under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus. The ‘Visas’ data tables and section of the User Guide to Home Office Immigration Statistics provide more information.

15.3 Admissions

All people admitted are subject to immigration control except British, other European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals.

Most data in this briefing are rounded to 3 significant figures. All data include dependants.

For arriving passengers subject to immigration control, who have previously obtained leave to enter, the journey is recorded as ‘returning after a temporary absence abroad’ within the ‘other’ category. Due to the volume of passengers arriving at Heathrow and Gatwick some data are estimated from monthly samples.

Some major components of the total (visitors, passengers returning and passengers in transit) reflect, to a large extent, trends in international tourism. The number of other admissions (for example, for work, study or family reasons) are likely to reflect trends in international migration and related policy and legislative changes affecting those subject to immigration control, for example changes in immigration legislation, enlargement of the European Union, and the introduction of the points-based system for work and study in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Total passenger arrival data are available up to the year ending June 2014 (Table ad 01 q); data on the purpose of journey (e.g. visit, work, study; Table ad 02 q); and data for individual nationalities are available up to the end of 2013 (Tables ad 02 and ad 03).

Passenger arrivals figures for 2003, referred to in the chart above, can be found in Table 1.2 of ‘Control of Immigration Statistics UK 2009’.

Further information on visitors to the UK is published by the Office for National Statistics in ‘Overseas Travel and Tourism – May 2014’.

The refusal of entry to passengers relates to non-asylum cases dealt with at ports of entry.

15.4 Asylum

This briefing excludes numbers of dependants, unless stated otherwise. One person (the main applicant) can apply for asylum on behalf of themselves and others (dependants).

All data, except data on asylum support, for 2013 and 2014 are provisional.

The method for processing figures for asylum support changed from the first quarter of 2013. Since 2013, figures have been produced using a new method which facilitates access to the data for data quality purposes and improved reconciliation with administrative records. The data source for both new and previous methods remains the same. Caution should be taken when comparing earlier data with figures from the first quarter of 2013 onwards, as the figures are not directly comparable.

The table for non-suspensive appeals been redesigned to provide more detailed information and clarity of definitions. ‘Total eligible for the non-suspensive appeals process’ includes main applicants who have been refused asylum, humanitarian protection (HP) or discretionary leave (DL) where the refusal was certified as clearly unfounded. Previously this category included a broader definition; main applicants refused asylum, HP or DL.

15.5 Extensions of stay

EEA nationals are not subject to immigration control so are not included in these figures. When a country joins the EU its nationals are no longer included in these figures e.g. Bulgarian and Romanian nationals are not included from 2007 onwards.

The data in this briefing include dependants, except where stated otherwise, and take account of the outcomes of reconsiderations and appeals. All figures for 2013 and 2014 are provisional.

The numbers of applications and decisions made reflect changes over time in levels of immigration, as well as policy and legislative changes, including changes to immigration legislation and changes to the length of leave granted (either for initial entry clearance or for subsequent extensions). The availability and allocation of resources within the Home Office can also affect the number of decisions.

Data on migration applications decided within published standards, and the cost per decision for all permanent and temporary migration applications are published as Official Statistics by the Home Office as part of their performance data. Details are given at Migration transparency data.

A short statistical article on ‘Extensions of stay by previous category’ has also been published alongside the ‘Immigration statistics, April to June 2013’ release to provide further detailed information.

15.6 Settlement

EEA nationals are not subject to immigration control and so are not included in these figures. When a country joins the EU its nationals are no longer included in these figures e.g. Bulgarian and Romanian nationals are not included from 2007 onwards.

The numbers of applications and decisions about permission to permanently stay reflect changes over time in levels of those entering the country, as well as policy and legislative changes. These may affect the number of people potentially eligible to permanently stay. The availability and allocation of resources within the Home Office can also affect the number of decisions.

All the figures include spouses and dependants, unless stated otherwise. All data for 2013 and 2014 are provisional.

From 2003 onwards, dependants of EEA and Swiss nationals in confirmed relationships may be shown separately in figures on issues and refusals of permanent residence documents, rather than in figures about settlement. Figures on issues and refusals of permanent residence documentation to EEA nationals and their family members are shown in EEA table ee 02. Further information can be found in the Family topic.

Data on migration applications decided within published standards, the cost per decision for all permanent and temporary migration applications are published as Official Statistics by the Home Office as part of their immigration performance data. Details are given on the Migration transparency data webpage.

Migrant journey analysis is able to look at those who apply for settlement or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and which visas they used to arrive at that point. This analysis shows that the proportion of settlement grants made to people who initially arrived on a temporary visa rose between 2009 and 2012. For example, those originally entering the UK on a student visa comprised 11% of settlement grants in 2009 and 16% in 2012. Source: Home Office, ‘Migrant Journey: Fourth Report’.

15.7 Citizenship

There are no separate figures for dependants because all applications for citizenship are from individuals treated as applicants in their own right (including those made on the basis of a relationship with an existing British citizen). The data also reflect the outcome of reconsidered decisions. All figures for 2014 are provisional.

Citizenship is granted under the British Nationality Act 1981 which came into force on 1 January 1983, subsequently amended by the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

The number of applications and decisions made reflect changes over time in levels of those entering the country, as well as policy and legislative changes, which, for example, may affect the number of people potentially eligible to apply. The availability and allocation of resources within the Home Office can also affect the number of decisions.

15.8 Detention

Children are those recorded as being under 18 years of age. All data for 2013 and 2014 are provisional.

The information on detainees held in prison establishments in England and Wales solely under Immigration Act Powers has been supplied by the National Offender Management Service (an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice). It is based on weekly manual returns from individual prisons, which, as with any large-scale manual recording system, is subject to possible error(s) with individual data entry and processing.

15.9 Removals and voluntary departures

Numbers of enforced removals include people deported. Deportations are a subset of departures which are enforced either following a criminal conviction or when it is judged that a person’s removal from the UK is in the public’s interest; a person who has received a deportation order is not allowed to return to the UK, unless the order is cancelled. Most illegal immigrants are removed from the UK under administrative or illegal entry powers and not deported. Published information on those deported from the UK is not separately available.

Figures for ’notified voluntary departures’ and ‘other confirmed voluntary departures’ for Q1 and Q2 2014 have been revised in this release. For more detail on these revisions see the User Guide to Home Office Immigration Statistics.

All data include dependants, unless otherwise stated, and are provisional for 2013 and 2014.