Family
Published 27 August 2015
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-april-to-june-2015/family
Valid: 27 August 2015 to 25 November 2015
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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 estimates of long-term immigration (i.e. those intending to stay for at least 12 months) from the ONS International Passenger Survey (IPS) 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. All comparisons are with the previous 12 months unless indicated.
1. Key facts
In the year ending June 2015, 35,245 family-related visas were granted. This is a slight decrease of 1% compared with the year ending June 2014 (35,664). There was a 2% decrease in the number of visas granted to all other dependants (excluding visitor visas) joining or accompanying migrants in the UK (75,651) compared with the previous 12 months (77,436).
The grant rate grant rate for family partner visas fell to 66% in the year ending June 2015, from 81% in the previous year, and a similar level to the year ending June 2013 (67%). Grant and refusals rates have been affected in the last 2 years by applications that were put on hold pending a Court of Appeal judgment.
There were 40,161 extensions of stay for family reasons in the year ending June 2015. Of this total, 18,951 (47%) were granted under the new Family Life (10-year) category and 21,135 (53%) were granted under the partner category.
Family-related grants to stay permanently fell by a third (-33%) to 27,599 from the previous 12 months, continuing the overall downward trend since the year ending June 2010 (73,830) reflecting lower numbers granted family visas with a direct route to permanency and changes to the qualifying period for settlement. There were notable decreases in grants to partners (-30% to 23,992) in the last 12 months.
In the year ending March 2015 (the latest provisional data available), the International Passenger Survey (IPS) estimated that 46,000 non-EU nationals immigrated long-term to the UK to accompany or join others, that is with the intention of staying for a year or more. This is a decrease in comparison to 51,000 in the year ending March 2014. Those arriving to accompany or join are not directly comparable with visa categories as explained below.
Family immigration: latest trends
| Year ending June 2014 | Year ending June 2015 | Change | Percentage change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family-related visas granted | 35,664 | 35,245 | -419 | -1% |
| of which: | ||||
| Partners | 26,921 | 27,893 | +972 | +4% |
| Children (1) | 3,368 | 3,075 | -293 | -9% |
| Other dependants | 5,375 | 4,277 | -1,098 | -20% |
| All other dependants (excl. visitor visas) | 77,436 | 75,651 | -1,785 | -2% |
| EEA family permits granted | 23,145 | 28,122 | +4,977 | +22% |
| Year ending March 2014 | Year ending March 2015 | Change | Percentage change | |
| Long-term immigration to accompany or join others (2) | 51,000 | 46,000 | -5,000 | -10% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics April to June 2015, Visas table vi 01 q, Office for National Statistics, Migration Statistics Quarterly Report.
(1) This category does not include children of a parent given limited leave to enter or remain in the UK for a probationary period. They are included in ‘All other dependants (excl. visitor visas)’.
(2) 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 are to the year ending March 2015 and are provisional.
2. 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 March 2015, IPS estimates show that 46,000 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 as they exclude people who come to the UK but intend to stay for less than a year. Home Office analysis has shown that in recent years the number of visas under one year duration has increased, whilst longer-term visas have fallen; see the 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 fallen over the long-term since March 2007, albeit with short-term increases in 2010 and 2013. The figure has risen from 35,000 in the year ending June 2013 to 54,000 in the year ending September 2014 and has since fallen to 46,000 in the year ending March 2015.
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 April to June 2015, Visas table vi 04 q; Office for National Statistics (provisional estimates for YE March 2015), Migration Statistics Quarterly Report.
(1) Includes all dependants (e.g. dependants for work and study), but excludes visitors.
3. Visas
In the year ending June 2015, 35,245 family-related visas were granted. This is a 1% decrease compared with the previous year (35,664).
Nationalities with the highest number of visas granted for family reasons in the year ending June 2015
| Total | Partners | Children (1) | Other dependants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family-related visas granted | 35,245 | 27,893 | 3,075 | 4,277 |
| of which: | ||||
| Pakistan | 5,203 | 4,752 | 47 | 404 |
| India | 3,403 | 2,987 | 366 | 50 |
| United States | 2,306 | 2,273 | 19 | 14 |
| Bangladesh | 1,433 | 1,366 | 45 | 22 |
| Philippines | 1,411 | 1,016 | 392 | 3 |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics April to June 2015, Visas table vi 06 q f.
(1) This category does not include children of a parent given limited leave to enter or remain in the UK for a probationary period.
Of the total visas granted for family reasons in the year ending June 2015, 27,893 (79%) were granted to partners, 3,075 (9%) were granted to children and 4,277 (12%) were granted to other dependants. Compared with the year ending June 2014, the number of family visas granted to partners increased by 4%, visas granted to children fell by 9% and visas granted to other dependants fell by 20%.
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 June 2015, 75,651 of these visas (excluding visitors) were granted, a decrease of 2% compared with the previous 12 months (77,436) and 29% lower than the peak of 106,723 in the year ending March 2007. Of the 75,651 visas granted, 62% (46,580) were granted to other dependants of workers, 24% (18,141) to other dependants of students and 14% (10,930) to other dependants accompanying or joining a migrant in the UK.
4. Admissions
Admissions for family reasons fell to 21,700 in 2014 (compared with 23,100 in the previous 12 months), continuing the overall trend since 2006.
5. 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 46,000 in the year ending March 2015. This is lower than 51,000 in the previous 12 months (-10%).
Source: ONS, International Passenger Survey (IPS), Migration Statistics Quarterly Report.
6. 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, which includes the new Family Life (10-year) route. Further information is given in the Extensions topic.
In the year ending June 2015, there were 40,161 grants of extension for family-related reasons, an increase from 36,742 in the previous 12 months.
Of the 40,161 extensions for family reasons, 18,951 (47%) were granted under the new Family Life (10-year) category and 21,135 (53%) were granted under the partner category.
The increase in the number of grants was accounted for by a rise in grants to partners, from 17,733 to 21,135. This increase is likely to reflect a change in the probationary period before an individual can apply to stay in the UK permanently (settlement) and a requirement for individuals to renew their temporary leave after two and a half years under the new family Immigration Rules implemented from 9 July 2012. (For further details see the family section of the user guide.) Those granted an extension will therefore include those granted an initial period of limited leave to remain as a partner on the family route as well as those granted a subsequent period of limited leave to remain.
There was a decrease in the number of refusals of family-related extensions of stay to 16,740 in the year ending June 2015, of which 13,461 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 June 2015, 51,918 extensions were granted to dependants (excluding visitors), a decrease of 4,295 (-8%) from the previous 12 months.
Analysis of extensions of stay by previous category shows that the 32,715 extensions granted to main applicants in 2014 for family reasons included 10,639 people previously in the family route (33%), 3,957 former students (12%), and 3,195 previously in the work category (10%).
7. Settlement
Family-related grants to stay permanently fell by a third (-33%), to 27,599 in the year ending June 2015. This continues the overall downward trend since the year ending June 2010 (73,830).
The majority of settlement grants were for partners (23,992; 87%), with the remainder for children (3,283; 12%), parents and grandparents (114; 0%) and other or unspecified dependants (210; 1%).
There were decreases in all the family categories: a 30% fall (-10,414) in grants to partners, a 43% fall (-2,513) in grants to children, a 65% fall (-210) in grants to parents and grandparents and a 70% fall (-492) in grants to other or unspecified dependants.
These decreases may partly reflect changes to the family Immigration Rules in July 2012, including how quickly partners qualify for settlement, as well as changing levels for entry clearance visas and of extensions in previous years. Details of the July 2012 rule changes are included in the family section of the user guide.
8. Staying in the UK
Analysis of administrative records for migrants granted visas in 2008 is presented in the Migrant Journey Fifth Report and shows that 81% of migrants granted family visas in 2008 appear to have legally remained in the immigration system after 5 years. Over three-quarters (77%) of those granted a family visa in 2008 had achieved settlement and 4% had some form of valid leave to remain. This is an increase from 2004 when 68% of migrants granted family visas appeared to have legally remained in the UK.
The proportion who had achieved permanent settlement within 5 years also differs by nationality. For example, a lower proportion of Somali nationals were settled after 5 years (43%) compared with nationals from Bangladesh (93%), Pakistan (88%) and India (87%).
Source: Home Office, Migrant Journey Fifth Report.
9. 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 for any non-EEA family members, they must provide evidence to demonstrate they are residing in the UK in accordance with the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006.
In 2014 there were 100,667 decisions on applications for EEA residence documents, a similar level to 2013 (102,088) and the second highest total since records began in 2004.
Grants of documents certifying permanent residence and permanent residence cards have risen in recent years to 19,749 in 2014. This may reflect the numbers living in the UK under the EEA Regulations for 5 years or more who have obtained a right of permanent residence and become eligible to apply for permanent residence documentation. Since 2010 Poland has been the top nationality granted documents certifying permanent residence (3,066 in 2014). Before 2010 Portugal was the top nationality.
Grants of registration certificates and registration cards rose by 10% to 42,638 in 2014, but had shown a generally falling trend between 2007 and 2012. Nationals of Portugal were granted the most registration certificates in 2012, 2013 and 2014 with nationals of Poland granted the most in 2006 to 2011.
10. More detailed analysis
The text and tables below provides an update of the more detailed analysis on family visas and extensions and additional tables for years ending June published in the ‘Immigration Statistics July to September 2014’ release to assist users in understanding the trends in family data before and after the changes to the Immigration Rules in July 2012. Updates of the additional tables for years ending June are also included in this release Family tables fa 01 to fa 04.
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. Further details are given in the family section of the user guide.
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 35,245 in the year ending June 2015. 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.
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 have since increased to 27,345 in the year ending June 2015. Although it is not possible to separately identify cases decided under the new rules, partner visa data from 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 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 81% in the year ending June 2014, then fell to 66% in the year ending June 2015. The grant and refusals rates have been affected in the last 2 years by partner applications that were put on hold from 5 July 2013 to 28 July 2014 pending the Court of Appeal judgment in MM & Others. These were cases which would have been 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. From 28 July 2014, individuals whose applications were then on hold, received a decision. Further details are given in the family section of the user guide.
Table 1 Partner entry clearance visas granted
| 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 | 26,037 | 81% |
| Year ending June 2015 | 27,345 | 66% |
| Change: latest 12 months | +1,308 | |
| Percentage change | +5% |
Table notes
Source: This table is based on data from Family tables fa 02 and Visas table vi 06 q f in the Home Office, Immigration Statistics April to June 2015 release.
The number of cases resolved includes cases granted, refused, withdrawn or lapsed.
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 year on year to 40,161 in the year ending June 2015. The increase was mainly accounted for by the introduction of the new Family Life (10-year) route, ‘Statement of intent: Family migration’. 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 2015, there were 18,951 grants of extension in the Family Life (10 year) category and 13,461 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 20,498 in the year ending June 2013. Nearly half (46%) of the 20,498 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 fell to 17,733 in the year ending June 2014, then rose to 21,135 in the year ending June 2015. This increase is likely to reflect a requirement for individuals to renew their temporary leave after two and a half years under the new family Immigration Rules implemented from 9 July 2012 (see the extensions of stay section above).
Table 2 Partners granted an extension of stay
| 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 | 20,498 | 80% |
| Year ending June 2014 | 17,733 | 87% |
| Year ending June 2015 | 21,135 | 87% |
| Change: latest 12 months | +3,402 | |
| Percentage change | +19% |
Table notes
Source: This table is based on data from Family table fa 04 and Extensions table ex 01 q in the Home Office, Immigration Statistics April to June 2015 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.
11. Data tables
Data on family immigration, sourced from Home Office administrative systems, can be found in the following tables:
Visas vol. 1: tables vi 01 q, vi 04 and vi 04 q.
vi 01 q Entry clearance visa applications and resolution by category
vi 04 Entry clearance visas granted by category
vi 04 q Entry clearance visas granted by category
Visas vol. 3: table vi 06 q f.
vi 06 q f Entry clearance visas granted by category and country of nationality: Family
Admissions: tables ad 02 to ad 03 f.
Extensions: tables ex 01, ex 01 q and ex 02 f.
Settlement: tables se 02 to se 04.
European Economic Area: table ee 02.
Family: tables fa 01 to fa 04.
More detailed analysis on family visas and extensions and additional tables for years ending June were included in the ‘Immigration Statistics July to September 2014’ release to assist users in understanding the trends in family data before and after the changes to the Immigration Rules in July 2012.
The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates of those coming to join or accompany others, Migration Statistics Quarterly Report.