Extensions of stay
Published 1 December 2016
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/immigration-statistics-july-to-september-2016/extensions-of-stay
Valid: 01 December 2016 to 22 February 2017
Data relate to the year ending September 2016 and all comparisons are with the year ending September 2015, unless indicated otherwise.
Back to ‘Immigration statistics July to September 2016’ content page.
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1. Key facts
There were 14% fewer decisions (-37,992) on extensions in the year ending September 2016. Of the 240,755 decisions, 86% were grants (206,732) and 14% (34,023) were refusals.
There were 76,919 work-related grants of extensions in the year ending September 2016; 6% lower than in the year ending September 2015 (82,055). There was a 3% increase for the largest category, Tier 2 Skilled Work (to 61,421). However, rule changes led to falls in other routes. The Tier 1 General category fell 76% to 1,652, reflecting its previous closure to new entrants; Tier 1 Entrepreneurs fell 16% to 2,619, following rules tightening to prevent abuse; and overseas domestic workers fell 38% to 2,331, likely reflecting past changes so that new entrants to this category cannot obtain extensions. For further details see the Work topic.
Study-related grants of extensions fell by a quarter (-25%) to 52,060 in the year ending September 2016. This is likely reflecting previous falls in the numbers granted visas, together with tightening of the rules, such as the new use of the ‘genuineness’ test. For further details see the Study topic.
Family-related grants of extensions increased by 42% (+17,059 to 59,447) in the year ending September 2016. This rise is accounted for by increases in grants to partners (+12,087 to 34,896) and in the Family Life (10-year) category (+5,387 to 24,453). These increases likely reflected both a longer residence eligibility period before it is possible to apply to stay in the UK permanently (settlement), and a requirement to obtain an extension after two and a half years, both implemented under new family Immigration Rules from 9 July 2012. For further details see the Family topic.
Grants of extensions in other categories fell by 42% (-13,379 to 18,306) in the year ending September 2016. Further analysis suggests that a significant part of the decrease was accounted for by grants of discretionary leave outside of the rules on compassionate grounds which fell from 10,771 to 1,909 (main applicants only).
There were 34,023 refusals of an extension in the year ending September 2016. Of these, 6,085 related to work, 2,803 to study, 11,719 to family and 13,416 to other categories. Correspondingly, the refusal rates for work, study, family and other categories were 7%, 5%, 16% and 42% respectively.
2. Grants of extensions by reason, and refusals
| Total decisions | Total grants | Work | Study | Family (1) | Other (1) | Refusals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ending September 2012 | 304,487 | 273,115 | 142,400 | 92,997 | 15,459 | 22,259 | 31,372 |
| Year ending September 2013 | 361,921 | 285,334 | 129,900 | 99,851 | 36,579 | 19,004 | 76,587 |
| Year ending September 2014 | 306,755 | 247,362 | 89,115 | 89,405 | 36,628 | 32,214 | 59,393 |
| Year ending September 2015 | 278,747 | 224,933 | 82,055 | 69,255 | 41,938 | 31,685 | 53,814 |
| Year ending September 2016 | 240,755 | 206,732 | 76,919 | 52,060 | 59,447 | 18,306 | 34,023 |
| Change: latest 12 months | -37,992 | -18,201 | -5,136 | -17,195 | +17,509 | -13,379 | -19,791 |
| Percentage change | -14% | -8% | -6% | -25% | +42% | -42% | -37% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics July to September 2016, Extensions table ex 01 q.
(1) The introduction of the new Family Life (10-year) route in July 2012 ‘Statement of intent: Family Migration’ means that the total number of family and other category grants are not fully comparable over time.
3. 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 back to 2005.
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics July to September 2016, Extensions table ex 01.
4. Nationalities granted an extension
(Excludes dependants)
Top 5 nationalities granted an extension to stay, 2015
(Total number of grants 163,676, excludes dependants)
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics July to September 2016, Extensions table ex 02.
5. Data tables
Further data on extensions are available in Extensions tables ex 01 to expc 01 o.
More detailed analysis on family extensions and additional tables for years ending June were included in the Immigration Statistics April to June 2015 release Family topic to assist users in understanding the trends before and after the changes to the Family Immigration Rules in July 2012.
A short statistical article on ‘Extensions of stay by previous category’ was published alongside the Immigration Statistics April to June 2013 release to provide further detailed information. Updates of the more detailed tables provided in the article are included in the Immigration Statistics April to June 2013 Extensions tables and were summarised in the Immigration Statistics January to March 2016 release Extensions topic.
6. Background information
The figures in this section relate to individuals inside the UK extending or changing the status of their stay in the UK. Data include dependants unless stated otherwise.
The numbers reflect past changes in the levels of those entering the UK in different categories, policy and legislative changes, e.g. closure of categories or changes to the length of visas granted to people entering the UK, or to the rules on whether individuals can switch categories. The figures also may reflect the level of case-working resources available.
6.1 Migration transparency data webpage
A range of key input and impact indicators are currently published by the Home Office on the Migration transparency data webpage.
6.2 Staying in the UK
In February 2016, the Home Office published its ‘Migrant journey: sixth report’ which shows how non-European Economic Area (EEA) migrants change their immigration status or achieve settlement in the UK.