Accredited official statistics

Extensions of stay

Updated 3 March 2016

Valid: 25 February 2016 to 25 May 2016

Data relate to the calendar year 2015 and all comparisons are with the calendar year 2014, unless indicated otherwise.

Back to ‘Immigration statistics October to December 2015’ content page.

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1.Key facts

There were 264,450 decisions on extensions in 2015, 9% fewer than in 2014. Four-fifths of decisions were grants (215,781) and a fifth (48,669) were refusals.

There were 80,217 work-related grants of extensions in 2015, 9% lower than in 2014 (88,404). There was a 3% fall for Tier 2 Skilled Work (to 59,280), a fall of 61% for Tier 1 Entrepreneurs (to 2,813) following tightening of rules to prevent abuse, and a fall of 36% in the Tier 1 General category (to 5,260) reflecting its previous closure to new entrants.

Study-related grants of extensions fell by a fifth (-20%) to 63,473 in 2015, likely reflecting falling numbers of study visas from 2010 to 2013 and tighter rules such as the new use of the “genuineness” test. For further details see the study topic.

Family-related grants of extensions increased by 22% (+8,110 to 44,744) in 2015. This was largely accounted for by a 6,174 increase in grants to partners (to 25,378). The 6,174 increase 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, under new family rules implemented from 9 July 2012. Grants in the Family Life (10-year) category rose by 1,966 (to 19,307).

There were 48,669 refusals of an extension in 2015 of which 6,758 related to work, 9,925 to study, 14,917 to family and 17,069 to other categories. Correspondingly the refusal rates for work, study, family and other categories were 8%, 14%, 25% and 38% respectively.

2.Grants of extensions by reason, and refusals

Year Total decisions Total grants Work Study Family (1) Other (1) Refusals
2011 347,637 299,600 134,377 119,303 17,189 28,731 48,037
2012 291,827 261,810 140,947 87,073 16,627 17,163 30,017
2013 394,592 306,598 122,463 117,810 40,434 25,891 87,994
2014 290,377 236,740 88,404 79,778 36,634 31,924 53,637
2015 264,450 215,781 80,217 63,473 44,744 27,347 48,669
Change: latest 12 months -25,927 -20,959 -8,187 -16,305 +8,110 -4,577 -4,968
Percentage change -9% -9% -9% -20% +22% -14% -9%

Table notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics October to December 2015, 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 grants are not fully comparable over time.

The chart below illustrates longer-term trends in grants and refusals to extend stay by calendar year back to 2005.

The

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics October to December 2015, Extensions table ex 01.

4.Nationalities granted an extension

(excludes dependants)
Data for grants by nationality in 2015 are planned to be published in Immigration Statistics January to March 2016, due to be released on 26 May 2016.

Top 5 nationalities granted an extension to stay, 2014

(Total number of grants 179,033, excludes dependants)

The

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics October to December 2015, 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 Extensions tables.

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.

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.

Staying in the UK In January 2016 the Home Office published its ‘Migrant Journey: Sixth Report’, which shows how non-EEA migrants change their immigration status or achieve settlement in the UK.