This topic relates to people who are subject to immigration control and those applying for British citizenship under the UK Immigration Acts.
Publications
Annual statistics relating to people who have applied for asylum.
Annual statistics relating to information on border control and visas, asylum, managed migration, and enforcement and compliance.
Quarterly statistics relating to information on border control and visas, asylum, managed migration, and enforcement and compliance.
Annual statistics relating to persons granted British Citizenship.
Overview
Immigration control consists of information on border control and visas, asylum, managed migration, and enforcement and compliance.
Topic areas include:
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passenger arrivals, admissions and refusals at air, sea and Channel Tunnel ports in the UK
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asylum applications, decisions and appeals
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people refused entry at port and then removed, removals and voluntary departures
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people detained under immigration powers
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immigration appeals
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applications for an extension of stay including settlement
Other topic areas include:
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the number of asylum seekers supported
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the number of asylum seekers detained and removed
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the number of asylum seekers who departed voluntarily
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applications and decisions relating to British citizenship
Most of the data are taken from administrative records. However, the data on non-EEA national passenger admissions are compiled from a sample of landing cards. Non-EEA citizens are required to complete a landing card on entry to the UK.
Technical Data
Passenger admissions
Passenger admissions relate to the statistics of passengers given leave to enter the UK. The data are of the number of journeys made. This is based on information collected from the landing cards non-EEA nationals are required to complete on entry to the UK.
An individual who makes more than one journey is counted each time, either in a specific category if given fresh leave to enter, or in the ‘passengers returning’ category.
The data on visitors, students, passengers in transit and passengers returning (previously settled) are based, mainly or partly (depending on the category), on a sample of those involved.
Improvements to the sampling methodology were introduced from July 2003. This means caution should be exercised when making statistical comparisons at a detailed level to data from before this time.
Asylum
The majority of statistics for asylum seekers are based on numbers of principal applicants, excluding dependants
Grants of settlement
The statistics of grants of settlement are the main available measure of longer term immigration of people subject to immigration control. Grants of settlement relate to people who are subject to immigration control and are allowed to remain in the UK for an indefinite period.
The settlement figures comprise people granted settlement on arrival at ports. It also covers people originally admitted to the country, subject to a time limit, that was then removed on application to the Home Office. Following changes to the immigration rules in recent years, the majority of grants are on removal of time limit.
Grants are counted once in the year in which they take place. If a settled individual is absent from the UK for more than two years, they will be treated as a new arrival unless there are special circumstances. For example, indefinite leave to enter for settlement may be granted again. This means the individual would be counted in more than one year’s figures of settlement. Alternatively they might be readmitted with limited leave.
Enforcement and compliance
The statistics of people who don’t comply with the UK immigration laws. Statistics are collated on:
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persons refused entry at ports (and those subsequently removed)
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persons proceeded against for offences under the Immigration Acts
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removals and notified voluntary departures
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persons leaving the UK under Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) schemes
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persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities
People detained solely under Immigration Act powers
Statistics are produced on persons:
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entering detention over a period of time
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detained as at the last day of each quarter
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leaving detention over a period of time
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removed from the United Kingdom upon leaving detention
After entry applications to vary Leave to Remain
Statistics on after entry applications to vary Leave to Remain relates to people wishing to extend or change the status of their stay in the UK. An individual is required to make an application for an extension or change in status before their current permission to enter or stay has expired.
Within the immigration rules, an individual may make more than one application in any given year.
It is difficult to compare data across time periods because of significant changes to immigration rules.
Glossary
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Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR)
A range of schemes available to those who no longer have a legal right to remain in the UK and wish to return permanently to their country of origin.
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Asylum
The criteria for being recognised as a refugee and the granting of asylum are set out in the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. This is extended in its application by the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees.
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Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT)
Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. This board hears and decides appeals against decisions made by the UK Border Agency.
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Bailed
The process whereby an individual is released from detention with a requirement to appear before an Immigration Judge or immigration officer at a later date.
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Detention
Immigration legislation provides powers of detention. People are detained under Immigration Act powers in UK Border Agency Removal Centres, UK Border Agency Short Term Holding Facilities, Prison Service establishments and police cells. Detention may be used whilst identity and basis of claim are established, where there is a risk of absconding, as part of fast-track asylum procedures (in the case of straightforward asylum claims that can be decided quickly) and in support of the removal of failed asylum seekers and others who have no legal right to be in the UK.
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European Economic Area (EEA)
The EEA States consist of the members of the European Union (EU). The countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are also part of the EEA.The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are part of the UK but are not included as part of the EU.
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Facilitated Return Scheme (FRS)
A separate voluntary scheme designed to help non-EEA foreign national prisoners return home. This is an incentive scheme to aid foreign prisoner returns to their home countries.
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Immigration Officer (IO)
Immigration officers working in passport control are responsible for checking the right of entry to the UK of all individuals arriving at seaports, airports and via the Channel Tunnel. As well as examining documentation, they may gather intelligence and do case work. Where necessary, they will use legal powers to detain or remove illegal entrants to the UK.
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Landing Cards
A landing card is a form completed by passengers subject to immigration control.
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Leave to remain
Leave to remain is permission to stay in the UK either temporarily (limited leave to remain) or permanently (indefinite leave to remain).
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Post – decision review
Initial decisions sometimes have a post-decision review on them for a number of reasons. An asylum decision by the Secretary of State can be later reviewed as a result of additional information and/or significant changes in the applicant's current circumstances and the relevant country of origin information.
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Refugee
The UN Convention defines a refugee as being an individual who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality. The individual is unable or, owing to such a fear, is unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of their former habitual residence, is unable, or owing to such fear is unwilling to return to it.
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Removals
This includes people who enter, or attempt to enter the UK illegally (including persons entering in secret and by means of deception on-entry). It also covers those who overstay their period of legal right to remain in the UK or breach their conditions of leave. It also applies to those who are subject to deportation action and people who have been refused asylum.Some people may depart under Assisted Voluntary Return programmes run by the International Organization for Migration. They could also return voluntarily after enforcement action has begun against them. Figures on removals also include those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
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UK Border Agency (UKBA)
The UK Border Agency is responsible for securing the UK borders and controlling migration in the UK.
Contact Details
For statistical enquiries about this topic, please contact:
Migration Statistics
Email: MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7035 4848
Home Office Statistics Room 1402, Apollo House 36 Wellesley Road Croydon CR9 3RR
