UK Net Migration Falls to Lowest Level Since 2012

UK net migration has dropped to the lowest level outside the Covid pandemic period since 2012. The Office for National Statistics publishes the figure using the international definition of a long-term migrant as a person who moves to a country other than their usual residence for at least one year.

The total number of visa entries records permissions granted rather than actual arrivals. Work visas cover new individuals and extensions in categories such as seasonal work, health and care, and youth mobility. Study visas include those sponsored by approved UK education providers.

Family visas allow people to join or remain with close relatives already in the UK. The "Other" category covers humanitarian schemes including the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the British National (Overseas) route.

Backlog figures include both main applicants and dependants waiting for an initial decision. Open appeals against refused applications are published quarterly by the Ministry of Justice.

Small boat crossing figures and average numbers of people per boat come from Home Office daily data. Entering the UK without permission is an offence under immigration law, though asylum seekers are generally not prosecuted if they claim asylum on arrival. The International Organization for Migration collects figures on people who have died or gone missing while crossing from mainland Europe.