National statistics

Visas

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.

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1.Key facts

There were 534,328 visas granted (excluding visitors and transit) in 2015, a fall of 11,749 (-2%). The fall was mainly driven by lower numbers in Short-term study (-10,981) and sponsored (Tier 4) Study visas (-9,693). There were also offsetting increases in the ‘Other’ category (+8,376, of which EEA family permits +5,324), the family route (+2,983) and for Tier 2 skilled work (+1,365).

The nationalities granted the most visas (excluding visitors and transit) were Chinese (93,076; excluding Hong Kong), Indian (85,403) and US (35,124).

There were 34,719 (+2%) more visitor visas granted at around 1.9 million, excluding Omani, Qatari and United Arab Emirates (UAE) nationals (who were able to visit the UK without a visa from 1 January 2014, following the introduction of the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme). Including these nationals, the number of visitor visas granted still increased by 2% (+35,246), reflecting the usage of the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme.

There were notable increases in visitor visa grants for Chinese nationals, up 22% (+70,415 to 397,764, excluding Hong Kong), and Indian nationals, up 15% (+47,439 to 367,243). By contrast there were large falls in visitor visa grants for Russian nationals (-67,037 to 109,717), down 38%.

2.Visas granted by reason (excluding visitor and transit visas)

Year Total granted (1) Work Study Short-term study (2) Family Dependant joining or accompanying Other
2011 564,807 149,310 261,870 61,406 44,940 14,155 33,126
2012 507,540 145,110 209,749 68,351 40,149 11,700 32,481
2013 532,050 154,760 218,625 77,601 33,162 11,720 36,182
2014 546,077 167,147 220,041 73,607 34,876 11,065 39,341
2015 534,328 165,977 210,348 62,626 37,859 9,801 47,717
Change: latest year -11,749 -1,170 -9,693 -10,981 +2,983 -1,264 +8,376
Percentage change -2% -1% -4% -15% +9% -11% +21%

Table notes

(1) Excludes visitor and transit visas.
(2) The Short-term study category (previously described as ‘student visitor’) allows individuals to come to the UK for 6 months (or 11 months if they will be studying an English Language course) and cannot extend their stay (further details at Short-term study visa. For consistency and comparability over time Short-term study visas have been excluded from study-related totals.

3.Visas granted by nationality

The map below illustrates the top 10 nationalities granted visas, excluding visitor and transit visas, in 2015, which account for 61% of the total 534,328. More detailed commentary on visa statistics by reason and nationality is included in the Work,Study, and Family topics.

Top 10 nationalities granted visas

(Total 534,328; excluding visitor and transit visas)

The image shows the number of entry clearance visas granted, excluding visitor and transit visas, for the top 10 nationalities  in 2015. The data are available in Table vi 06 q, Visas vol. 2.

Chart notes

Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics October to December 2015, Table vi 06 q, Visas vol. 2.

4.Largest increases and falls in visitor visa grants by nationality

Increasing Change % Change Decreasing Change % Change
China +70,415 +22% Russia -67,037 -38%
India +47,439 +15% Nigeria -17,533 -17%
South Africa +11,012 +14% Pakistan -12,128 -21%
Saudi Arabia +6,463 +7% Bangladesh -6,638 -41%
Turkey +2,822 +3% Libya -4,064 -78%

Table notes

Omani, Qatari and UAE nationals were able to visit the UK without a visa from 1 January 2014 (the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme was introduced on 1 January 2014 resulting in significant falls for these nationalities).
Source: Home Office, Immigration Statistics October to December 2015, Table vi 06 q o, Visas vol. 3.

5.Data tables

Further data on entry clearance visas and sponsored visa applications for the work and study routes (described further in the Work and Study topics) can be found in the following tables:

Visas vol. 1: Tables vi 01 q to vi 05 q

The following tables are included in this volume:
vi 01 q Entry clearance visa applications and resolution by category
vi 02 q Entry clearance visa applications and resolution by country of nationality
vi 03 Entry clearance visa applications by country of nationality
vi 04 Entry clearance visas granted by category
vi 04 q Entry clearance visas granted by category
vi 5 Entry clearance visas granted by country of nationality
vi 5 q Entry clearance visas granted by country of nationality

Visas vol. 2: Tables vi 06 q and vi 06 q w

The following tables are included in this volume:
vi 06 q Entry clearance visas granted by category and country of nationality: Summary
vi 06 q w Entry clearance visas granted by category and country of nationality: Work

Visas vol. 3: Tables vi 06 q s to vi 06 q o

The following tables are included in this volume:
vi 06 q s Entry clearance visas granted by category and country of nationality: Study
vi 06 q f Entry clearance visas granted by category and country of nationality: Family
vi 06 q d Entry clearance visas granted by category and country of nationality: Dependant joining or accompanying
vi 06 q o Entry clearance visas granted by category and country of nationality: Other

Sponsorship: Tables cs 01 to cs 14 q

6.Background information

This section relates to grants of entry clearance visas to individuals outside the UK. Data include dependants and exclude visitor and transit visas unless stated otherwise.