Migrant journey: fifth report
Published 18 February 2015
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/migrant-journey-fifth-report/migrant-journey-fifth-report
This report is the fifth in a series of reports that explore migrants’ journeys through the UK’s immigration system.
1. Introduction
Understanding the processes that migrants go through when they decide to stay in the UK or switch their status helps to inform Parliament and the public on the impact of changes to the Immigration Rules.
The findings presented here are based on combining data collected from 2 UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) databases. These databases hold records of individuals granted entry clearance visas, and any subsequent grants of extensions of stay in the UK.
This report updates analysis from ‘The migrant journey: fourth report’ published in February 2014; and presents the data in two different and complementary ways, providing information on a forward-view and backward-view of the extent to which different types of non-EEA migrants change their immigration status or achieve settlement in the UK. The forward-view analysis examines the immigration status in 2013 of migrants issued visas to the UK in 2004 and in subsequent years. The backward-view analysis looks at those whose entry to the UK ultimately results in them applying for settlement (permission to stay permanently in the UK) and which visas they used on arrival to the UK. The latest findings include the cohort of those issued a visa in 2008.
The data presented in this report relate to all cases (main applicant and dependants combined) and the supplementary tables separately identify all cases, by main applicants and by dependants.
2. Key facts
Twenty per cent (18,359) of those issued skilled work visas (with a potential path to settlement) in the 2008 cohort had been granted settlement 5 years later and a further 8% (6,912) still had valid leave to remain
Indian nationals were issued the largest proportion (39%) of skilled work visas in the 2008 cohort and, of these skilled Indian nationals, 19% had received settlement after 5 years, while a further 7% still had valid leave to remain
Of the top 5 nationalities issued skilled work visas in the 2008 cohort, American and Australian nationals on work visas were less likely to have settled after 5 years (13%) whereas Chinese nationals were more likely to have settled (38% of Chinese skilled workers had reached settlement by 2013)
More than three-quarters of people (77% or 32,607) issued family visas in the 2008 cohort had been granted settlement 5 years later with a further 4% recorded as still having valid leave to remain. Of the top 5 nationalities issued family visas in the 2008 cohort, Somalis were the least likely to have settled after 5 years (43%) and Bangladeshi (93%), Pakistani (88%) and Indian nationals (87%) were the most likely.
Migrants granted student and work visas (not leading to settlement), both largely temporary migration routes, were less likely to have either achieved settlement or have valid leave to remain after 5 years (16% and 6% respectively). Of these, only a small proportion had achieved settlement (1% and 2% respectively) within the 5-year timeframe, due to the rules for these visa categories, their propensity to switch into other immigration categories with a route to settlement and the time that would then need to elapse before a settlement application can be made.
Migrants granted family visas in the 2008 cohort (81%) were more likely to achieve either settlement or have valid leave to remain after 5 years compared to earlier cohorts (68% in the 2004 cohort). This trend is reversed for those granted a skilled work visa, work visa (not leading to settlement), study and visit visas, where migrants in the most recent 2008 cohort are less likely to have reached settlement or have valid leave to remain compared to earlier cohorts. The period covered will include the recent economic recession, which may have reduced the likelihood of such migrants seeking to remain longer in the UK.
Of those granted settlement in the 2013 cohort, almost half had originally been issued a family or skilled work visa which could potentially lead to settlement and 14 percent were granted settlement on arrival. Over a third (37%) originally entered on a temporary route and later switched into a route that led to permanent settlement.
Non-EEA migrants issued a visa in each year 2004 to 2008 who still held valid leave to remain or had been granted settlement after 5 years, by visa type
| Cohort | Family | Skilled work (with a potential path to settlement) | Temporary work (not leading to settlement) | Study | Visit | Dependants joining or accompanying |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 68% | 44% | 11% | 24% | 3% | 50% |
| 2005 | 70% | 43% | 10% | 21% | 3% | 51% |
| 2006 | 75% | 41% | 9% | 19% | 3% | 53% |
| 2007 | 79% | 32% | 8% | 17% | 2% | 58% |
| 2008 | 81% | 28% | 6% | 16% | 2% | 53% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, tables MJ 01 to 06.
Immigration status after 5 years of those issued visas in 2008 by visa type
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, tables MJ 01 to MJ 06.
3. Forward-view analysis
The forward-view analysis examines the changes in immigration status of migrants issued visas to the UK in 2004. In addition, potential changes in migrant behaviour over time are explored by comparing results for the 2004 cohort with the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 cohorts.
There are 6 main routes of entry to the UK for migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The forward-view analysis explores these routes, which include:
- family
- skilled work (with a potential path to settlement)
- temporary work (not leading to settlement)
- study
- visit (for those from non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries who are required to hold a visit visa)
- dependants joining or accompanying
The analysis tracks migrants who were issued visas in each of these routes through the immigration system in each year in order to identify their immigration status at the end of the fifth year after their initial arrival. Analysis of the immigration status at the end of the seventh year after entry is examined in this report for the first time for the earlier cohorts. The forward-view analysis of migrants issued visas in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 identifies the points at which an individual’s entry clearance visa or extension of stay changed category or expired.
The expiration of an individual’s entry clearance visa or extension of stay does not necessarily confirm that the migrant has left the UK and returned to their home country. In fact, there are 4 possible outcomes for such migrants:
- the migrant has left the UK
- the migrant is still in the UK (as an overstayer)
- the migrant has made an application for a further extension of stay that has not been identified/recorded or
- the migrant never travelled to the UK (the visa was not used)
As the UK does not at present have full exit controls, it is not possible to estimate the proportion of those whose entry clearance visa or extension of stay has expired who have left the UK.
4. 2008 cohort by immigration status at the end of each year
Those issued a family visa in 2008 were most likely to have achieved settlement or still have valid leave to remain 5 years after their arrival in the UK (81%; 34,097). The chart below shows for each of the visa types analysed the proportion still holding a valid visa or who had gained settlement in each year after their initial arrival. As expected, the decline over time is most rapid for those initially with visit visas, that is mainly short-term tourists, and is slowest for the family visas where the majority ultimately are granted settlement. The decline for those originally arriving on study visas is less rapid than for those on temporary work visas but more rapid than those on skilled work visas (with a potential path to settlement).
Of the 2008 work route (not leading to settlement) cohort, 55% (38,954) had received a grant of valid leave to remain in 2009 but this dropped significantly, to 9% (6,069) in 2010. This reduction is expected, as those who applied under a temporary worker scheme (the work route that does not lead to settlement) are likely to have only intended to stay in the UK for a short period of time.
Migrants in the 2008 cohort still holding valid leave to remain or granted settlement at the end of each year, by visa type
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, tables MJ 01 to MJ 06.
5. Family
For people issued a family visa in 2004, more than half (63%) had gained settlement (permission to stay permanently in the UK) 5 years later. This proportion increased for those in later cohorts, with over three-quarters (77%) of those issued a family visa in 2008 granted settlement 5 years later.
This can be accounted for by more migrants on the family route taking up settlement when they become eligible after 2 years, rather than extending their leave to remain. Of the people issued a family visa in 2008, 52% had gained settlement after 2 years.
Comparison of migrants issued a visa in the family route in each year 2004 to 2008, by their immigration status 5 years later
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 01.
Of the people issued a family visa in 2008, 98% were main applicants and 2% were dependants. The proportion of dependants is low. However, this category does not include all family route dependants. Children of a parent granted a visa to enter the UK for a probationary period are included in the ‘Dependants joining/accompanying category’ as it is not possible to identify these ‘family route’ children separately from children of other migrants from the visa endorsement.
In the 2008 cohort, 5 nationalities accounted for over two-thirds (69%) of the visas issued through the family route. These nationalities were Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi, American and Somali – of whom the largest number were Pakistani nationals, as shown in the table below.
The proportion who had settled within 5 years also differs by nationality. For example, a lower proportion of Somali nationals were settled after 5 years (43%) compared with nationals from Bangladesh (93%), Pakistan (88%) and India (87%).
Top 5 nationalities in the 2008 cohort issued family visas
| Nationality | Migrants in 2008 cohort | Proportion that were dependants | Immigration status 5 years later: % with expired leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % with valid leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % granted settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All nationalities | 42,180 | 2% | 19% | 4% | 77% |
| Of which: | |||||
| Pakistani | 7,343 | 0% | 8% | 3% | 88% |
| Indian | 3,389 | 0% | 10% | 3% | 87% |
| Bangladeshi | 2,667 | 0% | 4% | 2% | 93% |
| American | 2,204 | 0% | 32% | 3% | 64% |
| Somali | 1,623 | 19% | 56% | 1% | 43% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 01.
6. Skilled work (with a potential path to settlement)
For people issued a skilled worker’s visa in 2004, around a third (30%) had gained settlement 5 years later, and a further 15% still had valid leave to remain in the UK.
Comparison of the 2004 cohort to the 4 subsequent cohorts indicates that there has been a rise in the proportion of people whose leave had expired after 5 years, from 56% of those issued a skilled work visa in 2004 to 72% in 2008. This is reflected in the fall in the proportion of people from these cohorts who still had valid leave to remain after 5 years, from 15% for those who were issued a visa in 2004 to 8% for those in 2008. Some of this difference may be due to the increasing influence of the economic recession over the period analysed, which may have reduced the likelihood of some migrants applying to remain longer in the UK.
The proportion of non-EEA skilled workers who gained settlement after 5 years was similar for 2004, 2005 and 2006 cohorts (30%, 31% and 29% respectively) but lower for the 2007 and 2008 cohorts (21% and 20% respectively).
Comparison of migrants issued a visa in the skilled work route (with a potential path to settlement) in each year 2004 to 2008, by their immigration status 5 years later
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 02.
In the 2008 cohort, just 5 nationalities accounted for two-thirds (66%) of the skilled work route. These 5 nationalities were Indian, American, Australian, South African and Chinese (see table below). Indian nationals comprised the largest number of non-EEA skilled workers by far, at 39% of the total.
Of the top 5 nationalities for skilled workers granted a visa in 2008, Chinese nationals were most likely to have obtained settlement after 5 years (38%) and also had the second highest proportion of dependants (35%) in comparison to other nationalities, second only to American skilled workers (39%). In contrast, a lower proportion of Americans and Australians applied for and had been granted settlement (13%).
Over two-thirds (71%) of all those issued skilled work visas in the 2008 cohort were main applicants and 29% were their dependants. The number of dependants in this cohort is higher than other routes and differs by nationality, as shown in the table below.
Top 5 nationalities in the 2008 cohort issued skilled work visas (with a potential path to settlement)
| Nationality | Migrants in 2008 cohort | Proportion that were dependants | Immigration status 5 years later: |
| with expired leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % with valid leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % granted settlement |
| All nationalities | 91,432 | 29% | 72% | 8% | 20% |
| Of which: | |||||
| Indian | 35,465 | 27% | 74% | 7% | 19% |
| American | 10,601 | 39% | 78% | 9% | 13% |
| Australian | 6,819 | 15% | 81% | 6% | 13% |
| South African | 4,448 | 23% | 55% | 8% | 37% |
| Chinese | 3,291 | 35% | 58% | 4% | 38% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 02.
7. Temporary work (not leading to settlement)
As expected, migrants issued temporary work visas are least likely to have valid leave to remain after 5 years, compared to all other non-visit visa types. Of those issued temporary work visas in 2004, only 9% still had valid leave to stay in the UK after 5 years. This proportion fell to 4% for the 2008 cohort. Those obtaining further leave will have done so through switching into alternative visa routes.
Just 3% of people issued a temporary work visa in 2004 had gained settlement 5 years later. A similar proportion (2%) had gained settlement after 5 years after arriving between 2005 and 2008.
The majority of migrants who entered the UK in this route appeared to stay in the UK for a relatively short period of time. After 2 years, 91% of the people issued a temporary work visa in 2008 had expired leave.
Comparison of migrants issued a visa in the temporary work route (not leading to settlement) in each year 2004 to 2008, by their immigration status 5 years later
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 03.
The majority of those granted a temporary work visa in 2008 were main applicants (99.7%), reflecting the fact that these visas will not normally bring rights for accompanying family members.
In the 2008 cohort, the top 5 nationalities accounted for over half (58%) of the temporary work route, the largest number being Australians coming to the UK as working holidaymakers.
Top 5 nationalities in the 2008 cohort issued temporary work visas
| Nationality | Migrants in 2008 cohort | Immigration status 5 years later: % with expired leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % with valid leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % granted settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All nationalities | 71,229 | 94% | 4% | 2% |
| Of which: | ||||
| Australian | 14,949 | 94% | 4% | 2% |
| Indian | 8,550 | 93% | 5% | 2% |
| South African | 8,003 | 90% | 7% | 4% |
| Filipino | 5,548 | 94% | 4% | 2% |
| New Zealander | 4,317 | 93% | 5% | 2% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 03.
This route does not lead to settlement and some categories do not allow migrants to bring their dependants. Those migrants in this route who have achieved settlement will in most cases have married settled persons or British citizens or switched into other routes. Analysis of the previous category of individuals granted an extension in 2011 and 2012 is given in the article ‘Extensions of stay by previous category’. Updates for 2013 of the more detailed tables provided in the article are included in the Extensions tables in the Immigration statistics quarterly release.
8. Study
The large majority (76%) of migrants issued a study visa in 2004 no longer had valid leave to remain 5 years later. This proportion has increased in each cohort from 2005 onwards, to 84% of those issued a study visa in 2008.
Conversely, the proportion who gained settlement 5 years after entering on a study visa has declined. For people issued a study visa in 2004, only 3% had gained settlement 5 years later, and a further 21% still had valid leave to stay in the UK, either as students or in another route. For those arriving in 2008, only 16% had valid leave to remain or had obtained settlement in 2013.
These changes are consistent with the tightening of the Immigration Rules for students since September 2007 (for details please see the user guide policy changes) but may also be partly related to the economic recession which occurred towards the end of the period analysed here, and which may have reduced the incentive for students to remain and seek work in the UK. Study excludes student visitor visas that cannot be extended and normally have validity of 6 months or in some cases up to 11 months.
Comparison of migrants issued a visa to study in each year 2004–2008, by their immigration status 5 years later
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 04.
Of the people issued a study visa in 2008, 55% had expired leave after just 2 years, reflecting the fact that many people on student visas will come to study shorter courses, including postgraduate studies and further education courses, and not just a longer degree. Sixty per cent of non-EU students who started at a UK university in 2008/09 were studying a postgraduate course, rather than an undergraduate degree.
In the 2008 cohort, just 5 nationalities accounted for just over two-fifths (43%) of the study route. These nationalities were Indians, Chinese, Americans, Saudi Arabians and Pakistanis (see the table below).
Nine in 10 (89%) of those granted a study route visa in 2008 were main applicants (the student); the remaining 11% comprised those travelling as a dependent family member. Of the visas issued to the fourth largest nationality group in 2008, Saudi Arabian students, 38% were issued to dependants, meaning that on average there was one dependent accompanying roughly every 2 Saudi students – the highest proportion of the top 5 nationalities and much higher than the 11% for students as a whole. In contrast, 2% of the visas issued to Chinese students were to dependants.
Over a quarter (28%) of Pakistani students had valid leave to remain in the UK after 5 years compared with only 15% for all students, the highest proportion among the top 5 and almost twice the proportion for non-EU students as a whole.
Top 5 nationalities in the 2008 cohort issued study visas
| Nationality | Migrants in 2008 cohort | Proportion that were dependants | Immigration status 5 years later: % with expired leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % with valid leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % granted settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All nationalities | 211,872 | 11% | 84% | 15% | 1% |
| Of which: | |||||
| Indian | 28,407 | 7% | 81% | 19% | 1% |
| Chinese | 26,118 | 2% | 81% | 18% | 1% |
| American | 14,710 | 4% | 92% | 7% | 1% |
| Saudi Arabian | 13,588 | 38% | 81% | 19% | 0% |
| Pakistani | 9,063 | 16% | 69% | 28% | 3% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 04.
9. Dependants joining or accompanying
Dependants joining or accompanying are dependants who have been issued a visa on the basis of their relationship with another migrant, who is not a settled person or British citizen and may have been issued a visa for any reason (e.g. work, study, family, etc.). Dependants are allocated an entry clearance category according to the circumstances of their application. Please see the user guide for further information on the entry clearance rules for dependants.
For people issued a dependants joining or accompanying visa in 2004, more than a third (35%) had gained settlement (permission to stay permanently in the UK) 5 years later, and a further 15% still had valid leave to remain in the UK.
Comparison of the cohorts indicates there has been a fall in the proportion of people whose leave has expired after 5 years, from 50% in 2004 to 42% in 2007 followed by a slight rise to 47% in 2008.
Comparison of migrant cohorts issued a visa through the dependants joining and accompanying route, by immigration status 5 years later
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 06.
In the 2008 cohort, the top 5 nationalities accounted for under two-thirds (64%) of the visas issued through the dependants joining or accompanying route.
The top 5 nationalities differ in the proportion with expired leave after 5 years, as shown in the table below. Filipinos were most likely to have been granted settlement after 5 years compared to a very low proportion for Americans.
Top 5 nationalities in the 2008 cohort issued dependants joining or accompanying visas
| Nationality | Migrants in 2008 cohort | Immigration status 5 years later: % with expired leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % with valid leave to remain in the UK | Immigration status 5 years later: % granted settlement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All nationalities | 37,459 | 47% | 7% | 46% |
| Of which: | ||||
| Indian | 12,018 | 52% | 6% | 42% |
| American | 3,661 | 86% | 9% | 5% |
| Pakistani | 3,182 | 28% | 9% | 63% |
| Filipino | 2,849 | 18% | 5% | 76% |
| Nigerian | 2,265 | 35% | 15% | 51% |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 06.
10. Visit
This section provides details of the migrants who started their journey with a visit visa granted in the cohort year. Different types of visit visas are available to suit the purpose of the visit (for example, tourism, business, family and study). Some nationalities, referred to as non-visa nationals, can enter the UK without a visa providing the purpose of the stay is visit-related. Non-visa nationals accounted for around two-thirds (69%) of all non-EEA visitors in 2013.
All other non-EEA nationals require a visit visa, which provides leave to stay in the UK for up to 6 months at a time. However, those in possession of a visit visa may be able to enter for longer periods to allow for multiple visits (in some cases up to 10 years). This means the visitor figures need to be interpreted with care.
For people issued a visit visa in 2004, 2% had valid leave to stay in the UK after 5 years and a further 1% had gained settlement after the same period. The same results were observed for the 2005 and 2006 cohorts, followed by a small fall for the 2007 and 2008 cohorts.
As the purpose of travel for most visitors is short term and temporary, it is not expected that many visitors are present 5 years after their initial arrival. The vast majority of visit journeys are ‘visit visa only’ (that is, there is no subsequent application for a non-visit visa or case recorded on the ‘in-country’ administrative database). Of the people issued a visit visa in 2008, 89% had expired leave after 2 years and 98% after 5 years.
11. Migrants in each cohort still holding valid leave to remain or granted settlement after 7 years
For the first time, analysis tracking migrants at the end of their seventh year after their visa was granted has been included in the report. This additional analysis would not have been possible previously due to the quality of computer records held in the Immigration system prior to the periods covered by this report, and in earlier years the majority of records would have been held on paper making quantitative analysis of this sort impractical. However, the results of this analysis show similar findings to the fifth year after entry:
- A higher proportion of family migrants still had valid leave or had settled after 7 years, when visas were issued in 2006, compared with the 2 preceding years
- The proportion of migrants that still had valid leave or settlement after 7 years was lower for those issued work visas in 2006 than those issued work visas in 2004, once again possibly reflecting the prevailing economic conditions as well as changes to the Immigration Rules
- Seven years after entry, just 14% of those arriving on a student visa still had valid leave or had settled
Migrants in each cohort still holding valid leave to remain or granted settlement after 7 years, by visa type 1
| Cohort | Family | Skilled work (with a potential path to settlement) | Temporary work (not leading to settlement) | Study | Visit | Dependants joining or accompanying |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 67% | 42% | 10% | 19% | 3% | 48% |
| 2005 | 69% | 40% | 8% | 16% | 3% | 48% |
| 2006 | 75% | 38% | 7% | 14% | 3% | 50% |
- 2007 and 2008 cohorts are not available
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, tables MJ 01 to 06.
12. Backward-view analysis
The migrant journey analysis also considers those whose entry to the UK ultimately results in them applying for settlement, permission to stay permanently in the UK, and which visas they used to do so. The final part of this report looks at the immigration case histories of migrants who were granted settlement in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Limitations of data matching, available data and the rules for settlement mean that it was not always possible to trace every case back to the first visa record. In addition, some original entry records will pre-date the electronic databases used for this analysis, meaning that the migrants could not be linked to an initial visa record.
Where settlement is the first record, this means migrants had either been granted settlement on arrival (indefinite leave to enter (ILE)) or a grant of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) as their earliest record.
Numbers of cases granted settlement can also reflect management decisions and other policy changes. The higher volume of cases granted settlement in 2010 reflects more grants given on a discretionary basis resulting from a review of the backlog of cases involving unsuccessful asylum applications announced in July 2006 by the then Home Secretary.
The most common pathways to settlement were the direct routes to settlement allowed under the Immigration Rules. These are the family route and skilled work routes. Of those migrants granted settlement in 2013, around two-fifths (41%) had either originally entered the UK on a skilled work or family route, without moving through another immigration route. Both of these routes allow a grant of settlement without the migrant switching to another immigration category. The proportion of settlement grants that derive from an original visa category with a normal route to settlement, the family or skilled work routes, has fluctuated from 44% of all settlement grants in 2009, 34% in 2010, 40% in 2011, 43% in 2012 and 41% in 2013, as shown in the chart below.
A further 14% had settlement as their first record.
Around a fifth (19%) of those granted settlement in 2013 originally arrived to study, or accompanied a student. This proportion has increased from 11% of those granted settlement in 2009. As this is a temporary route, these student migrants will have subsequently switched into a route to permanent settlement.
Common immigration routes of those granted settlement in 2009 to 2013
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 07. The chart displays the most common immigration routes.
The number of dependants granted settlement in 2013 differed according to the initial route of entry, as shown in the table below. Over two-thirds (71%) of the total number of settlement grants in 2013 were issued to main applicants and 29% were issued to their dependants. Of the dependants granted settlement in 2013, a third (33%) initially entered the UK on a work (with a potential path to settlement) dependant visa, that is accompanying a skilled worker.
Common immigration routes of those granted settlement in 2013
| Initial route of entry | Total | Main applicant | Dependants |
| Total | 150,904 | 107,380 | 43,524 |
| Of which: | |||
| Dep. Joining or Accompanying | 12,604 | 2,685 | 9,919 |
| Family | 31,399 | 27,999 | 3,400 |
| Skilled work (with a potential path to settlement) | 30,760 | 16,373 | 14,387 |
| Study | 28,173 | 25,207 | 2,966 |
| Settlement | 21,001 | 12,794 | 8,207 |
| Visit | 18,150 | 14,596 | 3,554 |
Table notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, Table MJ 07. The table displays the most common immigration routes and excludes other categories which include EEA family permits and temporary work visas.
In the 2013 cohort, the top 5 nationalities (Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian, Chinese and South African) accounted for 42% of the total number of settlement grants in that year, with Indian migrants making up the largest proportion (17% of the total). The numbers of migrants from particular nationalities will reflect the make-up of migrants on a path to settlement (entering some years earlier) and may not reflect the pattern amongst those migrants arriving now.
Different nationalities have very different profiles in terms of their routes to reaching settlement.
Of the Indian migrants granted settlement in 2013, 42% (10,767) initially entered the UK on a skilled work visa, and around a fifth (18%) initially came to the UK to study. Indian migrants had the highest number of visas for skilled work, study, visit and dependants joining or accompanying in comparison with other nationalities.
Of the Pakistani migrants granted settlement in 2013, 41% were originally issued family route visas, the highest number in comparison with other nationalities. A further 17% (3,055) came to the UK to study, 12% (2,187) came on a skilled work visa and 12% (2,052) originally came on a visit visa, such as family visit.
The third largest group in 2013 were Nigerians: 30% (2,261) who were granted settlement in the 2013 cohort initially entered the UK on a study visa and 28% (2,064) on a visit visa. The vast majority of applications for visit visas are for those that do not allow ‘in-country’ extensions of leave. People who have gained settlement after 5 years would have subsequently applied for a visa that provides a path to settlement.
Chinese migrants granted settlement tended to come to the UK as students (48%; 3,363); the second highest number of students in the 2013 group. A further 21% (1,487) came to the UK to take up skilled work (with a potential path to settlement).
Of the South African migrants, 42% (2,425) were originally issued skilled work visas.
Top 5 nationalities granted settlement in 2013 by initial route of entry to the UK
Chart notes
Source: Home Office, Migrant journey, table MJ 07. The chart displays the most common immigration routes and excludes other categories which include EEA family permits and temporary work visas.
13. Data tables
Further data are available in Migrant journey, tables MJ 01 to MJ 07.
14. About the figures
This is the fifth in a series of research reports based on the ‘Migrant journey’ cohort data; it is published annually as an official statistics release. This naturally complements data already published as part of our regular National Statistics publication on Migration statistics. If as a user you have any comments on this plan please email MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.
The findings presented here are based on data collected from 2 Home Office administrative databases. These databases hold records of individuals granted entry clearance visas, and any subsequent grants of extensions of stay in the UK. As these are sourced from operational systems numbers may change and may not precisely reflect published statistics, if those are produced and published at a different time.
The User Guide to the Home Office Migrant Journey provides further detail on this topic including definitions used, how figures are compiled, data quality and issues arising from figures based on data sourced from an administrative database.
Skilled work (with a potential path to settlement) relates to work categories that were eligible to apply for settlement after a specified time period. These were mainly routes equivalent to PBS Tiers 1 and 2, and some unskilled routes e.g. domestic workers. More information can be found in the user guide.
The numbers of applications and decisions made reflect changes in levels of immigration over time, as well as policy and legislative changes, including changes to immigration legislation. Details of these policy changes, together with information on changes to immigration legislation affecting the statistics, can be found in the Policy and legislative changes affecting migration to the UK: timeline published alongside this report.
15. Other related data
In September 2010 the Home Office published ‘The Migrant Journey’, which presented data on the cohort of migrants who came to the UK in 2004. The findings reported the immigration status of these migrants over the subsequent 5 years, where migrants changed their category of leave and how migrants in temporary and permanent immigration routes achieved settlement in the UK.
In August 2011, a second report, ‘Migrant Journey: second report’, extended the September 2010 analysis by reporting on specific migrant nationalities issued visas in 2004.
In February 2013, a third report, ‘Migrant Journey: Third Report’, extended the August 2011 analysis by providing updates for 2 later cohorts of migrants, namely 2005 and 2006 for the forward-view analysis and 2010 and 2011 for the backward-view analysis.
In February 2014, a fourth report, ‘Migrant journey: fourth report’ extended the February 2013 analysis by providing updates for the 2007 cohort of migrants for the forward-view analysis and 2012 for the backward-view analysis.
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 for 2013 of the more detailed tables provided in the article are included in the Extensions tables in the ‘Tables for ‘Immigration statistics, April to June 2013’ release.