Guidance

Migrant journey: user guide

Updated 31 May 2022

1. Introduction

This user guide to the Home Office’s ‘Migrant Journey’ reports (formerly known as ‘Statistics on changes in migrants’ visa and leave status’) is designed to be a useful reference guide with explanatory notes on the issues and classifications which are key to the production and presentation of this release. The release explores changes in non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) migrants’ visa and leave status as they journey through the UK’s immigration system.

Statistics covered

The findings presented in this release are based on administrative data for migrants granted leave to enter, or remain in, the UK in the following routes:

• Family
• Work (including dependants)
• Study (including dependants)
• Dependants joining or accompanying
• Asylum

Both main applicants and dependants are included within the report and all references to High value worker, Skilled worker, Temporary worker, and Sponsored study visas include Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 5, or Tier 4 respectively as well as their pre-points-based system (PBS) equivalents.

It is not possible to tell from the data whether individuals are currently in the UK.

The report focuses on migrant journeys where a journey is defined as a series of grants of leave, or extensions of stay, with no more than 12 months between the end of one leave period and the start of the next. This definition is consistent with the UN definition of migration.

Where the report refers to cohorts of migrants initially issued leave , only journeys for which the first recorded grant of leave was an out-of-country visa or a grant of Asylum are included (this is also true for tables MJ_01 – MJ_04 and dataset MJ_D01).

Where the report talks about cohorts of people granted settlement, all journeys are included regardless of whether the initial grant was in-country or out-of-country (this is also true for tables MJ_05 and MJ_06, and dataset MJ_D02).

In all cases, the ‘initial leave category’ relates to the first recorded instance of leave. Therefore, the ‘Protection’ category in MJ_D02 relates only to those whose first recorded leave instance was asylum, humanitarian protection, alternative forms of leave or resettlement. It does not include those who were initially granted a different type of leave before claiming asylum.

Further summary details on the method adopted, who is covered, and presentation is included at the beginning of the report itself.

Purpose

The ‘Migrant Journey’ provides evidence on the behaviour of migrants and is based on UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) administrative data sources. The purpose is:

• to inform understanding of the processes that migrants go through when they decide to stay in the UK or switch their status
• to help inform users (including government, Parliament, the media and the wider public)
• to support the development and monitoring of policy on settlement of migrants in the UK and permanent and temporary migration routes

The current system of immigration control is based on the Immigration Act 1971, which came into force on 1 January 1973, and subsequent amendments to the law. Policy and operational changes, as well as external drivers of immigration, such as global events and economics, can affect the figures. The availability and allocation of resources within the Home Office can affect the number of decisions made.

Further information on the work of the Home Office can be found in its annual report and in publications referred to in the Other sources of information on immigration and migration section of this user guide.

Where are the latest published statistics?

See section 6 at the end of this guide for a full list of tables

A full list of previous reports in the series can be found in the Migrant Journey collection.

Feedback and enquiries

We welcome feedback on the ‘Migrant Journey’, which can be provided by email or in writing:

Email: MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk

For press enquiries please call 0300 123 3535.

2. Glossary of terms

This glossary sets out terms used in the ‘Migrant Journey’ release. It is intended to give an overview of the terms, rather than a full technical description.

If there are terms in the release that you would like to be explained in this glossary, please contact: MigrationStatsEnquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Acronyms

CID - Case Information Database

LTR - leave to remain

CRS - Central Reference System

NS - National Statistics

HSMP - Highly Skilled Migrant Programme

ONS - Office for National Statistics

ILR - indefinite leave to remain

PBS - points-based system

ISA - Initial Status Analysis

UKVI - UK Visas and Immigration

Terms

Within an explanation of a term, words in bold are explained elsewhere in the glossary.

An asylum applicant is a person who either: (a) makes a request to be recognised as a refugee under the Geneva Convention on the basis that it would be contrary to the UK’s obligations under the Geneva Convention for him to be removed from or required to leave the UK; or (b) otherwise makes a request for international protection.

European Economic Area (EEA) family permit: A family permit is issued overseas to direct and extended family members of an EEA national who is in, or intends to come to, the UK to exercise free movement rights. Under the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006, Swiss nationals are included in the definition of EEA nationals. Family members of Swiss nationals have the same free movement rights as family members of EEA nationals.

Entry clearance takes the form of a sticker, also called a vignette, which is placed in a person’s travel document. Entry clearance can be called a visa (for visa nationals), an entry certificate (for non-visa nationals), or a family permit for family members of EEA nationals. These documents are to be taken as evidence of the holder’s eligibility to travel to the UK, and accordingly accepted as ‘entry clearances’ within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971. The term ‘visa’ may be used as a generic term for all types of entry clearance but in Immigration Statistics, it does not refer to an entry certificate.

An entry clearance visa is a document permitting the bearer to travel to the UK and leave to enter from the date of issue. It is activated upon passing through UK immigration control. There are three categories of visa: temporary, leading to settlement and settlement. Visas are required by nationals or citizens of the countries and territorial entities listed in Appendix 1 of the Immigration Rules known as ‘visa nationals’. Nationals of countries not on this list are known as ‘non-visa nationals’. A non-visa national does not need a visa to come to the UK for less than six months, unless it is a requirement of the immigration category under which they are entering. A non-visa national coming to the UK for more than six months will need a visa.

The EEA consists of the 27 countries of the European Union, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Nationals of the EEA and Switzerland have rights of free movement within the UK until the end of the Transition period on 31 December 2020.

The European Union (EU) consists of 27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. Croatia joined the EU on 1 July 2013.

Extension of stay, see leave to remain below. This is distinct from visa, which relates to entry clearance obtained prior to travel.

Family route is for those seeking to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their family life with a person who is a British Citizen, is settled in the UK, or is in the UK with limited leave as a refugee or person granted humanitarian protection (and the applicant cannot seek leave to enter or remain in the UK as their family member under Part 11 of the Immigration Rules).

Family life (10-year) route: Partners and parents who apply in the UK and are granted leave to remain on a 10-year route to settlement on the basis of their family life where the relevant provisions in Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules (including EX.1) apply.

Indefinite leave to remain is a grant of settlement (after entry) to a non-EEA national.

Leave to remain is permission to stay in the UK either temporarily (limited leave to remain) or permanently (indefinite leave to remain). In this release, an extension of leave to remain is known as ‘extension of stay’ and indefinite leave to remain is known as ‘settlement’.

The points-based system (PBS) was the main route for non-EEA nationals until late 2020 working and studying in the UK. It consisted of five ‘tiers’. See the definitions for the individual tiers, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 and Tier 5 for further information.

Private life: grant of leave to remain in the UK because the person has established a private life in the UK. In order to be eligible to apply for leave to remain on the basis of private life in the UK, the applicant must have resided continuously in the UK for at least 20 years or be able to demonstrate that there are very significant obstacles to their integration in the country to which they would return. For young people aged between 18 and 24 the applicant must have resided continuously in the UK for at least half of their life, and for children aged under 18, the applicant must have resided continuously in the UK for at least 7 years and show that it would not be reasonable to expect them to leave the UK. Applicants can only apply for this route from within the UK.

Refugee is defined, by the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and 1967 Protocol (the ‘Refugee Convention’), as being a person 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 or habitual residence, where stateless and who is unable or, owing to such a fear, is unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country. Recognition of refugee status by the UK is a pre-requisite to a grant of asylum in the country.

Settlement is a grant of indefinite leave to enter (on arrival) or indefinite leave to remain (after entry) to a non-EEA national.

Students are non-EEA nationals travelling to the UK primarily or solely for the purpose of study.

The short-term study category replaced the student visitor category on 24 April 2015 and provides for those people who wish to come to the UK in order to undertake a short course of study, or short period of research as part of a degree course, which will be completed within the period of their leave (maximum six months unless applying under the concession for English language courses – 11 months). Short-term students cannot work, including undertaking a paid or unpaid work placement as part of their course. They are distinct from students arriving on Sponsored study visas, though some such visas may be a short duration.

Tier 1 of the PBS: For high-value individuals who will contribute to growth and productivity. This tier is now captured in the ‘High value’ work category.

Tier 2 of the PBS: For skilled workers from outside the EEA with a skilled job offer to fill gaps in the UK labour force. This tier is now captured in the ‘Skilled worker’ category.

Tier 3 of the PBS: For limited numbers of low-skilled workers needed to fill specific temporary labour shortages (this was never implemented).

Tier 4 of the PBS: Students. This tier is now captured in the ‘Sponsored study’ category

Tier 5 of the PBS: Youth mobility and temporary workers: people allowed to work in the UK for a limited period of time to satisfy primarily non-economic objectives. This tier is now captured in the ‘Temporary worker’ category.

Visa: see Entry clearance.

A visa national is: a national of a country listed as requiring a visa for any type of entry to the UK; a stateless person; a holder of a non-national travel document unless issued by the UK; or a holder of a passport issued by an authority that is not recognised in the UK. Visa nationals must obtain entry clearance before travelling to the UK, except in certain circumstances, unless they are returning residents or those with permission to stay who are returning after a temporary absence.

3. Conventions

Rounding

Data are provided unrounded. This is to promote transparency and allow users to exploit the data further.

However, caution should be taken when comparing small differences between time periods. While care is taken in collecting and collating all the information obtained, the figures are subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large recording system and are not necessarily accurate to the last digit. There are a range of different types of errors possible, such as those resulting from recording errors or misclassifications.

Percentages are rounded to the nearest per cent using the round-half-away-from-zero method.

The round-half-away-from-zero method has been used so that in the borderline case where the fraction of the percentage is exactly 0.5, the rounded figure is equal to y + 0.5 if y is positive, and y - 0.5 if y is negative. For example, 23.5% is rounded to 24%, and -23.5% is rounded to -24%.

Where percentages are rounded, they may not total 100% because they have been rounded independently.

Use of symbols

The following symbols have been used in the tables:

z - Not applicable

: - Not available

0 - Nil

Using the data: pivot tables

The detailed data tables MJ_D01 and MJ_D02 include pivot tables to allow users to select data for their needs.

The following instructions for use are included above the pivot table:

To rearrange the pivot tables, click on the data and a ‘PivotTable fields’ list will appear on the right of the screen. Drag and drop fields between the ‘Filters’, ‘Columns’ and ‘Rows’ boxes to create a table that fits your requirements, for example move ‘Country of nationality’ to the ‘Rows’ box to obtain breakdowns by nationality.

Click the arrow button next to a field to apply a filter. This allows you to select a specific category - for example, to identify data for a specific year or specific nationality.

Revisions to data

The data contained in the report are revised every year. It is not possible to evaluate whether any future revisions will be upward or downward, however the reasons for revisions are likely to include:

• late reporting of cases – a small proportion of cases are not included when the statistics are produced
• the results of data-cleansing exercises, such as data identified that cannot be included when the statistics are calculated because of missing or invalid values, or the identification of duplicates in the data
• new data added to the ISA system (for example from new grants of leave) can provide new information which allows linking of records which were previously unlinked

Factors affecting the statistics

Immigration Rules are stated in ‘Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules’ HC395, which took effect from 1 October 1994. This consolidated previous rule changes, although there have been changes to the rules since 1994. Some of these changes have affected the statistics and the most important changes are given in the ‘Policy and legislative changes timeline’ published alongside the quarterly immigration statistics.

Strengths, limitations and data quality

Below are some general strengths and limitations of the ‘Migrant Journey’.

Strengths of the data provided:

• Very detailed information based on administrative sources providing exact counts by detailed nationality.
• Possible to see how changes to the UK’s immigration control system have directly impacted the numbers, which are used to directly monitor that system.

Limitations of the data provided:

• Data do not provide an indication of overall levels of immigration, emigration, and net migration.
• Data generally relate to those subject to immigration control and therefore cannot provide an overview of all immigration,
• Data do not provide information on emigration.

Official Statistics and National Statistics

Official Statistics are data which are collected for the purpose of supporting government business and are drawn from the Home Office’s administrative systems. They have not necessarily been subject to the same detailed verification processes as those badged as NS. The data contained in the report are Official Statistics.

4. Methodology

Change in methodology (including in previous editions)

This report carries over the methodological changes that were introduced as part of the ‘Statistics on changes in migrants’ visa and leave status: 2015’ report.

The methodology was enhanced in the ‘Statistics on changes in migrants’ visa and leave status: 2015’ report. These reflected changes in the matching procedures adopted in linking together immigration histories. However, the numbers and messages in the data were broadly consistent with previous Migrant Journey analyses (up to and including the sixth report), with family and skilled work visas most likely to lead to settlement after 5 years, and study and temporary work routes less likely.

Previously matching was based on the internal links generated within the in-country casework system that is used to process application for leave from migrants already in the UK. Visa applications were matched to the in-country casework system. The linkage system was enhanced to also link together visas for a migrant, whether or not they have made an application for further leave while resident. Additionally, biometric information collected from 2008 onwards is used to link visas and in-country leave, which further enhances the accuracy of the data matching.

An effect of the enhanced linking is that whenever a migrant applies for a visit visa and subsequently applies for a non-visit visa (e.g. to study) a link is made. Following the old methodology, this would mark a ‘journey’ as commencing with a visit visa (which could be a short holiday or preparatory visit) and not with the non-visit visa that actually granted residence. Given that visit visas do not confer residency rights (and their period of validity do not generally reflect periods of stay in the UK), visit visas were removed from the analysis in order to provide a better indication of the original purpose for entering the UK that might subsequently lead to residence.

The effect of the change in methodology is also to link up more periods of leave into ‘journeys’, particularly including linking periods of leave where a migrant has repeatedly applied for visas out of country rather than having requested any extensions of visas in country. This had a particular effect of boosting the percentages with valid leave after 5 years for those who originally arrived on work visas, which is not too surprising as one might expect a pattern of some visas being issued out of country for a specific spell of employment without subsequent extensions of leave in country being granted.

The new methodology generally indicates the same patterns but provides a better indication of the migrant status over time as it is based on better systems of data matching.

Although the new process was changed to exclude visitor arrivals, results from earlier sweeps of this study indicate that the percentage of those arriving on visit visas that were found to have valid leave 5 years later was very low.

In line with the change in method that excluded visit visas, the intention was to also exclude unsponsored Short-term study visas, this being a category that cannot be extended in-country and has similar characteristics to a visit visa (they normally have validity up to 6 months, though in some cases 11 months). In generating figures for the ‘Statistics on changes in migrants’ visa and leave status: 2016’ report it was discovered that inadvertently, in some years, a small number of grants Short-term study visas had been included in the published analysis. This did not have any significant impact on results and these have since been excluded from later reports.

Change in methodology for categorising work leave

Reports in this series, prior to the ‘Statistics on changes in migrants’ visa and leave status: 2016’ report, have classified work categories as ‘Skilled work (with a potential path to settlement)’ or ‘Work (not leading to settlement)’.

Until April 2010, most High value and Skilled workers were eligible for settlement after five years in the UK. Persons entering under the UK Ancestry or Domestic Workers routes were also able to apply for settlement after five years working in the UK.

Changes to the Immigration Rules starting from April 2010 have removed the settlement rights for some Tier 2 migrants, domestic workers, and private servants in diplomatic households who come under the Tier 5 Temporary worker – international agreement category. Similarly, prior to the introduction of the PBS with shorter visas, many high-skilled workers obtained 5-year visas and therefore had a direct route to settlement without the need to obtain in-country extensions.

In light of these changes, which significantly altered the nature of migrants ‘with a potential path to settlement’, and for greater consistency with quarterly Immigration Statistics, the classifications used in this report (and the previous one, ‘Statistics on changes in migrants’ visa and leave status: 2015’) for those granted Work visas now provide a closer alignment to the more clearly defined Work categoriesused in the published Immigration Statistics series.

However, it should also be recognised that Tiers did change over time. For example, various Tier 1 routes were closed and replaced by non-PBS work categories.

Data source

The statistics were extracted from the Initial Status Analysis (ISA) system, which was developed by the Exit Checks programme. The ISA system is a database that combines data from multiple Home Office systems, it links these data to produce individuals’ travel histories together with their immigration status.

For the Migrant Journey report, an extract is taken from the ISA comprising data from two of these systems:

Case Information Database (CID) – data on extensions of stay within the UK.

CID was introduced in 2000 as the Asylum Case Information Database (ACID). It was then expanded in 2002 to cover non-asylum extensions of stay, settlement and British citizenship casework. Finally, systems dealing with port and enforcement casework were added in 2003. No records of migrants issued an extension of stay in the UK before 2000 were transferred to the CID. This means that the database did not contain complete case histories until 2004, and hence this is the earliest point for which the analysis in this report could be undertaken.

Central Reference System (CRS) – data on grants of entry clearance (visas issued).

CRS was introduced in 2002 and is used to collect details of entry clearance applications in diplomatic missions abroad.

Atlas – data on grant of entry clearance (visas issued) and extensions of stay within in the UK

Atlas was introduced in 2018 to replace existing caseworking systems for both overseas and in-country applications. Since then, casework has been transferred in blocks from other systems. Data from Atlas is included from the 2021 Migrant Journey report following its ingestion into ISA.

Methods

The report includes two types of analyses, from the two detailed data tables and corresponding summary tables:

• Migrants granted initial leave in five and ten years earlier, and examining their leave status at the end of the most recent year (table MJ_D01), by age and sex (tables MJ_01 to MJ_04)
• Migrants granted settlement in the most recent year and which leave they initially came to the UK with (table MJ_D02), by age and sex (tables MJ_05 and MJ_06)

In releases prior to the 2019 report, these were known as the ‘forward’ and ‘backward’ analyses. This release does not use this terminology, but the analysis remains the same.

Migrants granted an initial Study visa in five and ten years ago, and examining their leave status at the end of the most recent year

This analysis looks at the cohorts of migrants granted initial leave five and ten years before the report and examining their immigration statuses at the end of the most recent year to identify whether they had valid permission to remain in the UK or whether they had changed their category of leave. It should be noted that valid leave does not confirm that a migrant is still in the UK at that point, as it is possible that they may have left prior to their leave expiring. Where a migrant has expired leave there are four possible outcomes, which are:

• the migrant has left the UK
• the migrant is still in the UK (as an overstayer)
• the migrant has made an application for further leave to remain (LTR) that has not yet been processed, although for the period covered here the number in this final category will be small
• the migrant never travelled to the UK (the visa was not used)

The published detailed data tables also contain information on migrants granted entry clearance in all years from 2004 to 2020. The summary tables focus on 2020 and 2015 only.

Migrants granted settlement in the most recent year and which leave categories they used initially came to the UK on

This analysis reports on cohorts of migrants granted settlement in the most recent year, tracing their records back through the immigration system to identify their initial entry clearance route and year of entry. The data provide information on migrants from the point they received clearance to enter the UK, until they leave the immigration system or are granted settlement.

The published data tables also contain information on migrants granted settlement in all years from 2009 to 2020.

Migration to the UK via non-visit visa routes is mainly managed through the PBS – see Glossary of terms.

The underlying data used to calculate the number of migrants granted settlement is derived from a different administrative source than the published settlement figures in the quarterly ‘Immigration Statistics’ release, so figures are not identical. This is thought to largely relate to small number of cases for immediate settlement being derived from visa data as opposed to admissions data, with the latter being lower.

Background and changes in legislation and policy affecting the statistics

The PBS was introduced in 2008 and consists of five ‘tiers’. Three of these (Tiers 1, 2 and 5) relate to permission to work. Tier 1 provided a route for high-value workers; its phased implementation took place between February 2008 and June 2008, replacing the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP), which also led to settlement. Subsequent changes are:

• Tier 1 General route was closed to new ‘out-of-country’ entry clearance visa applicants from 23 December 2010 and to those applying inside the UK to switch from most categories from 6 April 2011
• a new Tier 1 route (Exceptional Talent) was introduced from 9 August 2011
• Tier 1 Post-study route was closed to new applicants from 6 April 2012
• a new Tier 1 Graduate entrepreneur category was introduced from 6 April 2012
• The Tier 1 Entrepreneur route was closed to most new applicants in March 2019 and replaced by the non-PBS Innovator route.
• The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route was closed to new applicants in July 2019 and replaced by the non-PBS Start-up route.
• The Tier 1 Exceptional Talent route was closed to new applicants in February 2020 and replaced by the non-PBS Global Talent route

Tiers 2 and 5 were implemented in November 2008. Tier 2 replaced the Work Permit scheme and provided a route for skilled non-EEA nationals with sponsorship from a UK employer to come to live and work in the UK. The Work Permit scheme granted skilled migrants LTR in the UK in order to work in a skilled occupation. Tier 5 is for temporary workers and youth mobility, providing a route for those coming to the UK for primarily non-economic reasons. The additional tier (Tier 3) relates to unskilled workers and has never been implemented.

From 6 April 2012, Tier 2 skilled workers were allowed to stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 years if they are not granted permission to stay in the UK permanently. After 6 years they will have to depart the UK or switch into a different category. Tier 2 policy guidance states that those who depart the UK will not normally be able to reapply to return to the UK under Tier 2 for 12 months.

Tier 4 was implemented in March 2009 and provided a route for students to study with an approved education provider. Subsequent changes include a limit to the overall time that can be spent on a student visa.

The Tier 4 Doctorate Extension was introduced on 6 April 2013.

Other non-visit visa categories outside of the PBS allow migrants to come to the UK for family reunion (through marriage and migration of dependent children) or to obtain settlement (indefinite LTR).

In this analysis, the ‘family route’ is made up of those coming to join or accompany family members who are British citizens or settled people. This includes fiancé(e)s, proposed civil partners, spouses, civil partners, or unmarried or same-sex partners, children and elderly relatives. Data from 2012 also include those seeking to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their family life with a person with limited leave as a refugee or person granted humanitarian protection (and the applicant cannot seek leave to enter or remain in the UK as their family member under Part 11 of the Immigration Rules).

Following a consultation on family migration, a number of changes to the Immigration Rules came into effect on 9 July 2012. The changes included:

• introduction of a maintenance and accommodation threshold of £18,600 (with higher levels for also sponsoring non-EEA dependent children)
• extending from 2 years to 5 years the minimum probationary period before non-EEA spouses and partners can apply for settlement in the UK
• abolishing immediate settlement for the migrant spouses and partner where a couple have been living together overseas for at least 4 years, and requiring them to complete a 5-year probationary period
• introduction of a genuineness test for relationships
• allowing adult and elderly dependants to settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK, and requiring them to apply from overseas rather than switch in the UK from another category, for example as a visitor

The new Immigration Rules also balance the rights of the individual with the public interest in controlling immigration and protecting the public, with requirements defining the basis on which a person can enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their family or private life.

It is not possible to separately identify migrants issued a visa under the family Immigration Rules implemented on 9 July 2012.

The ‘asylum route’ is another way that migrants can enter the UK and achieve settlement. The number of settlement grants issued to migrants granted asylum fell from 67,810 in 2005 to 30,655 in 2006. By the end of 2009, there were 3,110 migrants granted settlement in the asylum route. This decrease is partly due to changes to asylum policy in 2005. Prior to August 2005, those granted asylum were immediately entitled settlement. Migrants who are granted asylum after that date are entitled to receive 5 years’ temporary permission to stay after which they can apply for settlement. However, a large part of the decrease in asylum cases leading to settlement is due to the fall in numbers of people seeking and being granted asylum during this period. In 2009, there were 24,487 asylum applications from main applicants, compared with a peak of 84,132 in 2002.

Data matching

For the purposes of the report, each migrant’s journey through the immigration system was tracked from the original leave category granted to them, through all the grants of entry clearance visas or extensions of stay and settlement records on the Home Office databases. The data collected for each migrant consisted of the type of leave granted (‘route’), the issue date and the expiry date. These details were put in chronological order using the issue date, with the type of leave granted (usually a visa) denoting the initial route of entry. This chronological ordering showed when and how each individual entered the immigration system, and the date of expiry of their last recorded extension or change of leave.

There are a number of visas which act as a catch-all for dependants – these are included within ‘Dependants joining/accompanying’ visa endorsements. In previous reports these endorsements were mapped according to the immigration route of the next leave granted in the journey. Where there was no grant of further leave in the journey, a default mapping of ‘Family’ was applied. To improve the alignment of the analysis with other immigration publications, this was changed for the ‘Fifth Migrant Journey’ report, so that endorsements are now shown as a separate category ‘Dependant joining or accompanying’ rather than mapped according to the immigration route of the next grant of leave in the journey. If the elapsed time between consecutive visas is longer than 12 months, the journey is separated into two separate journeys.

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. Within the PBS, a child or partner will be recorded as a dependant under the tier of the main applicant, unless he/she has applied for and been granted a PBS visa in their own right, when they will be included as a main applicant. Outside of the PBS, many visas for dependants are specific to the visa for the main applicant. However, there are a number of visas which act as a catch-all for 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 – these are included within ‘Dependants joining/accompanying’ and may have been issued a visa for any reason (e.g. work, study, family, etc).

5. Other sources of information on immigration and migration

Research Reports on immigration control are published by Home Office Science as reports and occasional papers

Immigration Statistics releases, including data tables and commentary

EU Settlement Scheme statistics releases, including data tables and commentary

Future publication dates for migration statistics are pre-announced on the GOV.UK Release Calendar

Information on how the Home Office complies with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics

6. List of tables

This section provides a list of the tables published in the ‘Migrant Journey’.

Detailed data tables

• Table MJ_D01: End-of-year category and immigration status of all applicants issued leave by year of initial grant, category of initial leave and country of nationality.
• Table MJ_D02: Migrants granted settlement by year of settlement grant, initial leave category and country of nationality.

Summary age and sex tables

• Table MJ_01: Status of those issued initial leave in 2011 at the end of 2021, by initial leave category and age at initial visa grant.
• Table MJ_02: Status of those issued initial leave in 2011 at the end of 2021, by initial leave category and sex.
• Table MJ_03: Status of those issued initial leave in 2016 at the end of 2021, by initial leave category and age at initial grant.
• Table MJ_04: Status of those issued initial leave in 2016 at the end of 2021, by initial leave category and sex.
• Table MJ_05: Grants of settlement in 2021 by year of initial grant, initial leave category and age at time of settlement.
• Table MJ_06: Grants of settlement in 2021 by year of initial grant, initial leave category and sex.
• Table MJ_07: People with valid leave to remain other than ILR or Citizenship at the end of 2021, for those issued leave from 2004 onwards, by leave category, age, and sex