The latest publication from the Office of National Statistics shows quarterly and annual data relating to those coming to the UK; extending their stay; obtaining nationality; and arriving to work, study or for family reasons. All statistics presented are taken for the year ending March 2018.

Arrivals

Based on information gained on airport passenger surveys, 137.9 million people arrived in the UK, including a record number of returning UK residents than ever before: an increase of six million compared with 2017.

Visit

2.7 million visas were granted and, of these, 2.1 million (77%) were temporary Visit visas.

Chinese and Indian nationals accounted for just under half (46%) of all visit visas granted.

As many countries do not require a visa to enter the country, the number of visitor visas granted is lower than the total number of arrivals.

Extensions

163,817 applicants were granted an extension to their stay in 2017.

There were 71,676 people granted permission to stay permanently in the UK, 23% more than in the previous year.

141,883 documents of permanent residence were issued, the majority to EU nationals.

British Nationality

The total number of applications for British citizenship rose by 6%, with applications from non-EU nationals falling, but almost doubling for EU nationals, up by 18,302 to 40, 456.

Work

There were 1% fewer work-related visas granted in the year ending March 2018. They included 53, 674 Tier 2 visas.

Study

There was a 7% increase on the previous year.

Three nationalities (Chinese, Indian and US) accounted for over half (53%), with Chinese nationals making up to 40% of the total.

Family

The number of family-related visas granted fell by 1% to 134, 789.