COUNTRY FACTSHEET: UNITED KINGDOM 213 EUROPEAN MIGRATION NETWORK 1. Introduction This EMN Country Factsheet provides a factual overview of the main policy developments in migration and international protection in the UK during 213. 2. Legal Migration and Mobility 2.1. PROMOTING LEGAL MIGRATION CHANNELS With regard to labour market needs and skills recognition, the UK wishes to attract the best and brightest individuals who can contribute to economic growth. Immigration to the UK is managed through a tiered system introduced initially in 28, but which has since been substantially revised. It is a hybrid immigration system, consisting of both points-based and demand-led elements, as well as a numerical limit on certain categories of migrant. In response to business, in April 213, the Tier 2 annual limit for non- EU economic migrants was stabilised at 2,7 for the rest of this parliament. This was in line with the annual limit set in 212. Transitional labour market restrictions have been applied to nationals of Croatia when they joined the European Union in July 213. 2.2. ECONOMIC MIGRATION In relation to highly qualified workers, the UK introduced minor changes in 213, including: The expansion of the Exceptional Talent route with new provision for artists of exceptional talent. There are plans to expand it further by bringing in new competent bodies that are able to assess other fields of talent; The expansion of the Graduate Entrepreneur route by doubling the number of places; The introduction of a new Doctorate Extension Scheme for PhD- graduates. These changes do not relate to the EU Blue Card Directive, which the UK has not opted into. Concerning Intra-Corporate Transferees, the UK recently removed the English language test requirement for those extending their stay beyond three years. In 213, some amendments were introduced to the UK immigration rules to facilitate greater mobility of students and researchers. Such provisions covered international MBA graduates, international students completing a doctorate, degree-level international students, etc. The latter benefited from facilitated access to the country or facilitated stay in the UK following their studies. 2.3. FAMILY REUNIFICATION The UK Government has made minor and technical amendments to the family Immigration Rules in 213, including clarifying the issues related to the income threshold and providing greater flexibility in the evidence to be provided and other requirements to be met. Also, in October 213, the UK Government introduced an Immigration Bill. The latter reformed the removals and appeals system, making it easier and quicker to remove those who have no right to be on UK territory. The Bill contains new powers to investigate suspected fake marriages and civil partnerships and extends powers for information to be shared by and with registration officials. 1 2.4. INTEGRATION Individuals seeking to live permanently in the UK or naturalise as British citizens are required to demonstrate knowledge of language and life in the UK. This requirement has been strengthened with effect from 28 October 213 to ensure that migrants are equipped with the appropriate level of language and knowledge of life in the UK. Individuals will be required to have speaking and listening skills (at a certain level (B1)) on the Common European 1 The Immigration Act received royal assent in May 214.
Framework and pass the Life in the UK test. A new Life in the UK handbook Life in the UK a guide for new residents was published in January 213 and Life in the UK tests based upon it began in March. Under the European Integration Fund (EIF) and the European Refugee Fund (ERF), the implemented measures largely aimed to increase migrants socio-economic integration with a particular emphasis on increasing elements of linguistic competence building which the Government sees as an essential pre-requisite for participation in the labour market. 2.5 MANAGING MIGRATION AND MOBILITY 2 With regard to the Schengen governance, the UK also participated in Operation Perkūnas 3 between September and October. The operation aimed at better understanding secondary movements of illegal immigrants within the Schengen area. Concerning border control, UK was holding discussions with Frontex regarding the possibility of UK connecting to the EUROSUR network- if future legislation would permit it. If this is agreed, the UK will purchase the equipment (node) required for the connection. The UK has launched its own domestic Registered Traveller Scheme, which went live on 24 September 213. This scheme is designed to provide access for faster clearance through the UK border for certain non- EEA national passengers. The first phase of the scheme is for visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Finally, specific measures were undertaken to address unexpected migration flows to the UK due to the ongoing conflict in Syria. Temporary concessions to the immigration rules for Syrians currently in the UK, allowing greater flexibility to extend their visas were introduced in October 212. These concessions were extended for a further year on in February 213. These have since been renewed again to last until 28 th February 215. 3. International Protection and Asylum New Immigration Rules entered into force on 6 th April 213 which, for the first time, allow a stateless person to apply for leave to remain on that basis. The rules, which are separate from the asylum process, are only available to those who are accepted as stateless persons, have no protection needs and who cannot be removed back to the country of previous residence or any other country. 2 Managing migration and mobility refers to the following themes: visa policy, Schengen governance and border monitoring. 3 More information available at: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/doc/srv?l=en&f=st%21 645%2213%2INIT During 213, the Home Office worked with European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to support the asylum quality mapping exercise by completing questionnaires about the UK asylum policy and processes. The UK continued to support the work of EASO through the nominated officials within the Asylum Intervention Pool (AIP). In 213 one UK official was selected to take part in an Asylum Support Team (AST) mission to Greece related to country of origin information. In 213, a total of 965 refugees were resettled to the UK. Furthermore, the UK participates in a Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP) for those displaced by the Syria crisis. The UK provided co-funding of up to 5, for this project. The RDPP implementation was expected to start in January 214. As far as organisational changes are concerned, in March 213, the UK Border Agency was divided into two separate entities: an immigration and visa service, and an immigration law enforcement service. The new services are part of the Home Office. Additionally improvements to the IT systems across the whole immigration system were made. Finally, a strengthened audit framework for the national asylum system was introduced from 1 st April 213. The Home Office now conducts a clear assessment of the potential impact of non-conformity with its quality standards: errors are categorised as minor, serious or critical depending upon their potential impact in the circumstances of each case. 4. Unaccompanied Minors and other Vulnerable Groups In April 213, the policy on granting limited leave to unaccompanied asylum seeking children was incorporated into the immigration rules. The Action Plan on unaccompanied minors (UAMs) made clear the need for reliable statistics to be made available in this area. Following this, a separate category was introduced in June 213 on the database used to record asylum cases. The UK can now ensure that data will be available on the number of UAMs granted leave. In 213, the UK participated in the second phase of the European Return Platform for Unaccompanied Minors (ERPUM) project, which is scheduled to be completed in June 214. The ERPUM project, involving Sweden, Netherlands, Norway and the UK, aims to establish mechanisms in Afghanistan and Iraq to enable the possibility of returning a small number of individuals (aged between 15 and 17 and without valid protection needs). 2
5. Actions against Trafficking in Human Beings The Government announced in August 213 that it would introduce a Modern Slavery Bill. The Bill consolidates into one act the offences used to prosecute slave drivers and introduces Trafficking Prevention Orders to restrict the activity and movement of convicted traffickers. It also provides for a new Anti-Slavery Commissioner to hold law enforcement and other organisations to account. The draft Bill was published as part of a white paper on 16 December 213. Throughout 213, the National Rapporteur Contact Point conducted a wider update of the information contained on the UK section of the EU trafficking website. With regard to the implementation of the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings, in April 213, the police launched Operation Eagle in England and Wales as a model for forces to implement procedures to improve their response to human trafficking and organised immigration crime. The operation aims to reach improved detection, investigation and prosecution levels. Concerning new measures introduced in 213 in relation to the protection of child victims, there have been amendments to UK legislation. These include changes (which entered into force in April 213) to the Protection of Freedoms Act 212. Other changes came into force in 213, such as the amendments to the Asylum and Immigration Act 24 (Treatment of Claimants, etc.), to cover trafficking for all other forms of exploitation as well as labour. Moreover, the Trafficking People for Exploitation Regulations came into force on 6 th April 213 for England and Wales. These set out protective measures to be taken by the police in relation to the complainant in a human trafficking investigation. A specific section relates to children (under 18), outlining that interviews should be without delay, carried out by professionals trained for the purpose, etc. With regard to guidance on the safeguard of children, a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children was published by the Department for Education on 21 st March 213, and came into effect on 15 th April 213. Moreover, guidance for frontline practitioners, outlining the role of a first responder, the use of children s services and when and how to refer a child to the national referral mechanism (NRM), was disseminated to front line practitioners and published in August 213. Finally, with regard to interagency coordination, the National Crime Agency became operational in October 213. It has a key role in using its enhanced intelligence capabilities and coordination functions to target organised crime groups involved in human trafficking. 6. External Dimension of EU Migration Policy Concerning cooperation with partner / third countries for economic migration, throughout 213, the UK was engaged in in different cooperation projects in the context of EU agreements negotiated with third countries. For example, in the context of the EU-Morocco Mobility Partnership, negotiated in June 213, the UK has offered to develop cooperation with Morocco through sharing of experience on border management. Similarly, in the context of the EU-Tunisia Mobility Partnership negotiated in 213, the UK offered cooperation in the area of border management. Finally, the UK led a bridging project, developing initial actions under the Silk Routes Partnership. 7. Irregular Migration The new Immigration Bill 4 completed its passage through the House of Commons on 3 th January 213 and received Royal Assent in May 214. The Immigration Act aims to reform the removals and appeals system, making it easier and quicker to remove those with no right to be on UK territory. It targets the abuse of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights the right to respect for private and family life. It also aims to prevent illegal migrants accessing and abusing public services and the labour market. With regards to prevention of irregular migration, during 213, the UK participated in eleven Frontex joint operations with other Member States. 8. Provision and Exchange of Information to support Policy Development Throughout 213, the UK continued to exchange information with EU agencies such as EASO and Frontex. Moreover, in the context of the EMN, the UK continues to facilitate information through the development of national reports and the organisation of national EMN events to inform policy development at the EU level. STATISTICAL ANNEX The Statistical Annex provides an overview of the latest available statistics for the United Kingdom on aspects of migration and asylum (211-213), including residence, asylum, unaccompanied minors, irregular migration, return and visas. Where statistics are not yet available, this is indicated in the Annex as N/A. 4 More information available on https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-bill 3
Statistical Annex: Immigration and Asylum in the United Kingdom (211-213) Figure 1: First residence permits, by reason 5 (211-213) 8, 6, 4, 2, Total Family reasons Education reasons Remunerated activities Other reasons Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_resfirst), extracted 9 July214 Table 1: First residence permits: Top five third-country nationalities (211-213) 1. USA 121,264 1. USA 132,828 1. India 139,875 2. India 119,192 2. India 15,851 2. USA 15,718 3. China 62,982 3. China 68,967 3. Philippines 86,81 4. Pakistan 52,239 4. Philippines 4,356 4. China 72,949 5. Philippines 51,795 5. Pakistan 26,991 5. Indonesia 22,58 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_resfirst), extracted July 214 Figure 2: Resident population of third-country nationals in millions (211-213) 3. 2.5 2.43 2.46 2.51 2. 1.5 1..5. Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_pop1ctz), extracted 4 June 214 Table 2: Resident population: Top five third-country nationalities (211-213) 1.India- 332,826 1.India- 343,79 1.India- 357,43 2.Pakistan 159,581 2.Pakistan 175,826 2.Pakistan 184,791 3.USA 152,52 3.USA 144,778 3.USA 165,963 4.China 115,13 4.China 123,13 4.Nigeria 18,312 5. South Africa 97,574 5. Nigeria 17,515 5. China 17,596 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_pop1ctz), extracted 4 June 214 5 The UK does not have a residence permit database but provides estimates of third country nationals who are granted permission to stay in the UK. These estimates are derived from National Statistics data on passengers given leave to enter and supplemented with other management information such as visas issued and asylum granted. 4
Figure 3: Asylum applications (211-213) 35, 3, 25, 2, 15, 1, 5, 26,94 28,895 3,11 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyappctza), extracted 4 June 214 Table 3: Asylum applications: Top five third-country nationalities (211-213) 1.Pakistan 4,95 1. Pakistan 4,97 1. Pakistan 4,645 2.Iran 3,165 2.Iran 3,265 2.Iran 3,55 3.Sri Lanka 2,19 3.Sri Lanka- 2,175 3.Sri Lanka- 2,28 4. Afghanistan 1,665 4. Nigeria 1,525 4. Syria 2,4 5. Libya 1,215 5. Afghanistan 1,355 5. Albania 1,615 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyappctza), extracted 4 June 214 Table 4: Asylum applications - First instance decisions by outcome (211-213) Total decisions Positive decisions Refugee status Of which: Subsidiary protection Humanitarian reasons Negative decisions 211 22,97 7,24 5,515 125 1,6 15,735 212 22,454,475 7,85 6,555 135 1,16 14,195 213 22,485 8,55 7,475 7 96 13,98 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asydcfsta), extracted 4 June 214 Figures 4-6: Asylum applications - First instance decisions by outcome (211-213) 211 212 213 Granted refugee status 24% 3% 33% Granted subsidiary protection 68% 1% 7% 64% 1% 5% 62% 1% 4% Granted humanitarian protection Negative decisions Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asydcfsta), extracted 4 June 214 Table 5: Third-country nationals relocated and resettled (211-213) Third-country nationals relocated* Third-country nationals resettled 455 1,4 965 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyresa), extracted 6 June 214 and *UK NCP contributions 5
Figure 7: Unaccompanied minors (211-213) Table 6: Unaccompanied minors (211-213) 1,6 1,4 1,2 1, 8 6 4 2 1,4 1,125 1,175 211 212* 213 Unaccompanied 1,4 1,125 1,175 minors (total) 6 Unaccompanied minors not applying for asylum Unaccompanied minor asylum applicants N/A N/A 1,4 1,125 1,175 Source: Data provided by UK EMN National Contact Point; EMN, A Descriptive Analysis of the Impacts of the Stockholm Programme 21-213; * Improved methodology used for calculating UAMs as previous estimates were an overestimate. Table 7: Number of third-country nationals refused entry at external borders (211-213) Third-country nationals refused entry at external borders 14,72 13,33 13,435 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eirfs), extracted 4 June 214 Figure 8: Number of third-country nationals found to be illegally present (211-213) 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 57,195 54,15 49,365 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eipre), extracted 4 June 214 Table 8: Third-country nationals returned (211-213) Third-country Returned as part of Returned Returned through an Assisted nationals ordered to forced return measures 7 voluntarily Voluntary Return Programme 8 leave 211 54,15 N/A N/A N/A 212 49,365 11,995 29,545 3,695 213 57,195 9,965 32,31 4,625 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eiord), extracted 4 June 214 and Commission Staff Working Document - Accompanying the 5th Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum 213; * Totals differ as they relate to the year in which a third country national is ordered to leave or returned. Table 9: Number of visas issued by type (211-212) Schengen visa (short-stay visas) N/A N/A N/A National visa 2,275,417 2,228,762 2,497,165 Total visas 2,275,417 2,228,762 2,497,165 Source: UK Immigration Statistics January to March 214 Publication. 6 The total number of UAMs only reflects data on the number of unaccompanied minors seeking for asylum. 7 Data provided (rounded to the nearest 5) by UK EMN National Contact Point is a breakdown of Eurostat data (migr_eirtn) 54,18 and 55,1 (212 and 213). These totals include people initially refused at the port and subsequently departed (12,64 and 12,83 for 212 and 213) 8 The number of third country nationals returned through an AVR is a subset of total number returned voluntarily. 6