Indians lead UK immigration, but also top voluntary returns list

LONDON: Indians top the numbers of foreign nationals resettling in the UK, being granted British citizenship, gaining work visas, applying for study visas, and visiting the UK as a tourist, according to the latest immigration statistics released by the home office.In the year ending June 2026, Indians received the highest number of work visas at 47,009 (20% of total granted), of which 37,402 were worker visas (31% of those granted).The total number of work visas (234,841) was 18% fewer than the previous year due to policy changes and the abolition of the care worker visa and 62% fewer than the peak in the YE Dec 2023.Indians made the highest number of applications for study visas, applying for 89,763 visas. Of these, 83,958 were granted, the second-highest number after China. There were 383,455 study visas granted to all nationalities — 11% less than the previous year and 41% less than the peak in year ending June 2023.Chinese and Indian students accounted for 46% of sponsored study visas.Indians were the top nationality to visit the UK, with 514,398 visitor visas granted, making up 24% of all visitor visas and the largest nationality group granted settlement, with grants (35,384) increasing by 51% compared with the previous year. Indians also got the highest number of British citizenship grants at 24,851.Apart from legal routes, some Indians entered the UK illegally.A total of 471 Indians arrived on rubber dinghies from France, making Indians the 12th top nationality to enter this way, with the top five being from Eritrea, Sudan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Iran.Whilst Pakistanis were the top nationality to claim asylum, making 8,305 applications, of which 25% were granted at initial decision, Indians were the eighth top nationality to claim asylum, making 4,964 claims, of which just 30 (1%) were granted at initial decision. Apart from making an asylum claim after arriving on a small boat, 3,390 Indians made asylum claims after arriving in the UK on other visas.There are currently 2,224 Indian nationals living in taxpayer-funded asylum hotels and accommodation either waiting for an asylum claim or appealing one.There were 633 “enforced returns” of Indians (fourth highest) and 10,226 voluntary returns of Indians (largest nationality group) during this period.