UK Migration and Asylum Figures Up to June 2025
Net migration in the UK was 204,000 in the year to June 2025, broadly near pre-Covid levels. During this period, immigration totaled 898,000 and emigration 693,000, contributing to the net migration figure.
Asylum applications reached 110,051 between October 2024 and September 2025, marking a 13% increase year on year. Small-boat arrivals numbered 41,472 from 1 January to 22 December 2025, an 18% rise compared to the previous year. These boats averaged 61 people per arrival and accounted for 41% of asylum applications in the same period. In 2024, 84 deaths were recorded among small-boat crossings.
Returns and deportations during October 2024 to September 2025 totaled 36,457, about 5% of total emigration. Additionally, 193 people were returned under the UK-France ‘one in, one out’ deal as of 22 December 2025.
Entry visas granted were 838,908 in October 2024 to September 2025, down 22% year on year. Study visas comprised 53% of these visas, with India accounting for 23% of study visas. Together, China and India made up about half of the study visas issued.
As of September 2025, there were 108,085 people in asylum accommodation, with 36,273 housed in hotels, representing around 34% of those in accommodation. The government aims to reduce the use of hotels by 2029.
The asylum processing backlog included 80,841 individuals waiting for a first decision and 69,670 who have appealed after asylum refusals as of September 2025. These figures constitute the government’s asylum backlog to be cleared.
