Migration Observatory
@migobs.bsky.social
The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford provides independent, authoritative, evidence-based analysis on UK migration.
Not sure what to make of it all? Our briefing on net migration is a great place to start getting to grips with the big changes in migration to and from the UK in recent years.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
Net migration to the UK - Migration Observatory
An overview of net migration in the UK – defined as the difference between immigration and emigration of people moving for at least a year.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk
January 9, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Not sure what to make of it all? Our briefing on net migration is a great place to start getting to grips with the big changes in migration to and from the UK in recent years.
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk/resources/br...
Family visa applications stabilised again in December after falling sharply in the last quarter of the year.
This category includes Family Reunion for refugees, which was paused in September 2025, explaining the abrupt fall.
This category includes Family Reunion for refugees, which was paused in September 2025, explaining the abrupt fall.
January 9, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Family visa applications stabilised again in December after falling sharply in the last quarter of the year.
This category includes Family Reunion for refugees, which was paused in September 2025, explaining the abrupt fall.
This category includes Family Reunion for refugees, which was paused in September 2025, explaining the abrupt fall.
There was a small uptick in skilled worker and health and care visa applications in December, after an overall downward trend throughout the year as a whole.
It's worth noting, as of July 2025, care workers are no longer eligible to apply for the health and care route.
It's worth noting, as of July 2025, care workers are no longer eligible to apply for the health and care route.
January 9, 2026 at 9:29 AM
There was a small uptick in skilled worker and health and care visa applications in December, after an overall downward trend throughout the year as a whole.
It's worth noting, as of July 2025, care workers are no longer eligible to apply for the health and care route.
It's worth noting, as of July 2025, care workers are no longer eligible to apply for the health and care route.
You can read the full report here www.gov.uk/government/p...
Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) annual report, 2025 (accessible)
www.gov.uk
December 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
You can read the full report here www.gov.uk/government/p...
The MAC highlight research which finds a link between migrant integration and proficiency in the host country's language.
In the 2021 Census, most migrants reported speaking good English, but 10% said they cannot speak English well or at all.
In the 2021 Census, most migrants reported speaking good English, but 10% said they cannot speak English well or at all.
December 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The MAC highlight research which finds a link between migrant integration and proficiency in the host country's language.
In the 2021 Census, most migrants reported speaking good English, but 10% said they cannot speak English well or at all.
In the 2021 Census, most migrants reported speaking good English, but 10% said they cannot speak English well or at all.
The MAC estimates that the average partner who came to the UK on a family visa in 2022/23 will represent a net cost of £109,000 over their lifetime.
Their annual fiscal impact is positive for many years after arrival, but falls significantly as these people grow older.
Their annual fiscal impact is positive for many years after arrival, but falls significantly as these people grow older.
December 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The MAC estimates that the average partner who came to the UK on a family visa in 2022/23 will represent a net cost of £109,000 over their lifetime.
Their annual fiscal impact is positive for many years after arrival, but falls significantly as these people grow older.
Their annual fiscal impact is positive for many years after arrival, but falls significantly as these people grow older.
Overseas Domestic Workers are, e.g., nannies, housekeepers, and chauffeurs who accompany their employers when they visit the UK.
ODWs are vulnerable to exploitation. This abuse often takes place behind closed doors, which can make enforcement difficult.
ODWs are vulnerable to exploitation. This abuse often takes place behind closed doors, which can make enforcement difficult.
December 17, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Overseas Domestic Workers are, e.g., nannies, housekeepers, and chauffeurs who accompany their employers when they visit the UK.
ODWs are vulnerable to exploitation. This abuse often takes place behind closed doors, which can make enforcement difficult.
ODWs are vulnerable to exploitation. This abuse often takes place behind closed doors, which can make enforcement difficult.
There may also be trade-offs between the desire to deter asylum seekers, and the goal of improving integration among refugees who remain in the UK.
Our new commentary discusses the reforms and how they compare to other European countries in detail.
Our new commentary discusses the reforms and how they compare to other European countries in detail.
December 11, 2025 at 11:04 AM
There may also be trade-offs between the desire to deter asylum seekers, and the goal of improving integration among refugees who remain in the UK.
Our new commentary discusses the reforms and how they compare to other European countries in detail.
Our new commentary discusses the reforms and how they compare to other European countries in detail.
You can read more about the revised estimates here: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Improving long-term international migration statistics, updating our methods and estimates - Office for National Statistics
Headline findings and revised estimates from updated data and new methods to estimate long-term international migration of British and EU+ nationals. These are official statistics in development.
www.ons.gov.uk
November 18, 2025 at 3:40 PM
You can read more about the revised estimates here: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...
Does this mean more Brits are leaving the UK now than before the pandemic?
In short, we don't know. That's because British migration estimates using the new method only go back to 2021, and aren't comparable with pre-pandemic estimates based on the old method.
In short, we don't know. That's because British migration estimates using the new method only go back to 2021, and aren't comparable with pre-pandemic estimates based on the old method.
November 18, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Does this mean more Brits are leaving the UK now than before the pandemic?
In short, we don't know. That's because British migration estimates using the new method only go back to 2021, and aren't comparable with pre-pandemic estimates based on the old method.
In short, we don't know. That's because British migration estimates using the new method only go back to 2021, and aren't comparable with pre-pandemic estimates based on the old method.
The ONS revised the figures because it changed its methodology.
EU net migration was higher than previously thought (although still negative), and British emigration was significantly higher—ONS now believes British net migration was -114,000 in 2024, compared to a previous figure of just -17,000.
EU net migration was higher than previously thought (although still negative), and British emigration was significantly higher—ONS now believes British net migration was -114,000 in 2024, compared to a previous figure of just -17,000.
November 18, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The ONS revised the figures because it changed its methodology.
EU net migration was higher than previously thought (although still negative), and British emigration was significantly higher—ONS now believes British net migration was -114,000 in 2024, compared to a previous figure of just -17,000.
EU net migration was higher than previously thought (although still negative), and British emigration was significantly higher—ONS now believes British net migration was -114,000 in 2024, compared to a previous figure of just -17,000.