In 2023, the largest number of UK asylum seekers came from Afghanistan – 9,307.
The next biggest group, about 7,400 people, came from Iran, followed by Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
In 2022, Albanians were the top nationality with more than 17,300 people (including dependants) claiming asylum. Three quarters arrived on small boats.
Ukrainian refugees who came to the UK after Russia’s invasion of their country are not included in these figures.
As of 6 August 2024, 261,600 visas had been issued to Ukrainian refugees, external who have come through legal routes set up by the UK government.
There are separate arrangements for a few other specific groups to come to the UK, such assomeAfghan refugees and Hong Kong citizens.
