How many people cross the Channel in small boats and how many claim asylum in the UK?

In the year to the end of June 2024, he largest number of UK asylum seekers came from Afghanistan – 9,342.

Other big countries for applications were Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam, 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 22 August 2024, 262,100 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 as some Afghan refugees and Hong Kong citizens.