Chinese received massive quarter 25% of UK visas issued globally in 2018, according to the latest quarterly report on Immigration Statistics published by the Home Office.
This also means that one out of four UK visas issued went to chinese.
The UK is one of the top destinations in the world for Chinese tourists and students because of historic landmarks and internationally respected universities
- 730,000 visas were issued to Chinese nationals in 2018, which is 25% of the total 2.9million entry clearance visas granted which is 11% increase on the previous year in 2017.
- 400% increase in applications from chinese in the last decade
- 100,000 Tier 4 study visas granted
- 1.6 million visit visas have been issued to Chinese nationals since the pilot launched in January 2016.
UKVI’s new streamlined online application service which replaces Visa4UK. The UK will also shortly be rolling out technology that will allow customers to self-scan their biometrics when attending their visa application centre appointment, providing a quicker, smoother experience.
The significant rise in visa applications demonstrates the growing strength of the UK and China relationship, said UK Ambassador to China.
The UK also announced last week two new visa routes to attract leading business talent to the UK.
The Start-up visa route will be open to those starting a business for the first time in the UK, while the Innovator visa route will be for more experienced business people who have funds to invest in their business.
Chinese are also significant investors in Tier1 investor visa route to UK. The Home office announced reforms to £2m investor visa route last month effect from March 29, 2019
