Family route settlement grants fall in year ending March 2026
22 May 2026
If you are on a family visa and working towards settlement, the latest Home Office figures show the number of successful family route settlement grants has fallen sharply.
The Home Office published quarterly immigration statistics on 21 May 2026, covering the year ending March 2026. The data shows 36,202 settlement grants on family routes, down 22% from the year ending March 2025. Pakistani nationals received the largest share at 6,688 grants, followed by Indian nationals at 3,195 and Nigerian nationals at 2,535.
The fall in settlement grants reflects a broader decline in family visa entry numbers in earlier years, as fewer people who arrived on family routes have now reached their five-year qualifying period. It does not mean the settlement process has become harder or that eligibility rules have changed.
Settlement on the family route requires five years of continuous lawful residence. If you are approaching your qualifying date, check your absence history and confirm you meet the continuous residence rules before you apply.
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