Live — updating every second

—

Estimated Small Boat Crossings This Year

Estimating the total number of undocumented or illegal migrants in the UK is inherently difficult because, by definition, such individuals are not formally recorded. Estimates from academic researchers and the Pew Research Center suggest approximately 600,000-800,000 undocumented people may be living in the UK, though these figures carry significant uncertainty. The government does not publish an official estimate.

Small boat crossings of the English Channel — the most visible form of illegal entry — are comprehensively recorded by the Home Office. In 2023, approximately 29,437 people crossed in small boats, a reduction from the peak of approximately 45,756 in 2022. Since 2018 when reliable records began, over 100,000 people have made the crossing. The majority claim asylum on arrival.

Those who cross in small boats are not uniformly 'illegal immigrants' in the simple sense — the majority claim asylum, which is a legal process. Under international law (the 1951 Refugee Convention), people have the right to seek asylum regardless of how they entered a country. Approximately 65% of asylum decisions result in some form of protection being granted. However, the method of entry without documentation is itself unlawful.

Other routes of irregular entry include visa overstaying — arriving legally on a visa and remaining after it expires. This is estimated to account for a larger number of undocumented residents than small boat crossings. The Home Office does not publish comprehensive figures on visa overstaying, though studies suggest it is the most common route to irregular status.

The government's policy response has included the Rwanda removals scheme, increased French coastal patrols under bilateral agreements, the Illegal Migration Act 2023 (which sought to detain and remove those arriving by irregular means), and investment in Border Force capabilities. The legal and practical challenges of removing people who have arrived irregularly have meant that very few of those crossing in small boats are ultimately removed.

Source: Home Office Immigration Statistics / Border Force · Data year: 2023/24 · All figures are statistical estimates calculated from official annual publications

How many illegal immigrants are there in the UK?

The true number of undocumented migrants in the UK is unknown. Academic estimates suggest approximately 600,000-800,000 people, though these carry significant uncertainty. The government does not publish an official figure. Small boat crossings — the most visible route — totalled approximately 29,437 in 2023, down from a peak of 45,756 in 2022. Since 2018 over 100,000 people have crossed in small boats.

How many people cross the Channel in small boats?

In 2023, approximately 29,437 people crossed the English Channel in small boats according to Home Office statistics — approximately 79 per day on average. This was a reduction from the 2022 peak of approximately 45,756. Since 2018 when comprehensive records began, over 100,000 people have made the crossing. The majority claim asylum on arrival in the UK.

What happens to people who cross the Channel illegally?

Those who cross the English Channel in small boats are intercepted by Border Force and taken to processing centres. Most claim asylum and enter the asylum system. The Illegal Migration Act 2023 sought to detain and remove those arriving by irregular means, but legal challenges have limited its implementation. In practice, very few of those crossing are removed — the majority remain in the UK while their claims are processed, which can take years.