According to a report by the UK Chinese Business Times, data from the UK Home Office shows that the success rate of Chinese applicants for permanent residency in the UK has been rising year by year. In 2012, 6,298 Chinese individuals successfully applied for permanent residency, with only 146 rejections. The rejection rate is only 2.3% compared to the number of successful applications, the lowest in recent years.
Statistics show that in 2006, 3,111 Chinese nationals from mainland China obtained permanent residency in the UK, but that same year, 370 applications were rejected, resulting in a rejection rate of 11%. In 2007, there was a slight improvement, with 3,266 successful applications and 277 failures, reaching 8%.
It is reported that there are three main reasons for the rejection of Chinese applicants for permanent residency. First, the submission of fraudulent documents, including fake diplomas, fake bank statements, and fake Life in the UK tests; second, having a criminal record, including driving without a license or insurance, growing or trafficking cannabis, fighting, and selling pirated discs; third, having long gaps in work or student visas.
The failure rate for Chinese applicants for permanent residency has significantly decreased over the past five years. In 2011, 9,254 individuals successfully obtained permanent residency, with only 240 failures, accounting for 2.6% of the total.
Many Chinese lawyers and agents have stated that in recent years, after a process of elimination, some unqualified immigration agents or unprofessional lawyers have withdrawn from the Chinese market, leaving mostly the best professionals. They understand the Chinese community and are particularly familiar with the most sensitive issues regarding Chinese immigration. The targeted nature of their application cases and the high success rate are to be expected.