The answer is yes, there has been an increase in net UK immigration in the year to June 2010 despite the number of tier 2 (previously known as work permits) decreasing based on the previous years figures. The immigration category that is responsible for the increase in net UK immigration is the tier 4 category (previously known as student visa category), which has risen by 14% this year. Despite the rise, the number of students who came in last year was significantly lower than before the points-based system was introduced.