Permanent immigration (excluding European Union nationals) increased for the second consecutive year to reach 142 000 entries in 2011 (up by 4% compared with 2010), close to the 2004 level. The rise in inflows in 2011 stemmed largely from labour migration, which increased by 5% (to 24 000) while the number of refugees and family migrants remained stable. This upward trend is due in part to better capture of the long-stay visa constituting a residence permit (Visa de long séjour valant titre de Séjour, VLS-TS), instituted in 2009 for a number of categories of temporary or permanent entries.