How has Brexit changed immigration in the UK?

Brexit has had profound implications across various sectors, with immigration being a focal point of significant change. It triggered the implementation of a new immigration framework and policies that have reshaped the landscape for individuals seeking to study, live, work in UK.

What is Brexit?

Brexit or the British exit, refers to the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union (EU). The term gained widespread usage after the UK held a referendum on its EU membership on June 23, 2016, in which a majority of voters chose to leave the EU. The official process of withdrawal was triggered when the UK government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union on March 29, 2017.

After formally leaving the EU, the UK entered a transition period that lasted until December 31, 2020. During this time, the UK continued to follow EU rules while the two sides negotiated their future relationship, covering trade, security, and other key aspects.

Brexit has had far-reaching implications for the UK and the EU in areas such as trade, immigration, and foreign policy. It has been a topic of intense debate and has shaped the political landscape in the UK since the referendum in 2016.

The key changes to immigration in the UK post-Brexit

End of Free Movement: With the end of the transition period on December 31, 2020, the free movement of people between the UK and the EU came to an end. This means that EU citizens no longer have an automatic right to live and work in the UK, and vice versa.

New Immigration System: The UK introduced a points-based immigration system, which applies to both EU and non-EU citizens. Under this system, individuals need to meet specific criteria, such as having a job offer from an approved sponsor, speaking English, and meeting a minimum salary threshold.

EU Settlement Scheme: EU citizens who were already living in the UK before the end of the transition period had until June 30, 2021, to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to secure their rights to continue living and working in the UK. This scheme allows EU citizens and their family members to apply for settled or pre-settled status, depending on the length of their residence in the UK.

Visa Requirements for Short-Term Visits

For short-term visits, EU citizens can generally enter the UK for up to six months without a visa for tourism, business meetings, or academic conferences. However, they may be subject to other entry requirements, such as border checks.

Brexit effects on immigration

Since the occurrence of Brexit, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of individuals migrating to the United Kingdom from European Union (EU) countries. This decrease is not only reflected in the reduced influx of people from the EU, but there has also been an increase in the movement of migrants who originally came from EU nations opting to return to their home countries across the English Channel.

However, immigration from other parts of the world has gone up, aligning with the idea of a "Global Britain" that is open to international interactions. Some members of the British government are suggesting that immigration rules should be made even more flexible to address the growing needs of the job market.

Starting from January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom put in place a new set of rules for immigration, which means that people can no longer move freely between the UK and the European Union (EU) or the broader European Economic Area (EEA).

The updated rules for moving to the UK, effective from January 1, 2021, now apply to everyone coming for work, study, or family reasons, except for Irish citizens. People from countries outside the EU also have to follow new rules due to Brexit, but these rules are generally more flexible compared to the regulations for individuals coming from EU countries.

What are these new rules?

1. Skilled Work Visa

For people coming to work in the UK with a job that pays more than £25,600 or the lower 25% of average salaries (whichever is higher).
The job must require skills equivalent to at least A-levels.
Lower initial salary thresholds apply for new entrants, shortage occupations, and those with PhDs, especially in STEM subjects.

2. Health and Care Visa

Designed for those working in the NHS and social care.
Streamlined and cost-effective process.
For social care roles, there's no specific skill threshold, and the minimum salary is about £20,500.

3. Graduate Visa

Available for international students who graduate from UK universities.
Allows them to stay in the UK for two years after graduation.
During this time, they can work in any job without specific restrictions.

The new system for EU migration is much stricter compared to the previous free movement arrangement. EU migrants wanting to work in lower-skilled and lower-paid jobs may not be allowed entry under these new rules. Those coming from EU countries for study or family reasons will now need to meet the same criteria as individuals from non-EU countries.

Even if they meet the criteria, individuals still need their prospective employers to apply for them. Additionally, they will be required to pay substantial fees and, similar to non-EU migrants, will have fewer rights, particularly concerning access to the benefit system.

The new proposals for non-EU migrants coming to work in the UK signify a significant relaxation compared to the existing system. The salary and skill requirements are now lower, and there is no set limit on the total number of migrants allowed.

The period from the Brexit referendum in June 2016 to the onset of Covid-19 in early 2020 witnessed a substantial decline in migration from the European Union. In contrast, migration from non-EU countries experienced an increase during the same timeframe.

The alterations in immigration policies have not only impacted the types of jobs and skills of new migrants to the UK but have also changed the countries from which migrants are coming. Particularly, there has been a significant decrease in the number of people born outside the UK working in the accommodation and hospitality sector. This decline is mainly due to EU-born migrants leaving the sector, and there hasn't been a subsequent influx of new arrivals to replace them.

On the flip side, the health and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors are the major recipients of skilled work visas under the new system. They get a much larger share compared to other sectors.

Brexit has brought about significant changes to immigration in the UK. It has ushered in a new era of immigration policies, reflecting a shift in priorities and regulations for those entering the UK.