This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c89pvd58nd3o
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| How many people come to work and study in the UK? | |
| (1 day later) | |
| Sir Keir Starmer says migration numbers will fall "significantly" under tighter rules proposed by Labour. | Sir Keir Starmer says migration numbers will fall "significantly" under tighter rules proposed by Labour. |
| He said the measures in the government's white paper - a blueprint for future laws - would make the system "controlled, selective and fair". | |
| How have numbers changed and what are the existing rules? | How have numbers changed and what are the existing rules? |
| What are the new rules in the immigration white paper? | |
| The proposed changes include: | |
| English tests for all visa applicants and their adult dependants | |
| overseas workers will generally need a degree-level qualification to apply for the main skilled worker visa instead of the equivalent of an A-level, and salary thresholds will rise | |
| overseas graduates will only be able to stay in the UK for 18 months after their studies, instead of two years | |
| immigrants will typically have to live in the UK for 10 years before applying for the right to stay indefinitely – double the current five-year period. The BBC understands that the government will apply the longer period to those who are already in the UK as well as to new visa applicants | |
| the dedicated visa for social care workers introduced during Covid will close to new applicants in June | |
| employers who want to sponsor foreign workers will be incentivised to find and develop domestic talent | |
| a limited pool of UNHCR-recognised refugees and displaced people will be able to apply for skilled worker visas | |
| making it easier to remove or refuse entry or asylum to individuals who breach immigration rules or break the law | |
| In her foreword to the white paper, the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government would also set out further reforms to the asylum system and border security "in response to irregular and illegal migration" later in the summer. | |
| Factcheck: What are the challenges facing the government's immigration plan? | Factcheck: What are the challenges facing the government's immigration plan? |
| Analysis: Why Labour aims to buck 25-year trend of rising legal migration | Analysis: Why Labour aims to buck 25-year trend of rising legal migration |
| How many migrants come to the UK? | How many migrants come to the UK? |
| Net migration - the number of people coming to the UK, minus the number leaving - was 728,000 in the year to June 2024, according to provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). | Net migration - the number of people coming to the UK, minus the number leaving - was 728,000 in the year to June 2024, according to provisional figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). |
| That was a 20% drop from the number of people who came in the 12 months to June 2023. The newly revised total for that period was 906,000, far higher than the previous estimate of 740,000. | That was a 20% drop from the number of people who came in the 12 months to June 2023. The newly revised total for that period was 906,000, far higher than the previous estimate of 740,000. |
| The ONS estimates that 1.2 million people expecting to stay at least a year came to the UK in the year to June 2024. It estimates that 479,000 left the UK. | The ONS estimates that 1.2 million people expecting to stay at least a year came to the UK in the year to June 2024. It estimates that 479,000 left the UK. |
| The ONS figures show that of the 1.2 million people who came to live in the UK in the 12 months to June 2024: | The ONS figures show that of the 1.2 million people who came to live in the UK in the 12 months to June 2024: |
| 5% (58,000) were British nationals | 5% (58,000) were British nationals |
| 10% (116,000) were EU nationals or from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (EU+) | 10% (116,000) were EU nationals or from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (EU+) |
| About 86% (one million) were non-EU+ nationals | About 86% (one million) were non-EU+ nationals |
| Of the one million non-EU+ nationals who came: | Of the one million non-EU+ nationals who came: |
| 82% (845,000) were of working age (16 to 64 years) | 82% (845,000) were of working age (16 to 64 years) |
| 17% (179,000) were children (under 16 years) | 17% (179,000) were children (under 16 years) |
| 8% (84,000) claimed asylum, either after arriving via a regular route or arriving irregularly, for example, via small boats across the English Channel | 8% (84,000) claimed asylum, either after arriving via a regular route or arriving irregularly, for example, via small boats across the English Channel |
| Among non-EU+ migrants, the most common nationality coming to the UK for both work-related (116,000) and study-related (127,000) reasons was Indian. | Among non-EU+ migrants, the most common nationality coming to the UK for both work-related (116,000) and study-related (127,000) reasons was Indian. |
| Net migration could push UK population to 72.5m - ONS | Net migration could push UK population to 72.5m - ONS |
| What are the rules for student and graduate visas? | What are the rules for student and graduate visas? |
| According to separate Home Office figures, 393,125 student visas were issued to foreign students in the year ending December 2024. | According to separate Home Office figures, 393,125 student visas were issued to foreign students in the year ending December 2024. |
| That is 14% fewer than in the previous 12-month period, but still almost 50% higher (46%) than in 2019. | That is 14% fewer than in the previous 12-month period, but still almost 50% higher (46%) than in 2019. |
| In the year to December 2024, 21,978 visas were issued to student dependants, an 85% fall from the number issued in 2023. | In the year to December 2024, 21,978 visas were issued to student dependants, an 85% fall from the number issued in 2023. |
| Since January 2024, international postgraduate students have not been able to bring dependants unless their course is a research programme. | Since January 2024, international postgraduate students have not been able to bring dependants unless their course is a research programme. |
| Students who have already completed their degree can stay in the UK for two years - three years for those with a doctoral degree - to work under a graduate visa. | Students who have already completed their degree can stay in the UK for two years - three years for those with a doctoral degree - to work under a graduate visa. |
| How have the salary rules for UK visa applicants changed? | How have the salary rules for UK visa applicants changed? |
| Most people wanting to work in the UK still have to apply for a visa through the points-based system (PBS). | Most people wanting to work in the UK still have to apply for a visa through the points-based system (PBS). |
| But since 11 April 2024, they have needed a job offer with a higher salary. | But since 11 April 2024, they have needed a job offer with a higher salary. |
| Applicants have to earn at least £38,700 - an increase of nearly 50% from the previous £26,200 minimum. | Applicants have to earn at least £38,700 - an increase of nearly 50% from the previous £26,200 minimum. |
| The threshold does not apply to some jobs - such as in health and social care, and teachers on national pay scales. | The threshold does not apply to some jobs - such as in health and social care, and teachers on national pay scales. |
| Say one thing, do another? The Conservative government's record net migration rise | Say one thing, do another? The Conservative government's record net migration rise |
| What are the rules about family visas? | What are the rules about family visas? |
| You need a family visa if you want to live with a relative who is a British citizen, or someone who has the right to be in the UK for more than six months. | You need a family visa if you want to live with a relative who is a British citizen, or someone who has the right to be in the UK for more than six months. |
| The latest Home Office figures showed that 86,000 family-related visas were granted in the year ending December 2024, 7% more than in 2023. | The latest Home Office figures showed that 86,000 family-related visas were granted in the year ending December 2024, 7% more than in 2023. |
| You can apply to live with your: | You can apply to live with your: |
| spouse or partner | spouse or partner |
| fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner | fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner |
| child | child |
| parent | parent |
| relative who will provide long-term care for you | relative who will provide long-term care for you |
| You have to demonstrate a good knowledge of English. The relative that you will live with in the UK has to meet the minimum income threshold. | You have to demonstrate a good knowledge of English. The relative that you will live with in the UK has to meet the minimum income threshold. |
| This was initially also due to rise to £38,700 - a sharp increase from the previous £18,600 figure. | This was initially also due to rise to £38,700 - a sharp increase from the previous £18,600 figure. |
| But after warnings the new rules risked separating families, the previous government dropped the new minimum to £29,000. | But after warnings the new rules risked separating families, the previous government dropped the new minimum to £29,000. |
| Anyone renewing an existing family visa does not have to meet the new earnings threshold. | Anyone renewing an existing family visa does not have to meet the new earnings threshold. |
| Home Office rows back on salary threshold for family visa | Home Office rows back on salary threshold for family visa |
| Are fewer people coming to work in health and social care? | Are fewer people coming to work in health and social care? |
| The Home Office statistics showed that 27,000 visas were issued to people coming to the UK to work in health and social care in the 12 months to December 2024. | The Home Office statistics showed that 27,000 visas were issued to people coming to the UK to work in health and social care in the 12 months to December 2024. |
| This is a fall of 81% compared with the previous 12 months. The number coming to work in the sector had increased significantly after temporary changes to the health and care visa rules. | This is a fall of 81% compared with the previous 12 months. The number coming to work in the sector had increased significantly after temporary changes to the health and care visa rules. |
| In the year ending December 2024, there were approximately three dependants for each person coming to do a job in health and social care. | In the year ending December 2024, there were approximately three dependants for each person coming to do a job in health and social care. |
| However, the number of dependants fell sharply in the last 10 months of the period, after the previous Conservative government changed the rules to stop international social care workers bringing their children or partners with them. | However, the number of dependants fell sharply in the last 10 months of the period, after the previous Conservative government changed the rules to stop international social care workers bringing their children or partners with them. |
| How does the points-based system currently work? | |
| Applicants need 70 points to qualify for a skilled worker visa. This can last for up to five years before it needs to be extended. | Applicants need 70 points to qualify for a skilled worker visa. This can last for up to five years before it needs to be extended. |
| You get 50 points from having a job offer above a minimum skill level, and speaking English. | You get 50 points from having a job offer above a minimum skill level, and speaking English. |
| The remaining 20 points can come from a higher salary, working in a sector with job shortages, or having a relevant PhD. | The remaining 20 points can come from a higher salary, working in a sector with job shortages, or having a relevant PhD. |
| The standard fee for a skilled visa is usually between £719 and £1,639, depending on your circumstances. | The standard fee for a skilled visa is usually between £719 and £1,639, depending on your circumstances. |
| Visa applicants also have to pay a healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay. | Visa applicants also have to pay a healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay. |
| The amount can vary - but since April 2024, the standard fee has been £1,035 per year, up from £624. | The amount can vary - but since April 2024, the standard fee has been £1,035 per year, up from £624. |
| What is the immigration salary list? | What is the immigration salary list? |
| The immigration salary list replaced what was previously called the shortage occupation list. | The immigration salary list replaced what was previously called the shortage occupation list. |
| It helps employers fill vacancies in key sectors. | It helps employers fill vacancies in key sectors. |
| These jobs have a lower salary threshold making it easier for applicants to gain enough points to get a visa. | These jobs have a lower salary threshold making it easier for applicants to gain enough points to get a visa. |
| The list includes: | The list includes: |
| health and care workers | health and care workers |
| pharmacists | pharmacists |
| graphic designers | graphic designers |
| some farming and fishing roles | some farming and fishing roles |
| construction workers | construction workers |
| vets | vets |
| A wide range of construction jobs are on the list | A wide range of construction jobs are on the list |
| Employers used to be able to pay foreign workers 80% of the usual "going rate" to fill these positions. | Employers used to be able to pay foreign workers 80% of the usual "going rate" to fill these positions. |
| But this lower rate was abolished for people applying after 4 April 2024. | But this lower rate was abolished for people applying after 4 April 2024. |
| What are the current rules for seasonal workers? | |
| Temporary workers such as fruit pickers and poultry workers are covered by seasonal worker visas, subject to an annual quota. | Temporary workers such as fruit pickers and poultry workers are covered by seasonal worker visas, subject to an annual quota. |
| There were 35,561 seasonal worker visas issued in the year to December 2024. | There were 35,561 seasonal worker visas issued in the year to December 2024. |
| More than three-quarters of these (78%) were from Central Asian countries, such as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. | More than three-quarters of these (78%) were from Central Asian countries, such as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. |
| For 2025, the quota is 45,000: | For 2025, the quota is 45,000: |
| 43,000 horticulture workers | 43,000 horticulture workers |
| 2,000 poultry workers | 2,000 poultry workers |
| Seasonal workers can stay in the UK for up to six months for horticultural work, and from 2 October to 31 December each year for poultry work. | Seasonal workers can stay in the UK for up to six months for horticultural work, and from 2 October to 31 December each year for poultry work. |
| They cannot accept a permanent job or bring family members with them. | They cannot accept a permanent job or bring family members with them. |
| How has Brexit changed immigration? | How has Brexit changed immigration? |
| Before Brexit, EU and UK citizens had the freedom to live, work or study in any EU country without needing a visa. | Before Brexit, EU and UK citizens had the freedom to live, work or study in any EU country without needing a visa. |
| However, this freedom of movement ended on 1 January 2021 when the UK left the EU. | However, this freedom of movement ended on 1 January 2021 when the UK left the EU. |
| In the 12 months to June 2024, the ONS figures showed that net migration for non-EU nationals - the difference between those arriving and those leaving - was 845,000. | In the 12 months to June 2024, the ONS figures showed that net migration for non-EU nationals - the difference between those arriving and those leaving - was 845,000. |
| In the same period, net EU migration was -95,000, meaning 95,000 more EU nationals left the UK than arrived. | In the same period, net EU migration was -95,000, meaning 95,000 more EU nationals left the UK than arrived. |
| Net migration of British nationals was -21,000, meaning more British people left the UK than came back. | Net migration of British nationals was -21,000, meaning more British people left the UK than came back. |
| Five key impacts of Brexit five years on | Five key impacts of Brexit five years on |