White Paper and post-Brexit immigration

This sub-topic looks at the trajectory of structural changes to UK immigration policy from the end of the Brexit transition period. It covers the citizens’ rights settlement agreed with the EU and its domestic implementation, the initial post-Brexit immigration system which applied to both EEA and non-EEA citizens which was put into place by the previous Conservative government, and the immigration White Paper ‘Restoring control over the immigration system’ published by the Labour government on 12 May 2025 which sets out significant changes it intends to introduce over the course of this Parliament.

Citizens’ rights

On 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its European Union (EU) membership. A 51.9% majority voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU (‘Brexit’). On 29 March 2017, the UK government gave formal notification of the UK's intention to withdraw from the EU under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). As of exit day (11 pm on 31 January 2020), the UK is no longer an EU Member State.

European Economic Area (EEA)/Swiss citizens (termed ‘EEA citizens’ for these purposes) and their family members

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Latest Immigration News

Immigration weekly highlights—3 July 2025

Welcome to the 3 July 2025 highlights from the Immigration team, which provides links to key news stories from the last week, as well as a round-up of new and updated content in Immigration.

Statement of changes in Immigration Rules, HC 997—analysis

Immigration analysis: the Lexis+® UK Immigration team outlines the main changes set out in HC 997, published on 1 July 2025. The Statement primarily implements the first tranche of significant changes that had been announced in the 12 May 2025 Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring control over the immigration system’, notably raising the standard skill level for Skilled Worker to Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) level 6 and closing off entry clearance applications from careworkers and senior careworkers, with a sunset for permitted in-country switches to 22 July 2028. The skill level change has been somewhat tempered by the retention (and slight expansion) of the Immigration Salary List until 31 December 2026 and the creation of a new interim Temporary Shortage List, which will be subject to review and will also be removed by that date. This will enable persons in certain RQF 3–5 occupations to still commence sponsorship as new applicants for a limited period, although they will not be able to bring dependants. However, even with these measures, there will be 111 roles which can no longer be sponsored. There has also been a raft of changes to salary levels in Skilled Worker and various other work routes, which are primarily increases, and are in line with the latest (2024) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data, published by the Office for National Statistics. In another change, which was not anticipated, the government has shut down for new applicants with immediate effect the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

Policy Exchange publishes report on international student migration regime reforms

Policy Exchange has published a report, focussing on the UK’s international student migration system. The report states that 425,000 visas were issued to international students in 2024, accounting for 43% of all non-travel visas. It also argues that there has been an increase in visa switching, with 40% of study visa holders in 2023 transitioning to another visa within 12 months. The report argues that international students are displacing British students. The increase in international student enrolments is attributed to demand for short postgraduate courses at lower tier universities. Additionally, many universities are administering their own English language assessments, with 18% reporting that no international student has failed their internal qualifying tests. The report authors argue for reforms to reduce migration. These include: (1) scrapping the Graduate Visa route; (2) enforcing stricter English language requirements for international students; and (3) introducing a £1,000 annual International Student Levy, with exemptions for top tier universities. The report authors also argue that extending eligibility for student loans to EU students under the proposed ‘Youth Experience Scheme’ could cost HM Treasury £2bn over five years.

First tranche of White Paper changes issued

The Home Office has issued a new Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 997, along with an Explanatory Memorandum (EM) on 1 July 2025. In addition to the immediate closure of the Afghan resettlement schemes (from 15:00 BST on 1 July 2025), the Statement principally brings in a number of significant changes to the Skilled Worker route, which were previously announced in the 12 May 2025 Immigration White Paper ‘Restoring control over the immigration system’. Those changes come into effect for persons issued with a Certificate of Sponsorship on or after from 22 July 2025. This piece sets out a summary of the main changes as set out in the EM, but the provisions are complex, and further detailed analysis will follow shortly.