UK immigration is one of the most contentious political issues in Britain. Net migration (the difference between people arriving and leaving) hit 745,000 in 2022 — the highest on record — and has remained above 600,000 since. The Conservative government (2010–2024) promised to reduce net migration to the "tens of thousands," but failed spectacularly, and the Labour government (elected 2024) has promised to bring numbers down without setting a target. But the UK economy relies on migrant workers to fill labour shortages in the NHS, care, hospitality, and agriculture, and universities rely on international students for revenue. Here is everything you need to know about the UK immigration system — how it works, who can come, and why the numbers are so high.
The Points-Based System
The UK uses a points-based immigration system for work and study visas, introduced after Brexit in January 2021. You need 70 points to qualify for a skilled worker visa.
How points are awarded
| Criteria | Points |
|---|---|
| Job offer from approved sponsor | 20 |
| Job at appropriate skill level (RQF Level 3+, roughly A-level equivalent) | 20 |
| English language (B1 level, roughly GCSE) | 10 |
| Salary £38,700+ (or going rate for the job, whichever is higher) | 20 |
| Salary £30,960-£38,699 | 10 |
| Salary £26,200-£30,959 | 0 |
| Job in shortage occupation (e.g., nurses, engineers) | 20 |
| PhD relevant to job | 10 |
| PhD in STEM subject relevant to job | 20 |
You need 70 points to qualify. Most applicants get 70 points from: job offer (20) + skill level (20) + English (10) + salary £38,700+ (20).
Salary threshold
The salary threshold was raised from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024 to reduce migration. But there are exceptions:
- Health and care workers (nurses, care workers, doctors) — threshold is £23,200 (20% of skilled worker visas)
- Shortage occupations (engineers, vets, architects) — threshold is £30,960
- New entrants (under-26s, recent graduates) — threshold is £30,960
The salary threshold is controversial because it excludes many jobs (teachers, social workers, hospitality managers) that are essential but do not pay £38,700.
Visa costs
- Application fee: £719 (3 years) or £1,420 (5 years)
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year (access to NHS)
- Total: £4,524 for a 3-year visa (application + 3 years IHS)
Skilled worker visas are valid for up to 5 years and can be extended. After 5 years, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) (permanent residence).
Types of Visas
1. Skilled worker visa
For people with a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence. The employer must prove they cannot fill the job with a UK worker (though this is rarely enforced).
Issued in 2023: 286,000 (including dependants)
Top nationalities: India (37%), Nigeria (10%), Zimbabwe (6%)
Top sectors: Health and care (20%), IT (15%), education (10%)
2. Student visa
For people studying at a UK university or college. Students can work 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. After graduating, students can stay for 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates) on a Graduate visa to work or look for work.
Issued in 2023: 485,000 (including dependants: 136,000)
Top nationalities: India (30%), China (20%), Nigeria (10%)
Students can bring dependants (spouse, children) if they are on a postgraduate course lasting 9+ months. The government restricted this in January 2024 to reduce numbers.
3. Family visa
For people joining a UK spouse, partner, parent, or child. You must prove:
- Your relationship is genuine
- You meet the financial requirement (£29,000 per year for a couple, rising to £38,700 in 2024)
- You have adequate accommodation
- You speak English (A1 level, basic)
Issued in 2023: 85,000
4. Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes
Ukraine scheme: Allows Ukrainians fleeing the war to live and work in the UK for up to 3 years. Issued: 200,000+ (2022–2024)
Hong Kong BN(O) scheme: Allows Hong Kong British National (Overseas) passport holders to live and work in the UK for up to 5 years, then apply for ILR. Issued: 150,000+ (2021–2024)
These schemes are temporary and will end when the crises are resolved.
5. Asylum and refugee visas
For people fleeing persecution, war, or human rights abuses. Asylum seekers must apply in the UK (you cannot apply from abroad). The process takes 18 months on average, during which asylum seekers:
- Cannot work (except in shortage occupations after 12 months)
- Receive £49.18 per week (plus accommodation if destitute)
- Face deportation to Rwanda if they arrived via illegal routes (government policy, challenged in courts)
Asylum applications in 2023: 84,000 (up from 45,000 in 2019)
Top nationalities: Afghanistan (20%), Iran (15%), Albania (10%)
Approval rate: 76% (most asylum claims are genuine)
Net Migration
Net migration is the difference between people arriving and leaving the UK.
Recent figures
| Year | Net migration |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 260,000 |
| 2020 | 184,000 (COVID-19) |
| 2021 | 488,000 |
| 2022 | 745,000 (record) |
| 2023 | 685,000 |
Net migration has soared since Brexit, driven by:
- Post-Brexit work visas (EU workers replaced by non-EU workers on visas)
- International students (universities recruit heavily from India, Nigeria, China)
- Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes (200,000+ Ukrainians, 150,000+ Hong Kongers)
- Asylum seekers (84,000 applications in 2023)
Why net migration is so high
- Labour shortages — The NHS, care sector, hospitality, and agriculture cannot fill vacancies with UK workers, so they recruit from abroad.
- Universities — International students pay £20,000–£40,000 per year in tuition fees, subsidising UK students and university finances.
- Post-Brexit — EU workers (who did not need visas) have been replaced by non-EU workers (who do need visas), making migration more visible in statistics.
- Ukraine and Hong Kong — Temporary schemes have added 350,000+ people.
Why the government cannot reduce it
The government wants to reduce net migration, but faces pressure from:
- Businesses — Lobby against restrictions because they rely on migrant workers
- Universities — Lobby against restrictions because they rely on international students
- NHS — Relies on migrant doctors and nurses (30% of NHS staff are migrants)
The government has raised salary thresholds, restricted student dependants, and introduced the Rwanda deportation scheme, but these measures have had limited impact.
The Rwanda Scheme
The Rwanda scheme (introduced 2022) aims to deter asylum seekers by deporting them to Rwanda (East Africa) to have their claims processed there. If approved, they stay in Rwanda, not the UK.
The scheme is controversial:
- Supporters say it deters illegal Channel crossings (45,000 in 2022) and breaks the people-smuggling business model
- Opponents say it is cruel, expensive (£400 million paid to Rwanda, zero deportations so far), and breaches international law
The scheme has been challenged in courts and declared unlawful by the Supreme Court (November 2023). The government passed new legislation to override the ruling, but no deportations have happened yet (as of July 2024).
The Impact of Immigration
Positive
- Fills labour shortages — Migrants work in the NHS, care, hospitality, agriculture, and construction
- Boosts the economy — Migrants pay taxes, spend money, and start businesses
- Supports universities — International students pay £20,000–£40,000 per year, subsidising UK students
- Cultural diversity — Migrants bring new ideas, food, music, and perspectives
Negative
- Pressure on public services — More people means more demand for housing, schools, GP appointments, and hospitals
- Wage suppression — Some argue that migration suppresses wages in low-skilled jobs (though evidence is mixed)
- Social cohesion — Rapid demographic change can cause tension in some communities
- Public opinion — Most voters want lower immigration, and high numbers fuel support for anti-immigration parties
The Bottom Line
The UK uses a points-based immigration system requiring 70 points for a skilled worker visa (job offer 20 points, skill level 20 points, English 10 points, salary threshold 20 points). Net migration hit 745,000 in 2022 (highest on record), driven by post-Brexit work visas, international students, Ukraine and Hong Kong schemes, and asylum seekers. The salary threshold for skilled worker visas rose from £26,200 to £38,700 in April 2024 to reduce migration, but health and care workers (20% of visas) are exempt. International students can bring dependants and work 20 hours/week, with 485,000 student visas issued in 2023 plus 136,000 dependant visas. Asylum seekers cannot work while awaiting decisions (average 18 months), receive £49.18/week, and face deportation to Rwanda under government policy (challenged in courts). The UK immigration system is complex, and net migration is high because the economy relies on migrant workers and international students. The government wants to reduce numbers, but faces pressure from businesses, universities, and the NHS. Immigration is a political issue, but it is also an economic necessity. The UK cannot fill labour shortages without migrants, and universities cannot survive without international students. The challenge is to manage immigration in a way that benefits the economy while addressing public concerns about numbers and integration.