Sir Keir Starmer has announced that under Labour's proposed immigration reforms, migration numbers to the UK will decrease "significantly." These changes include mandatory English proficiency tests for all visa applicants and their adult dependents, as well as extending the path to settled status for immigrants.
### Changes in Migration Numbers
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that net migration—the difference between the number of people entering and leaving the UK—was 728,000 in the year ending June 2024. This marks a 20% reduction from the 906,000 net migration figure in the year to June 2023, a figure that was adjusted upward from an earlier estimate of 740,000. During the year leading up to June 2024, approximately 1.2 million people arrived in the UK with the intention of staying for at least a year, while 479,000 people left the country.
### Migration Demographics
Among the 1.2 million newcomers, one million were non-EU nationals. Indians were the most prevalent nationality among non-EU migrants, arriving for both work-related (116,000) and study-related (127,000) reasons. Home Office data shows that 393,125 student visas were issued in the year ending December 2024. Although this represents a 14% drop from the previous year, it remains nearly 50% higher than 2019 figures.
### Visa Regulations and Changes
The government has implemented several changes to visa regulations. Since January 2024, international postgraduate students are restricted from bringing dependents unless they are enrolled in a research program. Students who complete their degrees can stay in the UK for two years—three for doctoral graduates—under a graduate visa. The points-based system governs most work-related visas, requiring applicants to have a job offer with a salary of at least £38,700, up nearly 50% from the previous threshold of £26,200. However, this salary requirement does not apply to certain roles, such as those in health, social care, and teaching.
### Family and Skilled Worker Visas
For those wishing to join family members in the UK, a family visa is necessary. Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency, and their UK-based relative must meet a minimum income threshold, initially set to rise to £38,700 but later adjusted to £29,000 after concerns about family separations. Existing family visa holders renewing their visas are exempt from the new income requirement.
Approximately 27,000 visas were issued for health and social care roles in the year ending December 2024, marking an 81% decrease compared to the previous year. This drop followed temporary changes in the health and care visa rules and restrictions on dependents accompanying social care workers.
Skilled worker visa applicants need 70 points to qualify, which can be obtained through a combination of a job offer, English language proficiency, and additional points for higher salaries, shortage sector work, or relevant PhD qualifications. The standard skilled visa fee ranges from £719 to £1,639, with an additional annual healthcare surcharge of £1,035.
### Seasonal and Temporary Work Visas
The immigration salary list, replacing the shortage occupation list, aids employers in filling critical sector vacancies by offering a lower salary threshold for visa applicants. However, as of April 2024, the provision allowing employers to pay 80% of the "going rate" was abolished. Seasonal worker visas cover temporary roles like fruit picking and are subject to an annual quota, which increased to 45,000 for 2025. These workers can stay for up to six months but cannot take permanent jobs or bring family members.
### Impact of Brexit
The end of the UK's EU membership on January 1, 2021, terminated the freedom of movement between EU and UK citizens. In the year to June 2024, net migration figures showed 845,000 more non-EU nationals arriving than leaving, while EU migration recorded a net loss of 95,000, with more EU nationals departing than arriving. British nationals also saw a net migration loss of 21,000, indicating more British citizens left the UK than returned.
Overall, these proposed and existing regulations reflect a complex landscape aimed at controlling immigration while addressing labor shortages and economic needs. Labour's proposed reforms under Keir Starmer aim to further refine these systems to manage migration effectively.