UK Immigration Policy to Face Major Changes Following Brexit

Since the decision by the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, the British government has been in the process of negotiating the terms of its departure. One of the areas that will face significant change is immigration policy. The UK government has indicated that it will be introducing a new immigration system that is fair, sustainable, and prioritizes the needs of the country.

There are several reasons why the UK government is looking to overhaul its immigration policy. Firstly, Brexit was driven in part by concerns about immigration, and the UK government wants to show that it is taking steps to address these concerns. Secondly, there is growing pressure on public services and infrastructure, and the government believes that reducing net migration will ease this pressure. Finally, the government wants to create an immigration system that is more selective and chooses migrants based on their skills and qualifications.

The new immigration system is expected to come into effect in 2021, after the end of the transition period. Under the new system, EU citizens will be treated the same as non-EU citizens, and will need to apply for a visa if they want to work in the UK. The government has indicated that it will introduce a points-based system similar to the one that is currently in use in Australia, where migrants are awarded points for factors such as their age, education, work experience, language ability, and job offer.

The government has also stated that it wants to reduce overall net migration to the UK. Currently, the government has set a target of reducing net migration to below 100,000 per year. However, this target has never been met, and it remains to be seen whether the new system will be able to achieve this goal. There are concerns that the new system could lead to labor shortages, particularly in sectors that currently rely heavily on EU migrant workers, such as farming and healthcare.

Another area of potential concern is the impact that the new system could have on international students. The UK is currently one of the top destinations in the world for international students, and they contribute significantly to the economy. However, the new system could make it more difficult for international students to come to the UK, particularly if they do not meet the criteria for a work visa after their studies.

In conclusion, the UK's immigration policy is set to face major changes following Brexit. The government has indicated that it wants to create a new immigration system that is fair, sustainable, and selective. However, it remains to be seen whether the new system will meet these goals, or whether it will lead to unintended consequences, such as labor shortages and reduced numbers of international students.