EU residents will no longer be able to freely come to Britain for work
As BBC notes, migration was one of the main topics discussed during the Brexit referendum. Presenting the document in parliament, British Home Secretary Sajid Javid said that concerns about migration exist among both supporters and opponents of the country's exit from the EU. "As a result of the referendum, we can end freedom of movement; for the first time in 40 years, we will be able to decide who can and who cannot enter this country," he said.
The minister also stressed that Britain will be open for business, and people already living here will be able to stay regardless of whether a Brexit agreement is signed or not. Javid noted that the document focuses on three points:
1. Freedom of movement ends, and in the future, everyone except British and Irish citizens will be required to obtain permission to enter the country;
2. The current system of preferences for EU residents ends, putting people whose talent is in demand in Britain on an equal footing regardless of citizenship;
3. Migrants will be selected based on their abilities so that the most talented come to the country.
Javid said the government is seeking an effective future migration system for those coming to the country, for businesses, for government agencies, and for Britain as a whole. According to him, this approach protects the interests of British workers while eliminating bureaucracy.
Here are some of the government's proposals:
Skilled workers. For skilled workers, the annual cap will be abolished, and employers will not initially have to advertise a vacancy in British media before posting ads abroad. The minimum salary requirement will remain.
Seasonal workers. Short-term visas are provided for those wishing to come to Britain for short-term work. Those arriving on such visas will not be able to receive financial assistance from the state, will be denied the right to apply for residency, and will not be able to bring their families. The visa will be issued for 12 months.
Foreign students. No quotas are introduced for foreign students, and it will become easier to come to Britain to study.
According to Javid, Britain seeks to be open for business, not to tighten bureaucratic screws. The new system is expected to come into force in 2021. It will be implemented gradually to avoid abrupt changes and hasty decisions.
Earlier, in an interview with the BBC, the minister said that the document does not mention what number of incoming migrants per year would be considered acceptable. During the election campaign, the ruling Conservative Party promised to reduce net migration to below 100,000.
Javid said that for most people, the current figure of 273,000 migrants arriving in the country per year seems too high, and it needs to be reduced to a level that primarily meets economic needs. According to him, the new migration system will be based primarily on the qualifications of incoming people, not on which country they come from.
Earlier, the independent Migration Advisory Committee recommended that the Home Office abandon the current cap, under which 20,700 skilled workers can receive a Tier 2 visa annually. This group includes, in particular, nurses and doctors.
Consultations will be held on whether to keep the minimum salary requirement as it is: currently, the salary offered by the employer must exceed £30,000 per year. Some companies and government members are calling for this amount to be reduced. The minimum salary requirement already applies to most skilled migrants coming from outside the European Economic Area.