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Already in the EU?

On these pages you can find general information on what rules apply if you are a non-EU citizen already in an EU country and would like:

• your family to join you
• to become a long-term resident
• to move to another EU country
• to know more on what the EU is doing to promote integration

While immigration rules vary from country to country, these pages explain the general conditions and procedures which you can expect to find in most EU countries.

Applications for family reunification or long-term resident status must always be made to the authorities of the EU country you are already living in.

This information applies in 25 of the 27 EU countries, excluding Denmark and Ireland.

Bringing your family together

Would you like your family to join you in the eu country where you are living.

If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU and you are legally resident in an EU country, you may be able to apply to have your family come and live with you. This is called family reunification. If you apply for family reunification, you are called a “sponsor”.

On these pages you will find general information on how to apply for family reunification within the EU and the rights that your close relatives may have once they are reunited with you.

This information applies in 25 of the 27 EU countries, excluding Denmark and Ireland.

For detailed information on the rules for family reunification in a particular country, select the country on  this map .

If you are not an EU citizen but would like to join a member of your family who is an EU citizen, a different set of rules will apply to you and your relatives. Visit the  Your Europe  Portal for more information.

The following text explains the family reunification rules under EU law (the Family Reunification Directive). However, individual EU countries may have more favourable and more broadly applicable rules in place than what is laid down in the Directive. Therefore, you should always turn to national authorities to find out the details of policy and practice in the host country.

Who can apply for family reunification?

You can apply to have your family join you in the EU if you:

• hold a residence permit issued for a period of at least one year by an EU country, and
• have so called “reasonable prospects” of staying permanently in that country. “Reasonable prospects” are defined individually by each EU country.

In some EU countries you can only apply for your family to join you after you have been living there legally for two (or in some cases three) years. If you require more details on the rules in your EU host country, select the country on  this map .

Which family members can join me?

The following family members can join you:

• Your husband or wife (including same-sex spouse, when same-sex marriage is recognised in the EU country where you reside). As polygamy is not recognised, you can only be joined by one spouse;
• The minor children of you and your spouse;
• When there are children from a previous relationship, the minor dependent children of you, or of your spouse, provided you/your spouse has custody, and in case of shared custody the other custodian has given consent.

‘Minor children’ are children who are not considered adults under the laws of the sponsor’s host EU country and who are unmarried. They include adopted children.

Depending on the EU country in which you live, some further restrictions may apply:

• You and your spouse may have to be of a certain minimum age (maximum 21 years old);
• More restrictive rules may apply to children over the age of 12 who arrive independently of their families.

Depending on the rules in your host EU country, the following family members may also be able to join you:

• Your unmarried partner;
• Your registered partner;
• Your parents or the parents of your spouse who are dependent and do not enjoy family support in the country of origin;
• Your adult unmarried children, or those of your spouse, who are unable to look after themselves due to the state of their health.

For detailed information on the family members that can join you in a particular EU country, select the country on  this map .

Are there conditions to fulfil to have my family come live with me ?

Once you have proven that the applicants are your family members according to the applicable definitions, you may be required to fulfil certain material conditions. Namely, you may have to prove that you can provide, both for yourself and the family members:

• Adequate accommodation;
• Health insurance;
• Sufficient, regular and stable financial support.

Some EU countries may also require you and/or your family members to comply with integration measures such as tests for language or civic knowledge about the country you are moving to.

If you have a refugee status in the host country, your family members benefit from a more favourable scheme and are subject to fewer conditions.

For detailed information on the conditions set by a particular EU country, select the country on  this map .

My family members have been allowed to join me. What happens next? 

Your family members will be issued with residence permits allowing them to reside in your host country, valid for at least one year and renewable. As a rule, your family members’ residence permits cannot be valid beyond the expiry date of your own residence permit. Some countries issue residence permits abroad whereas in others family members may obtain the permits only after having entered the territory.

Do my family members need entry visas?

Your family members who have been granted family reunification may need entry visas, depending on their nationality and on whether the EU host country issues residence permits abroad. For information on how your family members can enter into your host country, select the country on  this map .

Can a family member’s permit be refused or withdrawn?

Yes. In the following circumstances, a family member’s permit can be refused or withdrawn:

• Failure to fulfil the conditions for family reunification;
• End of family relationship;
• Use of false information or documents;
• Threat to public security, public policy or public health.

Can I argue against a decision to refuse a family reunification application or to refuse or withdraw a relative’s residence permit?

Yes. You will have the right to legally challenge a decision to refuse your application for family reunification or a decision to refuse or withdraw a residence permit for your family member.

What entitlements do my family members have? 

Your family members will be entitled, in the same way as you, to the following:

• Access to employment / self-employment (this may be limited for a maximum of one year);
• Access to education;
• Access to vocational training.

Can my family members eventually qualify for residence permits in their own right? 

Yes. Your spouse, unmarried partner and children who have reached adulthood will be allowed to get a residence permit in their own right after no less than five years. Access to personal residence permit may be limited if the family relationship has broken down. For other relatives, different rules apply depending on the EU host country concerned.

Family members may be issued with a personal permit before five years where:

• Their sponsor has died;
• They are separated or divorced from their sponsor;
• They are faced with ‘particularly difficult circumstances’ such as domestic violence.

For detailed information on how to qualify for an autonomous residence permit in a particular EU country, select the country on  this map .

Long-term residents

If you have stayed legally in an eu country for five years, you may be entitled to be given a "long-term resident" status there..

What is a long-term resident?

A long-term resident is a citizen from a country outside the EU who has been given long-term resident status. This status means that the person will have similar rights as EU citizens.

What conditions must I fulfil to get long-term resident status?

If you have resided legally for an uninterrupted period of five years in an EU country, you can apply to become a long-term resident.

You must demonstrate that you have:

• Stable, regular and sufficient financial resources;
• Health insurance.

Some EU countries may also request that you fulfil certain integration conditions, such as tests for knowledge of the language and history of the country where you live.

You may have to show that you have an appropriate accommodation.

Can I leave the host EU country during the five-year period before I fill out my application?

Yes. You can spend periods shorter than six months in a row abroad, if those periods do not add up to more than ten months in total during the necessary five-year period before you hand in your application. Such periods outside your country of residence will not be considered as interruptions when calculating the duration of your residence.

In some exceptional circumstances, longer periods of absence may also be treated as not interrupting your residence. Depending on national law, these could include time spent outside your host country for military service, serious illness, maternity care, research or study.

How do I apply to become a long-term resident?

You apply to the competent national authorities with the necessary documentation to prove your length of residence and the other conditions outlined above.

I have submitted my application. What happens next?

If your application is successful you will be granted long-term resident status and issued with a long-term resident’s permit. In general, you should be informed of the decision within six months of sending in your application.

How long can I stay?

Your long-term resident status does not have any fixed end. As regards your residence permit, it will be valid for at least five years and is automatically renewable on expiry.

Can my application be refused?

Yes. Countries can refuse to grant you long-term resident status if you do not fulfil the necessary conditions or if you represent a threat to public policy or public security.

Under what circumstances could I lose my long-term resident status?

You could lose your status if:

• Your application was based on false information or documents;
• You represent a serious threat to public security or public policy;
• You have been absent from EU territory for more than 12 months in a row;
• You have become a long-term resident in another EU country.

The competent national authorities will inform you of their decision to refuse or withdraw your long-term residence status and will give reasons for their decision.

May I argue against a decision to refuse or withdraw my long-term resident status?

Yes. You will have the right to legally challenge a decision to refuse your application for long-term resident status or a decision to withdraw your long term resident’s permit.

What rights would I get as a long-term resident?

As a long-term resident you have the right to be treated equally with the citizens of the host EU country in the following areas:

• Access to employment and self-employment (this may not apply for some activities which are only for nationals or EU citizens, such as access to some positions in the public administration);
• Conditions of employment and work;
• Education and work-related training, including study grants;
• Recognition of diplomas and qualifications;
• Social protection, social assistance and social security as defined by national law (EU countries can limit social assistance to basic benefits only, such as the minimum income);
• Tax benefits;
• Access to goods and services (e.g. transport, museums, restaurants, etc.);
• Freedom of association and trade union membership;
• Free access to the entire territory of the EU host country.

As a long-term resident in one EU country, can I live and work in a second EU country?

Yes. You can stay in a second EU country for more than three months for purposes including work, study or training, if you apply for and are granted a residence permit in this second country.

To obtain a residence permit for a second EU country, you may have to show that you have one or more of the following:

• Stable and regular financial resources to maintain yourself and your family;
• Appropriate accommodation;
• If you wish to take up a job, evidence of employment;
• If you are self-employed, evidence that you have sufficient financial funds;
• If you wish to study or train, proof that you are registered to do so.

You may also be required to comply with integration measures such as language requirements.

The second EU country may have set a quota on the number of residence permits it issues. This could mean that your application may be refused if this quota has been met, even if you fulfil the appropriate conditions. The second EU country can also examine the labour market situation before allowing you to work, giving preference to persons already staying there legally.

Will I have any rights in the second EU country?

Yes. Once you get a residence permit for the second country, you are entitled to equal treatment with citizens of that country. Some restrictions as regards access to labour market can be applied for one year. You can also bring your family members with you if the family was already joined together in the first country.

Moving between EU countries

If you are a non-EU citizen already staying in one EU country, you may be able to go to another EU country. This applies to any kind of stay.

The rules that apply to enter or stay in another EU country will depend on what type of visa or residence permit you have, how much time you plan to spend in the other EU country and the rules that apply there.

Going to another EU country during my short-term visit – less than 90 days

If you have entered an EU country with a Schengen visa, you can travel throughout the Schengen area for as long as your visa is valid, and for a maximum of 90 days during an 180 day period. You will not need a separate visa for each Schengen area country and you will not need to show your passport at each internal border.

The borderless Schengen area includes 23 EU countries, excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania. If you wish to travel to one of these four countries for a short stay (less than 90 days), you must get a separate national visa. If you wish to travel from one of these four countries to the Schengen area, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa. You can find more information on  this website .

Going to another EU country during my long-term stay – more than 90 days

When you stay in an EU country for a long stay, usually for more than 90 days, you will generally be issued with a long-stay visa and/or a residence permit.

If your long-stay visa or residence permit has been issued by a Schengen area country, you can travel to another Schengen area country for 90 days per 180 day period. You must:

• justify the purpose of your stay;
• have sufficient financial resources for your stay and travel back;
• not be considered a threat to public policy, public security or public health.

You can also pass through other Schengen area countries on the way to your host country.

To move from one EU country to another for more than 90 days, you will need a long-stay visa or a residence permit for that country. If you wish to work, study or join your family in the second country, you may have to fulfil more conditions.

For information on the rules that apply in a particular EU country, select the country on  this map .

Rules for certain categories of non-EU residence permit holders

Certain categories of non-EU residence permit holders, and their family members, may be able to move more easily from their EU country of residence to another EU country, where both countries have adopted applicable EU rules.

Integrating in society

Non-EU citizens (also called “third-country nationals”) living legally in any EU country have a set of rights and obligations that should be respected. EU countries have different ways to help migrants integrate to their local societies, and the EU is doing its part to coordinate and make it easier for EU countries to share their experiences in order to improve integration of migrants all over Europe. The  Common Basic Principles for the integration  of non-EU citizens guide EU countries in their development of integration actions.

The  European Web Site on Integration  helps improve integration policies and practices in the EU. The website shares successful strategies and highlights and supports cooperation among EU countries.

Building on the 2016 Action Plan on the Integration of third-country nationals, the Commission has published, in November 2020, the  Action plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021-2027 . This Action plan also takes into account specific challenges to people with a migrant background, on top of non-EU citizens. It sets out a comprehensive policy framework with more than 60 actions to help Member States and other actors to further develop and strengthen their integration policies. Cooperation between different levels and stakeholders is key to successful integration.

Further information

The European Website on Integration

The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund

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Making social science accessible

UK citizens in the EU: what you need to know

27 Apr 2021

UK-EU Relations

Freedom of movement between the UK and EU stopped with the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. The rights of UK citizens to live, work or study in the EU are now governed by a combination of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Withdrawal Agreement, and the national rules of EU member states.

In this explainer we look at the position of UK citizens who live – or want to live – in EU and EEA member states other than  Ireland  (which remains part of a Common Travel Area with the UK).

It explains which UK nationals have the right to live in the EU, how they obtain this right and how the process is going. It also looks at how the new immigration rules affect British tourists. Business travel rules are covered in our  explainer on mobility .

Who can apply for residence in the EU?

Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, UK citizens and their family members who were legally resident in an EU member state before the end of the transition period (31 December 2020) are eligible for permanent residence in that country.

Family members can join a UK citizen who obtains permanent residence in an EU member state, even after the end of the transition period (although this  does not apply  to anyone who became a spouse after the end of the transition period).

Permanent residence protects their rights to continue to work and reside in that EU country. It does not protect their right to vote or stand for election, nor are they entitled to move or do business in another EU country in the way they could before the end of transition.

How is permanent residence obtained?

Broadly speaking there are two different ways UK citizens obtain permanent residence, depending on which EU country they reside in.

The  first group  of thirteen countries are operating a ‘constitutive’ system. This means that UK citizens need to formally apply for their new permanent residence status – much as EU citizens need to apply here.

The process typically requires the submission of documents such as one’s passport and evidence of legal residence before the end of the transition period.

The deadline set by the Withdrawal Agreement for applications was 30 June 2021, to allow a six month ‘ grace period ’ following the end of the transition period.

Ten countries are offering longer grace periods until either 30 September, 1 October or 31 December 2021. Failure to submit an application by the deadline will lead to an individual losing their right to reside in that country.

The three countries which operated the 30 June deadline are France, Latvia, and Malta. The Netherlands and Luxembourg were originally operating to that deadline but extended it to 1 October and 31 December respectively.

France will also allow late applications until 30 September, if applicants can give a reason for why they are submitting late.

The  second group  of fourteen countries – including Spain, Germany, Cyprus, Portugal and Italy – are operating a ‘declaratory’ system. Under this system, individuals who were legally resident in the country before the end of the transition period are automatically entitled to a new residence status. They  do not  face the risk of losing their residency status if they miss the application deadline.

In practice, however, many UK nationals will still need a new residence document to access their rights. That means they will have to submit an application proving they were resident prior to 31 December 2020, albeit without the cliff-edge of losing one’s rights permanently if an application deadline is missed.

The precise requirements and process varies country-by-country. For example, in  Poland  there is no obligation for UK citizens to obtain a new residence status or document.

In Spain, UK nationals can use existing residence documents until they expire, at which point they will need to obtain a new kind. British citizens in Germany without the necessary residence document are expected to notify the authorities by 30 June 2021.

How many UK citizens have obtained permanent residence in the EU?

In December 2020, the UK and EU estimated that  just over one million  UK nationals and their family members were resident in the EU.

Around 300,000 of these were thought to live in countries with ‘constitutive’ systems where they will need to apply for permanent residence before a deadline.

As of June 2021 , 223,000 applications had been received and 102,000 concluded.

Source: UK-EU Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights.

In the three countries operating a 30 June deadline, an estimated 12,500 eligible residents had not yet applied for permanent residence. Further applications will have been made since (and some may have opted not to apply), but the total number of eligible residents estimated by the UK and EU is likely to be an underestimate. Applications for settled status  in the UK  are already around 50% above initial estimates of how many people were eligible.

There are estimated to be roughly another 770,000 UK citizens resident in countries operating ‘declaratory’ systems, where UK citizens may not be required to apply for a new residence document, or only once their existing document has expired.

As of 18 June 2021 , 212,000 applications had been received and 172,000 approved. The majority of these were in Spain – where there are estimated to be 380,000 UK citizens resident.

What happens to people who fail to meet the deadline?

EU guidance says that under constitutive systems ‘failure to apply in time may lead to a loss of any entitlement under the Withdrawal Agreement’. Those entitlements include the right to live in the EU country of which an individual is resident.

What happens in practice will depend on how individual countries operating constitutive systems choose to enforce their rules, including any appeal systems.

There could also be gaps between the deadlines referred to above – which are the cut-off points for submitting paperwork – and action being taken against those who have not done so.

France, for example, had a deadline for submitting an application of 30 June 2021, but UK nationals are only  required  to hold a residence permit from 1 October 2021.

Under declaratory systems, in some cases there are deadlines for UK citizens to register their new residence status (for example 30 June 2021 in  Slovakia ). However missing the deadline can  result only in a fine , and not in the loss of the rights which an individual has under the Withdrawal Agreement.

What happens to people who think their application has been unfairly rejected?

In both  constitutive  and declaratory  systems, UK nationals have a right to appeal if their application for a permanent residence status/document is rejected. They maintain their right to residence until a final decision is made on their appeal, unless they are considered to pose a threat to public security.

The European Commission  will monitor  the application of citizens’ rights provisions in the EU to make sure they are consistent with the EU’s treaties – of which the European Court of Justice is the ultimate arbiter.

Can these people move to another EU country?

Not permanently. The Withdrawal Agreement gives UK Citizens  the right  to live permanently only in the EU country of which they were legally resident as of 31 December 2020.

That right is lost if an individual is absent from their EU country of residence for more than five years.

A UK citizen with permanent residence rights in one EU country would have to comply with national migration processes for third country migrants to move to another – the same rules that apply to people moving from the UK.

However, under a separate  EU Directive , once a UK citizen (or any other third country national) has been resident in a member state for five years, they obtain to the right to move to another member state for longer than three months for purposes of employment, study or training.

Is the situation the same for British residents in EEA countries?

Yes. The UK has signed a separate  agreement  with the three non-EU countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) – Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland – and another with  Switzerland . These four countries all have freedom of movement with the EU.

The two agreements grant UK citizens resident in those countries the same permanent residence rights as provided for by the Withdrawal Agreement.

Norway  is operating a constitutive system for obtaining permanent residence (with a  deadline  of 31 December 2021 for applications), while  Switzerland ,  Liechtenstein , and  Iceland  are operating declaratory systems.

Can people still retire to the EU, or move there for work or study?

Yes, although they will not have an automatic right to do so. Individuals will need to make sure they meet an individual member state’s immigration rules before they move there for any longer-term purpose.

British nationals looking to retire in Spain, for example,  would generally need  a visa that either requires them to demonstrate sufficient savings to support themselves, or is subject to them making a major capital investment in Spain.

Those looking to  move for work  will need a work permit, and in most cases will also require a job offer before they can obtain the necessary visa.

British students seeking to study in the EU would need to ensure they complied with any entry requirements before moving, and would be  subject  to any higher fees charged to non-EU nationals.

The UK is no longer part of the EU’s  Erasmus+ scheme  which funds educational and training opportunities across the EU over seven years (€26.2 billion over the next seven years). However, the Irish government  has said  it will continue to provide funding for students at Northern Irish universities to access the scheme.

The UK government is setting up an alternative  Turing  scheme which will provide £100 million of funding for UK students to go on placements overseas from September 2021.

What are the new rules for British tourists in the EU?

The situation for UK short-term visitors to the EU (i.e. tourists) also changed with the end of free movement.  There are now limits on how long British nationals can spend on holiday in the EU.

Under the new rules, short-term visitors with a UK passport  may spend  a maximum of 90 days in the EU in any 180 day period.

The time can be spent across anywhere in the  Schengen Area , which is a group of 26 countries (22 EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein) that individuals can move freely between without border checks.

Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania and Ireland are the five EU member states not in the Schengen Area. The first four  apply  their own 90-day policies for UK citizens, while the UK and Ireland have a separate agreement facilitating free movement.

The UK is part of a group of countries whose citizens are exempted from needing a visa for short visits to the EU. For those wishing to stay beyond 90 days,  entry requirements vary  according to each country.

From 2022 UK citizens will need to have a  ETIAS  – an electronic travel permit for tourists which waives the requirement for a visa. Travellers have to input basic information such as their name and passport details, and those over 18 need to pay a €7 fee.

What happens if you stay beyond 90 days?

A UK citizen who spends over 90 days in the EU during a 180 period – without any other form of leave to remain – would be  illegally present .

This became a tangible risk for the first time on 1 April 2021 – the 91 st  day following the end of the transition period.

The EU  says  that staying for over 90 consecutive days can ‘result in a re-entry ban to the Schengen area’, adding that ‘depending on the member state administrative penalties may also apply.’

In reality, what happens is down to how individual EU member states choose to manage the policy and take action against overstayers.

For example, in 2020 EU states took various  courses of action  to grant extended stays to individuals who had overstayed the 90 day limit, due to the unprecedented travel restrictions caused by the Coronavirus epidemic.

Has anyone been deported?

On 28 March the Daily Express reported that Spanish police were planning to deport ‘within weeks’ around 500 UK citizens who lacked the correct paperwork – a claim the Spanish government promptly denied .

There have so far been no reports of deportations or targeted searches in Spain or other EU member states.

By Joël Reland , Public and Foreign Policy researcher at UK in a Changing Europe. This Explainer was originally published on 27 April 2021, and was updated on 7 July 2021. 

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Can I travel to Europe with my UK Biometric Residence Permit?

You cannot use your UK Biometric Residence Permit (“BRP”) to gain entry to Europe. But make sure to bring it with you for re-entry to the UK!

Should i bring my brp.

Your biometric residence permit card is not a travel document but a proof of immigration status in the UK. It can only be used when re-entering the UK at the border. This is why you must always bring your BRP with you when planning to travel overseas.

What documents do I need?

If you want to travel to Europe, you will need to make sure that you have a valid travel document, such as an original current passport. If you are from a country outside the European Economic Area (EEA), you may be required to apply for a Schengen visa before you travel.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in dealing with all aspects of BRP applications. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to  contact us  for advice, send us an  e-mail , or, alternatively, follow us on  Twitter ,  Facebook , or  LinkedIn  to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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The EU’s new multiple entry visa scheme is making it easier for Indians to travel to Europe

Indian citizens can now get a multiple-entry Schengen visa. Here’s how.

The EU has just made it easier for Indian nationals to travel to Europe.

An update to the Schengen visa rules announced last week opens up multiple entry trips for frequent travellers.

The so-called ‘cascade’ system enables Indian citizens who have used a short-stay Schengen visa twice within the last three years to apply for a two-year multiple entry visa.

This can be followed by a five-year visa, providing their passport has sufficient validity.

Why is the EU making travel easier for Indian nationals?

The new scheme aims to strengthen relations with India as an important partner for the EU, and to secure cooperation on migration policy between the two.

“Travel to Europe made easy!”, EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin wrote on X - formerly Twitter - when announcing the visa programme. “The EU takes another step towards enhancing people-to-people contact with India.”

Travel to Europe made easy! ✈️ ⁰🇪🇺 takes another step towards enhancing people-to-people contact with 🇮🇳.⁰New #Schengen #visa regime gives 🇮🇳 frequent travellers access to multi-year visa (up to 5 y.) Europe delivers on the partnership! Know More 👉 https://t.co/6EzlUF8jrR pic.twitter.com/ELhZdCfI83 — Hervé Delphin (@EUAmbIndia) April 22, 2024

The Schengen visa allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period across 29 European countries. A multiple entry visa, therefore, provides access to the Schengen area for up to 180 days in a year in total without the need to reapply for each visit.

• UK Electronic Travel Authorisation: What is the new visa-free entry system and who does it apply to?
• Here's why Europe needs to revive its mining sector

How can Indian nationals get a visa to work in Europe?

The Schengen visa does not grant the right to work, however.

There are various routes to get a work permit in the EU. Some specialists may be eligible for a Blue Card , which allows highly-qualified non-EU citizens to live and work in any EU country - apart from Denmark and Ireland.

Individual EU countries also run their own non-EU work permit schemes, which are often adapted to meet shortages of skilled workers in certain fields.

Germany, for example, has made it easier this year for non-EU citizens to work in the country with reforms to its Skilled Immigration Act .

It removes some of the red tape associated with applying for a work permit and introduces a new ‘chancenkarte’ (opportunity card). The points-based system takes into account qualifications, professional experience, age, German language skills and ties to Germany such as family members in the country.

It particularly targets skilled craftspeople, electrical engineers, IT specialists, carers, nurses, catering and hospitality professionals.

Belgium, too, is seeking foreign workers with skills in specific fields.

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• Entering and staying in the UK
• Immigration rules

Home Secretary action delivering major cut in migration

Robust Home Secretary action has driven an almost 80% fall in student dependant applications in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Strong action taken by the Home Secretary to transform the UK’s immigration system and cut unsustainable and unfair levels of migration is delivering, new data published today shows. 

The number of dependants accompanying students to the UK has drastically fallen by almost 80%, with more than 26,000 fewer student visa applications made from January to March 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. 

Government measures to tighten student visas, which came into force in January, have prevented most international students starting courses this year from bringing family members. Students can also no longer switch their visa before completing their course, preventing people from using the route as a backdoor to work in the UK, while clamping down on institutions which undermine the UK’s reputation by selling immigration not education.

The government recognises the importance of attracting the brightest and best, whilst delivering on our commitment to reduce legal migration to sustainable levels, with the data published.

Home Secretary, James Cleverly, said:  

Ever-spiralling numbers were eroding the British people’s confidence in our immigration system, burdening public services and supressing wages.  When I promised to deliver the largest-ever cut in legal migration, I knew we must also work to show the impact of our action as soon as practically possible.   This data shows a significant fall in numbers on the first of our measures to take effect whilst underlining why necessary action was taken to cut unsustainable numbers of care worker dependants. This does not mark the end of the road in our plan to cut migration, there is more still to come. Over the coming months, we will continue to show the pace of our progress as we deliver the control the public rightly expect.

The published figures also reveal that in the first quarter of 2024, dependant applications on the Health and Care visa continued to significantly outnumber main applicants. 

The government has been consistently clear that dependant visa numbers have been both disproportionate and unsustainable, which is why decisive action was taken to restrict care workers from bringing dependants. This measure came into effect on 11 March, meaning its impact will be fully shown in future statistics. Doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals remain able to bring dependants. 

In parallel, care providers acting as sponsors for migrants in England are now required to register with the industry regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), to crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.   

There is clear evidence that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences, recruited into non-existent jobs or paid far below the minimum wage required for their work, exploiting them while undercutting British workers. 

Immigration is not the long-term answer to social care needs, and the Department for Health and Social Care is leading a programme of work to grow and support the domestic social care workforce. This includes better training, clearer career paths and improved job prospects through a new accredited qualification. 

The new data also includes the final data before the general salary threshold for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa rose from £26,200 to £38,700, meaning the impact of this measure will also be revealed in future statistics releases. 

Taken together, the Home Secretary’s package to reduce legal migration will mean approximately 300,000 people arriving in the UK last year would no longer be able to. It also includes:  

commissioning the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to carry out a rapid review of the Graduate route for international students to prevent abuse, protect the integrity and quality of UK higher education and ensure it works in the best interests of the UK

replacing the Shortage Occupation List with a new Immigration Salary List, with employers no longer able to pay migrants less than UK workers in shortage occupations

raising the minimum income requirement for the family visa, to reach the level of the Skilled Worker visa, currently £38,700 by early 2025

Delivery of this comprehensive series of measures comes as the government cracks down on rising migration, both legal and illegal, and reforms the immigration system. The plan is working, with small boats crossings down by around a third last year, and work continuing to tackle this global challenge including working with international partners and clamping down on the criminal gangs with stepped-up enforcement. 

Now that the Safety of Rwanda Act has passed and the Treaty with Rwanda has been ratified, the government is entering the final phase of operationalising this landmark policy, with the first flight set to take off to Rwanda in 9 to 11 weeks.

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