The UK will allow European citizens to stay for up to six consecutive months, but is implementing a new Australia-style points-based immigration system for those planning to enter the UK to live and work.
Immigration was a major talking-point in the UK’s 2016 Brexit vote, with the pro-leave camp claiming quitting the bloc would allow the UK to “take back control” of its borders, as well as its laws.
Officials have said the new policy will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally, and is aimed at attracting the “brightest and the best” to the UK.
There will be no cap on the number of people who can qualify under the scheme, but the UK government has said it plans to bring overall migration numbers down post-Brexit.
However, critics say its failure to provide a specific entry route for so-called low-skilled workers could result in staff shortages in several industries, including in the care and agriculture sectors.
Foreign nationals comprise about a sixth of England’s 840,000-strong care sector workforce, while 20 percent of workers in the UK’s agriculture sector come from overseas.
Any EU citizen wishing to move to the UK (excluding those from the Irish Republic) will face the same points based system.
The system is the same as people from elsewhere in the world experience.
Under the points based system, anyone coming to the UK for work must meet a specific set of requirements for which they will score points. Visas are then awarded to those who gain enough points.
To qualify for a visa, migrant workers who want to move to the UK will have to qualify for 70 points.
Having a job offer from an approved employer for a skilled job will earn 40 points.
Being able to speak English will give another 10 points.
The applicant can achieve the remaining 20 points if they are due to be paid at least £25,600 a year.
They can also gain extra points for having better qualifications (10 points for a relevant PhD, or 20 points for a PhD in science, technology, engineering or maths) or an offer of a job in which the UK has a shortage (20 points), even if it doesn't pay as much money.
Certain jobs in health or education still merit 20 points even if the salary is less than £25,600. The applicant must be paid at least £20,480, and in line with set amounts for particular jobs in the UK's four nations.
Applications may be started online, but some people will need to visit a visa application centre in order to prove their identity and show necessary documents.
These might include a certificate of sponsorship from a proposed UK employer, and proof of knowledge of English.
The application fee will depend on how many years the job seeker plans to work in the UK, and whether their job is on a list of skills that the UK has shortages of - for instance, vets and web designers.
If their skills are not on that list then the standard fee will be between £610 and £1,408 per person.
Jobseekers will also have to pay a health surcharge of £624 per person per year when they apply - that money is refunded if they don't get a visa.
And they will need to show that they have the means to support themselves in the UK, which usually involves having at least £1,270 available.
There is a fast-track entry system for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. Most care workers will not be covered by the scheme though.
Those eligible for this visa will pay reduced fees and be supported through the application process.
Successful applicants will be exempt from the immigration health surcharge.
Applicants via this route will still have to meet the relevant skill level and salary thresholds.
There will be no limit on the number of international students who can come to the UK to study.
The new student visa application system allows them to apply six months before they are due to start a course if they are applying from outside the UK.
A new graduate visa will be launched in summer 2021, to allow students who have completed a degree to stay in the UK for two years. This will rise to three years for those who have done a PhD.
Citizens of EU countries who were living in the UK before the end of 2020 can apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.
They have until 30 June 2021 to apply for settled status.
There are also different schemes for some workers - for example, there is a Global Talent, Innovator and Start-Up visa.
The government says this is designed to attract "those who have an exceptional talent or show exceptional promise in the fields of engineering, science, tech or culture".
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