UK Immigration Policy in 2026: The Points-Based System, Asylum Backlog, and What the Data Shows
The UK's points-based immigration system replaced freedom of movement in January 2021. We examine who it lets in, who it keeps out, and what the asylum processing backlog says about Home Office capacity.
How the Points-Based System Works
The UK's points-based immigration system (PBS) came into effect on 1 January 2021, following the end of EU freedom of movement after Brexit. Under the PBS, all non-UK nationals — including EU citizens, for the first time — require a visa to live and work in the UK unless they hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The skilled worker route requires applicants to have a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor, a role at or above the required skill level (RQF Level 3, broadly equivalent to A-level standard), and a salary meeting a specified threshold. From April 2024, the general skilled worker salary threshold was raised from £26,200 to £38,700 per year — a 48% increase intended to reduce net migration.
The system awards points for characteristics including job offer (20 points), skill level (20 points), salary (0–20 points depending on rate), English language ability (10 points), and whether the role is on the Shortage Occupation List (20 points). Applicants must reach 70 points to qualify. The salary threshold can be "traded down" in some circumstances, including for roles on the Immigration Salary List (formerly Shortage Occupation List) and for new entrants to a profession.
Net Migration and Political Context
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated net migration to the UK at approximately 685,000 for the year to December 2025 — down from a peak of approximately 764,000 in the year to June 2023, but still significantly above the "tens of thousands" target maintained by successive Conservative governments between 2010 and 2024. The Labour government elected in 2024 abandoned this numerical target, instead committing to a "managed and controlled" approach.
The majority of net migration in 2025 was accounted for by students, their dependants, and people arriving on health and care worker visas. Following restrictions on dependant visas for international students introduced in 2024, student dependant arrivals fell by approximately 34% year-on-year. Health and care worker arrivals fell by approximately 19% following the removal of overseas care workers' right to bring dependants.
Emigration — of British citizens and long-term residents leaving the UK — is estimated at approximately 200,000 per year, meaning gross immigration substantially exceeds the headline net migration figure. This distinction is frequently absent from political and media discussion of immigration numbers.
The Asylum System and Processing Backlog
An asylum claim in the UK begins with registration and screening by the Home Office. Following initial screening, applicants receive a substantive interview and a decision on their refugee status claim under the Refugee Convention or humanitarian protection rules. As of September 2026, approximately 38,000 cases were pending initial decision — down from a peak of approximately 175,000 in 2023 following a government-funded clearance programme.
The government's stated target is for 71% of asylum decisions to be made within six months of claim. Recent Home Office data shows this target is being met for straightforward cases but that complex cases — including those involving torture, trafficking, or disputed nationality — frequently take significantly longer, with some cases outstanding for three or more years.
The Rwanda Migration and Economic Development Partnership, under which some asylum seekers would have been removed to Rwanda, was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court in November 2023. Subsequent legislation attempting to reverse this ruling — the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024 — was repealed by the Labour government following the July 2024 election, and the Rwanda partnership was formally terminated.
Home Office Decision-Making and Accountability
The Home Office is the department responsible for immigration policy and enforcement. Decisions on individual visa and asylum applications are made by Home Office caseworkers, subject to a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) and subsequently to the Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal on points of law.
The Home Office appeal overturn rate is a measure of decision quality: it records the proportion of initial Home Office decisions that are overturned on appeal. For asylum cases decided in 2025, the overturn rate was approximately 43% — meaning that close to half of negative asylum decisions that proceeded to appeal were found to be incorrect. Campaigners argue this rate indicates systemic problems with initial decision quality; the Home Office attributes it in part to new evidence being submitted at appeal stage.
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) inspects and reports on the effectiveness and efficiency of the immigration and asylum system. Reports are laid before Parliament and published, but the Home Office is not required to implement the ICIBI's recommendations, and an analysis by the Migration Observatory found that fewer than 40% of recommendations were fully implemented within 18 months of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions
The points-based system (PBS) is the framework governing immigration to the UK for all non-British nationals. Introduced in January 2021, it replaced EU freedom of movement and consolidated existing routes. Most routes require applicants to score at least 70 points, awarded for factors such as a job offer from a licensed sponsor, skill level, salary, and English language proficiency. There are separate routes for students, family members, humanitarian protection, and specific sectors including health and care.
From April 2024, the general skilled worker salary threshold is £38,700 per year (or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher). A lower threshold of £30,960 applies to new entrants to a profession (typically those under 26 or in their first job after graduation). Roles on the Immigration Salary List may qualify at 80% of the standard threshold. Health and education sector roles have specific salary requirements that may differ from the general threshold.
To claim asylum in the UK, a person must be physically present in the country and must make their claim to the Home Office. After initial screening and biometric registration, they are interviewed about their reasons for claiming asylum. The Home Office then makes a decision on whether they qualify for refugee status under the Refugee Convention (fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group) or for humanitarian protection. If refused, applicants have a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal.
The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act 2024, which attempted to provide a legal basis for removing asylum seekers to Rwanda, was repealed by the Labour government following the July 2024 general election. The Rwanda partnership was formally terminated. The government announced a new approach focused on domestic processing, increased use of detention for those facing removal, and enhanced cooperation with European partners on people smuggling networks.