(UK, 22nd) Due to the implementation of a series of strict regulatory policies, the number of long-term net migrants in the UK in 2025 has fallen sharply, nearly "halved" compared to the previous year and returning to levels seen before the post-Brexit introduction of the new immigration system.
According to China News Service, the UK’s Office for National Statistics released data on the 21st showing that in 2025, the number of long-term net migrants in the UK dropped to 171,000, compared to 331,000 in the previous statistical period.
For more than a decade, issues relating to both legal and illegal immigration have been central in political discussions in the UK. Successive administrations have gradually tightened visa issuance rules and continually raised salary thresholds for skilled worker visas. The current government has also made it clear that it will continue to intensify immigration controls.
This significant decrease in immigration is primarily due to multiple adjustment measures introduced in 2024. At that time, the Conservative government rolled out new regulations restricting the majority of international students from bringing family members to the UK, while also raising the salary review standards for skilled occupations visas.
After the Labour Party took office, it further tightened related policies and introduced a number of restrictive measures. The UK halted overseas recruitment of care workers—a group that previously accounted for a large proportion of working migrants—and raised the salary threshold for skilled visas again.
Subsequently, the UK also announced a series of comprehensive reform plans to expedite the repatriation of illegal entrants, extend the residency requirement for some workers applying for permanent residency to ten years (doubling the previous requirement), and change refugee status recognition to a temporary nature.