Brexit marked one of the most significant shifts in the United Kingdom’s immigration and labour market policy in decades. By ending freedom of movement for European Union (EU) citizens, the UK government introduced a new points-based immigration system that applies equally to workers from both EU and non-EU countries. For Pakistanis — one of the largest non-European communities in Britain — these changes carry both opportunities and challenges.
Levelling the Playing Field
Before Brexit, EU nationals had a privileged position in the UK labour market. They could enter, live, and work freely without visas. This often placed non-EU migrants, including Pakistanis, at a disadvantage, particularly in low- and medium-skilled sectors where employers preferred the readily available EU workforce.
Post-Brexit rules removed this automatic preference. Now, EU citizens must meet the same visa requirements as those from Pakistan, India, or Nigeria. In theory, this creates a more level playing field. For Pakistanis, this could mean increased chances in sectors where EU workers previously dominated, such as hospitality, agriculture, and logistics.
The Points-Based System Explained
The new immigration system introduced in 2021 prioritises skills, salaries, and English language ability. Key features include:
Skilled Worker visa: Applicants must have a job offer from an approved employer, meet English proficiency standards, and earn at least £26,200 annually (or £23,040 if working in a shortage occupation).
Health and Care Worker visa: Offers lower salary thresholds and faster routes for healthcare professionals, an area where many Pakistani doctors and nurses are applying.
Graduate route: Allows international students to remain in the UK for two years (three for PhD graduates) after completing their studies.
Seasonal worker visas: Short-term options remain limited and competitive, often not accessible to Pakistani applicants compared to neighbouring European or Central Asian countries.
For Pakistanis, the Skilled Worker and Health and Care visas have become the main pathways into the UK labour market.
Opportunities in Healthcare and Skilled Professions
The UK is facing acute shortages in health and social care, creating significant demand for overseas workers. Pakistani professionals are well positioned here, particularly doctors, nurses, and care assistants. NHS trusts have actively recruited from Pakistan, and many young professionals see healthcare as a secure route to employment and long-term settlement.
Beyond healthcare, sectors like IT, engineering, and finance also offer opportunities, especially for Pakistanis with higher education and English language proficiency. Graduates from UK universities now benefit from post-study work rights under the Graduate route, giving them time to gain experience and transition into skilled jobs.
Barriers for Low-Skilled Workers
While the rules create opportunities for skilled professionals, they also close doors for low-skilled migration. Many Pakistanis historically found work in sectors like retail, hospitality, taxi driving, and small-scale services. These jobs often do not meet the salary or skill thresholds required under the new system.
As a result, new migration from Pakistan for low-wage roles has become more difficult. Family reunification routes still exist, but they come with strict income requirements for sponsors in the UK. This limits opportunities for households that rely on modest earnings.
Impact on the Existing Pakistani Workforce
For the long-established Pakistani community in Britain — many of whom are second- or third-generation citizens — the new immigration system has less direct effect. However, there are indirect implications. Reduced inflows of EU workers have created gaps in certain industries, which some Pakistani-origin workers have been able to fill. For example, logistics companies facing shortages of drivers and warehouse staff have turned to recruiting locally, including within British-Pakistani communities.
At the same time, structural barriers remain. Pakistani-origin workers, on average, earn less and face higher unemployment than the national average. Post-Brexit immigration reform does little to address these disparities. Without targeted policies on training, discrimination, and inclusion, inequalities may persist despite changes in labour supply.
Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
Another dimension is entrepreneurship. Many Pakistanis in Britain are self-employed, running small businesses in retail, catering, and transport. Brexit’s impact on supply chains, imports, and rising costs has already put pressure on these enterprises. The immigration rules compound the challenge by making it harder to bring in family members or staff from abroad for support.
On the other hand, the rules encourage high-value investors and innovators. Pakistanis with significant capital or tech expertise may benefit from these categories, though the numbers remain small compared to the overall community.
Broader Social and Political Context
Post-Brexit immigration debates have influenced how migrant communities are perceived. While the new system formally treats EU and non-EU citizens equally, political rhetoric around “taking back control” has sometimes reinforced hostile attitudes toward migrants more broadly. For Pakistanis, who already face issues such as Islamophobia and racial prejudice, this environment can feel challenging.
At the same time, there are opportunities for the UK and Pakistan to deepen bilateral cooperation. Education, healthcare recruitment, and trade are areas where mobility can be mutually beneficial. Some observers see the new rules as a chance for Pakistan to negotiate more targeted agreements with the UK, ensuring pathways for skilled professionals and students.
Conclusion
As of March 2023, the post-Brexit immigration system has reshaped the landscape for Pakistani workers in Britain. Skilled and educated migrants stand to gain the most, particularly in healthcare and technology. Low-skilled migration has become more restricted, limiting options for families without strong financial or educational backgrounds.
The impact on the broader Pakistani community is mixed: while some may benefit from reduced EU competition in the labour market, structural inequalities remain unaddressed. For policymakers in both London and Islamabad, the challenge lies in ensuring that this new era of immigration creates opportunities that are fair, inclusive, and sustainable.
بریگزٹ کے بعد برطانیہ نے یورپی شہریوں کی آزادانہ آمد و رفت ختم کر کے نیا پوائنٹس بیسڈ امیگریشن سسٹم متعارف کرایا ہے، جو اب یورپی اور غیر یورپی دونوں پر یکساں لاگو ہوتا ہے۔ پاکستانیوں کے لیے اس کے اثرات دو طرفہ ہیں — کچھ نئے مواقع پیدا ہوئے ہیں، مگر کئی راستے بند بھی ہو گئے ہیں۔
پہلے یورپی ورکرز کو برطانیہ میں ملازمت کے لیے ویزا کی ضرورت نہیں تھی، اس وجہ سے پاکستانیوں کو سخت مقابلے کا سامنا رہتا تھا۔ اب حالات بدل گئے ہیں اور یورپی شہریوں کو بھی ویزا شرائط پوری کرنا پڑتی ہیں۔ اس تبدیلی سے پاکستانیوں کے لیے مساوی مواقع بڑھے ہیں، لیکن صرف ان کے لیے جو ہنر مند یا تعلیم یافتہ ہیں۔
نیا سسٹم بنیادی طور پر ہنر، تنخواہ اور انگریزی زبان کی صلاحیت کو ترجیح دیتا ہے۔ ہیلتھ اینڈ کیئر ورکر ویزا کے تحت ڈاکٹروں، نرسوں اور کیئر اسسٹنٹس کے لیے راستے کھلے ہیں، اور برطانیہ کے ہسپتال پاکستان سے بھرتیاں بھی کر رہے ہیں۔ اسی طرح آئی ٹی، انجینئرنگ اور فنانس کے شعبے بھی ہنر مند پاکستانیوں کو مواقع فراہم کرتے ہیں۔
لیکن کم ہنر مند یا کم اجرت والے شعبے — جیسے ہاسپیٹالٹی، ریٹیل اور ٹیکسی ڈرائیونگ — کے لیے دروازے زیادہ تر بند ہو چکے ہیں۔ اب نئے آنے والوں کے لیے یہ نوکریاں حاصل کرنا مشکل ہے، جبکہ خاندان کے افراد کو بلانے کے لیے بھی سخت مالی شرائط لاگو ہیں۔
برطانیہ میں پہلے سے آباد پاکستانی کمیونٹی کے لیے براہِ راست اثرات کم ہیں، مگر بالواسطہ فائدہ یہ ہے کہ یورپی ورکرز کی کمی سے بعض مقامی پاکستانی ورکرز کو مواقع ملے ہیں۔ اس کے باوجود، معاشی ناہمواری، کم تنخواہیں اور امتیازی سلوک جیسے مسائل اب بھی موجود ہیں۔
چھوٹے کاروباری افراد کے لیے بھی مشکلات ہیں، کیونکہ بریگزٹ کے بعد درآمدی اخراجات اور سپلائی چین مسائل بڑھ گئے ہیں۔ امیگریشن قوانین اب آسانی سے اضافی افرادی قوت لانے کی اجازت نہیں دیتے۔
مجموعی طور پر، مارچ 2023 تک تصویر یہ ہے کہ تعلیم یافتہ اور ہنر مند پاکستانی زیادہ فائدہ اٹھا رہے ہیں، جبکہ کم ہنر مند طبقے کے لیے راستے محدود ہو گئے ہیں۔ اصل چیلنج یہ ہے کہ اس نئے نظام کو اس انداز میں ڈھالا جائے کہ مواقع سب کے لیے منصفانہ اور پائیدار ہوں۔
