Faces of British immigration
Immigration in the UK is far more complex than sensationalist tabloid articles and fear mongering politicians would have you believe.
Local Foreigners tells real stories of the people behind the headlines — individuals who are far more than the sum of political currency, frightening photos and clickbait tropes.
Rethinking the representation of Immigrants in the UK
The media’s depiction of migration is all too often dangerously reductive and leaves many individuals defined by stereotype.
In reality the individuals that choose to migrate are highly skilled workers, students, artists and family members to name just a few — millions of people with deeply complex stories.
Local Foreigners aims to reclaim the narrative and explore what it truly means to be an immigrant in the United Kingdom.
Who are immigrants?
Naturalised citizens
Over half of foreign born permanent residents in the UK have British citizenship through birth; that’s 6.5 million compared to a total population of 9.5 million
The rest, 36% of immigrant population, have been naturalised over time.
EU citizens
During the past several decades the amount of EU citizens in the UK increased substantially; 38% of migrants who came into Britain in 2019 were born in EU countries.
However this pattern is expected to change after the UK formally leaves the European Union in January 2021.
Students
While it’s hard to track the occupations of EU citizens in Britain, visa records make it clear that most non-EU migration is for education.
In 2020 student visas accounted for 45% of all long-term visas.
Family members
27% of visas granted in 2020 where for the family members of UK citizens and settled EU nationals. Family visas are primarily granted to spouses, children and close family members who are unable to care for themselves.
Skilled workers
Work-related visas, such as ‘Skilled Worker’ (Tier 2) or ‘Entrepreneur’ (Tier 1), were granted to 145 thousand migrants - or 25% of all non-EU immigrants entering the UK in 2020.
Refugees
Refugees & Asylum seekers constitute 6% of annual UK immigration, with 3% obtaining long-term visas. The Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme accounted for three quarters of those resettled in 2020.