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Our updated migration policy complements the rewritten Refugee and Asylum policy and details how migrants who are not refugees or asylum-seekers are to be treated.
The current hostile environment is designed to ensure migrants are discouraged from staying in the UK. After years of repeated applications and large fees, many who do finally reach settled or citizenship status will have developed an understandable distrust and dislike of the Home Office.
Instead we propose a fair and humane alternative which treats all new migrants as potential citizens and ensures that they feel at home here.
The Green Party in government will:
We have produced a background paper that goes alongside this policy which contains more information for each policy point and details the research we did to create it. You can download the background paper here (PDF 2.1MB).
This policy was voted on and passed by Green Party members in March 2023.
MG100. The Green Party wants to see a world without borders, until this happens the Green Party will implement a fair and humane system of managed immigration where people can move if they wish to do so.
MG101. The Green Party believes that migration is not a criminal offence under any circumstances.
MG102. The Green Party will treat all migrants fairly and humanely and without discrimination.
MG103. The Green Party is opposed to forced migration and forced repatriation unless standard exclusions apply.
MG200. The Green Party seeks to establish a system that recognises that all migrants are treated as citizens in waiting and therefore supports and encourages them to put down roots in their new home.
MG201. The Green Party accepts we all have a collective responsibility for the climate emergency and that the UK has a duty to support people forced to move due to the changes in their home environment, whether internally or from abroad.
MG300. The functions of the Home Office will be divided between a Department of the Interior and a Department of Migration, which, among other duties, will handle all visa applications.
MG301. All visas can be applied for on entry, while in the UK, or before entry.
MG302. All fees charged for visas will be at cost and not for profit.
MG303. The visa application process will be as straightforward and accessible as possible, and so minimise the need for legal advice in most circumstances.
MG304. Physical visas will be offered in addition to digital documents.
MG305. Minimum income requirements will be removed from all applications as well as any benefits from having a higher income.
MG306. Language requirements will be removed from all applications. Free language classes will be made available to promote and encourage integration.
MG307. A Green Party led Government will ensure that sufficient staff and resources are available to effect these policies.
MG308. The Department of Migration will be responsible for ensuring free and independent guidance and support is available when a person’s visa is due to expire to help them make the next steps. This support will be available in an applicant’s first language if requested.
MG309. Unless standard exclusions apply, no person will be held in detention because of their immigration status.
MG310. Visa applications from specific individuals may be rejected on grounds of public safety. These grounds are restricted to serious crime and threats to national security.
MG400. All arrivals to the UK without a visa will be granted a visitor visa for a period of three months regardless of where they have come from unless standard exclusions apply. They will then have this period of time to apply for a different visa if they so wish.
MG401. Visitors will not have access to welfare benefits or Universal Basic Income.
MG402. Visitors will have access to the NHS for urgent and medically necessary procedures only.
MG500. For the purposes of this policy, visa residents are defined as migrants who have a non-visitor visa, do not have settled status and are not British citizens.
MG501. All visa residents will have the right to vote in all elections and referendums.
MG502. Access to the NHS will be free and comprehensive for all visa residents.
MG503. Any No Recourse to Public Funds conditions will be abolished and visa residents will have access to welfare benefits or Universal Basic Income.
MG504. All Visa Residents will be able to apply for settled status after five years.
MG505. Students with an offer of a place from a recognised education institution will automatically receive a visa to study unless standard exclusions apply
MG506. Residents on student visas will be permitted to stay for three years after their studies are completed to look for work.
MG507. Workers with a confirmed contract of employment satisfying UK employment laws will automatically receive a visa to work unless standard exclusions apply.
MG508. Residents on work visas can switch employers or if made redundant have six months to look for work automatically as part of their visa conditions.
MG509. Visa residents will have the right to bring members of their family to the UK who would normally live with them in their country of origin, or would do so if it were permitted by law or custom.
MG600.Residents with settled status are no longer subject to immigration rules.
MG601. Residents with settled status have the same access to benefits, student finance, and the NHS as British Citizens.
MG602. Children of residents with settled status will have access to student finance for their higher education and will not be liable for international fees.
MG603. Any resident with settled status can apply for citizenship if they wish to do so.
MG701 .All children born in the UK are automatically British Citizens.
MG702. A Green Party led Government will commit to tackling statelessness and will ensure that once citizenship is granted it cannot be removed.
MG703. Multiple citizenships are permitted.
MG800. Undocumented migrants will be given free advice and support to help them to regularise their status without penalty for being undocumented.
MG801. Undocumented migrants who have been in the UK for at least five years will be invited to apply for settled status unless the standard exclusions apply.
Other
MG900 We will encourage periods of temporary residence in the UK and abroad, particularly by young people, to promote intercultural awareness.
MG901 The Green Party will recognise the contribution of migrants and their descendants to the UK by making the 1st Monday on or after 22nd June, Windrush Day, a public holiday.
MG902 The Green Party supports the teaching of the history of empire and colonialism, including from the viewpoint of those who were colonised.