Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department has plans to allow self-employed migrants to enter the UK under the proposed future skills-based immigration system.

As we set out in the immigration system White Paper, those wishing to base themselves in the UK to work on a self-employed or freelance basis will continue to able to do so where they are able to qualify under the exceptional talent and business start-up routes. Skilled professionals who are technically self-employed, but effectively filling a position with a UK-based business (for example, barristers) will continue to be able to be sponsored under the new route for skilled and highly skilled workers.

We are currently engaging with businesses, employers and other stake-holders on the proposals set out in the White Paper