gobordaGlobal mobility intelligence
Work & skilled workersPublishedInformational impactVerified

Scottish Government Publishes Strategy for Migration to Support Economy and Communities

🇬🇧 United KingdomConsultations1 recorded versionLast change 29 Aug 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The Scottish Government has now published a formal migration strategy that sets out its current proposals for attracting and retaining migrants in Scotland. The proposals include a Scottish Visa aimed at supporting Scotland's population and economic needs, a Rural Visa intended to help address workforce and demographic challenges in rural areas, and a Scottish Graduate Visa intended to help Scotland retain international graduates after their studies. The government is also calling for the existing UK immigration system to be made more responsive to Scotland's particular sectoral and regional needs. These routes are not currently available for applications. The Scottish Government is asking the UK Government to consider and implement the necessary immigration changes.

Overview

The Scottish Government has published a new strategy setting out how it wants migration to support Scotland's population, economy and communities. The document argues that Scotland faces particular demographic pressures, including population ageing and the need to attract and retain people who can contribute to the workforce and local communities. The strategy proposes a more tailored approach to migration, including the development of a Scottish Visa, Rural Visa and Scottish Graduate Visa, alongside changes that would make the existing UK immigration system more responsive to Scotland's economic and demographic needs. However, these are proposals to the UK Government, not visas that Scotland can issue itself. Immigration and visa policy remain reserved to the UK Government. The Scottish Government is therefore asking Westminster to create or modify immigration routes that would better address Scotland's particular needs.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Scottish Government: It wants more flexibility within the UK immigration system or separate powers to address Scotland's specific population needs
  • UK Government: It is being asked for new and meaningful discussions on an immigration system that meets Scotland's needs
  • Individuals considering migration to Scotland: They may benefit from future policy changes if Scotland gains more control over its immigration system. This could lead to more tailored routes
  • Employers in Scotland: They face staff shortages and an ageing population. They are directly affected by current immigration rules. They would benefit from a system designed to support workforce needs
  • Public services in Scotland: They are seeing more demand from an ageing population and possible staff shortages. They are directly affected by population trends and immigration policy
  • Communities across Scotland, especially rural and island areas: They face severe population pressures and falling numbers of people. They rely on immigration to keep services running and to help growth
  • International graduates: Current UK-wide policies may offer fewer chances for them to settle in Scotland. This makes it harder for them to stay
  • Families considering migration to Scotland: Tighter rules on family immigration under the current UK immigration system affect them
  • Individuals with salary levels below UK-wide thresholds: They may find it harder to move to Scotland. This is due to recent UK immigration policy changes that put too much focus on salary to measure contribution

What changed in the latest version

Before

Scotland does not have its own separate immigration system. People coming to Scotland from other countries generally use the UK-wide immigration routes. These include the Skilled Worker route, the Student route, the Graduate route, and other UK visa types. The Scottish Government has previously asked for more flexibility within the UK immigration system. It has suggested special immigration arrangements for Scotland. It has also run Scotland's Migration Service. This service gives immigration information and help to migrants, employers, and investors. However, this is not a separate Scottish visa system.

After

The Scottish Government has now published a formal immigration strategy. This strategy sets out its current ideas for attracting and keeping migrants in Scotland. The ideas include a Scottish Visa. This visa aims to support Scotland's population and economic needs. There is also a Rural Visa. This visa intends to help with workforce and population challenges in rural areas. A Scottish Graduate Visa is also proposed. This aims to help Scotland keep international graduates after they finish their studies. The government is also asking for the current UK immigration system to be more responsive to Scotland's specific needs in different sectors and regions. These routes are not currently open for applications. The Scottish Government is asking the UK Government to consider and make the necessary immigration changes.

This publication is important because it shows the Scottish Government's policy aims about immigration. These aims could affect future immigration discussions with the UK Government. For individuals and businesses thinking about Scotland, it highlights the government's promise to attract and keep working-age people and their families. It also suggests possible areas where Scottish policy might differ from UK policy if Scotland gains more control over immigration. This could lead to different opportunities or requirements for people wanting to live and work in Scotland.

Explained simply

Imagine Scotland is like a big family home, but fewer babies are being born, and more grandparents are around. This means there aren't enough working-age people to help keep everything running, like schools and hospitals. The Scottish Government has written a plan saying they need more control over who can come to live and work in Scotland, so they can invite more people to help out. They feel the current rules, made for the whole of the UK, don't quite fit Scotland's unique situation, especially for smaller towns and islands. So, this plan is like asking the 'main' UK government for permission to set some of its own rules to make sure Scotland stays a lively and prosperous place.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Issued 29 Aug 2026PublishedInformational impact
    Scottish Government Publishes Strategy for Migration to Support Economy and Communities

    The Scottish Government has published a strategy paper. It describes its plans and reasons for an immigration system. This system aims to meet Scotland's population and economic needs. The document highlights worries about fewer people, an older workforce, and changes to UK-wide immigration policy. It asks for more flexibility within the current system. It also asks for separate immigration powers for Scotland, or the ability to create policy after Scotland becomes independent.

Other routes in this country

1 / 6