Starmer Announces ‘One In, One Out’ Migrant Deal with France to Start Soon

Key Takeaways

• UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migrant deal starts pilot soon with about 50 people weekly.
• Irregular migrants arriving by boat in UK will be returned to France under new policy.
• For each returned migrant, UK accepts one asylum seeker with UK family from France.

The United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and France 🇫🇷 have announced a major change in how they handle irregular migration across the English Channel. This update explains what has changed, who will be affected, when the changes will take effect, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for people with pending applications or those considering crossing the Channel. The new “one in, one out” migrant deal, announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, marks a significant shift in both countries’ approach to migration and asylum.

Summary of What Changed

On July 10, 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Macron revealed a new “one in, one out” migrant deal. This agreement creates a direct link between the number of irregular migrants returned from the UK to France and the number of legal asylum seekers with family ties in Britain who will be allowed to enter the UK from France. The policy is set to start as a pilot program within weeks, but it still needs to pass legal checks and get approval from the European Commission and EU member states. This could delay the start date.

Key points of the new policy include:

• For every undocumented migrant who arrives in the UK by small boat and is returned to France, the UK will accept one asylum seeker from France who has family in Britain.
• The pilot program will likely start with about 50 people per week, which is much lower than the current weekly average of 782 arrivals.
• The main goal is to stop people-smuggling and reduce dangerous Channel crossings by offering a legal way for family reunification.

Who Is Affected by the New Policy

This new deal will affect several groups:

Migrants crossing the Channel by small boat:
Anyone arriving in the UK without documents by small boat will be detained and processed for return to France. Only those who have family in the UK and are processed through legal channels in France will be eligible to enter the UK under the new system.

Asylum seekers in France with family in the UK:
People in France who have close family members in the UK may now have a legal route to join them, but only if a matching number of irregular migrants are returned from the UK to France.

Local authorities in France:
Officials in places like Calais expect more pressure as returned migrants may increase the number of people waiting in French coastal areas.

People-smuggling networks:
The UK and France hope this policy will make it less attractive for people to pay smugglers for dangerous Channel crossings.

Advocacy groups and legal observers:
Groups that support migrants and refugees are closely watching the policy, raising concerns about its fairness and impact on vulnerable people.

Effective Dates and Timeline

The “one in, one out” migrant deal is set to begin as a pilot program within weeks of the July 10, 2025 announcement. However, the actual start date depends on:

• Legal review by the European Commission to ensure the policy follows EU and international law.
• Consultations with EU member states, which could delay the start.
• Final operational planning between UK and French authorities.

Until these steps are complete, the policy will not be fully in effect. Migrants and asylum seekers should check for updates from the UK Home Office and French Ministry of the Interior for the latest information.

Required Actions for Affected Individuals

If you are a migrant, asylum seeker, or family member affected by this policy, here’s what you need to know:

For migrants planning to cross the Channel by small boat:

• Be aware that under the new policy, you will likely be detained upon arrival in the UK and returned to France.
• The UK government has made it clear that arriving by boat will not lead to settlement in the UK.
• The risk of being returned is high, and the process will be swift.

For asylum seekers in France with family in the UK:

• You may be eligible for legal transfer to the UK if you have close family members there.
• The number of people accepted will be limited and linked to the number of irregular migrants returned from the UK.
• You must go through official channels and provide proof of family ties.

For families in the UK:

• If you have relatives in France hoping to join you, encourage them to use legal routes and avoid irregular crossings.
• Stay informed about the new process and required documents.

For local authorities and support organizations:

• Prepare for possible increases in the number of migrants waiting in French coastal areas.
• Monitor updates from both governments for changes in procedures and support needs.

For people with pending asylum applications:

• If you are already in the UK and have applied for asylum, this policy may not affect your current application, but future arrivals will be subject to the new rules.
• If you are in France and have applied for family reunification, check with the French Ministry of the Interior for updates on how the new policy may affect your case.

Procedural Steps Under the New Deal

The “one in, one out” migrant deal will follow a clear process:

1. Detection and Detention:
   Migrants arriving in the UK by small boat will be detained immediately upon arrival.

2. Return to France:
   These individuals will be processed for return to France under the new agreement.

3. Legal Admission from France:
   For each person returned, the UK will accept one asylum seeker from France who has established family ties in Britain. This will be done through a formal legal process.

4. Oversight and Review:
   The pilot program will be closely watched by the European Commission and EU member states to ensure it follows all legal requirements.

Numbers and Scale of the Pilot Program

The pilot is expected to start small, with about 50 people per week being processed under the new system. This is much lower than the current average of 782 arrivals per week. The limited scale means that only a small number of people will benefit from the legal route at first, and many may still be left waiting in France.

The UK government has not set an official cap, but French media reports suggest the numbers will remain low during the pilot phase. The policy may be expanded or changed based on results and political pressure.

Implications for Pending Applications and Future Arrivals

If you have already applied for asylum in the UK or France, the new policy may not change your current case. However, for new arrivals and future applications, the following points are important:

• Irregular arrivals in the UK will face immediate return to France.
• Legal family reunification from France to the UK will be possible, but only for a limited number of people and only if a matching number of returns take place.
• Pending applications for family reunification in France may be affected by the new process, so applicants should check for updates from official sources.

For those considering crossing the Channel, the UK government’s message is clear: the new policy is designed to make irregular crossings “futile” and to encourage people to use legal routes instead.

Perspectives from Key Stakeholders

UK Government:
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal a “breakthrough moment” and said it would “turn the tables” on people smugglers. The UK government wants to show that arriving by boat will not lead to settlement and that there are now safer, legal alternatives for family reunification.

French Government:
President Macron supports the agreement as part of broader cooperation with the UK. However, local French officials, especially in Calais, worry about more migrants being returned and the strain on local resources.

European Commission:
The deal is under legal review to make sure it follows EU law and international obligations. The European Commission’s approval is needed before the policy can be fully implemented.

Refugee and Migrant Advocacy Groups:
Groups like the Migrants’ Rights Network, JCWI, and IRC have criticized the deal. They argue that it treats migrants as “commodities to be exchanged” and does not address the reasons why people risk dangerous journeys. They also warn that the small scale of the pilot may not make a real difference.

Local French Officials:
Officials in Calais and other coastal areas are concerned about more migrants being returned or left waiting in limbo. They are calling for more support from both governments to handle the increased pressure.

Background and Context

The Channel crossing crisis has grown worse in recent years. In 2025, 21,690 migrants arrived in the UK by small boat—a 54% increase over the same period in 2024. Political pressure in the UK, especially from the Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage, has pushed the government to find new solutions.

Previous attempts, like the Rwanda deportation plan, faced legal and practical problems. This led to a new focus on working directly with France to manage migration.

The new “one in, one out” deal is the latest effort to control Channel crossings and offer a legal path for family reunification. However, its success will depend on legal approval, practical implementation, and the willingness of both governments to adjust the policy as needed.

Future Outlook

The pilot program will be closely watched by both governments, the European Commission, and advocacy groups. If it works as planned, the policy could be expanded to include more people or different routes. If problems arise, changes may be made to address legal, humanitarian, or operational concerns.

Broader migration and asylum reform remains a hot topic in both the UK and France, as well as across the EU. More changes are likely in the coming months as governments respond to political pressure and changing migration patterns.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

If you are affected by the new policy or work with migrants and asylum seekers, here’s what you should do:

• Stay informed: Check the UK Home Office’s immigration policy portal for official updates and detailed guidance.
• Use legal routes: If you have family in the UK, apply through official channels in France and provide all required documents.
• Avoid irregular crossings: The risk of detention and return is now higher, and the UK government is making it clear that boat arrivals will not lead to settlement.
• Seek support: If you are in France and need help, contact local support organizations or the French Ministry of the Interior for advice.
• Monitor your application: If you have a pending case, check for updates and be ready to provide more information if requested.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the “one in, one out” migrant deal is a major policy shift that could change the way the UK and France handle Channel crossings and family reunification. The policy’s real impact will depend on how it is put into practice and whether both governments can address the concerns raised by local officials and advocacy groups.

For now, migrants, families, and support organizations should prepare for changes, follow official guidance, and watch for further updates as the pilot program begins and evolves.

Learn Today

Irregular Migration → Entry or stay in a country without official authorization or proper documentation.
Pilot Program → A small-scale, preliminary initiative testing the feasibility of a policy before wider adoption.
Asylum Seeker → A person who requests protection in another country due to persecution or danger in their homeland.
Family Reunification → A legal immigration process allowing family members separated by migration to reunite in one country.
European Commission → The EU institution responsible for proposing laws and ensuring member states comply with EU policies.

This Article in a Nutshell

The UK and France introduced a ‘one in, one out’ migrant deal, limiting irregular Channel crossings. Starting July 2025, the pilot permits 50 migrations weekly, balancing returns and legal family reunifications, aiming to deter people-smuggling and encourage safe asylum processes through official channels.
— By VisaVerge.com