On 1 January 2021, free movement of persons between the United Kingdom and the European Union ended. The government has sought to emphasise the transformational nature of the new arrangements, although closer examination reveals that the new rules contain several elements from the previous system albeit with some important revisions. Scholars of migration disagree about the extent to which the regulation of migration is characterised by continuity or sudden change of direction. Taking as its focus the work permit, this talk will examine the path dependent nature of British immigration law and policy.