[rsynnott]

> If the UK actually does leave the EU, they'll replace EU rules of skilled immigration with something similar.

Do you understand how EU freedom of movement works? As an EU citizen I can get on a plane tomorrow, and go to any other EU country, and work there. Skills or no skills. And if I'm not happy with my job there I can quit and get another without fear of being deported. And so on...

A points-based system would be a very different proposition. There'd be far more bureaucracy involved in getting in in the first place, and then once you're in there'd potentially be issues with changing job, and with long-term residence, and with medical care, and with this, that and the other.

There is no possible way in which shutting down free movement wouldn't make the UK a less attractive destination. Of course, this is irrelevant; the UK will almost certainly have to accept free movement as part of its future EEA or EFTA member status.

[blibble]

it's actually 'freedom of movement for workers': if you lose your job and can't get another, and don't have the ability to support yourself independently then the host country is within its rights to deport you

[germanier]

This right does not immediately cease to exist. If you lose your job you very likely have access to unemployment benefits for some time and there are certain conditions that need to be met before you can be deported. If you have lived there for at least five years it's basically impossible.

This is far stronger than anything you can get via other immigration routes and such deportations of EU citizens are really rare.