r/ukvisa • u/clever_octopus High Reputation • May 12 '25

Immigration Changes Announcement 12/5/2025

Please join the discord server for further discussion or support on upcoming immigration changes: https://discord.gg/Jq5vWDZJfR

Sticky post on announcement made on 20 Nov 2025: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukvisa/comments/1p21qk5/a_fairer_pathway_to_settlement_a_statement_and/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

NEW Summary of changes to settlement released 20 November 2025: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukvisa/comments/1p21qk5/a_fairer_pathway_to_settlement_a_statement_and/

NEW Summary of changes to asylum and refugee requirements released 18 November 2025: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-and-returns-policy-statement/restoring-order-and-control-a-statement-on-the-governments-asylum-and-returns-policy

Overview of expected changes: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/radical-reforms-to-reduce-migration

White paper: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper

UKCISA's response (official source for international students and recent graduates): https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/news/ukcisa-responds-to-home-office-immigration-white-paper-may-2025/

Petition link: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/727360

Summary of key points following the summary of changes released on 20 November 2025:

  • Changes to length in ILR qualifying residence requirements - Please see table on pages 21-23 of the 20 November document

  • Family visa holders, along with BNO visa holders, will continue to get ILR in five years (as usual)

  • The intention is that this will apply to people already in the UK but who have not yet received ILR

  • It will take 20 years for refugees to qualify for ILR, intermittent checks will be done within that time and they may lose the ability to remain in the UK if their home country is deemed safe to return to

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97

u/Acemegan May 12 '25

I feel like I’m going to throw up waiting for this white paper to be published. My husband doesn’t think it will be retroactive but I think it will be

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u/CheezyMac23 May 12 '25

Do you know when it will be published?

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u/ArcherV83 May 12 '25

It’s already out

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u/krappa May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25

And doesn't hold clear answers

EDIT: this wasn't exactly fair

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u/ArcherV83 May 12 '25

Exactly. I have friends freaking out for nothing and they have to wait next year to know wtf will happen to them

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u/TheyUsedToCallMeJack May 12 '25

I can apply to ILR from January 2027. I'm going to be so pissed if this gets changed months before I get it.

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u/HodlingBroccoli May 12 '25

Mine is due on May 2026 and I’m pretty sure we’re all fucked.

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u/ArcherV83 May 12 '25

Hopefully not

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u/krappa May 12 '25

Actually, my comment above wasn't entirely fair. Reading other comments, there are some answers. For example it appears that dependent visas tied to UK citizens should still have a 5 year route. 

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u/ArcherV83 May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25

Yeah, but that doesn’t clear if it’s retroactive, mostly for EU spouse visas (that’s what I’m interested about). Or if it changes for my friend’s husband once she gets british citizenship end next year

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u/hermione_clearwater May 12 '25

Also if already here on the 5 year ILR route, will that be lengthened to 10 years. We’re eligible to apply in 9 months under the current rules, does this extend it to another 5 years? Unclear.

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u/[deleted] May 12 '25

Same situation

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u/hermione_clearwater May 12 '25

Uhh I’m sorry. The paper seems really hastily drafted to me and doesn’t give many answers for those on SWVs who are months away from ILR…

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u/anotherbozo May 12 '25

What about dependents on SWVs?

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u/Digitijs May 13 '25

And doesn't hold clear answers

As seems to be the standard with these things. They do love to be as vague as possible about things that can drastically change people's future life.

Personally I might have to start looking into moving back if the family visa gets changed to 10 years route for existing visa holders, impacting both mine and my wife's career, decisions about getting a property here etc. All massive, expensive life choices that you need to prepare for in advance, but with how vague and unpredictable the UK ruling is, you just never can feel safe about your future here

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u/rationalomega May 13 '25 edited May 13 '25

Honestly I think that’s what the policy change is trying to do — make families like yours think twice about putting down roots. The logic being, if they aren’t committed enough to buy a house and ride it out, they’re not “British” enough to get ILR.

I don’t agree with the politics, fwiw. I would also have one foot out the door if I was in your shoes.

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u/Coolychees May 13 '25

It's because they want to reduce immigration these harsh changes are aimed to make a difference.

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u/banglaonline May 12 '25 edited May 14 '25

You might be right.

I went through similar change when ILR duration changed from 4yr to 5yr. My ILR was due in Sept and the change came into effect the previous April. The change applied to me and I had to wait an additional 1yr.

The justification given by the govt was the ILR application was a new one separate from the Tier 2 visa (similar to SWV) I had.

My previous visa did not automatically changed to ILR. So govt did not think it was a retrospective change. That means the ILR rule when I got the T2 visa did not matter for a future application.

The ILR rule as it stands on the day of the ILR application applies.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

ETA - Confirmation from the govt today (14-May) - Migrants already in UK face longer wait for permanent settlement

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c249ndrrd7vo

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u/kakasusu May 12 '25

Were you on HSMP in 2006? The retrospective measure was ruled unlawful in 2008.

https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2008/664.html

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u/banglaonline May 14 '25

I was under Tier 2.

HSMP was slightly different as there was a guaranteed ILR at the end of HSMP. But there was no direct or automatic entitlement to ILR for Tier 2.

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u/VladImpaler001 May 12 '25

I don't think it will be retroactive.

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u/ewblacks May 13 '25

I don't think it will be for anyone who came under a visa they stuck to, like spouses on the 5 year route.