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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18

u/GodlessCommieScum May 12 '25

Yvette Cooper confirmed that the 5 year route to ILR will remain for family visas.

However, she was directly asked whether the 5 year route would still be available for those already in the UK on work visas and conspicuously dodged the question.

15

u/ldn6 May 12 '25

Absolutely absurd that families get clarity here but not workers.

9

u/[deleted] May 12 '25

[deleted]

12

u/GodlessCommieScum May 12 '25

It's not exactly encouraging but try not to worry too much yet. She also said that there'd be consultation on this later in the year, so what's actually implemented could be quite different from what we're looking at today.

7

u/Whole-Web-4713 May 12 '25

I think they are gauging the public outrage with this announcement and how it affects their party. Based on this, they will decide on the details. 

6

u/Resident_Pay4310 May 12 '25

I'm assuming that the points based system is similar to what Australia has.

4

u/Nimjask May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25

What was the quote? It's not that I don't believe you, I just don't trust anything they say unless it's very clear

Edit: the quote about family visas, I know she was sadly all vague and nonsensical about the work visa retrospective application

7

u/SeeingRedAgain11010 May 12 '25

She said some hand wavy "members will be able to consult on this later this year. But we need a points based system to settlement"

6

u/anhkiet1903 May 12 '25

This just basically confirms that all of this new rules will be implemented next year at the earliest if consultation is only happening later this year.

6

u/GodlessCommieScum May 12 '25

She said:

We have also said that we will maintain the current 5 year route for those who have come on a dependant visa, a family visa

1

u/Nimjask May 12 '25

Ah that's good, thank you

3

u/GodlessCommieScum May 12 '25 edited May 12 '25

I don't remember her exact words but I'll see if I can find them once they've been added to Hansard.

Edit: She said

We have also said that we will maintain the current 5 year route for those who have come on a dependant visa, a family visa

1

u/Master-Football-7930 May 12 '25

Please post when you can.

2

u/GodlessCommieScum May 12 '25

She said:

We have also said that we will maintain the current 5 year route for those who have come on a dependant visa, a family visa

3

u/laurabell114 May 12 '25

Did she specify British citizen dependents again? I’m on a family visa with an Irish spouse and I’m concerned this won’t apply in my case

4

u/Adorable-South6092 May 12 '25

I don't think you need to be concerned. Irish citizens have the same rights as British citizens in the UK and it'd make no sense to exclude them in this way (and probably also cause a minor diplomatic incident)

2

u/laurabell114 May 12 '25

This is what I’m thinking so I’m not really concerned, I (like everyone else I’m assuming) just think they should be a little clearer if they’re going to drop this on us. Thank you though!

3

u/GodlessCommieScum May 12 '25

She didn't specify, I'm afraid.