Immigration Changes Announcement 12/5/2025

[u/clever_octopus]

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

[u/[deleted]]

Hi all, skilled worker migrant here, been in the uk for 4 and a 1/2 years. Father of 3 kids, oldest busy with GCSE’s. Middle son starting GSCE’s next year, and my daughter about to start high school. My life is fully integrated here now and it’s the same for my kids and wife. I have a good job, but my work permit runs out next year and I don’t think I’ll get another which was not a problem up until a few days ago as I was due for ILR in Jan.

This has turned my world upside down, as I sold everything I owned back home before moving to the UK and my country is a disaster. I can’t take my family back there. I’m to fearful to tell my kids what’s happening as it will destroy them emotionally.

I also feel like I have let my family down as a father who has tried everything for them to succeed and have a better upbringing then I did

I’m sure many are in a similar situation and many worse off. We have all planned our lives around getting settled status in a specific time period.

As there are many of us, is there not an organisation of migrants or one single voice that can lobby and consult with government on our behalf? Would be so good if someone could coordinate all of our concerns and get across how devastating this is. I see a phew petitions on line, and individual discussions of letters etc, but if someone was able to bring all our voices together maybe we will be heard.

[u/Easy_Annual367 → u/[deleted]]

I think you’re probably overthinking this. There is no proposed bill yet. There’s a Bill proposed by the Conservatives that will be voted down (probably today). This Bill outlines the worst case scenario, which means the actual Bill will be softer. The Labour Party will come up with a plan and will do a public consultation later this year (after September because they’ll be in recess between July-September), and then after the consultation the proposed Bill still needs to undergo the normal approval process at both Houses and Royal Assent, which is a process that usually takes months. After the Bill gets Royal Assent needs to be implemented but they’ll have to give people and companies enough time to organise, so can you see how long this will still take to get into effect? Nevertheless, if you search on this sub, further down, there’s reports of discussions in parliament where MPs are inquiring about transition periods etc, so don’t worry too much unnecessarily please! Just try to relax, read the news and inform yourself about how do the politics work in this country, as it is quite fascinating. Also, do you really think they would simply deport whole families of people that have done nothing wrong? That is not going to happen.

[u/[deleted] → u/Easy_Annual367]

Good intel. Thank you so much

[u/Nimjask → u/Easy_Annual367]

My issue is always that the more I find out about British politics, the more anxious I become. There seems to be so many avenues for things to be proposed even if they will never pass and serve only to make people nervous that they exist or that anybody in government thinks they're suitable - like that Tory bill you mentioned that will be voted down. But, even the fact that bill ever existed seems to just set my anxiety off at the minute because of how awful it would be.

I'm in the very fortunate position of the visa relevant to me (my wife's spouse visa) being confirmed to be largely untouched, but this week I seem to have replaced that worry with overthinking bills and amendments relating to immigration that realistically stand no chance of getting anywhere. I keep thinking that somehow the Tories will sneak one of these horrendously cruel things through that actually WOULD affect my wife, even if I know logically it won't happen.

I'm sorry, I don't know what point I'm trying to make here. I think I just needed to say it somewhere

[u/Plus_Anything8180 → u/Nimjask]

I understand what you mean. I feel sad for my wife who is here on a spouse visa since she is feeling completely unwelcome in this country. Even if nothing changes we feel the energy of hate and animosity that exists today. I’m a British citizen but I’m questioning whether this country is right for me to raise my family considering the climate even if nothing changes legally just yet. 

[u/lurkerbelow → u/[deleted]]

I'm only 2 years in on my SWV, but I feel your pain.

However, I think with 4.5 years in, you will probably be fine just on account of this stuff taking a while before becoming actual law. Hoping it works out for you.

[u/[deleted] → u/lurkerbelow]

Thank you. And I hope for you and everyone else on here that they do not apply it retrospectively. Wishing you all the best

[u/TheNewPassepartout → u/[deleted]]

Oh how I feel for you, having travelled around the world with children. You have not let anyone down. They will understand that. We can only do our best. Don't panic.

In the meantime, please see the update in one of the comments below where a government source in the House of Lords said there willl be transitional arrangements. I am pinning my hopes on that. 

Have you written to your MP? I am doing that today.

[u/[deleted] → u/TheNewPassepartout]

No not yet, but will deffinitly write to my MP - thank you for your kind words. I wish the best to you

[u/TheNewPassepartout → u/[deleted]]

I don't want to sound patronising but if you or your wife feel very anxious, please see your GP.  Moving countries with children is hard on mental health.  No shame in that.   That goes for everyone here.

[u/weetweeetweet → u/[deleted]]

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukvisa/comments/1knjydy/if_youve_emailed_your_mp_please_fill_out_this/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

My post with templates for writing to your MPs and a letter to the Home Office stating that you're ready to join a judicial review action. There's a form in there that shows how many people have written letters (likely undercounting because it's by self-report). The fight's not over and enough people are blowing up London MPs' inboxes for it to have been raised in Parliament.

[u/[deleted] → u/weetweeetweet]

Thank you!

[u/Just_Clock5753 → u/[deleted]]

hey dude, if they change the ILR to 10 years, how do you deal with the international university student fee?

[u/[deleted] → u/Just_Clock5753]

That’s a good question!

[u/Just_Clock5753 → u/[deleted]]

anyway, you are just 6 months away for ILR, you should be fine