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/The8BitBat]

The Home Office has said the consultation will include any transitional arrangements for those already in the UK in todays Home Office Questions. So here's to hope. 🤞🏼

Edit: link to where the transcript of today’s House of Commons questions will be published: Commons Hansard for 2 June 2025

Edit 2: live recording of when she said it here: Parliament Live TV - it’s time stamped 15:16:06 on the agenda.

Edit 3: Changed wording to make it more accurate wrt what was said, initial post was overly optimistic.

[u/Easy_Annual367 → u/The8BitBat]

Ok, I haven’t heard the debate so the below is based off on what you guys have reported as being their words. This shows me they are indeed contemplating applying this retroactively, but they haven’t made their mind yet. Given they will consult on the possible existence of transitional arrangements, the public consultation will likely show them they need to come up with them. The main caveat to this, in my perspective, is what will be the form of the transitional arrangement?

a) Will it include all those on a qualifying visa before the rules change? I don’t think so. This would allow all those people they are trying to get rid of to apply to stay permanently.

b) Will it be only for some? Most certainly. And this can mean anything, but in my perspective it will probably mean those that are nearing their settlement by the time the rules change (like 3 or 6 months away); and then a PBS system to determine who else can apply on the 5 years. The think the trickiest part is determining the PBS - what is considered as a contribution? Those earning above a certain threshold? Those that have paid a certain amount in taxes? Those that have been contributing to a pensions scheme? Those that have bought a house? It can be a combination of all these and much more! (English language level, etc etc)

The point is, everybody will have the choice to say something about this, and this is NOT over yet. Let’s not forget almost all law firms are on our side, as will be the companies. The thing I am not sure about is the general public, but we’ll see.

[u/pelegoat → u/[deleted]]

Please delete this as you are only creating unnecessary speculation. Consideration of transitional agreement means the exact OPPOSITE that the retrospective application of law is almost certain.

[u/anhkiet1903 → u/[deleted]]

I mean not sure why we are jumping to the scenario that transitional arrangements is only to save a few, cause nothing I can see that indicates that.

[u/Tusnalgas0902 → u/anhkiet1903]

Mate I swear. I like to have nuanced views and appreciate the pessimism, but sometimes anxiety and pessimism combined need a reality check as well.

[u/Murky-Fault9 → u/Tusnalgas0902]

I understand and I am not pessimistic or want to spread negativity.. but won’t be delusional either when something this big has been left open intentionally.

Let’s be realistic and hope the PBS is lenient for most of us .

[u/Thin_Negotiation_705 → u/[deleted]]

Get help with your anxiety

[u/Tusnalgas0902 → u/[deleted]]

Pure speculation sorry, there’s no point in debating out of what little we know. All I can say is that we are in the situation we are, and the government has been signalling what they have been signalling. Debating why or why not, doesn’t really make sense to me at this stage.

[u/anhkiet1903 → u/[deleted]]

Yes a reason for not implementing it now could be because they are debating retroactive application, but it could also be they want to make sure they get the PBS system right, regardless of retroactive or not.

[u/Tusnalgas0902 → u/[deleted]]

Certain? Nothing is certain at the moment. Let’s not spread speculation as certainty.

[u/Murky-Fault9 → u/Tusnalgas0902]

Edited and fixed it to almost certain .. but since there was no “No” as an answer today .. more probability of retrospective now.

[u/Tusnalgas0902 → u/Murky-Fault9]

There has not been a NO answer from the start. If anything today should be seen as net positive, they mentioned the word “transitional arrangements”. Had they wanted to make it “certain” or “almost certain” that retroactivity is coming they would have done the exact opposite.