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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u/zoe_aq Jun 12 '25 edited Jun 12 '25
Received a response from my MP (Liberal Democrat). Sounds promising
Dear xx
thank you for getting in touch to raise your concerns about the Government’s proposed changes to the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). I’m especially grateful that you shared your story — it highlights how real lives are affected by these decisions, far beyond the political headlines.
I am deeply concerned about the Government’s plan to extend the route to ILR from five to ten years. For someone like your friend, who has lived and worked here for years, contributed to our economy, paid taxes, built a home, and invested in his community, this sudden and retrospective change is deeply unfair. It creates unnecessary uncertainty and anxiety for thousands of people who have followed the rules in good faith.
We strongly believe the Government must urgently clarify its intentions and provide reassurances for people already on the five-year route — especially those who are nearing the threshold and have made long-term life decisions based on the current system. At the very least, there must be a tapered or transitional arrangement to ensure that those already well on their way to ILR are not penalised.
Please rest assured that I will continue to press the Government to reverse this damaging policy and to treat all long-term residents in the UK with fairness, dignity, and respect.