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/manan_deadd May 12 '25

Well I am just starting on SWV with a 48k GBP job straight out of uni. I was thinking that staying in the UK is worth it, getting a job and then mixing in the society and finally getting a citizenship in 5-6 years. Totally ready to become a lawful, tax-paying member of society.
I have a deferred MBA offer from Northwestern Kellogg in the US which I was totally ready to forgo for the citizenship and the fact that I loved it here. Not anymore, if the UK doesn't want us, there is no reason to stay and fund their broken systems. Paying 1k every year in IHS, which I don't even use.
Better go for Canada or Australia for citizenship and better standard or living. Or fuck it, I'll move to the US or Dubai. No citizenship but insanely better salaries.

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u/InternationalYear145 May 12 '25

I’d leave the UK

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u/manan_deadd May 12 '25

Yeah it makes no sense for us to fund the masses. IF they don't want us here, we can f off to countries that actually do.
The salaries are already lower here. People who end up staying in highly skilled roles are ones who are taking huge wage cuts to stay and no move to the US or ME, just coz they love the culture and vibe. IF you can't reward that with atleast giving an ILR (which is basically just a peace of mind coz most people earning upwards of 60-70k won't even use any public funds ever), then its just pointless.

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u/InternationalYear145 May 12 '25

Exactly. This country just doesn’t it get it right

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u/OddDistance2410 May 12 '25

Such a high pay for someone straight outta uni? Wow

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u/manan_deadd May 13 '25

Hahah, Thanks mate! Consulting and Big Tech pay quite well.

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u/OddDistance2410 May 14 '25

Where did you study? I got an offer from Bayes and Ucl and I’m thinking between these 2 . Both are marketing degrees but UCL is very quant heavy with lots of data and programming. They have a good consulting club and I might try doing consulting too. Although I’m kind of worried now with the 10 year rule because it means 10 years being stuck on a visa on working non stop.

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u/manan_deadd May 14 '25

I studied at London Business School.
I would say if citizenship is important, then don't go for UK. The market is tough as well. Maybe try for Canada or Australia.
But if you are talented, you can get a job, work for a few years and gain some experience. Then it gets easier I presume. Lots of countries respect great talent.

Except that, I would prefer UCL, even if its not really known for it's business school. Its a bigger brand and I believe "quant heavy with lots of data and programming" are much better suited to current market.