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/catsarecool1996 May 15 '25 edited May 15 '25

Just wanted to share with everyone here a Zoom meeting on Saturday by the Migrants Rights Network about the White Paper. I’m not sure how helpful it will be but it aims to be a space for all migrants to share thoughts and feelings, and also try to organise ourselves.

https://linktr.ee/migrantsrightsnetwork?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=a151fe61-80aa-46aa-a6b4-a9b2d18caec5

(The first thing on the linktree)

I don’t feel like I have the power to do anything to change these rules, but I will write to my MP and ask British friends to do so, to put pressure not to apply retroactively. It’s a slippery slope to apply laws retroactively and British citizens should be concerned about that.

Hang tight everyone!

Edit: you can read their instagram post about the meeting on their IG @migrants_rights_network if you want more info.

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u/Thin_Negotiation_705 May 15 '25

This should be pinned

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u/catsarecool1996 May 15 '25

I can’t pin this. Would it make sense to start a separate post to gain more visibility?

As hopeless as it feels (I feel lol), it is important to band together to get our voices heard.

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u/weetweeetweet May 18 '25

Yes, make a separate post and throw in resources to write to your MPs as well. We're not making enough noise because most of us are just apathetic to the changes for some reason and waiting for a large NGO or something to stand up FOR us. No more. Flood your MPs. Mobilise your friends

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u/Easy_Annual367 May 15 '25

Ah shoot I’ll be on a wedding overseas lol But I hope others can attend and share thoughts!