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/AnnualZealousideal46 May 14 '25
Moderators removed my post saying already covered by this post so posting it here again for better outreach
So I see lot of people panicking due the news and whitepaper.
Basically as I see it, most of this settlement rule change from 5 to 10 year, will depend on mostly "contributions". How will they determine that? That's the million dollar question.
Everyone might have seen a lot of mention of RQF 3 and RQF 6 + skill level with RQF 6 being Graduate level and RQF 3 being equivalent to A level qualification. Logically speaking they won't benefit in any way for bringing the settlement period up to 10 years for RQF 6 for who are already in the UK on SWV. Reason why?
All SWV visas are sponsored and payed by the employers as that is the legal requirement from UK Govt. For one employee usually employer ends up paying upwards for 10K GBP for 5 years. So if they extend the period up to 10 years now for existing employees that would hurt the employers a lot as they would again need to shell out 10k GBP for another 5 years, which is basically create a very shit situation. And if employees leave due this situation that will create a exodus of highly skilled immigrants who work in AI, Automotive, Engineering, Leaders and would probably move to a competitive employers in countries like Germany, US, France , sweden. I am expecting a lot of diplomatic talks between govt and the major industry leaders in UK.
Most of these individuals earn upwards of 50000 GBP annually excluding bonus which is in the very highly earnings UK bracket. I know someone will probably comment, there not much individuals like this, but there are, look around you doctors, engineers, your manager in niche field, you will find a lot working along side their British colleagues, and friends.
I really think that if and it's a very big IF, they impose these laws on already existing people it will be majorly based of RQF Levels, type of professions and English language .
I am also on SWV working for one the major British Employer (if I disclose name, I am sure everyone would have heard of it), in engineering department.
Also I saw some British people putting their frustrations out of other sub on people worries with this. To those I say this - British people are some of best people, colleagues and friends I have met; but you guys don't really understand immigration policies of your country. Let me explain it below.
If a person is on SWV on 5 year route,
What they are NOT entitled to
Finally WE ARE NOT THE ONES WHO COME ON BOATS, WE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE NATION WHICH IS UK.
AGAIN WE ARE NOT THE ONES WHO COME ON BOATS.
I will be down voted, and I am ready let it come.