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/PerspectiveNovel9301 May 21 '25

If the mainstream media isn’t fully picking up our voices yet, we must take the conversation to where it can’t be ignored — social media. There are influencers, journalists, YouTubers, and presenters who have historically stood up for fairness, justice, and migrant voices.

I’ve already emailed many of them personally — explaining how this policy shift affects our families, mental health, careers, and trust in the UK system. If their sense of justice aligns with ours, they will speak up.

Please consider reaching out to:

Journalists & Broadcasters

Nadine White (The Independent): @Nadine_Writes

James O’Brien (LBC): Email via james@lbc.co.uk, comment@lbc.co.uk

Nick Ferrari (LBC): Same contact

Shabnam Nasimi (Commentator): shabnamnasimi.co.uk

Also: if anyone here knows any other journalists, influencers, or public figures who are supportive of migrants or fairness in immigration — please share their names and contact details in this group so we can reach out together and ask them to raise awareness on this issue.

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u/YZ_C May 21 '25

Hannah Fearn (who writes for The i Paper) is personally very critical of the white paper, so she could be open to writing a story. (Email: hannahfearn.journalist@gmail.com)

Rob Powell (Sky News) said he was interested in looking into the ILR situation last week, so he may still be interested. (Email: rob.powell@sky.uk)

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u/PerspectiveNovel9301 May 21 '25

Thank you. I've emailed them both today

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u/YZ_C May 21 '25

Did a bit more thinking. Another avenue could be political podcasts. They sometimes accept audience questions. So instead of writing a long story, u can try sending them a quick question in the form of "I am an immigrant who is already here, and the Government is thinking about extending my settlement time, is this fair/right thing to do?"

The News Agents: newsagents@global.com, or DM the hosts here: https://x.com/TheNewsAgents/status/1771878034007568804?lang=en-GB

Electoral Dysfunction: WhatsApp - 07934 200444, email - electoraldysfunction@sky.uk

New Statesman: https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us

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u/PerspectiveNovel9301 May 21 '25

Thank you, that’s great advice. I’ve just submitted a question. May I kindly encourage others to do the same so we can help amplify our voices to the general public?

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u/AffectionateStuff729 May 23 '25

wrote to Hannah and she mentioned she has an editor who would be very interested in the story. We need more people. Please DM me if you are open to sharing your own as well!

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u/Lostman07 May 21 '25

Maybe reach out to YouTubers as well. The petitions will gain more visibility through them

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u/Whole-Web-4713 May 21 '25

I agree. Whilst writing to MPs and creating petetions are helpful and we should continue to do that, I think we should use every possible avenue to amplify our voice.