NewStats: 3,261,660 , 8,174,686 topics. Date: Friday, 30 May 2025 at 01:38 AM 6o25f

justwise:


Asking because I know people who are yet to apply as they are waiting to be eligible or save the money required. So this changes will hit many families badly.

There's no time frame or specific details in the White Paper, but were I in the shoes of those a-saving, I would go a-borrowing where at all possible and expedite.

Zahra29:


Thanks for this info

Did your friend get ILR after 4 years or did he have to wait an extra year?

There was a separate issue where new rules were imposed midway which only allowed those on the programme to extend their initial stay if they scored sufficient points based on their earnings in the UK, their age and educational qualifications, and an English language test.

These retroactive rule changes disqualified a lot of people and was successfully challenged by those who were already on the scheme.

He didn't have to.

Cyberknight:


There's no time frame or specific details in the White Paper, but were I in the shoes of those a-saving, I would go a-borrowing where at all possible and expedite.

Trust me many will do that if they see where or how to borrow..

justwise:


Asking because I know people who are yet to apply as they are waiting to be eligible or save the money required. So this changes will hit many families badly.

If they are eligible they should try as much as possible to apply by the end of the year.

The changes won't kick in until the next parliamentary session in 2026 as it requires a change to primary legislation.

dustydee:

He didn't have to.

Interesting, perhaps he applied before the deadline, not sure. It did affect many on the scheme though who had to wait an additional year to apply.

The latest news regarding the UK Immigration White Paper, published today, Monday, May 12, 2025, focuses on the government's plans to "radically reform" the immigration system with the aim of restoring control, promoting growth, and ending reliance on overseas labour.  

Here are the key points from the news:

Stricter Limits on Overseas Recruitment: The White Paper introduces measures that will make it more difficult for employers to sponsor foreign workers. They will need to demonstrate investment in British workers and upskilling of UK talent.
Increased Residency Requirement for Citizenship: Migrant workers will need to live in the UK for 10 years before they can apply for citizenship, double the current five-year requirement. Exceptions may be made for individuals who make a "high contribution" to society.  
Tougher English Language Requirements: New English language requirements will apply to all visa routes, extending to adult dependents for the first time.  
Higher Skilled Visa Threshold: The skilled visa threshold will be raised to graduate level (RQF level 6 and above), with salary thresholds reflecting this higher skill level.  
Time-Limited Access for Lower-Skilled Workers: For occupations below graduate level, access to the immigration system will be strictly time-limited and granted based on strong evidence of skills shortages in critical sectors aligned with the industrial strategy.  
Labour Market Evidence Group: A new Labour Market Evidence Group (LMEG) will be established to scrutinize sectors relying on overseas labour and them in investing in domestic skills.  
Closure of Care Worker Visa Route: The international visa route for care workers will be closed to new applications from abroad. However, those already in the UK legally on this visa will be able to extend their stay, change sponsors, and apply to settle.  
Increased Immigration Skills Charge: The Immigration Skills Charge will be increased by 32% for the first time since 2017, aligning with inflation.
Strengthened Requirements for Sponsoring Institutions for International Students: Requirements for institutions recruiting international students will be strengthened, including raising the minimum rate for Basic Compliance Assessments and implementing a Red-Amber-Green banding system for performance.  
Focus on High-Skilled and High-Contributing Individuals: The system will aim to fast-track highly-skilled and high-contributing individuals, such as doctors, nurses, engineers, and AI leaders.
Emphasis on Integration: The new rules aim to ensure that those coming to the UK commit to integration, as highlighted by the increased English language requirements.
Reduced Net Migration: The government's stated aim is to achieve a significant fall in net migration through these measures.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that these rules would ensure a "clean break" from the previous immigration system and create one that is "controlled, selective and fair." He emphasized that living in the UK is a "privilege that must be earned, not a right." Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the need to end the reliance on overseas labour and boost domestic skills.  

The White Paper, titled "Restoring control over the immigration system," outlines these reforms in detail and connects the immigration, skills, and visa systems to grow the domestic workforce, end reliance on overseas labour, and boost economic growth

Lexusgs430:


It's now a decade.... Expect cost to rise tremendously too.....

Could please break it down to how it's officially a decade?

---

A decade to become a naturalised British citizen? Life doesn't get anymore interesting than this.

Zahra29:


If they are eligible they should try as much as possible to apply by the end of the year.

The changes won't kick in until the next parliamentary session in 2026 as it requires a change to primary legislation.

Maybe, maybe not? Might likely be done through statements of changes to the Immigration Rules which are delegated legislation.

Cyberknight:


Maybe, maybe not? Might likely be done through statements of changes to the Immigration Rules which are delegated legislation.

I agree. If the way Labour has handled previous policy changes are anything to go by i.e WFA and VAT on school fees. It will be immediate with no exceptions. I’m vexed for those that will be caught out with this new policy change but it’is what we voted for. Rather than focus on finding lasting solution to the boat crisis, they have decided to penalise innocent hard working people that are propping up the UK economy and providing much needed skills and manpower.

Cyberknight:


Maybe, maybe not? Might likely be done through statements of changes to the Immigration Rules which are delegated legislation.

Typically bigger changes such as the extension of the qualifying settlement period, require a bill to be voted through.

Also the timeline for the consultation (later this year) implies that changes won't be implemented this year.

It's been softly confirmed via a BBC reporter.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821aec3f16c0654b19060ac/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper.pdf
Be warned, it is 82 pages long, full of political bluster, and incredibly boring, you may need to read it thoroughly to find answers to your questions.

I am looking for my long lost sister. Anyone seen her?
Her name is @ MissJekyll

Anyone seen/heard from her at all?

I want to check something.

Zahra29:


Typically bigger changes such as the extension of the qualifying settlement period, require a bill to be voted through.

Also the timeline for the consultation (later this year) implies that changes won't be implemented this year.

It's been softly confirmed via a BBC reporter.

The last time the qualifying period for ILR was changed in 2006 it was done by means of a SoC. No reason for this one to be any different.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7b9794ed915d4147621607/hc130.pdf

I agree that the changes might not come in this year as the WP stated they're to be "consulted upon". Which basically means that Labour's trying to gauge what it can most achieve to be seen to be stemming immigration while hopefully gaining the most from people who it believes would otherwise be looking rightwards.

giselle237:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821aec3f16c0654b19060ac/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper.pdf
Be warned, it is 82 pages long, full of political bluster, and incredibly boring, you may need to read it thoroughly to find answers to your questions.

I am not sure what they mean by this, will some people qualify earlier than 10 years?

"Through the expansion of the Point-Based System, individuals will also
have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period based on Points-Based
contributions to the UK economy and society. We will consult on these
changes later this year." Pg 69.

Yooukay na wa

giselle237:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6821aec3f16c0654b19060ac/restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-white-paper.pdf
Be warned, it is 82 pages long, full of political bluster, and incredibly boring, you may need to read it thoroughly to find answers to your questions.

Parse the link to NOTEBOOKLLM, then start asking questions that apply to you. The 82 pages include information about skilled workers, students, family reunification, border security, and integration.

So you can just ask specific questions regarding skilled worker visas. Any question.

It seems the 10-year period will affect both current and prospective applicants.

Schoolhike:


Parse the link to NOTEBOOKLLM, then start asking questions that apply to you. The 82 pages include information about skilled workers, students, family reunification, border security, and integration.

So you can just ask specific questions regarding skilled worker visas. Any question.

It seems the 10-year period will affect both current and prospective applicants.

Apparently so. The Technical Annex states:

"For those cohorts affected by the increase in the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years visa demand is likely to fall, as some will be deterred from coming to the UK as a result of the longer time to settlement. Also, a number of those currently in the UK are likely to leave due to it taking longer to gain settled status[i][/i]."

Cyberknight:


The last time the qualifying period for ILR was changed in 2006 it was done by means of a SoC. No reason for this one to be any different.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7b9794ed915d4147621607/hc130.pdf

I agree that the changes might not come in this year as the WP stated they're to be "consulted upon". Which basically means that Labour's trying to gauge what it can most achieve to be seen to be stemming immigration while hopefully gaining the most from people who it believes would otherwise be looking rightwards.

True but the 2006 changes also followed a consultation and debates and votes in both houses of parliament. It sounds like the govt is tracking a similar path.
The consultation period will allow them put flesh on the bones of the settlement proposal such as establishing the criteria for fast track settlement.

Lexusgs430:
Settled status was 5 years, Kemi suggested 20 years, Keir is implementing 10 years..... Slowly, slowly..... They would get to 20 years....

Once they throw conversations in the air, not too long after, implementation occurs.....

Youna go build that Africa by fire by force

ReesheesuKnack:
I am looking for my long lost sister. Anyone seen her?
Her name is @ MissJekyll

Anyone seen/heard from her at all?

I want to check something.

Hey! I was thinking about you the other day - good to have you back here. Hope you've been keeping well.

I hear she's defected from Labour to Libdems lol
The "competent man" Starmer has disappointed many. Not much daylight between his policies and those proposed by the racist Kemi/Tories.

Zahra29:


True but the 2006 changes also followed a consultation and debates and votes in both houses of parliament. It sounds like the govt is tracking a similar path.
The consultation period will allow them put flesh on the bones of the settlement proposal such as establishing the criteria for fast track settlement.

'Under a new framework to be rolled out high-skilled, high-contributing individuals who play by the rules and contribute to the economy and society would be fast-tracked, such as nurses, doctors, engineers and AI leaders.'

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-unveils-new-plan-to-end-years-of-uncontrolled-migration

Zahra29:


Hey! I was thinking about you the other day - good to have you back here. Hope you've been keeping well.

I hear she's defected from Labour to Libdems lol
The "competent man" Starmer has disappointed many. Not much daylight between his policies and those proposed by the racist Kemi/Tories.

No offence intended; genuinely, but I have to say I'm not sure if you genuinely have difficulty understanding what has been said said or if you're just pretending, so let me put it in simpler words. Hopefully that helps you see how it's not mutually exclusive to say that Starmer is competent and Badenough is an incompetent hypocrite even if they are ing similar policies.

Starmer's competence was never about the kind of policies and whether I agree with him or not - it was always about his ability to get things done. He has set out a clear plan for reforming the immigration system that the Tories bungled. Point is - my description of him as being competent was never about where on the spectrum his policies were or whether they benefited me as an individual.

Now to Kemi Badenough. She's incompetent and that is becoming painfully obvious to even her most ardent ers by the day. I hear people are out buying cabbages already... She failed in her various cabinet posts and is failing in her current role. Her only accomplishments have been the various culture wars she managed to fight. There's no comparison. Anybody who disputes this should list her accomplishments in office - trade deals etc or any landmark policies she delivered.

So Person go pack shit for 10 years. God abeg ooo

Zahra29:


Hey! I was thinking about you the other day - good to have you back here. Hope you've been keeping well.

I hear she's defected from Labour to Libdems lol
The "competent man" Starmer has disappointed many. Not much daylight between his policies and those proposed by the racist Kemi/Tories.

If you read Home Ofice message from X you will not be wrong to think that Kemi sent it

According to the white paper No!!!

The white paper explicitly states “We will honour the agreement expectation of those already on the 5 years route to settlement and the 5year rule to ILR will continue for those already in the UK before the rules are introduced “.

Edited: Please ignore …

Schoolhike:


Parse the link to NOTEBOOKLLM, then start asking questions that apply to you. The 82 pages include information about skilled workers, students, family reunification, border security, and integration.

So you can just ask specific questions regarding skilled worker visas. Any question.

It seems the 10-year period will affect both current and prospective applicants.

Goodenoch:


Starmer's competence was never about the kind of policies and whether I agree with him or not - it was always about his ability to get things done. He has set out a clear plan for reforming the immigration system that the Tories bungled. Point is - my description of him as being competent was never about where on the spectrum his policies were or whether they benefited me as an individual.

Now to Kemi Badenough. She's incompetent and that is becoming painfully obvious to her most ardent ers by the day. I hear people are out buying cabbages already... She failed in her various cabinet posts and is failing in her current role. Her only accomplishments have been the various culture wars she managed to fight. There's no comparison. Anybody who disputes this should list her accomplishments in office - trade deals etc or any landmark policies she delivered.

Okay, what he has also got done has caused a lot of distress to the disabled and vulnerable, and now migrants. He has been called out as a hypocrite for some of his policies and for doing a U-turn on his views on immigration for example - if you listen to some of his comments years ago when he criticised Farage for saying some of the same things he is saying now e.g. saying that the UK is becoming an "island of strangers".

Some Labour MPs have already complained today that they are very uncomfortable with some of his language on Immigration.

So it is you who is pretending if you don't recognise that Starmer is also a hypocrite - (same as with most/all politicians tbh) - albeit arguably a more competent one.

Also many of his proposed policies appear inspired by Kemi/Tories/Reform so you have to give them some credit.

The Kemi argument you keep making is quite irrelevant tbh. It's common knowledge that she will be replaced soon enough (and will probably go on to receive a damehood or appointment to the HoL in time, so she's good) and I for one am looking forward to a non-"anchor baby" taking her place lol.

lavida001:
So Person go pack shit for 10 years. God abeg ooo

it's not worth it

AgentXxx:
According to the white paper No!!!

The white paper explicitly states “We will honour the agreement expectation of those already on the 5 years route to settlement and the 5year rule to ILR will continue for those already in the UK before the rules are introduced “.

Are you sure of this because I've read the white paper, must have not read this bit. What page please?

Peerielass:


I hope everyone that voted Labour are happy with these new development.

Most netizens Nigerians in the Anglosphere lampoon those who don't vote for liberal parties on the basis of open borders. I wonder what they have to say now that a major darling liberal party has instituted very harsh restrictions on immigration.

But damn! The restrictions are harsh! The UK is beginning to look like East Asian countries.

hammed71:
it's not worth it

The shit or the wait...... 😁😂

Lexusgs430:


The shit or the wait...... 😁😂

Stop it it not Funny anymore. No de use my predicament laugh

Play Me Everbody dey the matter By Seun Kuti

Apologies, I just opened the one shared on this forum and I have just confirmed that the one I had accessed to earlier was an old one.

Zakikaki:


Are you sure of this because I've read the white paper, must have not read this bit. What page please?