Reform 2025-2026
The biggest reform in a decade — but only part of it is law yet. The rest are proposals that may still change. Use the filter below to see only what affects you.
Three big things happened in July. On 13 July the Immigration and Asylum Bill passed its 2nd reading in the House of Commons: 264 for, 90 against (14 Labour MPs were among those against); the committee considers the Bill from 10 September to 3 November 2026. On 20 July Andy Burnham became Prime Minister (Labour leader since 17 July); Shabana Mahmood stayed on as Home Secretary — officially immigration policy has not changed. On 9 July Statement of Changes HC 259 was published: from 3 August the Home Office will be able to decide asylum cases without a substantive interview more often (including where the claim is “clearly unfounded” on the papers), and screening and the substantive interview are merged into a single session; for children the guarantee of a chance to explain is preserved.
So far the Bill has only passed its 2nd reading. Nothing in it is law yet. The Commons committee sits until 3 November 2026, and the House of Lords stages have not even been scheduled — realistically Royal Assent (when a Bill becomes law) is no earlier than 2027. Everything can still change before then.
- 🆕 New legal (sponsorship) routes — universities, community groups and employers will be able to sponsor refugees (Canada-style, with caps). Start: community — autumn 2026; universities — applications this year, first arrivals 2027; work — 2027.
- Single "core protection" model — various forms of refugee protection merged into one status; the law will define when protection can be revoked. Under core protection — no automatic right to family reunion.
- Accommodation contributions — asylum seekers who have assets or income will be required to contribute to the cost of their taxpayer-funded housing.
- Single appeal — instead of multiple appeals, a new independent body replaces the First-tier Tribunal; all grounds must be raised at once.
- Article 8 ECHR narrowed — the right to family life will be limited to the "core family unit": spouses, parents, children under 18. Extended family excluded. Plus faster deportation of foreign criminals.
- Modern slavery and age assessment — reform of "late presentation" rules (removing protection for those with custodial sentences / forged documents), strengthened age assessment.
- 2nd reading passed on 13 July: 264 for, 90 against (14 Labour MPs voted against). Committee stage from 10 September, concluding by 3 November 2026; current stage and bill text. Still NOT law.
- HC 259 — from 3 August: the Home Office gets two new grounds to decide a case without a substantive interview (including a claim that is “clearly unfounded” on the papers); screening and the substantive interview are merged into one session. For children the guarantee is preserved.
- Burnham has been Prime Minister since 20 July (Labour leader since the 17th). Mahmood stayed on as Home Secretary, and Burnham himself voted for the Bill. Reports of future softening come from media coverage only — officially nothing has changed.
- Family reunion: the court dismissed the challenge to the suspension — [2026] EWHC 1705 (Admin), 7 July. The route stays closed; the claimants are seeking permission to appeal.
- The appeals backlog has passed 87,000 cases: it now takes around 3 years from lodging to hearing (Free Movement, July 2026). This is the government's stated justification for replacing the tribunal with the IIAA.
- Skill Migrants Alliance is preparing a judicial review against retrospectivity (Kingsley Napley + Sonali Naik KC): on their own published roadmap the claim has NOT been filed — the pre-action letter is planned once the Government publishes its final policy.
- The Earned Settlement consultation closed on 12 February 2026 — 200,000+ responses. There is still no formal response and no rules; the Government's steer (as of 13 July) is “later this year”. From 1 October 2026 right-to-work checks extend to gig platforms and subcontracting (2025 Act, not this Bill).
- IPPR + Migration Observatory estimate: the reform would affect 1.35–2.2 million people, including ~309–520k children.
ILR Pathway Calculator
📊 Compare: your settlement date — current rules vs proposal
This is the BASELINE scenario as set out in the consultation (closed 12 February 2026). Not personal advice. Your actual outcome depends on your circumstances — speak to a regulated immigration adviser (iaa.gov.uk / sra.org.uk).
⚠️ This is the baseline scenario. Earned Settlement is still a PROPOSAL — not law. Your specific outcome depends on salary, English level, public funds, criminal record. Find a regulated adviser at iaa.gov.uk or sra.org.uk.
- Today: 4 May 2026
- Asylum claims on or after 2 March 2026 → 30-month grant (instead of 5 years). In force now.
- From 26 March 2027 — B2 English required for ILR (was B1). Applies to everyone on settlement path.
- Full Earned Settlement (10/15/20 years) — still consultation. Expected autumn 2026.
Key changes by status
What each label means
- ● In force: the rule is law today — Statement of Changes laid and commencement date passed.
- ● Laid, commences later: Statement of Changes is in Parliament, but the start date is in the future.
- ● Proposal: White Paper or consultation. Not law. May still change or not pass.
- ● Announced: a minister said it in a speech or a committee said it in a report — no rule text yet.
What and when
Deep dive by topic
Core Protection — 30 months
Only for applications from 2 March 2026. If you applied before 1 March — old rules: 5 years + ILR after 5 years.
If you already received status before March 2026 — you keep the 5-year path to ILR.
- Status for 30 months (2.5 years) instead of 5 years
- Every 30 months — review: is protection still needed?
- Unaccompanied children are exempt — they receive 5 years
- Safe return review — from 8 April 2026
- 20-year pathway to ILR announced, but NOT in Immigration Rules
Refugee Council: 1.9 million reviews over 10 years, costing £1.27 billion.
Family reunion — suspended
Since 4 September 2025 refugee family reunion has been suspended.
Previously: unconditional right to bring spouse/children. Free, no income requirement.
Now required:
- Income of £29,000 per year
- English A1
- 2 years of residence in the UK
Work — expanded rights
From 26 March 2026 asylum seekers (12+ months waiting) can work in positions at RQF Level 6+.
- Previously: shortage list only → now all degree-level positions
- Some mid-skilled (RQF 3-5) roles temporarily open until end of 2026
- 12-month waiting period — unchanged
- Self-employment — prohibited
Asylum support — now conditional
From 2 June 2026 the obligation to provide support is replaced by discretion.
Support can be withdrawn if: illegal work, sufficient income, breaking the law.
Payments: £49.18/week (self-catered), £8.86/week (hotel with meals). Additional: £9.50 children under 1 year, £5.25 pregnant women and children 1-3.
Move-on after status: 42 days (was 28).
Border Security Act 2025
- Border Security Commander — new coordinating role
- Criminal liability for supplying small boats — up to 14 years
- Powers to search migrants' phones
- Rwanda Act repealed, agreement terminated 16 March 2026
- Illegal Migration Act 2023 — most provisions repealed
- Legal aid: first rate increase in 30 years (~£65-69/hour, +30% budget)
Visa brake — HC 1691
From 26 March 2026:
- Student visas — refused: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, Sudan
- Skilled Worker — refused: Afghanistan
Earned Settlement — work visas
- ILR: 5 → 10 years baseline
- Salary £125,140+ → ILR in 3 years
- Salary £50,270+ or public sector → 5 years
- English B2 (instead of B1) — from March 2027
Court challenges and criticism
- Skill Migrants Alliance — preparing a JR on earned settlement; the claim has not been filed, the pre-action letter comes after the final policy
- Family reunion — challenge dismissed: [2026] EWHC 1705 (Admin), 7 July 2026; permission to appeal is being sought
- Returns to France / trafficking — [2026] EWHC 1742 (Admin), 10 July: removing the right to have trafficking decisions reconsidered was held unlawful
- Good character policy — High Court 9-11 June 2026
- Concerns regarding Article 6 ECHR
Frequently asked questions
Do the new rules apply to those who applied before March 2026?
No. Applications submitted before 1 March 2026 are processed under the old rules: 5-year status, ILR after 5 years (Appendix Settlement Protection). If you already received status — you also keep the old pathway.
What is Core Protection 30 months?
From 26 March 2026, refugee/HP status is granted for 30 months (2.5 years) instead of 5 years. Every 30 months the Home Office reviews whether protection is still needed. If the situation in the country has not improved — it will be extended. According to Refugee Council estimates: 1.9 million reviews over 10 years, costing £1.27 billion.
How do I get ILR now?
For applications before 1 March 2026 — after 5 years (unchanged). For new ones: a 20-year baseline pathway has been announced, but it has NOT yet been added to Immigration Rules. Earned Settlement for work visas: baseline 10 years (was 5). High income (£125K+) — 3 years. All of this is "under review".
What about family reunion?
Suspended since 4 September 2025. Previously: free unconditional right to bring spouse/children. Now required: income of £29,000, English A1, 2 years in the UK. A relaunch with new rules is expected — no specific date yet.
Can I work while waiting for a decision?
After 12 months of waiting: from 26 March 2026 you can work in positions at RQF Level 6+ (degree level). Previously — only shortage list roles. Some mid-skilled roles are temporarily open until the end of 2026. Self-employment is prohibited.
What about asylum support?
£49.18/week (self-catered), £8.86/week (hotel with meals). From 2 June 2026 — support changes from a DUTY to DISCRETION of the Home Office. It can be withdrawn for: illegal work, sufficient income, breaking the law.
What replaced the Rwanda scheme?
A "one in, one out" pilot with France (from July 2025): 94 removed from UK to France, 57 accepted from France to UK. The Rwanda scheme cost ~£700 million, 4 people left voluntarily.
What about legal aid?
First rate increase in 30 years: ~£65-69/hour. Budget increased by ~30%. But finding a legal aid lawyer is still very difficult — most are overloaded.
What is the King's Speech?
The King's Speech is the annual address delivered by the monarch at the State Opening of Parliament. The King reads out the Government's legislative programme for the year. The King's Speech itself does not create laws — it is an announcement of intentions. Each item must then complete the full legislative process through both Houses of Parliament.
When will the Immigration and Asylum Bill become law?
That is not yet known. Announced on 13 May 2026 (King's Speech), introduced to the House of Commons on 30 June, and on 13 July 2026 it passed 2nd reading (264 for, 90 against). Next: committee stage (10 September – 3 November 2026) → 3rd reading → House of Lords (stages not yet scheduled) → Royal Assent. Realistically — no earlier than 2027. Everything currently in the Bill is a proposal, not law. Watch this page and parliament.uk for updates.
Burnham is Prime Minister now — has anything changed for refugees?
Not so far. Andy Burnham became Labour leader on 17 July and Prime Minister on 20 July 2026. Shabana Mahmood stayed on as Home Secretary, and the Immigration and Asylum Bill is going ahead as planned — Burnham himself voted for it at 2nd reading. Reports of future softening (right to work, 10-year ILR) so far come from media coverage only; there has been no official change.