Reform 2025-2026

Only for applications from 2 March 2026. If you applied before 1 March, the old rules apply: 5-year status, ILR after 5 years.

If you already received status before March 2026, you keep the 5-year path to ILR.

New rules:

• Status granted for 30 months (2.5 years)
• Review every 30 months: you must prove that protection is still needed
• Standard path to settlement (ILR): 20 years
• Protection Work & Study route — may shorten the timeline, but details have not been published yet
• Resettled refugees (UKRS) — keep the 10-year path

Source: GOV.UK — Restoring Order and Control

Since 4 September 2025, refugee family reunion has been suspended.

Previously: unconditional right to bring spouse/children. Free, no income requirements.

Now, to reunite with family you need:

• Income of £29,000 per year
• English A1
• At least 2 years of residence in the UK

A relaunch is expected in spring 2026, but there is no specific date.

More about family reunion →

Source: Migration Observatory — Family Reunion Q&A

From 26 March 2026, asylum seekers who have been waiting for a decision for more than 12 months can work in RQF Level 6+ positions (degree level).

What changed:

• Previously: only shortage occupation list
• Now: all degree-level positions and above
• Some mid-skilled roles temporarily open

What has NOT changed:

• 12-month waiting period — unchanged
• Self-employment — prohibited
• Low-skilled work — prohibited

More about employment →

The government's obligation to provide support has been replaced with discretion.

Support can be withdrawn if:

• Illegal employment
• Sufficient income for self-support
• Breaking the law
• Non-compliance with conditions

Payments: £49.18/week (self-catering), £9.95/week (hotel with meals).

Move-on period after receiving status: 42 days (previously 28).

Key provisions:

• Border Security Commander — new role for coordinating border security
• New criminal offences for facilitating illegal migration and endangering life during crossings
• Powers to search electronic devices
• Rwanda Act repealed, agreement terminated 16 March 2026
• Most of the Illegal Migration Act 2023 repealed (detention powers retained)

Cost of the Rwanda scheme: ~£700m. 4 people left (voluntarily).

Source: Free Movement — BSAI Act

From 26 March 2026:

• Student visas — refusal for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, Sudan
• Skilled Worker — refusal for Afghan nationals

Source: GOV.UK — HC 1691

What is planned:

• ILR: standard period 5 → 10 years
• Salary £125,140+ → ILR after 3 years
• Salary £50,270+ or public sector → ILR after 5 years
• Volunteering → 5-7 years
• English B2 (instead of B1) — mandatory from March 2027

For those already in the UK: specific transitional rules have not been published yet. The Minister said "under review".

Source: GOV.UK — Earned Settlement

The reform is being challenged:

• Skilled Migrants Alliance — judicial review of retrospective earned settlement changes
• Good character citizenship policy — High Court hearing 9-11 June 2026
• Concerns about Article 6 ECHR — Home Secretary's power to override court decisions

Refugee Council estimates:

Source: Refugee Council — Unworkable reforms