Reform 2025-2026
The biggest reform in a decade โ 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.
- 13 May 2026 โ Government must respond to the Home Affairs Committee's critical report. Major news event.
- Skill Migrants Alliance filed a Pre-Action Protocol (Kingsley Napley + Sonali Naik KC, Garden Court Chambers). A Judicial Review against retrospectivity is being prepared.
- The Earned Settlement consultation closed on 12 February 2026 โ 200,000+ responses. Government response not yet published.
- IPPR + Migration Observatory estimate: the reform would affect 1.35โ2.2 million people, including ~309โ520k children.
๐ Compare: your settlement date โ 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 โ speak to a regulated immigration adviser (iaa.gov.uk / sra.org.uk).
โ ๏ธ This is the baseline scenario. Earned Settlement is still a PROPOSAL โ 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 โ 30-month grant (instead of 5 years). In force now.
- From 26 March 2027 โ B2 English required for ILR (was B1). Applies to everyone on settlement path.
- Full Earned Settlement (10/15/20 years) โ still consultation. Expected autumn 2026.
Key changes by status
Each card carries a status. The filter above shows only what affects you.
What each label means
- โ In force: the rule is law today โ Statement of Changes laid and commencement date passed.
- โ Laid, commences later: Statement of Changes is in Parliament, but the start date is in the future.
- โ Proposal: White Paper or consultation. Not law. May still change or not pass.
- โ Announced: a minister said it in a speech or a committee said it in a report โ no rule text yet.
What and when
Only confirmed events: orders, laws, committee reports, court proceedings.
Details by Topic
Core Protection โ 30 months
Only for applications from 2 March 2026. If you applied before 1 March โ old rules: 5 years + ILR after 5 years.
If you already received status before March 2026 โ you keep the 5-year path to ILR.
- Status for 30 months (2.5 years) instead of 5 years
- Every 30 months โ review: is protection still needed?
- Unaccompanied children are exempt โ they receive 5 years
- Safe return review โ 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 ยฃ1.27 billion.
Family reunion โ 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 ยฃ29,000 per year
- English A1
- 2 years of residence in the UK
Work โ expanded rights
From 26 March 2026 asylum seekers (12+ months waiting) can work in positions at RQF Level 6+.
- Previously: shortage list only โ now all degree-level positions
- Some mid-skilled (RQF 3-5) roles temporarily open until end of 2026
- 12-month waiting period โ unchanged
- Self-employment โ prohibited
Asylum support โ 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: ยฃ49.18/week (self-catered), ยฃ8.86/week (hotel with meals). Additional: ยฃ9.50 children under 1 year, ยฃ5.25 pregnant women and children 1-3.
Move-on after status: 42 days (was 28).
Border Security Act 2025
- Border Security Commander โ new coordinating role
- Criminal liability for supplying small boats โ up to 14 years
- Powers to search migrants' phones
- Rwanda Act repealed, agreement terminated 16 March 2026
- Illegal Migration Act 2023 โ most provisions repealed
- Legal aid: first rate increase in 30 years (~ยฃ65-69/hour, +30% budget)
Visa brake โ HC 1691
From 26 March 2026:
- Student visas โ refused: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, Sudan
- Skilled Worker โ refused: Afghanistan
Earned Settlement โ work visas
- ILR: 5 โ 10 years baseline
- Salary ยฃ125,140+ โ ILR in 3 years
- Salary ยฃ50,270+ or public sector โ 5 years
- English B2 (instead of B1) โ from March 2027
Court challenges and criticism
- Skill Migrants Alliance โ judicial review of earned settlement
- Good character policy โ 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 โ 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 โ it will be extended. According to Refugee Council estimates: 1.9 million reviews over 10 years, costing ยฃ1.27 billion.
How do I get ILR now?
For applications before 1 March 2026 โ 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 (ยฃ125K+) โ 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 ยฃ29,000, English A1, 2 years in the UK. A relaunch with new rules is expected โ 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 โ only shortage list roles. Some mid-skilled roles are temporarily open until the end of 2026. Self-employment is prohibited.
What about asylum support?
ยฃ49.18/week (self-catered), ยฃ8.86/week (hotel with meals). From 2 June 2026 โ 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 ~ยฃ700 million, 4 people left voluntarily.
What about legal aid?
First rate increase in 30 years: ~ยฃ65-69/hour. Budget increased by ~30%. But finding a legal aid lawyer is still very difficult โ most are overloaded.