Debate on impact of govt proposals on IRL changes for migrants to be held on Nov 25

LONDON Nov 22: The potential impact of UK government proposals to make it more difficult for migrants to qualify for permanent residence (also known as settlement or indefinite leave to remain), is to be discussed on Tuesday 25 November – 9:30am.

UK government has confirmed that there will be a Westminster Hall debate on the potential impact of immigration reforms on humanitarian visa routes on 25 November 2025. The debate will be opened by James Naish MP. Naish’s application to the Backbench Business Committee stated that the debate would focus on the potential impact of government proposals to make it more difficult for migrants to qualify for permanent residence (also known as settlement or indefinite leave to remain).

On 20 November 2025, the Home Office published a statement and accompanying consultation which give more information about its plans.

James Naish MP for Rushcliffe stated in his social media: “SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday 25 November 9:30am. The government must stand with the people of Hong Kong who have made the UK their home under the BN(O) visa scheme and retain their five-year pathway to ILR.

“Earlier this year, I applied for a debate in parliament on the potential implications of the immigration white paper, if it were to be applied to BN(O) and other humanitarian visa holders, with the support of 27 other MPs from the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.

“I am pleased to share that the debate, which follows the earlier well-attended Monday 8 September petition debate, is set to take place in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 25 November, and will last for 90 minutes, from 9:30am to 11:00am. The debate will be opened by myself, and responded to by a minister from the Home Office.

Will migrants have to wait ten years for indefinite leave to remain? What is the present position? Consultation on changing eligibility for permanent residence

On 20 November 2025, the Home Office published a statement and accompanying consultation which give more information about its plans.

The statement confirms that people with Hong Kong BN(O) visas will continue to be able to get permanent residence in the UK after five years, due to their “uniquely strong attachment to this country.” This decision isn’t open to consultation.

The government intends that people on most other visa routes, including people who arrive through official refugee resettlement programmes, will be subject to a default ten year qualifying period for permanent residence.

Under the government’s “earned settlement” proposals, people would be able to reduce the length of their qualifying period by satisfying integration or contribution criteria like having an advanced level of English, being a higher earner, on having volunteered in the community. Equally, some actions could increase the length of the qualifying period, for example if they receive public funds when they are on a temporary visa.

The consultation seeks views on whether resettled refugees should have a ten-year route to settlement and whether people on other types of humanitarian visa route (such as the Afghan schemes) should be eligible for a shorter route.

The government is proposing applying the changes to “everyone in the country today who has not already received indefinite leave to remain”. It is consulting on whether there should be any transitional measures to ease the impact on people already here.

The consultation is open until 12 February 2026.

Consultation Proposal

We strongly encourage everyone to participate in the current public consultation on UK settlement rules. Every individual’s response is important, and this is our opportunity to share how the proposed changes could affect us. The consultation includes sections with 200+ word comment boxes where you can explain the real-life impact on you and your community. Please read all questions carefully, including some tricky multiple-choice ones, and answer thoughtfully. You can also use tools like ChatGPT to help structure your responses if needed. Care workers have played a vital role in our communities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is essential that our voices are heard to ensure justice. Please share this message widely and encourage everyone to complete the consultation. CLICK TO COMPLETE THE CONSULTATION WITH YOUR FEEDBACK

On 17 November 2025, the Home Secretary published a policy paper detailing plans for reforms to the UK’s asylum system. Part three sets out the government’s future intentions for humanitarian routes to the UK.

The government says it will introduce a capped refugee sponsorship model which will be “based on local capacity to support refugees” and give “communities and institutions in the UK […] a far greater say over who the UK supports.”

The government also intends to introduce new capped routes so refugee and displaced students can come to study in the UK, and skilled refugees and displaced people can come to work here. The Home Secretary has said the number of visas available under these new routes will be in “low hundreds” initially but could increase when there are fewer pressures on the asylum system.

The government has recently suspended the refugee family reunion visa, which was a safe and legal route to the UK for close relatives of people granted asylum. The visa is expected to re-open in spring 2026 with more demanding eligibility rules.