The UK Home Office has just announced a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 836), which introduces several updates to how the immigration system works. These changes will take effect from mid-July 2025 and touch on a wide range of issues—from how long-term residents can settle in the UK, to who gets entry clearance at the border, and how EU citizens can secure permanent status after Brexit.
If you’re not familiar with the UK’s immigration system, don’t worry—we’ve broken the new changes down in simple terms. Whether you’re an EU citizen, a young person who grew up in the UK, or someone working in defence or humanitarian fields, here’s what you need to know.
One of the more technical changes, but an important one, involves staff working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) who support U.S. military equipment stationed in the UK. Until now, even in the case of emergencies—such as a nuclear incident—these workers needed to apply for a visa in advance.
From 17 July 2025, these individuals will be allowed to apply for entry clearance at the UK border. This means that, in a real crisis, they can get to the UK within 24 hours without delay, assuming they meet all eligibility checks. Around 50 individuals per year are expected to benefit from this. It’s a practical move designed to improve readiness and cooperation between the UK and U.S. governments on defence and security matters.
Another key update involves the 10-year “long residence” route. This is a pathway for people who have legally lived in the UK for at least 10 continuous years, allowing them to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR)—essentially, the right to stay permanently.
Previously, there was confusion about whether time spent in the UK as a British citizen would count toward this 10-year rule, especially in cases where that citizenship was later revoked. The new rule confirms that this time will count—unless the person lost their citizenship due to fraud or similar misconduct.
Also notable is the inclusion of time spent in the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man). If you’ve lived there under an immigration route equivalent to one in the UK, that time will now count toward your 10 years. This change benefits people who move between the UK and these territories for work or family reasons, ensuring they aren’t penalised when applying for settlement.
In what many see as a welcome and compassionate move, the Home Office is also simplifying the rules for young people who’ve grown up in the UK. From 29 July 2025, young adults aged 18 to 25 who have lived in the UK for at least half of their lives will be able to apply for ILR after five years of continuous lawful residence. Previously, this accelerated path was only available to those who received leave under specific routes starting after 20 June 2022.
Now, it doesn’t matter when you received leave—as long as you meet the “half-life” requirement and your residence was lawful, you’re eligible. This change acknowledges that many young adults who came to the UK as children consider it their only home, and shouldn’t have to wait a full 10 years to be granted permanent residence.
Children who’ve lived lawfully in the UK for at least seven years—regardless of whether they were born here or abroad—can also qualify for settlement after five years under the updated “private life” route. Additionally, rules for UK-born children have been aligned with those born outside the UK, ensuring fairer treatment for all children growing up in the country.
These changes are expected to offer stability, reduce bureaucracy, and shorten the often stressful wait many families and young people face when navigating immigration processes.
Post-Brexit, the UK launched the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) to allow EU citizens and their family members to continue living in the UK. Many were granted “pre-settled status,” which is temporary and must be upgraded to full “settled status” after five years of residence.
Under previous rules, people with pre-settled status risked losing their chance at full status if they spent too long outside the UK. The new rule change—effective from 16 July 2025—relaxes this. Now, if someone has spent at least 30 months (two and a half years) in the UK during their five-year period, they may qualify for settled status, even with gaps in residence. This offers more breathing room for people with complex life circumstances, such as family emergencies or temporary job relocations abroad.
However, not all changes are lenient. In an effort to toughen national security, the UK is now making it mandatory to refuse or cancel visas for individuals who’ve been previously excluded from asylum or humanitarian protection—typically because of involvement in war crimes, terrorism, or serious criminal activity. Before, this was at the Home Office’s discretion. Now, it’s a firm rule. This brings UK policy more in line with international standards on protection and public safety.
These changes reflect two broad goals: to offer greater fairness and clarity for people who’ve built their lives in the UK, and to uphold national security by tightening restrictions on individuals with serious criminal backgrounds.
If you or someone you know is:
…it’s worth reviewing your immigration situation or speaking with an authorised immigration adviser. These updates could open up new routes to settlement or remove past obstacles.
First Migration is a private visa and immigration company offering consultancy services. We are regulated and authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority with the registration number F200700083.
If you want to apply for a UK visa, you can do so directly on the UKVI website.
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