The government is proposing planning stricter migration rules- including doubling the standard waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to 10 years, following months of debate and uncertainty.
For thousands of international students and graduates, this could radically reshape what staying in the UK looks like after university.
What is ILR — and Why Does It Matter?
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a form of permanent residency that allows non–British citizens to live, work, and access benefits in the UK. It’s often the final step before applying for British citizenship. Many student visa holders transition to work visas and eventually apply for ILR — but the path is expensive and demanding.
ILR allows migrants to claim benefits and, after one year (and £1,735), to apply for British citizenship.
Migration on pathways to ILR has soared since 2021, mostly coming from non-EU countries after the UK left the EU, until visa rules were tightened in 2024. An estimated 686,000 people will gain ILR by 2030.
Currently, applicants must:
- Spend five years in the UK under eligible visas
- Pay thousands in fees, including the £1,035 annual health surcharge
- Pass English language and “Life in the UK” tests
After one year with ILR, they can apply for citizenship — for another £1,735.
Why Students Should Pay Attention
If the proposed changes go ahead
- The ILR waiting period could double to 10 years
- Applicants may need to prove they’ve volunteered and never claimed benefits
- English language requirements will rise for certain visas from January
- Migrants who’ve contributed for years may face retroactive rule changes
This affects not just future applicants, but current students planning long-term careers in the UK.
The government’s planned immigration rule changes would require applicants to be in work and also volunteer, and to not have claimed benefits or committed crimes.
The government would also increase English language requirements from next January for certain visas and consult on doubling ILR’s standard waiting period to 10 years.
Political Context
Labour’s proposals echo Reform UK’s pledge to abolish ILR entirely, replacing it with renewable five-year visas. The Conservatives have called recent immigration levels a “catastrophic mistake” and want to revoke ILR from migrants deemed economically unviable.
Nigel Farage initially said Ukrainians and Hong Kongers wouldn’t be exempt under Reform’s plans, but reversed course, calling them “genuine refugees” and “the hardest working.”
A YouGov poll found:
- 44% of Britons support ending ILR
- Only 29% support removing ILR from current holders
- 64% believe tax-paying workers with ILR should be allowed to stay permanently
What About Humanitarian Routes?
The Labour government’s immigration white paper in May promised a public consultation on their plans, but did not confirm whether humanitarian pathways would be affected.
They resumed processing applications from Syrian refugees in July, having paused them last December following the fall of the Assad regime.
The white paper sparked e-petitions to keep the five-year ILR route for people already living in the UK with “Skilled Worker” visas and for Hong Kong BN(O)s, which Parliament jointly debated on 8th September.
Labour’s immigration white paper didn’t confirm whether humanitarian pathways would be exempt. Parliament debated petitions to protect the five-year ILR route for these groups, with MPs raising concerns about:
- Exploitation under employer-tied visas
- Retroactive rule changes
- The financial contributions of migrants eager to settle
The House of Lords proposed amendments to:
- Protect the BN(O) five-year ILR pathway
- Require Parliament to approve any changes
- Extend ILR eligibility to Ukrainians completing their humanitarian visa periods
The government has not confirmed exemptions, though reports suggest BN(O)s may be protected. However, time spent under Ukrainian humanitarian schemes won’t count toward ILR via other routes — raising questions about what options remain.
Why This Matters to Students
For international students at Dundee and beyond, these changes could mean:
- Longer costlier paths to settlement
- Greater uncertainty about post-study work options
- Pressure to meet new volunteering and income thresholds
- A chilling effect on applications from talented students abroad
Student unions, advocacy groups, and university administrations may need to step up — offering legal guidance, lobbying support, and clearer pathways for graduates navigating the shifting terrain.