This week the UK government introduced more changes to the immigration rules: banning student visas for nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, and suspending Skilled Worker visa applications for Afghan nationals to curb the apparent misuse of legal routes for asylum claims. Major reforms to the asylum system (including ending indefinite protection and introducing periodic status reviews) were also confirmed.
The Government has also decided that its earned settlement proposals, extending qualifying periods for settlement, will take effect later this year and apply retrospectively to those already in the UK who have not yet secured ILR.
It is easy to feel disheartened by the increasingly restrictive UK immigration rules. However, there is no need for despair as many routes remain available; and some of these routes are less restrictive than widely believed.
One example is family visas under Appendix FM for unmarried partners of British or settled nationals, refugees or those with status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Many believe that to qualify as an unmarried partner you must have lived together for two years to prove a “durable relationship”. However, since January 2024, cohabitation is no longer required. It is sufficient to show a genuine and durable relationship of two years, provided the financial and English language requirements are met. This option is often overlooked by long-distance couples or those unable to live together for work, study or cultural reasons.
A second example is citizenship applications. In February 2025, the Home Office updated its good character guidance to state that people who entered the UK illegally will normally be refused British citizenship, regardless of how much time has passed. This targeted those who arrived after a “dangerous journey” (for example, by small boat or concealed in a vehicle). As a result, many believe a citizenship application is unlikely to succeed if the applicant originally entered this way, even if later recognised as a genuine refugee and granted lawful status.
This perception is not entirely accurate. The guidance says “normally refused”, leaving scope for cases to be considered on their merits. In practice, where an applicant has built a strong lawful presence in the UK through sustained employment, tax contributions and wider integration into British society, those factors will be weighed in the overall good character assessment. In appropriate cases, applications can still succeed. We have recently assisted several clients in obtaining British citizenship despite their original manner of entry, where their subsequent conduct and contribution outweighed that initial breach.
We can advise you on which of the available routes suits your circumstances best. If you are concerned about your situation, please get in touch.
The information contained in this article is general guidance only. The application and impact of laws can vary widely depending on the specific facts involved. The information in this article is provided with the understanding that the authors and presenters are not giving legal, tax, or other professional advice and services. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal, tax or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a Child & Child professional.
