The news has not subsided yet that it is impossible to find appointment slots at the British Consulate, as new information about the planned changes in the period from 5 years to 10 for permanent residence has excited potential migrants again. The UK government is preparing for a radical revision of migration legislation. According to the published White Paper on Immigration, the standard qualification period for obtaining a permanent residence permit (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is planned to be increased from 5 to 10 years. These measures are aimed at significantly reducing the influx of migrants after the record figures of 906,000 in 2023.
Key changes in the British immigration system
The White Paper proposes a set of measures to tighten the requirements for migrants:
- Raising the qualification threshold for work visas to Bachelor’s level (RQF Level 6);
- Closure of the visa category for social care workers for new applicants from abroad;
- An increase in the Immigration Skills Charge (fee for attracting foreign workers) by 32% in line with inflation;
- Introduction of new requirements for English language proficiency and assessment of migrants’ contribution to British society.
At the same time, an accelerated procedure for obtaining permanent residence is provided for certain categories of specialists. “We will create a fast-track path to permanent status for nurses, engineers, artificial intelligence specialists and other professionals who truly contribute to Britain’s growth and well–being,” Starmer said.
According to Madeleine Sam, director of the Center for Migration Studies at Oxford University, the ten-year path to permanent residence will make the UK “more restrictive than most other rich countries.” She noted that the main effect of the changes is likely to be “an increase in visa fees for the Ministry of Internal Affairs,” since people with temporary visas are required to pay regular fees.
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Current opportunities for timely visa processing
Since mid-May 2024, the demand for visa slots to the UK has increased by 40% compared to the same period last year. This is due to the approach of the summer season and changes in migration legislation. Despite the daily updating of the available registration windows at visa application centers, the available dates fill up quickly (on average 2-3 hours after publication). As of mid-May 2025, the nearest available slots start on June 10th. At the same time, 70% of them are reserved by corporate clients and travel agencies.
Experts note that an independent attempt to book a window through official platforms most often ends in failure. Our company’s specialists help with obtaining a UK visa slot and minimize the risks of being refused. We also conduct a preliminary audit of the package of documents, adjust the application form in accordance with the updated UKVI requirements and accompany the client at all stages – from making an appointment at the visa application center to obtaining a visa/passport.
Implemented a system for tracking the stages of visa processing for clients, which increased their satisfaction by 30% (according to survey results).
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