What are the planned changes to immigration rules?

Partners who arrive together with someone applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can settle at the same time, provided they satisfy the necessary criteria. In contrast, partners who join at a later date must complete the full qualifying residence period before becoming eligible for settlement.

Couples who meet the eligibility criteria will be allowed to combine their incomes to fulfill the minimum income requirement. The household income threshold is set at £25,142, which is double the individual minimum income requirement. This allows eligible families to meet the financial requirements jointly.

Children under the age of 18 will continue to be permitted to settle alongside their parents. These children are exempt from several criteria including income, government debt, English language proficiency, and the Life in the UK test. However, they will still need to comply with the suitability and criminality requirements.

Young adults between 18 and 24 who remain dependent on their families will also be eligible to settle with them. While they must fulfill all other mandatory requirements applicable to adults, they are not required to meet the individual income threshold. Conversely, individuals aged 25 or older at the time their family becomes eligible for settlement must independently meet the qualification criteria. Partners, parents, and children of British citizens will continue to qualify for settlement after a five-year period