New statement of changes July 2025
What’s Changing on 29 July 2025?
On 29 July, the UK will implement key updates to Appendices PL and LR of the Immigration Rules, which include accelerated ILR routes for children and young adults who meet the continuous residence requirement .
Who Does This Affect?
- Eligible children are under 18 years old and have lived continuously in the UK for at least 7 years.
- Children who have had leave for at least five years or last had leave as a dependent child under Appendix FM or outside the rules before 20 June 2022 and would have met the continuous residence requirement at paragraph PL 3.1(a) at the time the leave was granted, will also qualify for settlement under the new changes
- The update also includes young adults (e.g. those between the ages of 18 and 25) who qualify under the same criteria .
Inclusion in “Private Life” and Long Residence Categories
This streamlined route is a refinement of the existing “private life” basis for settlement standardising the timeline for children to match that of adult long-residence applicants.
How Will Applications Be Treated?
- Applications submitted before 29 July will be considered under the current rules.
- From 29 July onward, new applications will be adjudicated under the revised framework, offering clearer criteria and potentially faster outcomes.
Why the Change?
- Simplification: Provides a transparent and consistent path to settlement for children.
- Fairness: Aligns children’s routes with long-residence provisions available to adults.
- Certainty: Families can plan more effectively with clearly defined thresholds and timelines.
What Parents and Guardians Should Do
- Track your child’s UK residence: Start counting from their first date of residence—ensure you have evidence of continuous living.
- Gather documentation: Include school records, GP registrations, tenancy agreements, etc., showing the 7-year stay.
- Prepare to act post-29 July: If your child will reach the 7-year mark on or after this date, anticipate the new ILR application route.
- Seek advice if unsure: Immigration advisers, charities, or legal professionals can help navigate the new rules.
Final Takeaway
From 29 July 2025, children who have had leave for at least five years and children and young adults with 7 continuous years in the UK gain a clearer and more accessible route to ILR under revised Appendices PL and LR. This brings greater certainty and ease for families aiming for settlement — a decisive and positive step in modernising UK immigration policy for young people.
