Indefinite Leave under threat: Reform UK’s radical immigration proposals

Operation Restoring Justice - Reform Policy Document

In August 2025, Reform UK published its policy document entitled ‘Operation Restoring Justice’ where it proposed, if elected, to do the following: 

(1) Withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”); 

(2) Repealing the Human Rights Act and replacing it with a British Bill of Rights; and, 

(3) Enacting The Illegal Migration (Mass Deportation) Bill, which would impose a legal duty on the Home Secretary to remove individuals deemed to be illegal migrants.

Prioritising UK Citizens – Updated Reform Policy

On Monday, 22 September 2025, Nigel Farage escalated the party’s immigration agenda by announcing his intention to abolish the indefinite leave to remain (“ILR”) route in the UK. Under this proposal, ILR would be replaced with time-limited visas, such as work visas, requiring continuous renewal. While the party confirmed that EEA nationals with settled status under the Withdrawal Agreement would be unaffected, the proposed changes could significantly impact legally resident migrants. Reform claims this proposal could save up to £234 billion across decades but did later state that there were gaps in the available data. Additionally, another part of this proposal which is not as widely reported on in the media is the proposal to extend the qualifying period for naturalisation from 5 to 7 years, supposedly meaning that individuals would not have to continuously renew their visas forever. However, Farage has shown an intention to ban dual citizenship in the UK alongside this.

Implications on UK Immigration System

Currently, many foreign nationals reside in the UK with legal stay under the ILR route, often having lived in the country for extended periods and with limited ties to their countries of origin. Eliminating ILR could lead to family separations and increased vulnerability, especially in the absence of the ECHR and the Human Rights Act, which currently provide avenues for appeal based on family and private life rights. Additionally, the financial burden of repeatedly renewing visas could render continued legal residence unaffordable for many.

Reform UK has yet to provide detailed guidance on how this policy would affect those seeking British citizenship, even if the qualifying period is extending to 7 years under their proposals. Under current laws, individuals in most situations can apply for naturalisation after holding ILR for 12 months. Without ILR, the pathway to citizenship under the British Nationality Act 1981 (“BNA 1981”) could become obsolete unless accompanied by broader immigration reforms. The policy document has confirmed that they would introduce the necessary legislation and changes within the first 100 days of being elected. 

Current Government Position

To put readers’ minds at ease, the current Labour government has made no indication that it will be abolishing ILR in the UK. However, according to a recent White Paper, the government intends to extend the qualifying period for ILR from five to ten years. Recently, the newly appointed Secretary of State for the Home Department, Shabana Mahood, announced that this change is soon to be implemented. The revised pathway will include additional criteria such as employment status, national insurance contributions, and community involvement, which may allow some applicants to qualify for ILR in less than ten years. Details on the implementation and applicability to current residents remain forthcoming.

Given the increasingly strict approach to immigration individuals currently holding ILR are strongly encouraged to apply for British citizenship if eligible. Our immigration experts are well-equipped to assist clients with settlement and naturalisation applications and are available to provide comprehensive support.