The UK Home Office has just released a new Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 836) on 24 June 2025, which could affect many Nigerians living, working, or studying in the UK — especially if you plan to extend your visa, settle long-term, or bring family over.
The changes will roll out in phases during July 2025 and touch on key visa routes like family, private life, long residence, and more. Here’s what you should know:
📌 Key Dates to Note
These changes take effect in stages:
✅ 16 July 2025: Updates to important sections like
- Appendix EU (EU Settlement Scheme)
- Appendix FM (Family Members)
- Appendix FRP (Family Reunion)
- Appendix ADR (Adult Dependent Relatives)
- Appendix KOLL (Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK)
- Appendix ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation)
- Appendix ST (Short-Term Students)
✅ 17 July 2025: Updates to Appendix AFI, covering Armed Forces immigration rules.
✅ 29 July 2025: Further changes to:
- Appendix PL (Private Life)
- Appendix LR (Long Residence)
- Appendix CR (Crown Dependencies)
⚖️ Why This Matters for Nigerians
💡 Family Visas & Settlement: If you want to extend your stay on private life grounds or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) through Long Residence, some criteria may change — like how continuous residence is counted.
✈️ Example: If You’re on a Skilled Worker Visa
➡️ If you’re on a Skilled Worker Visa and planning to:
- Bring your spouse, children, or other dependants — the family member rules under Appendix FM might change.
- Switch to ILR after 5 years — changes to Appendix LR (Long Residence) could affect how absences from the UK are counted or what documents you need.
- Prove your English language skills or Life in the UK test — updates under Appendix KOLL may apply.
🎓 Example: If You’re on a Postgraduate Study Visa
➡️ If you’re on a Postgraduate Student Visa and plan to:
- Switch to a Graduate Route or Skilled Worker visa — make sure you check any updates that might affect work permissions or switching rules.
- Bring dependants — the family member rules could change under Appendix FM.
- Apply for Long Residence ILR in future — remember, any time on a study visa counts towards the 10-year long residence, so changes to Appendix LR may impact you later.
✅ What You Should Do Now
🔍 Check if you’re affected:
If your visa renewal, extension, or ILR application is coming up, check that you’re following the new rules.
📑 Prepare early:
Gather updated documents — especially for financial proof, residence records, or language test results.
🗣️ Ask trusted advisers:
Always use reputable immigration advisers or community legal support if you’re not sure.
📢 Stay connected:
Naija UK Connect will continue to break down these changes for Nigerians in the UK.
📄 Read the Official Statement
You can read the full Statement of Changes HC 836 and its official explanatory notes here.
💚 Naija UK Connect: Your trusted link for immigration updates, job tips, and life in the UK for Nigerians. 🇳🇬🇬🇧
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