What may change in the UK immigration for Indians in 2025: Forecast from an Immigration Lawyer

In July 2024, the Labour Party returned to power in Britain after 14 years of Conservative Party rule. Amid thousands of small boat crossings, immigration led much of the debate. At Immigration Advice Service, we worked hard to keep abreast of the changes the Labour Party made to immigration procedures and help our valued clients navigate the changing immigration landscape.

As the Labour Party continues to exercise its new power, we are sure to see more changes to immigration rules. Read this article to learn what changes Indians can expect to see in 2025.

Electronic Travel Authorisation

The first change is that the UK is rolling out the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system for short-term travel to the UK. When visitors from certain nationalities come to the UK, they can get this electronic visa waiver for entrance rather than needing a proper visa. The application process is now open and an ETA will be needed from the selected ETA nations from 8 January 2025. Meanwhile, citizens of EU and EEA countries (Ireland not included) will need an ETA from 2 April.

Getting an ETA is expected to be a simple administrative process, much easier than getting a visa. However, applications from people with a criminal record or history of breaking immigration laws may not be eligible.

India is currently not one of the countries included in the ETA program. You will still need to get a visa to come to the UK in 2025. However, the program is sure to expand to new nations if it is a success. You should keep an eye on whether ETA is expanded to India so that you can visit the UK as easily as possible.

eVisa Delays

Previously, immigrants in the UK were able to use their Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) to prove their immigration status. This document is now being retired and replaced by eVisas, which will serve as an online record of your immigration status. BRPs were set to expire on 31 December 2024.

In early December, the government admitted there had been huge problems with the rollout of the eVisa program. These issues have caused a great deal of anxiety among Indian communities in the UK, many of whom will become effectively undocumented if BRPs become invalid before they get an eVisa.

To avoid such issues, the government has had to extend the validity of eVisas until 31 March 2025. Further extensions may come into effect if delays continue. Indians should keep a close eye on this situation to see what documents they will need to enter the UK and prove their immigration status once they are in the country.

Linking Visas to Training

The Labour Party has spent a lot of political capital on arguing that visas should be linked to training. They say that companies who sponsor migrant workers should already be working to upskill UK-based workers.

The government is currently putting together a “White Paper” on this idea, set for release in early 2025. Prime Minister Kier Starmer set out the key objective of this document as “a plan to reduce immigration” to ensure that sectors “over-reliant on immigration” begin to address skills shortages.

Kier Starmer’s government is yet to take tangible action on this idea. However, after the White Paper has been published, we can expect that it will make it harder for Indians to come to the UK for work, particularly for employment in businesses that already hire many foreign workers.

Continuation of Ukraine Schemes

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has caused six million Ukrainians to become refugees in Europe. Around 252,000 of these refugees now call the UK home.

The government has announced plans to roll out the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme on 4 February 2025. This scheme will grant 18 further months of permission to remain in the UK for Ukrainian refugees. Those who have been in the UK since the start of the war will now reach 4.5 years in the UK, although the government still has no plans to extend indefinite leave to remain to the UK.

While this extension has no direct implications for Indians, there may be indirect effects. The UK government has led the way in accepting refugees from Ukraine, but this policy has boosted net migration numbers. This extension will exacerbate this impact. Kier Starmer’s government may face political pressure to find alternative ways to reduce net migration, which could lead to a reduction in the number of visas being offered to Indians.

Keeping on Top of the Changes

As I have addressed in this article, 2025 will be yet another year of change for UK immigration law as the new Labour government cements its changes. All Indians must stay on top of changes that have occurred when they apply for UK visas to ensure a high chance of success.

It is advisable to get help from a UK immigration lawyer when you make your applications or for advice on how the changes could affect your status in the UK. Firms like Immigration Advice Service can make sure you have all the right documentation and match any new requirements before guiding you through the entire application process. Contact us today or visit us online to learn more about the services we offer.