Paul Gulbenkian of OTS Solicitors: The Urgent Immigration Issues You Need to Know About Now
In November 2025, the BBC tackled the hot topic of UK immigration law on the Law Show.
Paul Gulbenkian, an immigration lawyer at OTS Solicitors and a former immigration judge, appeared on the show and offered his immigration expertise on the current immigration rules, as well as the Labour government's proposed changes to the asylum, immigration, visa and settlement rules.
You can listen to the BBC show here. In this blog, we outline Paul’s thoughts on the immigration issues that people planning to move to the UK and those already living and working in the UK may experience if the immigration and settlement rules are changed.
Immigration law is complex and confusing, especially when there is uncertainty over changes and timescales. At times like these, you may need immigration legal advice from Paul Gulbenkian or one of the many specialist Immigration Lawyers he has mentored and helped train during his time at OTS Solicitors in London.
Contact OTS Solicitors Today for Expert Immigration Legal Advice.
The urgent immigration issues
Paul Gubenkian identifies the UK's urgent immigration issues as:
- Slow immigration and asylum systems and processes that are not fit for purpose.
- The ongoing debate about how UK employers can achieve growth if they are hampered in their efforts to attract and recruit the brightest and best overseas workers to the UK on Work Visas.
- Family reunification rights and the ethical dilemma of keeping families apart through changes to Family Visa applications.
- Changing rules on settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Failing immigration and asylum systems
The media reports on all that is wrong with the UK immigration and asylum systems. To be fair, there is a lot that is wrong. That means immigration is rarely out of the headlines.
Key problem areas are:
- Refugee, visa and settlement claims are taking too long to process. Claims and appeals can take years to finalise.
- If an asylum seeker does not secure refugee status or if a visa holder overstays on their visa, the UK government is either unable or taking too long to remove them from the UK.
- Immigration rules and visa routes are frequently changed, leading to confusion and uncertainty. This does not help UK employers who cannot effectively plan. It also doesn't assist those basing their plans on life in the UK on existing immigration rules.
These are just a snapshot of the system failures. The solution to these problem areas could include:
- Continuation of the reforms introduced by the current government to speed up asylum and visa claims and to process the removal of those who have their refugee claims or visa applications refused.
- Consistent and measured immigration reporting so people can see the pros and cons of immigration and the reasons for it.
- Clarity so that both UK employers and visa holders can plan their recruitment and strategy and understand what they need to do to grow their businesses or to remain in the UK as a productive and integrated settled person or British citizen.
Attracting the brightest and best on Work Visas
There is a general perception in some sectors of the media that UK employers unnecessarily choose to employ overseas workers on Skilled Worker Visas rather than recruit British and settled workers. UK employers dispute that.
The UK net migration figures released by the ONS for the year ending June 2025 show that annual net migration has fallen to 204,000 people, a near 80% decline from the highest level of 944,000 in the year ending March 2023. That’s down to:
- A sharp increase in British citizens and EU nationals leaving the UK to live overseas.
- The decision to stop carers and senior carers on the Health and Care Worker Visa from being accompanied by family members on Dependant Visas, and in July 2025, ending carers and senior carers from qualifying for Health and Care Worker Visas.
- Stopping most international students on Student Visas from being able to be accompanied by family members on Dependant Visas.
The migration figures show that nearly a quarter of net migration now arises from asylum claimants seeking refugee status.
Not only do the net migration figures show that Work Visa applications and sponsorship are falling, but UK employers report that the increased cost of overseas sponsorship is a prohibitive factor in overseas recruitment. That is the deterrent the government intended to produce, but employers complain there is no corresponding availability of trained, skilled British workers needed to fill vacancies.
Family reunification
Family reunification is on the OTS Solicitors list of urgent immigration issues, as so many of our immigration clients are seeking legal advice on Family Visa and Spouse Visa matters. That’s partially due to the increase in the Family Visa financial requirement to £29,000, and the difficulties some applicants face in proving they meet the financial requirement and genuine relationship tests. However, it’s also due to the closure of some Dependant Visa routes and families looking at all their options for family reunification.
Settlement and Indefinite Leave to Remain
For years, Indefinite Leave to Remain Lawyers were able to confidently explain the ILR eligibility criteria and process to secure ILR status. Certainty has been swept away with the government's planned changes to settlement law and proposed consultation on contribution-based settlement.
UK Immigration Solicitors warn that the uncertainty is compounded by the lack of clarity on whether the current Labour government plans to introduce transitional provisions. It is a worrying time for those in the UK on visas planning on securing ILR status so they can act as a sponsor for a partner applying for an Unmarried Partner Visa or Spouse Visa.
The best immigration advice for those looking to settle in the UK is to prepare for potential changes to immigration rules. That preparation can start now by reading our tips on Preparing to Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain Under the Contribution-Based UK Settlement Rules.
Whether you are an individual looking for visa advice, need assistance with understanding contribution-based settlement or an employer trying to navigate a sponsor licence application or ongoing licence compliance, our Immigration Lawyers in London can help.
Our immigration law expertise is recognised by inclusion in the 2026 editions of the Legal 500 and the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession.
Contact OTS Solicitors Today for Expert Immigration Legal Advice.
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