Reform UK used a speech in Dover this week, delivered by its Shadow Home Secretary Zia Yusuf alongside party leader Nigel Farage, to outline a programme of immigration and internal security reform aimed at delivering “net negative” migration, where annual departures exceed arrivals.
Among the measures referenced were plans to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a British Bill of Rights.
The party also proposed tighter spouse visa requirements and changes to counter-extremism frameworks. It said indefinite leave to remain would be replaced with renewable five-year work visas, alongside the creation of a dedicated UK Deportation Command to increase detention capacity and expand removals infrastructure.
The Suspension of Visa Issuance Proposal
One policy proposal that immediately attracted headlines is suspending visa issuance.
Under this proposal, where a foreign government does not cooperate with the return of its nationals who have no lawful right to remain in the UK, visa issuance to that country would be halted. Countries referenced in reporting include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia.
The operational detail of any such suspension has not been set out. It is not clear which visa categories would be affected, whether exemptions would apply or how pending applications would be handled. As described, the proposal concerns new entry clearance decisions rather than the cancellation of visas already granted. Any change affecting existing status would require separate legal authority.
Current Position & Next Steps
For overseas applicants, the current position remains unchanged. The UK immigration system continues to operate through defined routes and published eligibility criteria. Political announcements do not alter the legal framework unless and until formal legislative steps are taken.
For this to take legal effect, a number of formal steps would be required.
First, the party would need to secure an electoral mandate and form a government. Immigration policy cannot be altered from opposition.
Second, the Secretary of State would need to amend the Immigration Rules under section 3(2) of the Immigration Act 1971. That would involve laying a Statement of Changes before Parliament specifying the scope of the suspension, including the countries affected, the visa routes covered and any exemptions.
Third, UK Visas and Immigration would need to issue updated operational guidance to overseas posts and amend internal caseworking instructions and systems to reflect the new policy.
Wider elements of the package, including withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights or repeal of the Human Rights Act, would require primary legislation and involve full parliamentary process, including readings, committee stage and potential amendment in both Houses.
Until those legislative and administrative steps are taken, the Immigration Rules remain unchanged. A suspension of visa issuance would only take legal effect once formally introduced through the established statutory framework.
