Imagine coming to the UK legally, building a business, paying taxes and creating jobs…
Then being left waiting almost a year for a visa decision.
This is the reality for many ECAA visa holders.
A fair process should also be a timely process.
#ECAA#UKImmigration
Home Affairs Committee Oral evidence: Routes to Settlement, HC 1409 Wednesday 21 January 2026 page#22
Nicolas Rollason:
Sometimes we have children arriving when they are much older—they might arrive when they are 16 or 17. If their parents are not settled by the time they go to university, those children have to pay overseas student fees, which can be very significant—£25,000 or more, and a lot more at some universities; and, if you are doing a master’s programme at Oxbridge, it’s going to be a hell of a lot more. They already have a
problem because they do not have ILR by the time they go to university.
Thank you for acknowledging that you were aware
Dear Mr Nicolas Rollason
Yes, it has already been far more demanding for #ECAA visa holders since 2021.
Three years of ordinary residence should have been enough — and before 2021, ILR wasn’t even required. Same Child—Same Right?
2021+3 = 2024
Why are we still required to pay international student fees after October 2024?
We need to earn before taxes:
👉£36k for a £30k Uni Fee/child
👉£77k to afford +£25k for rent
👉£110k to survive +£18k~for living
while the Skilled Worker going rate for a CEO is only £88,100. —Should Everyone Earn more than a CEO?
@CMurrayLabour@PaulKohlerSW19@LauraTrottMP@lisanandy@Steph_Peacock@IanMurrayMP@patmcfaddenmp@Helen_Whately@bphillipsonMP@ShabanaMahmood@munirawilson@UKLabour@LabourList@Conservatives@LibDems@KemiBadenoch@EdwardJDavey@UniversitiesUK@UUKIntl@ecaavisaowners
Dear Rt Hon Laura Trott MBE MP
No child should lose their future because of a policy they had no control over.
Before 2021, three years of ordinary residence before the first day of the academic year was enough.
What Has Actually Changed? Same Child. Same Right.
the Earned Settlement delays create a systemic barrier that punishes children for their parents’ immigration category, not their own merit.
This is inconsistent with the UK’s stated commitment to DEI and with the principle that every young person should have an equal chance to pursue higher education.
A 10‑Year ILR Route Blocks Fair Access to Higher Education
We need to earn before tax
👉£36k for a £30k Uni Fee/child
👉£77k to afford +£25k for rent
👉£110k to survive +£18k~for living
Education Is a Right—Not a Luxury
Our Children Are the UK’s Most Valuable Asset
—exclude Closed Legacy route ECAA from Earned Settlement
https://t.co/nTGR1yxSx0
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Excl: Thousands of Turkish nationals in Britain trapped in limbo due to Home Office delays
Businesspeople who were welcomed to UK now falling destitute as they wait more than a year for visas
The scale of this is huge - @ukhomeoffice needs to act
https://t.co/cEK7RpubZr
Finally, the plight of thousands of businessmen & women is being heard, thank you @maybulman !!
Let's hope the meeting with the minister is soon & we can get answers. 🙏
Hundreds of people in Enfield North are having their lives held at a standstill due to delays in renewing ECAA visas.
It is vital the Home Office get a grip on this, and stop the uncertainty facing so many of my constituents.
@MarshadeCordova please #helpecaavisaapplicants you are the Mp of my area. I sent you an email last June. Since than i am still waiting my visa extension. It has been over 15 months now.