People with ARI and “special D2” cards are legal residents, by definition. They may or may not elect to become tax residents. Legal residency and tax residency are distinct concepts. Most residence visa categories require tax residency, but the ARI program does not.
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Ah true, I was thinking less legalistic, I suppose.
Right however how should we understand those that are still waiting for first card?
Quite possibly screwed, in short.
There’s far more discussion on these law changes in the thread below, including “the Father of the Constitution” pointing out that ARI card start dates are totally at the whim of the faceless, random and inept AIMA:
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My takeaway from the father of constitution is as long as someone applied for residency permit, they are under 5 years. Is that a completely incorrect understanding?
This petition does not include those that are waiting, which may be originated from non ari folks.
Whether the Government listens to the sage advice of the Father of the Constitution remains to be seen 
Defo this petition was not started by ARI folks - we are a tiny proportion of PT immigrants. Like tens of thousand ARIs vs. hundreds of thousands of CPLP, etc.
Totally fair! I just wonder if there is anything we can do besides sending individual letters?