By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
The United Kingdom Government has confirmed plans to double the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to 10 years for most migrants under its new Earned Settlement policy.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the final details of the reforms to Parliament on Monday, November 2, 2026, saying permanent residency would increasingly depend on migrants’ economic contributions, integration and character.
Under the new arrangements, migrants earning more than £50,271 annually and certain public service workers, including doctors, nurses and teachers, will retain a five-year route to settlement.
Those earning above £125,141 annually, as well as individuals on the Global Talent and Innovator Founder visa routes, will be eligible to apply after three years.
Most other migrants will face the new 10-year qualifying period. Individuals who breach immigration rules or fail to meet certain requirements could face a waiting period of at least 20 years.
Read Also:
UK to Raise Student Visa Financial Requirements From November 30
Visa Rejections Drain Billions From Nigeria as Applicants Lose ₦75bn Annually
Applicants will also be required to demonstrate a high standard of English, have no criminal record, settle outstanding debts owed to the government and provide evidence of at least three years of National Insurance contributions.
The policy also introduces different settlement arrangements for refugees. Those arriving through government-approved safe and legal routes will be eligible after five years. Other refugees may face a 20-year wait, reducible to 10 years if they work or study. Those who entered through small boats or other clandestine routes could face an additional 10-year penalty, potentially extending the wait to 30 years.
The government has also introduced concessions for care workers, allowing eligible workers earning at least £25,000 annually to retain a five-year settlement route. Certain healthcare and education workers will also benefit from transitional arrangements.
The reforms are expected to take effect in 2027 and will apply retrospectively to some migrants already living in the UK, meaning people who entered under the previous five-year system could also be affected.
The Home Office estimates that more than 500,000 people will wait longer than five years to qualify for settlement by 2030 as a result of the changes.
The government says the policy is intended to ensure that permanent residency is earned through contribution and good conduct. However, the changes have raised concerns among migrant communities, particularly workers who moved to the UK expecting to qualify for settlement after five years.
The reforms mark a significant change to Britain’s immigration system, with implications for international workers, families and prospective migrants planning to build long-term lives in the country.