Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
UK proposes longer waits for migrants to gain settlement
The UK government has proposed an earned settlement system that would replace the usual five-year wait for migrants to gain the right to live in the country permanently.
Under the plan, the default wait would rise to 10 years, while the highest earners could qualify after three years and some public service workers after five.
Care workers who meet visa conditions and earn at least £25,000 a year would also be eligible after five years.
Applicants would need to meet four conditions: a spotless criminal record, strong English, no debt to the taxpayer and sustained National Insurance contributions.
People who have breached immigration rules would have to wait at least 20 years, while those who do not qualify for settlement after five years could seek a further five-year visa.
More than 500,000 people are expected to wait longer than five years, which the government says would reduce welfare spending; no one would be forced to leave.
The proposals have been presented to Parliament, but the material provided does not say when or whether they will take effect.
The UK government has proposed an earned settlement system under which migrants’ wait to settle would depend on their contribution and character.
The default wait would rise from five to 10 years, while some people could qualify after three or five years.
People who breached immigration rules would have to wait at least 20 years.
Applicants would need a spotless criminal record, strong English, no debt to the taxpayer and a record of sustained National Insurance contributions.
The government estimates that more than 500,000 people will wait longer than five years to settle.
- Who
- The UK government, led on the proposals by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
- What
- It has proposed new settlement rules linking the waiting period to applicants’ contribution and character.
- When
- The proposals were set out before Parliament on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- The government says settlement should be earned and that the system should reward contribution and compliance with the rules.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The government held a consultation on settlement proposals.
The Home Secretary set out the earned settlement model before Parliament.
- Default settlement wait
- 10 years
- Highest earners’ wait
- 3 years
- Some workers’ wait
- 5 years
- Wait for people who breached immigration rules
- At least 20 years
- Estimated number waiting longer than five years
- More than 500,000
- Minimum annual earnings for eligible care workers to settle after five years
- £25,000
3 sources
What people are saying
People want to see an immigration system based on control, contribution, and which rewards those who play by the rules.
Settled status is one of the most valuable rights this country can offer.