The UK government is proposing to fundamentally change how migrants qualify for permanent residence (settlement), replacing many existing rules. The government’s consultation ends in February 2026, and it is expected that the changes will come into force in April 2026.
Many of the details are still vague and subject to consultation, but this is a short note on a few of the categories that could be affected by the changes.
- Those already on a route to settlement (10-year route): It is unclear whether migrants who are already on a path to settlement would be subject to the new system. If they are, they could face an additional 10 or 20 years on top of the current 10-year route in order to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). For example, someone who entered the UK and overstayed their visa, and has since regularised their immigration status under the 10-year route, could have a further 10 or 20 years added before qualifying for settlement — meaning 20 or even 30 years in total!
- People who have been in the UK lawfully for 10 years: Plans suggest abolishing the long residence route (currently 10 years combining various visas). This would affect, for example, people seeking permanent residence through a combination of visas, such as student → partner → parent.
The “earned settlement” proposals represent a major overhaul of the UK’s settlement system, potentially making it harder and significantly longer for many migrants to obtain permanent residence.
Those who currently qualify for settlement should consider applying before April. Those who do not yet qualify may wish to consider switching to another category asap, if possible