Home Secretary unveils new rules for migrants settling in the UK
The UK Home Secretary introduced earned settlement rules requiring migrants to demonstrate contribution and good character to qualify for permanent residency, replacing automatic eligibility after five years.
Under the new earned settlement model, migrants will no longer receive indefinite leave to remain automatically after five years. Instead, settlement will depend on individual contribution and adherence to immigration rules. The highest earners and certain public service workers, including doctors and teachers, can settle after five years, while others face a default 10-year wait. Those who breach immigration rules may face a 20-year wait for settlement.
Care workers who earned at least £25,000 annually and met visa conditions will now qualify for settlement after five years, reflecting their contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has also taken action against exploitative employers, stripping 1,800 of their right to sponsor foreign workers. Migrants who do not qualify for five-year settlement will have a second chance through a new five-year visa pathway.
Refugees arriving via approved safe and legal routes will be eligible for settlement after five years, while others may wait up to 20 years. Those who arrived by small boat or clandestine means face an additional 10-year waiting period, potentially extending their wait to 30 years. Existing holders of settled status will retain their rights permanently.
The reforms aim to align settlement eligibility with contribution and compliance, ensuring fairness for both migrants and British citizens. Family members of British citizens, Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas), and armed forces members will retain their current settlement pathways. The policy seeks to reduce reliance on welfare while maintaining control over immigration.