The UK government is preparing the final details of its proposed settlement reforms, which could change how long many migrants must wait for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Published: 16 September 2026
- The standard proposed ILR qualifying period would increase from 5 years to 10 years.
- Some social care workers could face a proposed 15-year route to settlement.
- People affected by certain benefit-related conditions could face longer qualifying periods.
- The government is still working on the final policy and transitional arrangements.
- The proposals could affect some migrants who are already living in the UK.
Final immigration decision expected this year
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Commons Home Affairs Committee on 15 September that technical work on the UK’s new migration system is continuing.
She said the government expects to announce the final policy later this year, ahead of February 2027 when the first arrivals under the 2022 visa system reach five years.
ILR could take 10 years for many migrants
Under the government’s proposed βearned settlementβ system, the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain would rise from 5 years to 10 years for many migrants.
The government has previously said the system could allow qualifying periods to be adjusted depending on factors such as contribution and individual circumstances.
The consultation on the proposed settlement reforms closed in February 2026.
Current standard route
Proposed standard period
Proposed period for some care workers
Social care workers could face longer waits
Under the proposals, some people who came to the UK through health and social care routes could face a qualifying period of up to 15 years.
The government has also proposed longer settlement periods in some circumstances involving benefits.
The Royal College of Nursing has raised concerns about the potential impact on migrant nursing staff, particularly those working in social care.
The RCN said tens of thousands of migrant nursing staff work in social care and called for changes to the proposals.
Could the changes affect migrants already in the UK?
One of the most important issues is whether the new rules will apply to people who are already living in Britain.
Government proposals have indicated that some changes could apply retrospectively, although transitional arrangements and the final rules have not yet been confirmed.
People who already hold settlement would not be affected by changes to the qualifying period.
However, migrants who are currently working towards ILR may need to check the final rules once they are announced.
What happens next?
The government is continuing technical work before publishing its final policy.
Until the new rules are formally confirmed and implemented, the proposed 10-year, 15-year and other settlement periods should not be treated as final requirements for every migrant.
Tags: UK Immigration, ILR, Indefinite Leave to Remain, UK Visa, Settlement, Skilled Worker Visa, Care Workers, Nurses
