The UK government has announced significant changes to its immigration system, including a plan to double the qualifying period for permanent residence, affecting over 2.6 million migrants who arrived since 2021.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — the right to live and work permanently in the UK — will now require 10 years instead of the current five. Mahmood described the new rules as reflecting the principle that settling in the UK is “a privilege, not a right… and one that must be earned.”
The reforms include stricter criteria for different migrant groups. Those claiming benefits for less than 12 months will face a 15-year wait, while migrants on post-Brexit health and social care visas also face 15 years.
Individuals relying on benefits for over 12 months will wait 20 years, the longest standard settlement period in Europe. Conversely, high-earning migrants can qualify faster: £125,140 earners may settle in three years, and those earning £50,270 in five years. English proficiency, community contributions, and volunteer work may further shorten the timeline.
The government cited unprecedented migration levels as justification. Net migration added 2.6 million people between 2021 and 2024, and 1.6 million migrants are expected to qualify for ILR between 2026 and 2030.
An “earned settlement” system will require evidence of economic contribution, social integration, clean criminal records, and A-level standard English. Certain groups, including NHS doctors and nurses, high-skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and children arriving before age 18, will retain faster settlement pathways.
Protections remain for victims of abuse, bereaved partners, and resettled refugees, though family members will no longer automatically gain settlement.
The proposals have sparked criticism. Unison warned the reforms could devastate essential workers and strain public services, particularly care staff, nursing assistants, and school support personnel. The new settlement rules are expected to take effect in spring 2026, after the government consultation concludes on 12 February, forming part of broader immigration and asylum reforms.
1 Comment
Salve, articolo molto interessante sulle nuove regole di immigrazione nel Regno Unito. Una domanda per l’autore e la community: considerando l’allungamento dei tempi per la residenza permanente e l’enfasi sull’integrazione e sui contributi economici, come si confrontano queste nuove politiche con quelle di altri paesi europei che offrono programmi di e-residenza o residenza digitale per attrarre nomadi digitali e lavoratori remoti? Ad esempio, so che https://e-residency.com fornisce servizi per ottenere un numero di identificazione fiscale in Portogallo o Spagna in modo completamente remoto, il che potrebbe essere un’alternativa interessante per alcuni professionisti. Qualcuno ha esperienze dirette o conosce i requisiti di integrazione per questi programmi? Grazie per qualsiasi chiarimento!