2 November 2026: Electronic Immigration Network: Home Secretary confirms major changes to indefinite leave to remain rules under ‘earned settlement’ reforms
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has provided final details of the Government’s ‘earned settlement’ policy in a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon.
As expected, the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) will be increased from five to 10 years for most migrants, under a new system in which the time required to qualify for settlement will depend on applicants’ earnings, employment, integration and wider contribution to the UK. The Home Secretary said the reforms will be implemented “over the course of 2027”.
Under the new rules, a five-year route will remain available to people earning more than £50,000 a year, as well as those working in certain public service professions, including doctors, nurses and teachers. The highest earners, with salaries exceeding £125,000, and those arriving through the UK’s highest talent schemes will be able to apply after just three years. Everyone else, including those earning less than £50,000, will face a standard 10-year qualifying period.