some migrants to face 20 year wait for settled status: In a dramatic shift to Britain’s immigration landscape, millions of people currently living in the UK legally could face significantly longer waits before being permitted to settle permanently. The proposal — unveiled by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood — would extend the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to 10 years, marking one of the most consequential changes to the UK’s immigration rules in over a decade.
According to the Home Office, the move will affect an estimated 2.6 million migrants who have arrived in the UK since 2021, and it forms part of a broader package of measures that the government says are necessary to bring the immigration system “back into balance.”
While the proposal has triggered heated debate across the UK, government officials maintain that ILR — and the right to live permanently in the country — must be earned.
“Becoming part of the UK is not a right but a privilege — and one that must be earned,” Mahmood told MPs as she presented the reforms to Parliament.
The Home Secretary also emphasised that recent levels of migration are “unprecedented” and that urgent action is required to control the long-term pressures on infrastructure, housing, and public services.
What the New Rules Mean for Migrants Already in the UK
Settlement — commonly known as ILR — grants an individual the ability to live in the UK permanently, work without restriction, and access services such as the NHS. It is also a key milestone for those who intend to apply for British citizenship.
At present, most people on work and family visas are eligible to apply for settlement after five years. Under the new proposals:
- The standard qualifying period will rise to 10 years
- Different categories of migrants will face longer or shorter waiting times depending on economic contribution, earnings, use of benefits, employment sector, and social integration
Crucially, people who have already secured ILR will not be affected by the rule change.
Who Will Face the Longest Wait?
Notably — and controversially — the government has introduced a link between public benefit usage and settlement eligibility. This has amplified the debate and led to widespread discussion across the charity and public service sectors.
The proposals include:
| Category | Current Wait | Proposed Wait |
|---|---|---|
| Standard work/family visa holders | 5 years | 10 years |
| Legal migrants claiming benefits less than 12 months | 5 years | 15 years |
| Post-Brexit health & social care visa holders | 5 years | 15 years |
| Migrants reliant on benefits for over 12 months | 5 years | 20 years |
The final category — migrants who have been dependent on public benefits for over a year — has attracted the most attention and headlines. The government itself acknowledges that some migrants to face 20 year wait for settled status, making this by far the longest waiting period anywhere in Europe.
Fast-Track Settlement for High Earners and Public Service Workers
While certain groups could face unprecedented delays, others are set to benefit from new accelerated settlement routes.
Specifically:
- High earners making £125,140 or more a year could settle in three years
- Those earning over £50,270 could be eligible in five years
- Doctors and nurses working in the NHS will continue to qualify after five years
- Entrepreneurs and individuals deemed to provide “outsized contributions” to the UK can apply for fast-track ILR
Levels of volunteering and strong competence in the English language may also shorten the wait under the Home Office’s new points-based assessment, which aims to prioritise migrants who are “socially and economically integrated.”
Applicants will be expected to hold at least A-level-equivalent English, prove they have a clean criminal record, and meet a minimum earnings threshold of £12,570 annually for three consecutive years.
Implications for Families Under the New Rules
Another major change concerns family members. From now on, spouses and children will not automatically qualify for settlement when the main applicant becomes eligible.
Key details include:
- Children who arrived in the UK before turning 18 may settle with their parents
- Elder dependants — including adult children and parents — may need to meet separate requirements and could be subject to longer waits
- Family members on dependent visas may be reassessed individually under the new ILR criteria
However, the Home Office confirmed that existing fast-track routes for victims of domestic abuse, bereaved partners, and resettled refugees will remain untouched.
Opposition and Response from Political Parties
Reaction across the political spectrum has been mixed.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused the Labour government of copying policies from previous Conservative immigration proposals — policy ideas Labour had historically opposed.
Philp told MPs that the Conservative Party will support the reforms but warned of potential loopholes and called for the government to go further with a legally binding cap on migration numbers.
Meanwhile, Reform UK did not provide an official response in Parliament, though the party has previously argued for the complete abolition of ILR, which it would replace with renewable five-year visas for every migrant in Britain — including those with long-term residency.
Public Sector Organisations Sound the Alarm
Unions and public service organisations have strongly criticised the new plan, arguing it risks destabilising vital sectors already grappling with worker shortages.
Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea warned of catastrophic consequences if frontline workers are discouraged from staying in the UK.
“Forcing staff — many of whom stepped up during Covid — to wait 15 years for certainty about their futures betrays the promises they were made,” she said.
McAnea highlighted that overseas staff working in social care, nursing support, and schools are already essential to keeping services running, adding:
“If ministers overlook care workers, nursing assistants and school support staff from overseas, services will collapse.”
Healthcare organisations echoed this concern, pointing out that extending settlement times for health and care visa holders to 15 years contradicts ongoing government recruitment drives aimed at filling chronic worker gaps.
Why the Government Says the Reform is Necessary
The Home Office says the shift is driven largely by numbers. Official figures show that migration increased the UK population by 2.6 million between 2021 and 2024, a rise ministers describe as “unsustainable.”
Based on current trends, around 1.6 million people are expected to secure settled status between 2026 and 2030, even before the rule change comes into effect.
Ministers argue that without intervention, the financial and logistical burden on the NHS, schools, housing, and welfare services will keep escalating.
The plan aims to introduce what the government calls “earned settlement” — rewarding migrants who contribute economically, demonstrate integration, and embrace long-term residency in Britain.
Also read: Donald Trump Promises $2,000 Tariff Dividend to Americans, Calls Critics “Fools”
Timeline of Implementation
The settlement reform is part of a broader overhaul of the UK’s immigration and asylum systems. It builds on proposals outlined in the government’s May white paper and follows a sweeping package of asylum reforms announced at the start of the week.
Current plans include:
- A formal consultation ending 12 February
- Legislation expected to begin in late 2025
- Full rollout of new settlement rules from spring 2026
Earlier this week, Mahmood also revealed plans to end permanent refugee status, replacing it instead with a system of temporary protection subject to review every 30 months.
A Major Turning Point in UK Immigration Policy
The debate surrounding immigration has intensified over recent years, with both economic concerns and labour shortages dominating national discussion. The newest proposal — especially the revelation that some migrants to face 20 year wait for settled status — is already shaping up to become a defining issue for government, opposition parties, employers, and public sector leaders.
Supporters argue the reform protects infrastructure and encourages migrants to become economically self-sufficient. Critics contend it risks exploiting essential workers and undermining the UK’s global reputation as a desirable destination for students, professionals, and refugee families.
What is certain is that the path to securing permanent residence in Britain is set to become longer, more selective and more deeply tied to economic performance and social contribution than ever before.
As the consultation progresses over the coming months, both migrants already living in the UK and employers who depend on international talent will be watching closely. The coming years may determine not only how many people can make the UK their permanent home — but what it now truly means to belong to Britain.