The headline change is stark: the standard Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) route will extend from five years to ten years, with longer timelines for those reliant on public funds or who have breached immigration rules. Settlement is now positioned as a privilege to be earned, not an automatic entitlement.
The Earned Settlement Framework
The new model is built on four guiding pillars:
- Character – Criminal record and conduct
- Integration – English language proficiency and knowledge of UK life
- Contribution – Economic activity and public service
- Residence – Duration of lawful stay in the UK
The baseline settlement period is ten years, subject to reductions or extensions depending on individual circumstances.
Settlement Timelines by Category
The table below illustrates how the reforms create one of the most selective settlement systems in Europe, rewarding high‑skilled and high‑earning migrants while imposing longer waits on those in low‑paid roles or with immigration breaches.
Visa / Status Category |
New Settlement Timeline |
| Skilled Workers (baseline) | 10 years (previously 5) |
| Low‑Paid Health & Care Workers (< RQF Level 6) | 15 years |
| NHS Doctors & Nurses | 5 years (unchanged) |
| Global Talent / Innovators / High Earners | 3 years (fast‑tracked) |
| Family of British Citizens / BN(O)s | 5 years (unchanged) |
| Migrants reliant on public funds | 20 years |
| Illegal entrants/overstayers | 30 years |
Requirements and Adjustments
Under the new model, migrants must meet a number of baseline criteria before they can be considered for settlement, and their timeline can then be shortened or significantly extended depending on their personal circumstances.
Minimum Requirements (“Gatekeepers”)
Applicants must meet these baseline requirements before being considered for settlement.
| Pillar | Requirement |
| Suitability | No criminal convictions, no litigation or government debts (tax, NHS, etc.) |
| Integration | English at B2 level and successful completion of the Life in the UK test |
| Contribution | Minimum annual earnings of £12,570 for 3–5 years |
Fast‑Track Reductions
The following reductions allow certain groups to achieve settlement much faster than the ten‑year baseline.
| Pillar / Attribute | Adjustment |
| Advanced English (C1) | –1 year |
| High taxable income (£125,140+) for 3 years | –7 years (settlement in 3 years) |
| Taxable income (£50,270+) for 3 years | –5 years |
| Public service employment for 5 years | –5 years |
| Volunteering/community work | –3 to –5 years |
| Family/BN(O) route | –5 years (standard 5‑year route) |
| Global Talent / Innovator Founder | –7 years (settlement in 3 years) |
Penalties (Extended Timelines)
| Pillar / Attribute | Adjustment |
| Reliance on public funds (<12 months) | +5 years |
| Reliance on public funds (>12 months) | +10 years |
| Illegal entry (e.g., small boat) | +20 years |
| Improper visa switching (visit visa route) | +20 years |
| Overstaying permission for 6+ months | +20 years |
Where both reductions and penalties apply, the largest penalty overrides all reductions.
Groups Not Affected
Certain groups retain their existing settlement routes, including:
- Current ILR holders
- EU Settlement Scheme applicants
- Hong Kong BN(O) migrants
- Spouses/partners/children of British citizens on the five‑year route
- HM Armed Forces and their families
- Windrush scheme applicants
Groups Affected
Almost all other categories are impacted, including Skilled Worker visa holders, Health & Care workers in lower‑qualified roles, family route migrants on ten‑year paths, humanitarian applicants, overstayers, unlawful entrants, and economic migrants with dependants (who will now be assessed separately).
Implications for Skilled Workers
For Skilled Workers, the reforms represent a major shift. The baseline pathway doubles from five to ten years, roles below RQF Level 6 face a fifteen‑year wait, and earnings thresholds become central to eligibility. Dependants will no longer automatically follow the main applicant’s timeline, requiring separate assessments.
Consultation Process
A public consultation, “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement”, runs until 12 February 2026. It will consider transitional arrangements, treatment of dependants, abolition of the long residence route, settlement for low‑paid workers, and rules governing access to public funds. The consultation will shape the final rules, which are expected to affect nearly two million migrants who arrived after 2021.
Conclusion
The 2025 Earned Settlement reforms mark the most far‑reaching restructuring of UK migration rules in decades. By extending settlement timelines to 10 – 30 years and linking eligibility to contribution, integration and lawful conduct, the government seeks to reward high‑skilled, high‑earning and well‑integrated migrants while imposing tougher standards on others.
For businesses and individuals, these changes introduce complexity and uncertainty. Careful planning and professional advice will be essential to navigate the new system, assess eligibility and secure long‑term residency under the proposed framework.
You can respond to the Consultation at Earned settlement – GOV.UK.
For more information or advice on business or personal immigration issues, contact Arif Khalfe on 0113 284 5000 or email immigration@isonharrison.co.uk.
