The UK government is set to overhaul its settlement policy for migrants, with those earning below £50,271 facing a 10-year wait for indefinite leave to remain. This change, announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on November 2, 2026, aims to replace the automatic five-year settlement route. According to a report, most migrants will have to wait a decade before applying to settle permanently, with the reforms applying to applications lodged from that date.
Under the proposed tiered earned settlement model, migrants earning above £125,000 or accepted onto top talent programs could apply for settlement after three years. Those earning more than £50,271 would retain the five-year route. The report also states that doctors, nurses, and teachers will retain the five-year route, while care workers who arrived before May 2025 and earn at least £25,000 a year would also keep the five-year pathway.
The government estimates that around 517,000 people will spend longer than five years waiting to settle, according to a projection. However, the figures, tiers, and timing described have not been confirmed as settled policy, and no primary government source or second outlet has verified the information. The report also notes that refugees who entered through Home Office-approved safe and legal routes would remain eligible to settle after five years.
Migrants who breach immigration rules or arrive by small boat or clandestine means face steeper penalties, with a minimum wait of 20 years or up to 30 years, depending on whether they work or study. To be eligible for indefinite leave to remain, applicants must satisfy four conditions: a clean criminal record, English proficiency at A-level equivalent, no outstanding tax debt, and a complete National Insurance contributions record.
The proposed changes have sparked resistance, with the Skilled Migrants Alliance preparing a court challenge against any retrospective application of the rules. A House of Lords committee has warned that applying the changes to people who came under the old system would be manifestly unfair and potentially unlawful. The government has not confirmed whether it will apply the rules to existing arrivals.
The overhaul of the settlement policy has significant implications for skilled professionals, including Kenyan nurses and teachers in the UK. Those who earn below £50,271 would face a significantly longer wait for settlement, potentially impacting their long-term plans and stability in the country. The changes are expected to affect a large number of migrants, with many facing a decade-long wait.
As the government prepares to implement the new policy, migrants and advocacy groups are bracing for the impact. The Skilled Migrants Alliance and other organizations are gearing up for a potential court challenge, while migrants are advised to seek guidance on their individual circumstances. The government has yet to confirm the details of the policy, and it remains to be seen how the changes will be implemented and enforced.
Key points
- The UK plans to introduce a 10-year wait for lower-earning migrants to gain settlement.
- Migrants earning above £125,000 could apply for settlement after three years.
- The proposed changes have sparked resistance from advocacy groups and migrants.
