On 2 November 2026, the government presented the new Earned Settlement system to Parliament. Permanent residence will no longer be almost automatic after 5 years and will depend on 4 mandatory conditions:
- no criminal record
- a high level of English
- no debts to the state
- a consistent record of National Insurance contributions
⏳ Waiting periods
- Standard: 10 years
- Very high earners: 3 years
- Over £50,271 a year, plus certain roles in health and education: 5 years
- Breaches of immigration rules: at least 20 years
👷 Skilled Worker
Those who comply with their visa conditions and earn at least £25,000 a year can apply after 5 years. Others can receive a new 5-year visa and apply once it ends.
🛟 Refugees
- 5 years through schemes approved by the Home Office
- 10 years if they work or study
- 20 years for everyone else
🚤 People who arrived by small boat or by other clandestine means: a further 10 years of waiting, with the total possibly reaching 30 years.
📊 More than 500,000 people will wait longer than 5 years, and the government expects to save billions of pounds in benefits.
✅ The good news
- No one will be required to leave the UK
- Those affected can apply for new visas leading to permanent residence after 10 years
- People who already have permanent residence are not affected
- Family members of British citizens remain under the current rules
⚠️ The proposal has only just been presented and its details may change in Parliament. For your own situation, check gov.uk or speak to a regulated immigration adviser.