United Kingdom Launches Consultation on Earned Settlement Reforms

Key Point

The U.K. Home Office today unveiled its plans to overhaul immigration settlement rules and launched a consultation on its proposal for the criteria to be considered, following the increase in the baseline qualifying period to 10 years, as well as other previously announced criteria.

The Home Office has provided some food for thought (for this consultation) with suggestions that workers with a salary above the current £50,271 income threshold for three years running could see a reduction of five years (from the 10-year bar proposed).

The Home Office also proposed a seven-year reduction of the baseline qualifying period for those earning above £125,140.

However, the proposal also suggests that dependents, particularly adult dependents of economic routes, should be required to meet the “earned settlement” criteria. In addition, it proposes extending the qualifying period to 15 years for those on the medium‑skill threshold, and to 20 or even 30 years for other categories.

Some key details include the following:

Baseline Qualifying Period Raised

• Most will now need 10 years of lawful residence before applying for settlement, up from five years.
• For lower- to medium-skilled workers (below RQF level 6, including many on Health and Care visas), the period could rise to 15 years.
• Refugees on “core protection” routes face a 20‑year path.

Mandatory Requirements

• Hold a clean criminal record.
• Demonstrate English proficiency and pass the Life in the U.K. test.
• Show sustained economic contribution.
• Have no outstanding debts to government bodies.

Accelerated settlement based on key pillars of integration, contribution, entry and residence

Reductions to the 10‑year baseline may apply for (only one reduction applicable):

• Higher English language.
• Higher earners/taxpayers (can reduce by up to seven years).
• Public service workers.
• Extensive community volunteering (reduction of up to three to five years).
• Global Talent and Innovator visa holders (reduction of up to seven years).
• Family members of British citizens and Hong Kong BN(O) status visa holders (not consulted, but will receive a five-year reduction).

Delayed settlement based on key pillars of contribution, entry and residence

Settlement could be delayed for (only one penalty to be applied):

• Claiming public funds (increase by five to 10 years).
• Illegal entry, as a visitor or overstaying visas (increased by 20 years).

Benefits Access

• The paper proposes restricting access to public funds (benefits) even after the settlement stage, reserving them for those who have achieved full British citizenship.

Impact on Health & Care Visa Holders and Medium/Lower Skill Skilled Workers

• A separate 15‑year qualifying period is proposed for medium-skilled workers (and health & care visa holders) in this category.

Transitional Arrangements

• The reforms will apply to all migrants currently on a path to settlement who have not yet received indefinite leave to remain. However, the consultation seeks to consider any view of transitional arrangements to be put in place for those already on a pathway to settlement.

Consultation Details

The consultation on these proposals is now live and will close at 11:59 p.m. on 12 February 2026. Individuals, organisations, and stakeholders should respond via the government consultation page.

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