The UK’s path to permanent residence is set for a radical overhaul. The Home Office has published a command paper, “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement,” outlining a new “Earned Settlement” model that will dramatically change how migrants qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
For anyone currently on a route to UK settlement, or planning to move to the UK, these proposed reforms are critical. At Lexify Solicitors, we are already analysing the full impact of these changes on our clients and are providing an urgent summary of what you need to know.
1. Settlement is Now a Privilege, Not an Automatic Right
The core philosophy of the new model is that settlement will no longer be an automatic entitlement after a fixed period, but a privilege that must be earned through meaningful contribution and sustained commitment to the UK.
The government is clear that this revised framework requires individuals to demonstrate sustained compliance, economic activity, and alignment with British values to strengthen public confidence in the immigration system.
2. The New Baseline: 10 Years to Settlement
Under the current system, the standard qualifying period for ILR on most work and family routes is five years.
The new ‘Earned Settlement’ model proposes to significantly increase this standard period to 10 years. This increased duration sets the starting point for nearly all new applicants.
3. The Four Core Pillars You Must Meet
The new system is based on a ‘time adjustment’ model built on four mandatory core pillars. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements of these pillars to be granted settlement.
| Pillar | Mandatory Requirement |
| 1. Character (Suitability) | The applicant must have a clean criminal record. They must also have no current litigation, NHS, tax, or other government debt.
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| 2. Integration | The applicant must demonstrate meaningful engagement with British society, including speaking English to a high standard and showing knowledge of life in the UK.
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| 3. Contribution | The applicant must make a sustained and measurable economic contribution to the UK.
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| 4. Residence | The applicant must show lawful, continuous residence in the UK, but residence alone will not be enough to qualify.
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4. Shorter and Longer Pathways: Time Adjustments
The proposed 10-year baseline is not fixed. The government is consulting on a system where positive and negative contributions can either reduce or extend the qualifying period.
Accelerated Settlement (Shorter Path):
An earlier settlement could be available to those who make an outsized contribution to national life. Specifically, the consultation proposes a reduced qualifying period for:
High-Talent, High Taxpayers: Those who have earned a taxable annual income above £50,270 in the three years prior to applying could attract a significant reduction in their qualifying period.
Those who have worked at a certain level of seniority in public services, or volunteered extensively in local communities.
Delayed Settlement (Longer Path):
A longer qualifying period will be applied to those who are deemed to have contributed less or have non-compliant histories. Key penalties include:
15-Year Baseline for Low-Skilled Workers: A separate baseline period of 15 years is proposed for low-skilled and low-wage migrants who arrived on the Health and Care visa route, especially if they have non-working dependants.
Reliance on Public Funds: Settlement will be delayed for those who have claimed benefits payments.
Immigration Non-Compliance: Breaches of immigration laws, such as overstaying, would cause the qualifying period for settlement to be extended, even if the breach doesn’t lead to outright refusal.
5. Crucial: The Impact on Current Visa Holders
Perhaps the most significant element of this proposal is its scope. The government proposes that these new changes will apply to everyone in the UK today who has not already received Indefinite Leave to Remain.
This means that if you are currently in the UK on a 5-year route to settlement—including Skilled Workers, dependants, or Family route visa holders—and have not yet been granted ILR, your settlement path will be subject to the new requirements as soon as the Immigration Rules are changed.
Act Now: Urgent Advice for Current Visa Holders
The consultation was launched in November 2025 and will run for 12 weeks. This is an active and urgent issue.
If you are currently on a route to settlement, or if you are sponsoring a dependant, these proposed changes could fundamentally alter your eligibility criteria and timeline. You must understand how the 10-year baseline and the time adjustment criteria (including debt, benefits history, and economic contribution) will affect your application.
Contact Lexify Solicitors today for an urgent review of your current immigration status and to develop a strategy that mitigates the risks of these severe proposed changes. Don’t wait until the rules are implemented; proactive legal advice is essential.