In late November 2025 the Home Office launched a public consultation on a major overhaul of the UK’s immigration settlement framework. The new proposals, often referred to as “earned settlement”, seek to move away from a residence-based model (simply living continuously in the UK for a given number of years) toward one that emphasises contribution, integration, and compliance.

The Home Office has opened a public consultation on these proposals, which you can read in full on the Government website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/earned-settlement

What is changing: key proposals

• The standard qualifying period for settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain, or ILR) is proposed to increase from the current 5 years to a 10-year baseline for most migrants.
• Settlement would no longer be guaranteed purely on the basis of time: instead, eligibility would depend on performance against four “pillars”: suitability (character), integration, contribution to the economy, and lawful residence & compliance.
• Under the new model, qualifying periods may be adjusted upward or downward depending on individual circumstances.

Who may benefit and who may be subject to longer routes

The consultation outlines a number of scenarios under which the 10-year qualifying period could be reduced, offering faster routes to settlement for high contributors. For example:

• Applicants with sustained, high earnings (e.g. above a certain taxable income threshold over several years) may qualify for a significant reduction in the qualifying period.
• Applicants working in certain public-service roles (such as senior-level medical or teaching positions), or those who demonstrate strong community involvement (e.g. volunteering), may also benefit from reduced settlement timelines.

At the same time, the proposals suggest that some groups could face longer wait times before qualifying for settlement. These include:

• Individuals whose roles are below a certain skill level (e.g. roles below “RQF level 6,” roughly equivalent to a bachelor’s degree). For these, the baseline qualifying period might even be proposed at 15 years, before any reductions.
• Applicants who have previously claimed public funds (benefits), or who have breached immigration laws (e.g. overstaying), could see the residential period increased, potentially up to 20 or even 30 years depending on the severity of the issue.

What remains unchanged (for now) and which groups may be exempt

The consultation document indicates that some visa categories and pathways would be unaffected by the new “earned settlement” regime. For example:

• Dependents of British citizens (e.g. spouse/partner visas) are expected to retain the 5-year route to settlement.
• Holders of certain high-skilled visas such as those under the Global Talent or Innovator Founder routes, may continue to have accelerated pathways (e.g. roughly 3 years) under existing or slightly altered provisions.
• For existing holders of settled status or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, the changes appear not to apply.

What’s next and what organisations & individuals should do

The Home Office has issued a public consultation meaning the proposals are not yet finalised and may be revised before implementation.

For organisations, employers and immigration advisers, now is a critical moment to:

• Review and assess current workforce composition and immigration-linked staffing plans, especially where there are lower-skilled roles or part-time/temporary employees.
• Engage with the consultation, if relevant providing feedback, highlighting potential unintended consequences, and helping shape final implementation.
• Advise individuals on how the proposed changes may affect their future settlement prospects, particularly in terms of salary thresholds, continuity of employment, and compliance history.

For individuals, especially those on visa pathways, it is important to monitor the consultation’s outcome and to understand how their personal circumstances (job role, earnings, immigration history, etc.) may influence their settlement timeline under the new regime.

You can submit a response directly through the Home Office consultation portal here:
https://ukhomeoffice.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yMmiaG7zqwPuM6

In summary

The shift by the Home Office toward an “earned settlement” model represents one of the most significant changes to the UK’s immigration system in decades. The proposals, which raise the baseline qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain and tie settlement eligibility to contribution, integration and compliance may benefit some but could also lengthen or complicate the process for many. As the consultation period unfolds, there is an important window for stakeholders; employers, migrants, and advisers to engage and help inform the final shape of the system.