On 2 November 2026 Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood set out the final version of the «earned settlement» reform to Parliament. Headlines make it sound as if everything has already changed: «ten years instead of five». In fact this is a policy decision, not new rules yet. Here is what it means for people planning a move or already living in the UK.
What has been decided
Under the reform, indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is «earned»: the qualifying period depends on a person's contribution, not just on their visa.
- A 10-year baseline instead of today's 5 years for most work and family visas.
- 5 years remain for partners of British citizens and for public-service workers — doctors, nurses, teachers.
- 3 years for high earners and entrepreneurs.
- 15–20 years for people who received benefits.
- The Long Residence route (ILR after 10 years of any lawful stay) closes.
What has not changed yet
None of the new periods apply yet. The Home Office has to amend the Immigration Rules (a Statement of Changes) first. Lawyers expect the first changes from December 2026, with the reform rolled out during 2027 — and the details may still change. For now, for example, a Skilled Worker can still apply for ILR after 5 years.
One change is already in the rules: ILR applications made on or after 26 March 2027 need B2 English instead of B1.
The main risk for people already in the UK
ILR is normally decided under the rules in force on the date of decision, not the date of arrival. So the new periods will probably apply to everyone who has not yet been granted ILR when the reform takes effect — even if they came on a «five-year» visa. The government has discussed transitional arrangements, but there are no final guarantees for people already in the country.
What it means in practice
- If you are close to 5 years on a work or family visa, do not put off your application, and watch for the date the new rules take effect.
- If you are only planning a move, plan for 10 years to ILR — and longer for British citizenship (at least another year after ILR).
- If you plan to apply after 26 March 2027, start preparing for the B2 test now.
- The Ukraine schemes (Homes for Ukraine and the extension scheme) still do not lead to ILR — that has not changed.
On the United Kingdom page the timelines are shown as a range, from the current rules to the announced ones. Once the changes are in the rules, we will update the calculation and write about it here.
This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current rules on GOV.UK or with an immigration lawyer before making decisions.
Sources
- Earned Settlement: the UK's new ILR rules explained — Adam Bernards Solicitors, 2 November 2026
- New ILR Rules: what does Earned Settlement mean for you? — IAS, November 2026
- UK settlement changes: the new ILR routes — Waterstone Legal, November 2026