Earned Settlement: What It Is and Why It Changes Everything

If you are on a UK visa, you have probably assumed that after five years of lawful residence, Indefinite Leave to Remain is within reach. That assumption was accurate until November 2025.

The government has announced it is replacing automatic settlement with an earned settlement model. The baseline qualifying period for most migrants will double from five years to ten. More importantly, length of residence will no longer be sufficient on its own. You will need to demonstrate that you have earned the right to stay permanently.

Visual — qualifying period

The same visa route. A very different wait.

Current system — automatic after 5 years

5 years

ILR ✓

Granted automatically after a fixed period.

Earned settlement — 10-year baseline

10 years

Character

Integration

Contribution

Residence

Must be earned — not granted automatically.

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What "earned" actually means

The government's policy document, "A Fairer Pathway to Settlement", sets out four pillars that settlement applications will be assessed against.

Character. No serious criminal convictions, no outstanding immigration debts, and no record of breaching immigration conditions.

Integration. English language proficiency at B2 level — a step up from the current B1 requirement. You will also need to pass the Life in the UK test, as now.

Contribution. Evidence of taxable income above £12,570 annually for a minimum of three years. This is the threshold at which income tax becomes payable in the UK, as defined by HMRC.

Residence. Lawful, continuous presence for the full qualifying period. The absence rules — including the 180-day rolling limit — continue to apply.

How this differs from the current system

Under the current system, most skilled workers apply for ILR after five years on a qualifying visa. The application checks for criminal history, absence records, and basic English. Meet the criteria, and settlement is granted.

Under earned settlement, the criteria are stricter and the period is longer. The shift is from a fixed entitlement to a demonstrated record of contribution. The government describes it as moving settlement from something that is granted automatically to something that is earned over time.

The practical difference is significant. A person who qualifies today on a five-year route would face a ten-year baseline under the new system, unless their income or occupation places them in a faster tier.

When does this take effect?

The government opened a public consultation on 20 November 2025. That consultation closed on 12 February 2026. The government has indicated it intends to bring the new system into force in April 2026, though final rules have not yet been confirmed.

If you are currently on a qualifying visa, transitional arrangements — how the new rules apply to people already mid-route — have not been finalised. This is one of the most important outstanding questions. We cover what is and is not confirmed in part three of this series.

The full picture of which tier applies to your specific situation is covered in part two.

Immi is currently built for the existing five-year ILR rules. We are watching the final regulations closely and will update the app when confirmed rules are published.

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This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Rules may change. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified immigration solicitor.