Overview
- Plans would double the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain to 10 years and introduce baseline tests including A‑level English, a clean criminal record, no UK debt, and at least three years of National Insurance contributions.
- People who entered irregularly, including small‑boat arrivals and overstayers, could face up to a 30‑year route to settlement, while benefit claimants would see five or 10 extra years added depending on the length of claims.
- Access to most benefits and social housing would shift from settled status to British citizenship, reversing the current approach and delaying eligibility until after naturalisation.
- Fast‑track routes would reward contribution: NHS doctors and nurses and other key public servants could settle after five years, and high earners or Global Talent visa holders could qualify in three to five years, with volunteering under review as an accelerant.
- The Home Office cites an estimated 1.6 million people becoming eligible to settle between 2026 and 2030; existing settled‑status holders are unaffected, NGOs have raised legal and humanitarian concerns, and details remain subject to consultation.