A NEW ERA IN UK IMMIGRATION AFTER 50 YEARS
What the new reforms mean for you
On 28 November 2025, the Secretary of State for the Home Department presented before the Parliament a proposal statement towards ‘’Earned Settlement’’ which is open for public consultation till 11:59pm on 12 February 2026. Here’s a short overview of the proposed changes:
The Government’s recent Command Paper (Restoring control over the immigration system) and accompanying Statements of Changes outline what can only be described as the most extensive overhaul of the UK immigration system in the last 50 years. For migrants, employers and families, these reforms signal a seismic shift in how long-term residence, settlement and protection will operate. As a law firm, we have encountered growing concern from clients who fear that well-established expectations may soon be replaced by a fundamentally different legal landscape.
PROPOSED CHANGES
The new earned settlement model proposed to introduce a system called ‘time adjustment’ which rests on four “pillars”: character/conduct, integration, contribution, and lawful residence.
Proposed baseline qualifying period:
10 years – Standard for most migration route
20 years – Refugees
30 years – Illegally entered the UK
Character: A clean criminal record and compliance with immigration and public-good requirements would be mandatory, criminality or serious misconduct would disqualify or delay the settlement.
Integration: Applicants need to demonstrate proficient in English (at least Level B2 of CEFR).
Contribution: Applicants must contribute more to the public life, and this includes both economically and civic participation. If the applicant has high taxable income, then the number of years for qualification could be reduced as a reward for higher economic contribution. Also, if the applicant has worked in the community thereby contributing to the society such as volunteering, then the baseline qualifying period can also be adjusted accordingly.
Lawful residence: Lawful residence remains a cornerstone of eligibility for settlement, but under the new proposals, it is necessary but not sufficient on its own. Even if a migrant has ten years of continuous lawful residence, they would still need to satisfy additional criteria including good character, integration, and economic contribution before being granted Indefinite Leave to Remain. Essentially, lawful residence forms the legal foundation upon which the other “earned” requirements are assessed.
It is to be noted that the applicant must first meet the minimum requirements for settlement.
| Pillar | Minimum Requirements |
| Suitability | Meet suitability requirements as per Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules such as not having a criminal conviction, etc. |
| Have no current litigation, NHS, tax or other government debt. | |
| Integration | Provide evidence that English language requirements are met, which will be at B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. |
| Provide evidence of successful completion of the Life in the UK test. | |
| Contribution | Have annual income of above £12,570 for a minimum of 3 to 5 years (being subject to consultation), in line with the current thresholds for paying income tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs), or an alternative amount of income. |
In summary, the reforms proposed in the consultation would convert settlement from a right based on time and lawful residence into a status earned through sustained contribution, conduct, integration and compliance. They envisage a system where permanence is not automatically obtained but contingent on a set of measurable standards, a transformation that, if implemented, would redefine long term residence in the UK.
As immigration law undergoes its most dramatic transformation in decades, our role as practitioners is to protect clients’ rights, ensure fairness and provide clarity during a period of profound legal change. For many, these reforms will determine not only their immigration status but the stability of their future in the United Kingdom.
For the latest updates on this changes and additional immigration news, stay tuned to our website or visit www.gov.uk. Your successful visa application starts with informed preparation!
Getting help:
Solicitors at Lawsmith Solicitors have extensive experience in handling Skilled Worker (private and business) matters. To discuss about your Skilled Worker sponsorship matters (employer / employee) with one of our Solicitors, please contact us on 02081295999 or email us on info@lawsmithsolicitors.co.uk or submit our enquiry form.
Contents referenced from:
1. Open Consultation – A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: statement and accompanying consultation on earned settlement
