Some migrants to face 20-year wait for settled status
Under the government’s proposal, immigrants legally in the UK could have to wait up to 20 years before they can settle permanently.
Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood announced that the period qualifying for indefinite leave to remain will be extended from five to 10 years and will apply to an estimated 1.6 million people arriving since 2021.
The changes will not apply to people who have previously acquired a settlement.
According to the proposals, those who request assistance for less than 12 months will have to wait 15 years, and those who request assistance for more than 12 months will have to wait 20 years.
Mahmood said being part of the United Kingdom was “not a right, but a privilege and something to be earned”.
Post-Brexit criteria will be increased to 15 years for those arriving on health and social care visas, and additional penalties will be imposed on those who request assistance.
Instead, ministers plan to introduce a system of “earned settlement” that would require migrants to demonstrate social integration, economic contribution and good “character” before being granted permanent status.
Settlement, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), allows a person to live permanently in the UK, work without restrictions and access public services. This is also an important step towards British citizenship.
Consultations on the planned changes will continue until 12 February.
