The Government is grateful for the vital contribution legal migrants make to the UK, including the dedication of overseas health and care workers who deliver high quality care and strengthen our public services.

This issue has already been the subject of previous petitions and parliamentary debate earlier this year, including the e-petition ‘Keep the 5-Year ILR pathway for existing Skilled Worker visa holders’ (Petition 727360) and ‘Keep 5-year ILR terms to Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas’ (Petition 727356), which was debated in Westminster Hall on 8 September 2025. The Home Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into ‘Routes to Settlement’ on 21 October 2025.

As set out by the Home Secretary in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, the Government is proposing a new, contribution-based settlement model. Under these proposals, the standard qualifying period for settlement will be 10 years. However, individuals will have the opportunity to reduce this period if they demonstrate strong contributions to the UK’s economy and society for example, through sustained employment, National Insurance contributions, English language ability, a clean criminal record, and positive community engagement. Those who have been non-compliant may be required to wait longer or be refused settlement.

These are proposals only. No final decisions have been made, and we launched a consultation on the earned settlement proposals on 20 November 2025. The consultation will run for 12 weeks (until 12 February 2026) and is open to all interested parties, including migrants, employers, representative bodies, and members of the public. Its purpose is to gather a wide range of views and evidence on the proposed changes, including the impact on those already in the UK and the practicalities of implementation. The consultation is, in particular, seeking views on whether there should be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement.

The Government is committed to a transparent and inclusive process. The consultation is being publicised widely, and responses can be submitted online or in writing. All feedback will be carefully considered before any final decisions are made. A summary of responses and the Government’s conclusions will be published after the consultation closes, ensuring that the process is open and accountable. Following the consultation, we will provide full details of how the new model would work, including any transitional arrangements for people already in the UK. We encourage all affected groups including health and care workers to take part in the consultation so that their views and evidence inform the final approach.

Settlement in the UK is a significant step, bringing lifelong benefits and supporting integration into local communities and the wider country. The Government’s aim is to ensure that settlement is earned through contribution and integration, while maintaining strong safeguards for the most vulnerable. The new model will continue to offer a shorter pathway to settlement for non-UK dependants of British citizens and retain existing protections for victims of domestic violence and abuse.
We recognise the concerns raised about fairness and the impact on those who have built their lives in the UK under the current system. We will consider these issues carefully, and no changes will be made without listening to the views of those affected.

Further information on the proposals announced by the Home Secretary is available in Ministerial statements, November 2025 Command Paper, as well as the May 2025 Immigration White Paper.

We are grateful to the petitioners for setting out their views, and we look forward to hearing from them again when they have had the opportunity to study the final proposals in detail.

Home Office