The UK government has confirmed that planned UK settlement rule changes—extending the required residency period from five to ten years—will apply not only to new visa applicants but also to many migrants already living in the country.
The new policy, part of a broader strategy to reduce legal migration, could impact up to 1.5 million foreign workers who have arrived in the UK since 2020.
Previously, it was unclear whether current residents would be affected. However, sources indicate that a forthcoming policy document will clarify the government’s intent to apply the longer route to those already living and working in the UK.
Consultation to Be Launched as Concerns Mount Over “Betrayal”
The Home Office will launch a public consultation before implementation. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper reportedly raised concerns about a looming surge in settlement and citizenship applications under the existing five-year framework, which could see many recent arrivals become eligible for permanent residence by mid-decade.
Some exemptions will remain. The five-year route will still apply to non-UK spouses and dependents of British citizens, and shorter pathways may be granted to individuals who can demonstrate strong contributions to the UK economy and society.
Migrants Fear Disruption to Life Plans and Employment
The proposed rule change has sparked anger and anxiety among migrants, particularly those who relocated with the expectation of qualifying for settlement within five years. Isa, a tech worker who moved to the UK three years ago, called the change a “betrayal” and said it had thrown his future plans into uncertainty.
“We came here with the promise of a clear path to settlement,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Now I feel completely unwelcome.” Isa and his wife, both employed in the UK’s tech sector, are reconsidering whether to remain in the country. He warned the policy may drive skilled workers and global employers to relocate elsewhere.
Labour MPs and Advocacy Groups Slam Government Over Move
Labour MPs have urged the government to reconsider applying the rule retrospectively. Florence Eshalomi MP highlighted the distress of constituents who now fear for their legal status and future. Legal advocacy groups like the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants described the plan as a “cruel betrayal.”
“These are people who have made their lives here,” said co-legal director Enny Choudhury. “Moving the goalposts now creates deep uncertainty and unnecessary trauma.”
Migration Experts Say Impact on Numbers May Be Limited
According to the Migration Observatory, while the 10-year settlement route would place the UK among the most restrictive high-income countries—comparable to Switzerland and Japan—it is unlikely to significantly reduce migration levels. Instead, it may boost Home Office revenue through extended visa fees and delay access to rights associated with permanent residence, such as social benefits and the ability to apply for British citizenship.
Government Pushes Migration Overhaul Amid Record Net Migration Figures
The settlement reform is part of a wider government effort to bring down legal migration, which reached a record 906,000 in 2023. Speaking on Monday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Settlement becomes a privilege that is earned, not a right—easier if you work, pay in, and help rebuild our country.”
Further details and timelines for implementation are expected in the government’s policy document to be released in the coming weeks.
