UK consultation: the standard wait for indefinite leave to remain would rise from 5 to 10 years

According to the Home Secretary's statement to Parliament, "the starting point for settlement will move from 5 years to 10". The consultation document sets four baseline requirements for every applicant: English at B2 (A-level standard) instead of the previous B1, a clean criminal record, annual earnings above the GBP 12,570 tax-free threshold for 3 to 5 years, and no debt to public bodies. The changes apply to everyone who has not yet received indefinite leave to remain; the status of those already settled does not change.

Several factors shorten the 10-year baseline: by 5 years for an income of at least GBP 50,270 for 3 years, by 7 years for at least GBP 125,140, by 1 year for English at C1, and by 5 years for 5 years of public service (for example doctors, nurses, teachers). For spouses of British citizens and holders of Hong Kong BN(O) passports the 5-year period remains unchanged. The baseline is extended by the receipt of public funds (+5 years within 12 months, +10 years beyond), and by illegal entry or overstaying by up to +20 years. Those under the EU Settlement Scheme are not covered by the reform.

The consultation closed on 12 February 2026. On 5 March 2026 the Home Office laid down, by a statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, that from March 2027 settlement will require English at A-level standard. According to the House of Commons Library briefing of 23 September 2026, the Home Secretary said on 15 September 2026 that she would make final decisions "very soon" and publish the new policy "later this year"; the rule change implementing the full reform had not been laid by then.