UK Earned Settlement 2026: Who Could Face a 10-Year Wait for ILR?
UK earned settlement is the proposal that could double the time most migrants wait for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). It is not law yet. The Home Secretary has said the final policy will be announced before the end of 2026. If you came to the UK on a work or family visa, here is what is proposed, what is already confirmed and what you can do now.
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Last checked: 29 September 2026. Sources include GOV.UK, the House of Commons Library, the Home Affairs Committee and the Migration Observatory. This is general information, not immigration advice.
UK earned settlement in one minute
- Status: proposal, not in force. The consultation ran from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026. GOV.UK still shows the outcome as pending.
- On 15 September 2026, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Home Affairs Committee that a revised policy will be announced before the end of 2026. Changes would come through a normal Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules.
- Whether the new rules will apply to people already in the UK has not been decided.
Proposed UK earned settlement waiting times
| Group (proposal) | Proposed wait for ILR |
|---|---|
| Standard baseline | 10 years (currently 5) |
| Low or medium-skilled jobs, including care workers | 15 years |
| Refugees | 20 years |
| Illegal entry or overstaying | Up to 30 years |
| Earnings of £125,140 or more | 3 years |
| Skilled jobs paying £50,270 or more | 5 years |
| Family of British citizens, Hong Kong BN(O) | 5 years |
Proposed reductions include one year off for C1 English. Proposed minimum requirements include earnings above £12,570 a year for at least 3 to 5 years, B2 English and no criminal convictions. Claiming benefits could add 5 or 10 years to the wait.
Care workers and medium-skilled workers could be hit hardest
The Home Affairs Committee report (13 March 2026) said 117,000 care workers and 79,000 adult dependants were expected to settle between 2026 and 2030 under the current rules. At least 325,000 visas were issued to medium-skilled workers since 2021. Many Nepali and Indian care workers are in this group. On 28 September 2026, UNISON protested at the Labour conference, calling for the 5-year route to be kept for care staff. See our care worker visa guide.
Will UK earned settlement apply if you are already here?
This is the biggest open question. On 24 September 2026, the Home Secretary said options range from “passporting certain cohorts through”, meaning they would still qualify at five years, to longer periods for other groups. A large group of people who arrived in 2022 would reach 5 years in February 2027 under the current rules. Nothing has been confirmed.
Already confirmed: B2 English for ILR from 26 March 2027
Separately from earned settlement, the English requirement for ILR on most routes rises from B1 to B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027. Applications made before that date are assessed under the current B1 rules. If you are close to 5 years, plan your English test and application date carefully.
What to do now while UK earned settlement is decided
- Keep records of your earnings, payslips, P60s and National Insurance contributions.
- Avoid gaps in your visa and employment.
- Do not claim public funds you are not entitled to.
- Improve your English: B2 is coming for ILR in 2027, and C1 may reduce the wait under the proposal.
- Watch for the announcement later in 2026 and check GOV.UK, not social media.
- If your case is complicated, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.
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