Government Publishes Immigration White Paper With Major Settlement Changes
12 May 2025
The UK government has published its immigration white paper, "Restoring Control over the Immigration System", setting out the most significant overhaul of settlement policy in decades.
Key Proposals
The white paper proposes replacing the current automatic route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) with an "earned settlement" model. The headline changes include:
- Standard qualifying period doubles from 5 to 10 years for Points-Based System routes such as the Skilled Worker visa
- Fast-track for high earners: Those earning over 125,140 pounds (or on Global Talent / Innovator Founder visas) could qualify in as few as 3 years
- Extended periods for non-compliance: Immigration breaches or reliance on public funds could push the qualifying period to 15, 20 or even 30 years
- Skill level raised: The minimum skill threshold for Skilled Worker visas returns from RQF Level 3 (A-level) to RQF Level 6 (degree level), reducing eligible occupations by around 180
- Health and Care Worker visa: New overseas applications to close, with a transition period until 2028
Who Is Affected
These changes would apply not only to future applicants but also retroactively to migrants already in the UK who have not yet secured ILR. This is the most contentious element of the proposals.
However, the BNO visa route is expected to retain its 5-year pathway to settlement, in line with family visa routes.
What This Means For You
If you are currently on a Skilled Worker visa and planning for ILR after 5 years, these proposals could significantly change your timeline. The government has indicated changes could begin from April 2026, subject to consultation.
We strongly recommend keeping your absence records up to date using the calculator, as the continuous residence requirement remains central to all settlement routes regardless of the qualifying period.
Source: Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper (GOV.UK)