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ARTICLE · 01 DECEMBER 2025

Earned Settlement – Consultation Paper Launched

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In May 2025, the UK Government published an Immigration White Paper setting out proposed changes to the immigration system, including an intention to increase the qualifying residence period for settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain or ILR) from five to 10 years. The White Paper also introduced the concept of "earned settlement", whereby migrants could reduce the 10-year qualifying period by meeting additional criteria in relation to their contributions to and integration into UK society.

United KingdomImmigration
Michael Shaw
Michael Shaw
Samir Abugideri
Samir Abugideri
Jessica Jim
Jessica Jim

In May 2025, the UK Government published an Immigration White Paper setting out proposed changes to the immigration system, including an intention to increase the qualifying residence period for settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain or ILR) from five to 10 years. The White Paper also introduced the concept of “earned settlement”, whereby migrants could reduce the 10-year qualifying period by meeting additional criteria in relation to their contributions to and integration into UK society. 

The Home Office has now released its policy paper "A fairer Pathway to Settlement" which launches a public consultation on the "earned settlement" model and includes details of the framework it proposes to use to assess earned settlement.

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