Earned Settlement: Government Confirms the New Settlement Framework
04 November 2026 | Settlement and indefinite leave to remain
On 2 November 2026, the Government published its response to the Earned Settlement consultation and confirmed the intended framework for future UK settlement applications.
Settlement timeline at a glance
Minimum residence | Who may qualify? |
3 years | Highest earners who earn at least £125,141 for three years, or three of the previous four years; and certain applicants within the highest-talent group. |
5 years | Applicants earning at least £50,271 for three of the previous five years; eligible public-service workers; and people with a recognised British connection, including qualifying partners of British citizens. |
10 years | The standard pathway for most applicants who meet the contribution, residence, integration and compliance requirements. |
20 years | Applicants whose access to specified public funds or qualifying immigration breaches prevents them from using an earlier pathway. Qualifying breaches are expected to include overstaying, breaching visa conditions, deception and frustrating immigration control. |
Up to 30 years | Certain protection applicants who entered the UK illegally may face an additional ten-year waiting period. |
Completing the relevant residence period will not automatically guarantee settlement. Applicants must also meet all mandatory requirements.
New mandatory requirements
Applicants will generally need to demonstrate:
good character and suitability;
no disqualifying criminal record;
no outstanding Government debt, including relevant tax, NHS or Home Office debt;
English at B2 level, subject to applicable exemptions;
a pass in the Life in the UK Test;
sustained economic or other recognised contribution; and
lawful and continuous residence on a qualifying route.
Higher earnings or public-service work will not compensate for failure to meet a mandatory requirement.
Other important changes
Long Residence route
The separate 10-year Long Residence route will close.
Time spent on temporary routes will generally no longer count towards settlement.
This includes time under the Student, Graduate, Global Business Mobility, Youth Mobility, Temporary Worker and High Potential Individual routes.
Dependant partners and children
A dependant partner who arrives with the main applicant may continue to settle at the same time, provided both meet the relevant requirements.
A partner who joins later will normally need to complete the same qualifying residence period.
Eligible couples may combine their earnings to meet a household contribution threshold of £25,142.
Children will generally continue to settle with their parents, subject to the relevant requirements.
Existing protected pathways
The Government has confirmed that certain existing pathways will remain, including:
qualifying partners of British citizens – five years;
Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders – five years;
qualifying members of HM Armed Forces – existing arrangements; and
immediate settlement provisions for qualifying victims of domestic abuse and bereaved partners.
Targeted transitional protections will also apply to certain existing care workers and specified health and education workers.
Are these changes already in force?
No. The Government has confirmed its policy framework, but the changes have not yet been incorporated into the Immigration Rules.
The Government must still publish:
a formal Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules;
an implementation date;
detailed transitional arrangements;
definitions of qualifying immigration breaches and public funds; and
detailed Home Office caseworker guidance.
Until then, applications continue to be considered under the current Immigration Rules.
Read the official documents
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