Migrants living legally in the United Kingdom could face waits of up to 20 years before securing permanent residency under new government proposals.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has outlined plans to double the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five to 10 years.
The policy would affect an estimated 1.6 million people who have arrived in the UK since 2021, though it will not apply to those who have already secured settlement.
Under the proposals, migrants who have claimed benefits for less than a year would face a 15-year wait, while those who have received benefits for more than 12 months could wait up to 20 years before being eligible.
Mahmood stressed that becoming a permanent member of UK society “is not a right but a privilege and one that must be earned.”
Presenting the changes in the House of Commons, she added, “Migration will always be a vital part of Britain’s story. But the scale of arrivals in recent years has been unprecedented.”
Home Office data indicates that net migration boosted the UK’s population by 2.6 million between 2021 and 2024.
As a result, the number of people applying for settlement is expected to surge, with projections suggesting around 1.6 million may secure ILR between 2026 and 2030.
At the moment, most people on work and family visas can apply after five years. If the proposal is adopted, the new minimum period will rise to a decade, while those on post-Brexit health and social care routes could face a 15-year requirement, alongside extra conditions for benefit recipients.
The government plans to introduce an “earned settlement” approach, requiring applicants to show community integration, economic contribution and good character before being granted ILR.
Indefinite Leave to Remain gives individuals the right to live and work in the UK without restriction and is a key step towards British citizenship.
A public consultation on the proposals is open until 12 February.
