November 20, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
Under a new Home Office immigration proposal, individuals who arrived in the UK in 2021 or later may be required to wait up to 15 years before becoming eligible for permanent residency known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Currently, most migrants qualify for ILR after five years of lawful residence. But the government’s 2025 White Paper outlines a tougher approach: the standard qualifying period could increase to 10 years, with even longer waits for some applicants.
The proposal is part of a broader “earned-settlement” model. Under this plan, settlement would not only require time, but also a demonstrated contribution such as sustained employment, higher English proficiency, volunteering, and a clean criminal record.
Some immigration law analysts have noted that the government has signaled a separate, stricter settlement route may apply specifically to those who arrived from 2021 onwards, even under the new 10-year framework.
The Home Affairs Committee has launched a formal inquiry into the proposed changes. Critics, including advocacy groups and some MPs, argue the reforms could disproportionately affect certain visa-holders, such as care workers and early arrivals on work visas.
But government sources defend the policy as a way to ensure that long-term residence in the UK reflects not only duration but also meaningful integration and economic contribution.
The proposals are not yet law: a public consultation is underway, and the final regulations will depend on its outcome.
