LONDON – UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced that migrants will now need 10 years instead of 5 years to qualify for permanent residency.
This change will affect nearly two million people who arrived after 2021, but it does not apply to those who already have settled status. Applicants will also need a clean criminal record, no unpaid debts, and stronger English skills equal to A-level.
Some workers will still follow different rules. NHS doctors and nurses can apply after 5 years, while high-skilled workers, high earners, and entrepreneurs can apply after 3 years. Illegal migrants will need to wait 3 years before they can apply.
Mahmood said that permanent residency is a privilege, not a right, and must be earned through these new requirements. The Home Office said this is the biggest change to the UK immigration system in nearly 50 years, aimed at rewarding people who contribute and follow the rules.
Low-paid workers, especially those who came on health and social care visas between 2022 and 2024, will face a 15-year wait. Their visa route was shut down earlier due to widespread misuse. Illegal migrants and visa overstayers may have to wait up to 30 years before they can settle in the UK, which removes the chance of easily gaining long-term residency.
