- By Supratik Das
- Fri, 21 Nov 2025 12:48 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
UK immigration rules: In one of the most far-reaching immigration overhauls in decades, the United Kingdom has proposed strict new rules that could make millions of legal migrants wait up to 20 years before qualifying for permanent residency. This move is set to significantly impact Indian workers, students, and families who form the largest skilled migrant group in the country.
The Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has opened a 12-week consultation on its new “earned settlement” model, which replaces the long-standing five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) with tougher conditions tied to economic contribution, language standards, and personal conduct.
What UK Government Proposed?
Under the plans announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the qualifying period for most migrant workers and family visa holders will double from five to ten years. Additional tiers will extend the route further based on income and dependency on public funds.
•Low-paid workers, including those who entered on health and social care visas, would move to a 15-year settlement track.
•Migrants who have taken benefits for more than a year may face a 20-year wait.
•Illegal migrants and overstayers may need to wait up to 30 years, the longest such requirement in Europe.
•In contrast, high earners above 125,140 pounds could qualify in three years, while NHS doctors and nurses would remain eligible after five years.
Families will no longer automatically qualify for settlement alongside the main applicant, and access to social benefits or public housing will only begin after an individual becomes a British citizen, not at the ILR stage, as is currently allowed.
Mahmood said the new structure aims to “restore fairness” and ease pressure on Britain’s public services. “Migration will always be a vital part of Britain’s story. But the scale of arrivals recently has been unprecedented. To settle in this country forever is not a right, but a privilege. And it must be earned,” she said.
How Indians Will Be Affected
Indians, the UK’s largest foreign-born community and highest source of skilled workers, are expected to feel the impact across multiple sectors, including IT, finance, research and health.
•Thousands of mid-income Indian professionals will now wait ten years instead of five for ILR.
•High-paid Indian workers in technology, consulting, and finance may benefit from the fast-track settlement route.
•Indian students aiming to transition to work visas will face higher salary thresholds and stricter conditions.
•Family settlement will become tougher, potentially causing delays or split timelines for spouses and dependants.
According to official figures, nearly 250,000 Indians moved to the UK in 2023, including 127,000 for work and 115,000 for study.
The reforms have triggered a sharp debate across Britain. The right-wing Reform UK party has accused Labour of being too lenient and has called for ILR to be abolished entirely, proposing instead that migrants reapply for visas every five years regardless of their status.
Mahmood clarified that none of the proposed changes will affect those who already hold a settled status. However, nearly two million migrants who arrived since 2021 could fall under the new regime if implemented from April next year. On Monday, the Home Secretary also announced plans to tighten refugee protections and warned of potential visa bans for countries that refuse to accept deported irregular migrants.
The government’s proposals are now in a consultation phase, after which the final rules are expected to be introduced in April 2026. Transitional arrangements for those already in the UK will be outlined later.