The Home Secretary has indicated that the government may abandon controversial plans to double the residency requirement for migrants seeking the right to settle permanently in the UK.
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool on 28 September 2026, Shabana Mahmood signalled a potential “climbdown” on the “earned settlement” policy, which would have increased the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five years to 10.
Addressing delegates, Ms Mahmood stated that the government would seek a position that balances “fairness for those who came here legally and fairness to British citizens.” While she defended the principle that permanent status should be earned, she acknowledged that certain elements of the proposed reforms were viewed as “not fair.”
The ‘earned settlement’ model
The original proposal, which was part of a wider immigration reform package, aimed to replace the current automatic time-based system with a model where permanent residency was treated as a privilege based on specific “contribution” tests.
Under the initial plans, most visa holders would have faced a 10-year wait to apply for ILR. Concerns were particularly acute in the health and social care sector, where some lower-paid workers could have faced a wait of up to 15 years.
The proposals met with significant internal opposition. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner reportedly criticised the 10-year plan as “un-British” and “disruptive,” while the trade union Unison warned that the 15-year requirement would “devastate” a social care sector already struggling with recruitment.
A formal consultation on these reforms recently concluded. The Home Secretary confirmed that the final policy and its transitional arrangements are expected to be announced later in 2026.
Refugee resettlement scheme reopens
Alongside the policy rethink on settlement, Ms Mahmood announced the immediate reopening of the UK Resettlement Scheme for vulnerable refugees.
The scheme, which provides a safe and legal route for refugees to relocate to the UK, will prioritise those in greatest need, including Afghan women and girls and Palestinians from Gaza. The Home Secretary described the move as a restoration of the UK’s commitment to providing sanctuary for those fleeing conflict and persecution.
Practical information for visa holders
Despite the signals of a policy shift, no formal changes have yet been implemented. For those currently living and working in the UK on points-based visas, the following conditions apply:
- The standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain remains five years for most visa routes.
- The Home Secretary has stated that rules in force at the time of an application will continue to apply in the normal way.
- The 10-year “long residence” route also remains available for those who have spent a continuous decade in the UK under various visa categories.
Official advice remains that applicants should continue to follow the current guidance on GOV.UK until any formal changes to the Immigration Rules are laid before Parliament. Legal experts expect that any new residency requirements would include transitional protections for those already on a pathway to settlement.
