UK settlement reform: what was decided on 2 November, and what is not in force yet

There is a lot of confusion around the settlement reform (indefinite leave to remain, ILR): some say “it is ten years now”, others that “nothing has changed”. Both are partly right. Here is the clear version: what the government has already decided, and what has only been announced and is not yet in force.

What happened on 2 November

On 2 November 2026 the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, set out the final decisions on “earned settlement” in Parliament and published the response “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement” (CP 1707), following a consultation that closed in February. The core idea: the standard wait for ILR doubles from five years to ten, and you can settle faster by “earning” it through income, profession or a connection to Britain.

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The key point: this is not in force yet

The new periods and thresholds have not yet taken effect. The current system still applies: the five-year routes and the Long Residence route remain in the Immigration Rules. The changes will only start once they are added to the rules by a Statement of Changes; the Home Secretary indicated this is expected around December, with implementation spread across 2027. Remember the principle: your application is decided under the rules in force on the date you apply. So there is no need to change your plans today because of headlines.

What is already confirmed, with a date

Two items have firm dates. From 26 March 2027 the English requirement rises to level B2 (up from B1) for most routes. From 1 February 2027 care workers whose sponsor loses its licence get 120 days to find new work and a further 60 days to sort out their status.

Announced but starting later

The qualifying periods (confirmed in the document, effective once the rules change):

3 years — earning over £125,141 in 3 of the last 4 years (or the high-talent group). 5 years — earning over £50,271 in 3 of the last 5 years; certain roles on national pay scales; a recognised British connection. 10 years (default) — earning over £12,571 in 5 of the last 7 years. 20 years — for an immigration breach or certain benefits. The thresholds sit £1 above the income-tax bands and move with them; couples can pool income (up to £25,142). Mandatory for all: a clean criminal record, no government debt, English at B2 and a pass in the Life in the UK test. Children, people aged 65+ and those with certain conditions are exempt from the income, English and test requirements.

Who keeps five years or is unaffected

The five-year route is kept by doctors, nurses, midwives and teachers on national pay scales, and by care and health/education workers below RQF level 6 who arrived before May 2025. Separate terms remain for Hong Kong BN(O) holders (5 years), Afghan schemes (immediate), the Windrush generation (no qualifying period), armed forces (4 years’ service), and bereaved partners and domestic abuse victims (immediate). EU Settlement Scheme status and ILR already granted are not affected.

Does it affect people already here

Yes — the reform is designed to cover many who live in Britain without ILR; the government has not given everyone already resident a blanket five-year protection. Transitional concessions are limited: besides care workers, Skilled Workers who arrived before April 2024 can keep extending on their existing salary terms until 2035.

The bottom line: the numbers are now known, but there is nothing to change right now — the current system applies and the new rules will come in later and in stages. Watch gov.uk and the date the rules change; for a complex case, see a regulated immigration adviser. Detailed breakdowns of the periods, requirements and which years count are in our series under “Immigration”.