UK ILR "Earned Settlement" Changes 2026 — What's Actually Confirmed vs Proposed
TL;DR: The UK is proposing to extend the standard ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years under a new "Earned Settlement" model — but this is NOT yet law. What IS confirmed: the English requirement rises from B1 to B2 for many routes from March 26, 2027. High earners (£50,270+) may keep a 5-year route; £125,140+ could mean just 3 years. The 10-year Long Residence route is being scrapped entirely.
⚠️ Important: Separate Proposed vs Confirmed Changes
There is enormous confusion online about UK ILR changes right now because two different things are happening simultaneously. Here is the clear breakdown.
✅ CONFIRMED — Already Law (HC 1691, March 5, 2026)
- English requirement raised B1 → B2 for many settlement routes, effective March 26, 2027 — including people already on a settlement pathway
- Skilled Worker shortage occupation list reduced, in place since July 22, 2025 through end of 2026
- Graduate Visa shortened to 18 months (from 24) for applications from January 1, 2027 — though PhD holders keep 36 months
- Fair Work Agency established April 7, 2026 to address worker exploitation enforcement
🔶 PROPOSED — Not Yet in Force
- 10-year baseline qualifying period for most settlement routes (currently 5 years) — consultation closed February 12, 2026, still under review
- Salary-based fast track: £50,270+ keeps a 5-year route; £125,140+ could mean a 3-year route
- Elimination of the 10-year Long Residence route (SET LR) entirely
- Tax compliance and conduct history review across the full qualifying period, not just at extension stage
The Home Secretary has signalled implementation could begin around April 2026, but as of late June 2026, no draft Immigration Rules implementing the 10-year baseline have been laid before Parliament. The existing 5-year and 10-year routes remain legally in force.
The Proposed Salary Fast-Track System
| Annual Salary | Proposed Qualifying Period |
|---|---|
| Below £50,270 | 10 years (standard baseline) unless exempt role |
| £50,270 – £125,139 | 5 years (current standard) |
| £125,140+ | As little as 3 years |
| NHS / public service exempt roles | Shorter wait regardless of salary |
Medium-skilled workers (care workers, chefs, welders, many admin roles) could face an even longer proposed baseline of up to 15 years under one consultation option — affecting an estimated 325,000+ visa holders since 2021.
Who Is Protected From These Changes
The government has stated these groups will retain the current 5-year route regardless of outcome:
- Anyone who already holds ILR or settled status
- BN(O) visa holders
- Parents, partners and children of British citizens on family visas
- EU Settlement Scheme Pre-Settled/Settled Status holders (protected by the Withdrawal Agreement)
⚠️ It remains unclear whether these changes would be retroactive for people currently mid-way through a 5-year route on other visa types. The consultation explicitly asked whether transitional arrangements should apply — no answer has been published yet.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions — UK ILR Earned Settlement 2026
Is UK ILR changing from 5 years to 10 years?
It is proposed but not yet in force. The Home Office consultation on 'Earned Settlement' closed February 12, 2026 and is under review. If implemented, most routes would move to a 10-year baseline, reduced based on income, English level, and compliance history. As of June 2026, the existing 5-year and 10-year routes remain legally in force until rules are formally amended — expected from April 2026 onward, though no firm date is confirmed.
What is the proposed Earned Settlement salary threshold?
Under proposed rules reported in 2026, Skilled Worker visa holders earning between £50,270 and £125,139 would qualify for the standard accelerated 5-year route. Those earning £125,140 or more could potentially qualify in as little as 3 years. Workers below £50,270 risk being moved to a longer 10-year route unless they work in an exempted public service role like medicine or teaching.
Will the 10-year Long Residence route still exist?
No. The standalone 10-year Long Residence route (SET LR) is being eliminated as part of these reforms, as the government considers it obsolete. Time spent on routes that do not lead to settlement, such as the Student route, will likely no longer count toward any qualifying period.
Who is protected from the Earned Settlement changes?
The government has indicated several groups will retain the current 5-year qualifying period: people who already hold ILR or settled status, BN(O) visa holders, parents/partners/children of British citizens on family visas, and people with Pre-Settled or Settled Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (protected by the Withdrawal Agreement).
Has the English language requirement for ILR changed?
Yes, this part is confirmed, not just proposed. The Statement of Changes (HC 1691), laid March 5, 2026, raises the English requirement from B1 to B2 for ILR on a number of settlement routes, taking effect March 26, 2027 — including for people already on a settlement pathway.
What should I do if I'm currently working toward UK ILR?
Compile all supporting evidence now — payslips, P60s, employer letters, bank statements, tenancy agreements, and your Life in the UK test certificate. Track every UK absence precisely. If you are close to your 5-year qualifying date under current rules, consider consulting an OISC-registered immigration adviser about whether applying before any rule change takes effect is strategically advisable for your situation.
What This Means Practically, by Situation
If you're 1-2 years from your 5-year ILR date under current rules: Keep building your evidence file now (payslips, tax records, absence log) so you're ready to apply the moment you're eligible under whichever rules are in force. Applying under the current 5-year route before any new rules take effect may be advantageous if the 10-year proposal moves forward, though this isn't guaranteed and depends on transitional arrangements that haven't been published.
If you're a high earner (£125,140+) considering a UK move: The proposed 3-year fast-track, if implemented, would make the UK unusually competitive against Ireland's 2-year CSEP-to-Stamp-4 pathway. But since this remains proposed, not confirmed, don't factor it into firm relocation timelines yet — plan around the current 5-year baseline and treat any acceleration as a bonus.
If you're newly arriving on a Skilled Worker visa in 2026: You'll almost certainly be affected by whichever version of these rules is finalized, since you're starting your qualifying period now rather than midway through it. The B2 English requirement (confirmed, taking effect March 26, 2027) is the one change you should plan for with certainty — start language preparation early rather than waiting for exact clarity on the qualifying-period question.
If you're comparing the UK against other destinations: The uncertainty itself is a data point. Countries with recently confirmed, stable rules — like Ireland's Critical Skills Employment Permit (2-year path to Stamp 4, confirmed) or Germany's Chancenkarte — currently offer more predictable timelines than the UK's ILR pathway during this transition period.
If you're planning a UK Skilled Worker application, check your eligibility under current rules now.
🇬🇧 UK Skilled Worker Calculator 💰 Visa Fee Calculator⚠️ This is a fast-moving policy area. We will update this page as soon as draft Immigration Rules are laid before Parliament. For decisions affecting your specific case, consult an OISC-registered immigration adviser — do not rely solely on this or any other website for a major life decision.
How to cite this page
VisaCalc Editorial Team. "UK ILR Earned Settlement Changes 2026 — What's Confirmed vs Proposed." VisaCalc. Last modified June 2026. https://www.visacalc.org/blog/uk-ilr-timeline-2026.html