A no-frills review of the rules changes that may interest our network, in light of recent major UK legal migration and ‘earned settlement’ reforms.

Earned settlement: The headline

The standard route to settlement will rise from 5 to 10 years.

Nothing has changed yet. The new rules will start to be laid in December and be implemented during 2027. The government’s position is that having arrived under the old rules does not by itself protect people.

  • 3 years
    Earnings of £125,141 in three of the last four years, or the highest talent routes (subject to review).

  • 5 years
    Earnings of £50,271 in three of the last five years, five years in an eligible public service role, or a British connection.
  • 10 years

    Earnings of £12,571 in five of the previous seven years.

  • 20 years
    After a qualifying immigration breach or recent access to public funds.

Applicants must also have no criminal record or government debt, hold B2 English and pass the Life in the UK test.

Care workers and certain health and education workers who joined their route before May 2025 keep a 5-year path if they meet its requirements, including a £25,000 salary for care workers. Care workers who fall short can apply for a further five-year visa. Skilled Workers on pre-April 2024 salary terms can extend on those terms until 2035.

The long residence route will close. Existing ILR holders keep their status.

 

Now in force

  • 1 October
    Right to work checks now extend to workers’ contracts, individual sub-contractors and online matching services. Civil penalties reach £60,000 per illegal worker.

  • 8 October
    HC 584 updates the EU Settlement Scheme rules by changing how people keep pre-settled status, changing identity checks, and updating rights for certain family members. It also officially deletes the old admin review rules because that appeal route has already closed.

  • 29 October
    Minister of Religion and Religious Worker routes changed.

Coming up

  • 30 November
    Student maintenance rises to £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 outside.

  • December
    The first earned settlement rules are due to be laid.

  • 9 December
    Biometric residence permits stop counting as proof of identity and nationality under Appendix EU.

  • 1 January 2027
    The Graduate visa is due to fall to 18 months for most non-doctoral graduates.

  • 1 February 2027
    Care workers whose sponsor loses its licence get up to 120 days to find a new job, then 60 days to resolve their visa.

  • 26 March 2027
    B2 English applies to settlement applications on many routes.

What to do now

  • Check whether you can apply for settlement before the changes take effect, and take advice on timing.

  • Compare your earnings history with the new thresholds, and keep your payslips and P60s.
  • Clear any government debt, and prepare for B2 English and the Life in the UK test.
  • Keep to your visa conditions, and take advice before claiming public funds.

How Nexus Visas Can Help

These changes affect people differently, and timing may matter. Nexus Visas & Immigration can review your position and help you plan your next steps before the new rules take effect.

Contact us for a consultation today.

This article is general information, not legal advice. These rules are subject to change.

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