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The United Kingdom is set to overhaul its immigration rules by extending the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five years to ten years for most migrants, according to the new 2025 Immigration White Paper.
This significant policy shift, introduced by the Home Office in May 2025, forms part of a broader reform strategy aimed at making the UK’s settlement system more merit-based. If enacted, the change will affect thousands of migrants currently on work, global talent, and entrepreneurial visas.
Currently, individuals who have lawfully resided in the UK for five years under specific visa categories—such as the Skilled Worker, Innovator Founder, or Global Talent visas—are eligible to apply for ILR.
The new proposal will double that period, requiring a continuous ten-year stay before individuals can apply for permanent settlement.
Additionally, applicants must have held their current visa for at least 12 months and must not have exceeded 180 days of absence from the UK in any 12-month rolling period.
The proposed changes will impact:
Skilled Worker visa holders
Global Talent and Innovator Founder visa categories
Migrants seeking long-term employment or entrepreneurship in the UK
However, the five-year ILR route will remain unchanged for: Spouses or partners of British citizens, Humanitarian cases, such as refugees and domestic abuse survivors.
The proposed extension has triggered widespread criticism from migration experts, legal practitioners, and affected communities.
Critics argue the 10-year requirement could:
Increase financial strain, with migrants forced to renew visas multiple times, paying thousands in fees and healthcare surcharges.
Delay citizenship, pushing the naturalisation timeline to at least 11 years.
Risk labour market retention, with skilled workers reconsidering their long-term plans in the UK.
The Home Office maintains that the change is part of a new “contribution-based” settlement model.
Future ILR applicants may need to demonstrate: A positive net contribution to the UK economy, Civic participation or community engagement, and a clean criminal and immigration record.
If implemented, the UK’s proposal to extend the ILR qualifying period from five to ten years would mark one of the most significant changes in immigration policy in recent years. While the government argues that it ensures fairness and accountability, many see it as a move that could deter global talent and strain migrant communities already contributing to the UK’s economy.