Speaking before the Home Affairs Committee late on 24 September, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed that the government is in the “final stages” of deciding how – and when – to introduce its flagship “earned settlement” model. Under the proposals, the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) would double from five to ten years and applicants would need to demonstrate an ongoing “contribution” to the UK through work, tax history, English-language ability and community engagement. Mahmood told MPs that officials are analysing more than 200,000 consultation responses and modelling transitional options for migrants who arrived in 2022 and would otherwise reach the five-year ILR point in February 2027. Options range from exempting that cohort entirely, through phased extensions, to a wholesale switch to the 10-year rule. “We have to give certainty to the system,” she said, promising that the final policy will be published “well before” the first group reaches eligibility. The Home Secretary also reiterated that settlement applications will continue to be decided under the rules in force at the date of application, not the date of arrival – a point of particular importance to employers planning for key staff whose visas expire in 2027-28. Employers are therefore being advised to audit workforce timelines now and model cost and retention impacts under different scenarios. Business groups have already warned that doubling the residence period could reduce the UK’s attractiveness to globally-mobile talent, especially in sectors such as tech, life sciences and financial services where ILR is often used to secure long-term assignments. On the other hand, ministers argue that a contribution-based route will encourage integration and reward those who “give back”. Once the new model is announced, companies will need to update relocation policies and communications quickly. Immigration advisers recommend preparing template briefings for affected employees and building budget contingencies for possible additional visa extensions or Government fees.
Source: Electronic Immigration Network
