Immigration advisory firm Five Star International reports that Appendix Long Residence has been amended to require applicants to hold their current immigration permission for at least 12 months before qualifying for indefinite leave on the 10-year route, effective 19 October 2026. The tweak eliminates ‘day-one’ ILR applications by migrants who recently switched categories—closing a loophole that accelerated settlement for some Skilled Worker visa-holders moving from Youth Mobility or Graduate routes. While the Home Office argues the change promotes integration, critics say it disproportionately affects high-earners brought in on short-term assignments, many of whom already meet salary and English-language thresholds. HR leads should map staff approaching 10 years’ residence and, where needed, schedule interim visa renewals to bridge the extra year. Affected employees may also need to update mortgage and travel-insurance plans that assumed an earlier settlement date.
Source: Five Star International
