UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a major change to the country’s immigration policy by extending the qualifying period for permanent residency from five years to ten years.
The updated rule will apply to nearly two million migrants who arrived in the UK after 2021. However, it will not affect people who already hold settled status or those who have built long-term lives in the country.
While addressing Parliament, Mahmood explained that anyone applying for permanent residency must meet stricter requirements. Applicants must have a clean criminal record, no unpaid debts, and strong English language skills at the A-level standard. These conditions are intended to ensure that residency is given only to individuals who meet the UK’s legal and social standards.
The policy includes exceptions for certain professions. Doctors and nurses working for the NHS will still be able to apply for permanent residency after five years of residence. This exemption aims to support the health sector, which relies heavily on overseas staff. Additionally, highly skilled professionals, high earners, and entrepreneurs will qualify after three years, reflecting their contribution to the UK economy.
For others, however, the rules are far stricter. Illegal immigrants and visa overstayers will face a waiting period of three years before they can submit an application. In more serious cases, authorities say individuals could wait up to 30 years before gaining settlement rights, removing the possibility of long-term stability for those who violate immigration rules.
The Home Office described the reforms as the biggest overhaul of the legal migration system in almost 50 years. The department said the new structure rewards individuals who contribute positively and comply with the law.
It also places tougher restrictions on low-paid workers, especially the 616,000 people and their dependants who entered the UK on health and social care visas between 2022 and 2024. These workers will now face a 15-year baseline before qualifying for settlement.
In other news read more about UK’s New Immigration Policy: What This Means for Refugees and Migrants
Mahmood emphasized that permanent residency is a privilege, not a guaranteed right. She said the updated rules aim to create a fairer, more accountable immigration system that reflects the needs and values of the UK.
