"Earned settlement" proposal: permanent residence baseline to extend from 5 to 10 years
United Kingdom · Residency planning · Consultation period 2025-11-20 to 2026-02-12
| Country / region | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Category | Residency planning |
| Date | Consultation period 2025-11-20 to 2026-02-12 |
| What happened | The 2025 immigration white paper proposes earned settlement: the settlement baseline for several work routes would extend from 5 to 10 years, while non-British family members of British citizens keep the 5-year route; adult dependants would face staged English requirements (A1 on entry → A2 on extension → B2 at settlement). It also proposes a levy of £925 per international student per year on English higher education institutions' income, from 2028-08-01, with the first 220 students exempt. |
| Impact on applicants | Long-term plans to stay in the UK need years and cost recalculated. Final rules and transitional arrangements are not yet in place — do not make irreversible decisions on the basis of a proposal. |
| Source: {src} | UK Home Office white paper "Restoring control over the immigration system" and subsequent consultations ↗ Note on scope: Proposal stage — subject to final legislation |
Source: UK Home Office white paper "Restoring control over the immigration system" and subsequent consultations ↗ · Last verified: 2026-09-20 · For reference only; not application or legal advice. Always check the official source for current rules.
FAQ
"Earned settlement" proposal: permanent residence baseline to extend from 5 to 10 years — what happened?
The 2025 immigration white paper proposes earned settlement: the settlement baseline for several work routes would extend from 5 to 10 years, while non-British family members of British citizens keep the 5-year route; adult dependants would face staged English requirements (A1 on entry → A2 on extension → B2 at settlement). It also proposes a levy of £925 per international student per year on English higher education institutions' income, from 2028-08-01, with the first 220 students exempt.
What does this mean for applicants?
Long-term plans to stay in the UK need years and cost recalculated. Final rules and transitional arrangements are not yet in place — do not make irreversible decisions on the basis of a proposal.
Where does this information come from?
UK Home Office white paper "Restoring control over the immigration system" and subsequent consultations (Note on scope: Proposal stage — subject to final legislation), verified by us on 2026-09-20.
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