The facts
The Home Office proposed replacing the standard five-year route to settlement with a ten-year default qualifying period under an earned-settlement model. [1][2]
The proposal includes shorter qualifying routes for some higher earners and people making specified public-service contributions, and a longer period for certain immigration-rule breaches. [1][2]
The Home Office estimated that about 500,000 people would wait longer than five years under the proposal, AP reported. [1][3]
The proposal was presented to Parliament and remains a planned immigration-rule change, not an enacted law or a rule already in force. [1][2]
The government said people would not be forced to leave solely because of the proposed change. [1][3]
Still unconfirmed
- Parliamentary and consultation steps, the final rule wording, commencement date and any transition arrangements remain unresolved.
Sources
References support the numbered facts above. Source checks: 3 Nov 2026, 08:53 UTC.
The Home Office announcement and Hansard establish the government’s proposal and what was presented to Parliament. AP independently reports the policy change and its expected effect. The change is not described as an enacted law or current rule.
- Home Secretary unveils new rules for migrants settling in the UK
UK Home Office / GOV.UK · Primary source · 2 Nov 2026
Opened the official announcement. It sets out the proposed ten-year default, alternative routes, estimated affected population and parliamentary presentation.
- Immigration: Earned Settlement
UK Parliament, House of Commons Hansard · Primary source · 2 Nov 2026
Opened the Commons record explaining the proposed default, shorter routes and longer wait for specified rule breaches.
- UK tightens immigration rules but backs down from plan for a 15-year wait to settle
The Associated Press · Reporting · 2 Nov 2026
Opened independent report on the proposal and its effect on migrants; proposals are kept distinct from enacted law.