UK tightens settlement rules
The UK has started implementing changes from its 2025 immigration White Paper that lengthen qualifying periods for indefinite leave to remain and tighten eligibility across visa categories, according to a House of Commons briefing reported. The shifts reflect a wider European move toward more selective, skills‑focused migration policies — a change likely to reshape employer hiring and long‑term labour supply.
The government’s earned‑settlement proposal would raise the default qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five years to ten years, set out in the consultation published 20 November 2025. gov.uk Elements of the White Paper were put into law via the Statement of Changes HC 997 presented on 1 July 2025, with the Home Office setting some implementation measures to take effect on 22 July 2025. gov.uk The Skilled Worker route’s skill threshold was moved from RQF level 3 to RQF level 6 (degree level) in the Impact Assessment accompanying HC 997, and the government established a Temporary Shortage List to allow limited, time‑bound access for lower‑RQF occupations without dependent rights. assets.publishing.service.gov.uk The Health and Care (care‑worker) sponsorship route was formally closed to new overseas applicants from 22 July 2025, with transitional allowances for in‑country switching and specified cut‑off dates in the explanatory materials. gov.uk Employer costs rose as the Immigration Skills Charge was increased by roughly 32%, enacted by the 2025 regulations to come into force on 16 December 2025. legislation.gov.uk The Home Office quantified the scale of people affected, saying the reforms would cover almost 2 million migrants who arrived from 2021 and that about 616,000 people and dependants entered on health and social care visas between 2022 and 2024. gov.uk The earned‑settlement consultation ran from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026 and the government is analysing responses before publishing transitional arrangements and final rules. gov.uk
