What is the ILR proposal?
Asked by: Antoinette Turcotte | Last update: June 25, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (2 votes)
The UK government's proposed Earned Settlement model (announced late 2025/early 2026) intends to overhaul the current immigration system by increasing the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from 5 to 10 years. Under this, ILR must be "earned" through contributions rather than simply based on time lived in the UK.
What is the new ILR proposal?
The UK government proposed major reforms in late 2025 (expected to take shape from April 2026) to introduce an "Earned Settlement" model, which generally increases the standard Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) qualifying period from 5 to 10 years. These changes are designed to restrict settlement routes, requiring applicants to meet stricter contribution criteria, including high-level English, employment, and high earnings.
Who qualifies for ILR in the UK?
You must usually have lived and worked in the UK for 5 years. If you have a tier 1 visa, it can be 2 or 3 years. If you have an Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa, it can be 3 years. You may also need to meet the salary or financial requirements - this depends on your visa.
Is ILR increasing to 10 years?
The Home Office is planning major changes to eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The standard baseline for qualifying for ILR will be increased from five years to ten, and the mandatory criteria for qualifying for ILR will be significantly tightened.
What is the purpose of ILR?
Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is an immigration status granted to a person who does not hold the right of abode in the United Kingdom (UK), but who has been admitted to the UK without any time limit on their stay and who is free to take up employment, engage in business, self-employment, or study.
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Is indefinite leave to remain a spouse visa?
You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a spouse either under the spouse visa (5 years route) or under the spouse visa (10 years route). An applicant applying for ILR as a spouse under the 5-year route must meet the eligibility requirements set out in Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules.
Will the new immigration rule affect those already in the UK?
Increased English language requirements for settlement
The changes being implemented align with the White Paper "Restoring Control over the Immigration System" published in May 2025. The changes will apply to those in the UK and already on a pathway to the settlement.
What are the new rules for indefinite leave to remain in 2026?
From April 2026, the UK government is implementing major changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), transitioning to an "earned settlement" model that generally extends the standard qualifying period from 5 to 10 years. Key reforms include abolishing the 10-year long residence route, introducing stricter, contribution-based criteria (higher income/English levels), and shifting to a phased rollout.
Which is better, settled status or ILR?
Those with Settled Status generally have greater flexibility when it comes to long absences, but it's still essential to keep accurate records of travel. ILR holders must be particularly careful, as an absence of more than two years can result in status being lost.
How long can I stay in the UK with indefinite leave to remain?
Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It's also called 'settlement'. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you're eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.
Who are the top 3 immigrants in the UK?
India, Poland, Pakistan, Romania, and Ireland were the most common countries of birth among UK migrants in 2021/22. Together, the top five countries of origin accounted for 32% of all those born abroad.
How long is the ILR waiting time for 2026?
The ILR processing time UK experience in 2026 is running longer than in previous years. Applications that would typically be decided in 2 to 3 months are taking 5 to 6 months or more across several categories. ECAA applications and certain Skilled Worker categories are specifically affected.
How long do I have to live in the UK to get permanent residency?
As of early 2026, you can generally apply for Permanent Residence—known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settled status—in the UK after 5 years of continuous, legal residence on most work and family visas. However, the government is increasing the standard qualifying period for many routes to 10 years, with some exceptions for accelerated routes.
What are the disadvantages of ILR?
Limitations of ILR
No voting rights in UK national elections. Limited access to certain benefits. Less security than citizenship: Although indefinite leave provides more security than limited leave to remain, it does not offer the same protection as British citizenship.
Can ILR lead to British citizenship?
Applicants must have held ILR for 12 months before applying to Naturalise as a British citizen; Those married to, or the civil partner of, a UK national, however, can apply as soon as they have ILR; The 'continuous residence' rules when applying to Naturalise are stricter than for ILR.
Can ILR be taken away?
It is possible to lose ILR in other ways, such as when ILR is revoked or following deportation from the UK. This article focuses on why your ILR automatically lapses through absence from the UK. Non-EU nationals lose their Indefinite Leave to Remain after spending more than two years outside the UK.
What is the new rule for UK spouse visa 2026?
As of May 2026, the minimum income requirement (MIR) for a UK spouse visa remains at £29,000 per year for new applicants, following the pause of planned increases to £38,700. The rules emphasize strict financial evidence, and applicants must show they can support themselves without public funds.
Who is eligible for ILR after 5 years?
Eligibility for ILR after five years usually requires you to hold Skilled Worker visas and to live continuously and lawfully in the UK. This is defined as you: having continuously held Skilled Worker visas in the UK, which may be across multiple jobs and/or employers, and across any number of Skilled Worker visas; and.
How much bank balance is required for an UK spouse visa?
As of 2026, to meet the UK spouse visa financial requirement solely through cash savings, you must have £88,500. These savings must be held for at least six consecutive months and be immediately accessible. If you are combining savings with income, the formula is generally (£29,000−Annual Income)×2.5+£16,000.
Is the UK accepting American immigrants?
This means that US residents with Indefinite Leave to Remain can live, study, and work in the United Kingdom without restrictions or time limits. IAS are experts in UK immigration and work directly to provide assistance and guidance through Home Office applications, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain applications.
What is the 7 year rule for immigrants in the UK?
The UK immigration rules allow children who have lived in the UK for at least 7 continuous years to apply for settlement, provided it is not reasonable to expect them to leave the country. This falls under: Home Office Private Life rules, and. Appendix Settlement Family Life / Private Life.