In a dramatic policy shift, the Home Secretary has announced that the path to permanent settlement in the UK will be significantly lengthened for millions of migrants.
Shabana Mahmood told MPs on Thursday, 20 November 2025, that the requirement for indefinite leave to remain will be extended from five years to a minimum of ten years for many arrivals.
A Two-Tier System Emerges
While the headline change is a decade-long wait, the details reveal a far more complex and tiered system. The reforms create a stark contrast between high and low earners.
For entrepreneurs and top-rate earners, the settlement period could be as little as three years. However, for lower-paid workers, individuals who have claimed benefits, and those who entered the UK illegally, the wait could be extended dramatically to 15, 20, or even 25 years.
Targeting the Post-Brexit 'Boriswave'
The government's stated aim is to address the large number of people who moved to the UK in the years immediately following Brexit, a period some have dubbed the 'Boriswave'.
Under the current five-year rule, this cohort would have started becoming eligible for settlement from next year. The largest volumes are thought to have arrived in 2022 and 2023, primarily through a now-abolished care visa route.
This meant that peak application periods were projected for 2027 and 2028. Allies of the home secretary confirmed she was "concerned" about this impending wave.
The practical effect is profound. A lower-paid care worker who arrived in 2022, for example, could see their settlement date pushed back from 2027 to 2037 or later. If they have claimed benefits, their application might be delayed until 2047.
Controversy and Concessions
Despite the sweeping nature of the changes, the government is expected to face significant criticism. Opponents are likely to accuse it of "moving the goalposts" for people who entered the country legally and built their lives based on the existing rules.
The reforms do include some concessions. Applicants can receive discounts for achieving a higher level of English or for volunteering. More senior public sector workers will also retain their access to the five-year settlement route.
These announcements cap a whirlwind four days for the Home Secretary, whom sources described as a "woman in a hurry." In that short time, she has fundamentally rewritten large sections of the UK's immigration law for both legal and illegal arrivals.
