The Government’s White Paper indicated that the qualifying period for settlement will be extended to 10 years and that they will consult later this year on how some applicants could reduce that period through their contribution to the UK economy and society.

The Government has indicated that factors to be considered will include being in work, making National Insurance contributions, and contributing to the local community, such as through volunteering.  

Successful applicants would also need to demonstrate a higher fluency in English than is currently required.

Ahead of the Government consultation, the Home Affairs Committee has issued a separate inquiry into routes to settlement, which closes on 2 December 2025.

The Committee has asked for evidence from stakeholders on the following:

Potential impact of changes to pathways to settlement 

  • What evidence is there on the effect that pathways to settlement have on immigration and rates of settlement?  
  • What is the likely impact of longer routes to settlement on businesses and employers, including international recruitment of higher-skilled workers? 
  • What is the likely impact of longer routes and stricter requirements for settlement on migrant households already in the UK? This could include: 
    • the financial and economic impact, including access to benefits; and  
    • the personal and social impact.  
  • What potential effect could changes to eligibility for settlement have on integration?  
  • What evidence is there from other countries on the above issues? 

How the new earned settlement rules could work 

  • How should “long-term contribution” to the UK be defined and quantified, when considering pathways to settlement? This could include how the following elements should be defined and weighted: 
    • social and community contributions; and 
    • fiscal and economic contributions. 
  • What exemptions should there be to the new rules? 
  • How have other countries applied contribution-based systems?  

How can you respond?

If you would like to submit evidence, you can submit this online here and would need to submit this by 2 December 2025.