Home Secretary unveils new rules for migrants settling in the UK

Press release published by Home Office on Monday, 2 November 2026 at 16:26 UK time · 2026 Burnham Labour government.

What was announced

Settlement will be earned through contribution and good character.
Home Office, gov.uk

The right to live in the UK forever will no longer be granted to migrants almost automatically after five years. Instead, it will be earned, under the new Earned Settlement model set out before Parliament today.
Recognising that settled status is a significant privilege which allows free and unrestricted access to the labour market, NHS and welfare system, the reforms will mean that how long someone waits will now depend on their contribution and character.
The highest earners will be able to settle within three years. Those earning more than £50,271 and some public service workers – like doctors, nurses and teachers – will be able to settle after five years. Others will settle at a new default of ten years. Those who have breached immigration rules will only be able to settle after at least 20 years.

Each line is quoted from the original. Figures are as the publisher stated them on the day.

“Those earning more than £50,271 and some public service workers – like doctors, nurses and teachers – will be able to settle after five years.”
“In recognition of the contribution care workers made to Britain when the sector was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, those who met their visa conditions and earned at least £25,000 a year will be able to settle after five years.”
“Under this government, 1,800 exploitative employers have been stripped of their right to sponsor foreign workers.”
“As a result, an estimated over 500,000 people will wait longer than five years to settle, taking billions off the welfare bill.”

The latest official figures on the subjects this story covers, each with its source and full history:

Constituencies of the MPs named: Birmingham Ladywood, Makerfield.

Topics, as GOV.UK files them: Immigration rules.

Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-unveils-new-rules-for-migrants-settling-in-the-uk
Published 2026-11-02 16:26:00 UTC
Read by this site 2026-11-02 16:30:11 UTC from GOV.UK
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