UK plans tighter permanent residency rules
The gist
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce final settlement rules, with most migrants facing 10 years instead of five.
The changes affect hundreds of thousands of workers, with care staff and existing residents at the centre.
How it unfolded
- Nov 2025Mahmood's original proposals unveiled, doubling the qualifying period for settlement for most migrants from five to 10 years and potentially tripling it to 15 for care workers.
- Mar 2026In an immigration speech, Mahmood said 2021-2024 saw migration levels previously seen across four decades, warning some 350,000 low-skilled workers and dependants would qualify for settlement over five years at a £10 billion lifetime cost, citing the Migration Advisory Committee.
- Aug 27, 2026Government data showed a spike in migrants applying for citizenship and permanent settlement ahead of the planned clampdown; 199,628 people were granted settlement in the year through June 2026.