LONDON, Nov 2: The United Kingdom will double the standard waiting period for permanent residency from five to 10 years, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament on Monday, as part of sweeping immigration reforms to be introduced in stages during 2027.

“Settlement should not be automatic. It should be earned,” she said, adding that residency would be tied to migrants’ contributions, employment records and compliance with immigration rules.

Workers earning more than £50,000 a year will still qualify after five years, and those earning above £125,000 after three. Doctors, nurses and teachers will keep shorter routes. Care workers who joined the relevant visa routes before May 2025, met their visa conditions and earned at least £25,000 annually will also retain the five-year route. The government had earlier proposed a wait of up to 15 years for some lower-paid workers, but revised the plan after criticism from trade unions and Labour members.

Refugees arriving through approved safe and legal routes will qualify after five years. Most others will face 20 years, and those who arrive through unauthorised routes, including Channel small boats, could wait up to 30 years, though some who work or study may qualify sooner.

Mahmood said the changes could delay settlement for more than 500,000 people and cut welfare spending by billions of pounds.

Source: Al Jazeera