You may have heard that the UK is changing its settlement rules. Here is what is actually proposed, what it means for your ILR date, and what is confirmed versus still being decided.
Earned Settlement is a proposed new framework announced in the UK government's Immigration White Paper in 2025. Under current rules, most Skilled Worker visa holders qualify for ILR after 5 years. Under the proposed Earned Settlement framework, the baseline qualifying period would increase to 10 years for most routes.
This has not become law yet. Earned Settlement rules are a government proposal as of early 2025. The current 5-year Skilled Worker route remains in force. Use the current rules when planning your application date, and check GOV.UK for updates.
Yes. The proposal includes accelerated pathways for certain groups. The baseline of 10 years can be reduced through salary thresholds and English language level:
The proposed minimum qualifying period under any combination of reductions is 3 years. No one could apply faster than that.
The 3-year salary threshold must be met consecutively. It is not enough to earn above the threshold in your final year. You need to have earned above it for 3 full years during your qualifying period.
If you are already on the 5-year route and your qualifying date falls before the new rules become law, you are likely unaffected. The government has indicated that people already in the system will not have their qualifying period extended retrospectively. But this has not been confirmed in legislation.
If you are early in your visa journey. For example, if you arrived in 2023 or later, there is a real chance the 10-year baseline could apply to you. This is uncertain. Do not plan around either outcome until the rules are confirmed.
| Rule | Status |
|---|---|
| 10-year baseline qualifying period | Proposed |
| High earner fast track (£50,270 for 3 years → 5 years) | Proposed |
| Elite earner fast track (£125,140 for 3 years → 3 years) | Proposed |
| English C1/C2 additional 1-year reduction | Proposed |
| Global Talent visa 3-year route | Confirmed: already in effect |
| Current 5-year Skilled Worker route | Confirmed: still applies now |
Already earning above £50,270? Under the proposed high-earner accelerator, workers earning above this threshold for 3+ years would qualify in 5 years, the same as the current route. If this applies to you, you are unlikely to be worse off under the new rules.
Settle Easy UK shows your 5-year ILR date and your estimated Earned Settlement date side by side, so you always know where you stand.
Check my ILR date →This article describes a government proposal that is not yet law. The information reflects publicly available proposals as of April 2025 and may have changed. Always check the current rules on GOV.UK and speak to a qualified immigration solicitor before making any application. Settle Easy UK is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.