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Two journalists, Henry Zeffman, Chief political correspondent, and Becky Morton, Political reporter, reported on the new rules that will affect migrants looking to settle permanently in the UK. The UK government announced that immigrants will now have to reside in the country for 10 years before being eligible to apply for permanent settlement. This is a significant change from the previous five-year requirement, affecting approximately 1.5 million foreign workers who have moved to the UK since 2020.
The government plans to extend the 10-year qualifying period not only to new visa applicants but also to those who are already residing in the UK. This decision will be subject to a public consultation before implementation. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed concerns about the surge in settlement and citizenship applications due to the current five-year process, reflecting the increase in immigration in the early years of the decade.
In conjunction with the longer qualifying period for permanent settlement, a policy document released on Monday stated that non-UK dependents of British citizens will still have a five-year qualification period. Additionally, individuals who can demonstrate significant contributions to the UK’s economy and society may have shorter qualification periods. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that settlement should be earned and not considered a right, particularly making it easier for those who work, pay in, and contribute to the country.
Isa, an immigrant to the UK, expressed feelings of betrayal and fraud regarding the change in settlement rules. He highlighted the impact this decision could have on international companies relying on foreign workers and the uncertainty it creates for high-talent individuals considering moving to the UK. While the Migration Observatory noted that the UK’s 10-year route to settlement would align with countries like Switzerland and Japan, critics like Enny Choudhury from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants charity labeled the move as a “cruel betrayal,” emphasizing the need for a compassionate pathway to settlement for individuals who have already built their lives in the UK
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