Immigrants hoping to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) face significantly tougher hurdles under proposals published by the Home Office and analysed on 24 December by law firm Lewis Silkin. The consultation outlines a new “earned settlement” framework that would replace today’s mostly time-based approach with a points-style model built around three pillars: suitability, integration and economic contribution.
Key mandatory requirements include: no criminal convictions or outstanding government debt; English proficiency at B2 (upper-intermediate) level—up from the current B1 standard—and proof of annual taxable earnings above £12,570 for at least three of the previous five years. Applicants would still need to pass the Life in the UK test, but the qualifying residence period could extend from five to ten years for many routes, with the possibility of accelerated settlement for high-earning or public-service workers.
Navigating these evolving UK immigration rules can be daunting. VisaHQ’s team of specialists can guide applicants and employers through every step of the ILR process, from assessing eligibility to compiling compliant documentation and scheduling biometrics. Explore their UK services hub at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/ for personalised support and up-to-date guidance.
![Home Office consults on tougher ‘earned settlement’ model with higher language and income thresholds]()
Business-immigration advisers warn the higher language bar could particularly affect intra-company transferees from non-English-speaking markets, increasing pre-assignment training costs and potentially delaying start dates. The income requirement is indexed to the personal tax threshold rather than typical sector salaries, which may aid highly skilled contractors but exclude part-time dependants and early-stage entrepreneurs.
The consultation remains open until 12 February 2026, and implementation could follow as early as April 2026. Employers with long-term assignees already in the UK should audit talent pipelines now to identify staff who may need extensions under existing rules before any grandfathering window closes.
If enacted, the earned-settlement model would mark the biggest shake-up of ILR since the points-based system was introduced in 2008, further entrenching the government’s strategy of tightening permanent-migration routes while keeping short-term work visas relatively flexible.
Key mandatory requirements include: no criminal convictions or outstanding government debt; English proficiency at B2 (upper-intermediate) level—up from the current B1 standard—and proof of annual taxable earnings above £12,570 for at least three of the previous five years. Applicants would still need to pass the Life in the UK test, but the qualifying residence period could extend from five to ten years for many routes, with the possibility of accelerated settlement for high-earning or public-service workers.
Navigating these evolving UK immigration rules can be daunting. VisaHQ’s team of specialists can guide applicants and employers through every step of the ILR process, from assessing eligibility to compiling compliant documentation and scheduling biometrics. Explore their UK services hub at https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/ for personalised support and up-to-date guidance.
Business-immigration advisers warn the higher language bar could particularly affect intra-company transferees from non-English-speaking markets, increasing pre-assignment training costs and potentially delaying start dates. The income requirement is indexed to the personal tax threshold rather than typical sector salaries, which may aid highly skilled contractors but exclude part-time dependants and early-stage entrepreneurs.
The consultation remains open until 12 February 2026, and implementation could follow as early as April 2026. Employers with long-term assignees already in the UK should audit talent pipelines now to identify staff who may need extensions under existing rules before any grandfathering window closes.
If enacted, the earned-settlement model would mark the biggest shake-up of ILR since the points-based system was introduced in 2008, further entrenching the government’s strategy of tightening permanent-migration routes while keeping short-term work visas relatively flexible.
