A new Oxford Migration Observatory analysis, reported by the Financial Times, warns that thousands of husbands, wives and partners who accompany skilled workers to Britain could be locked out of permanent residence if ministers press ahead with their flagship “earned-settlement” overhaul.
Under draft Immigration Rules leaked last week, partners would have to show that they have personally paid income tax on earnings of at least £12,570 a year for five consecutive years before being allowed to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). At present, dependants may settle after five years irrespective of their economic activity provided the main visa-holder meets the criteria. The Migration Observatory estimates that roughly 42 % of partners on work-related routes are not in paid employment—many because they are caring for children, studying or seeking work—and would therefore fail the new test.
If you or your family are uncertain about how these proposed requirements might affect your long-term plans, VisaHQ can guide you through current and upcoming UK immigration processes, offering personalised visa and settlement assistance; visit https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/ for details.
![Dependants left in limbo under UK’s proposed ‘earned settlement’ income test]()
Policy experts say the reform risks undermining the government’s stated goal of attracting global talent. Senior executives have already told relocation advisers they would reconsider UK postings if spouses could not secure a stable future. Employers in sectors that rely on dual-career couples—technology, finance and life sciences—fear losing high performers to more family-friendly jurisdictions such as Canada and the Netherlands.
Critics also highlight gender and equality concerns. Women make up the majority of dependants and are more likely to take career breaks for caregiving. Pension analysts calculate that forcing partners to restart the five-year settlement clock every time their income dips below the threshold could delay citizenship by more than a decade, increasing childcare costs for employers and employees alike.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs on Monday that she is “listening carefully” to feedback but insisted that “permanent status must be earned, not automatic.” A formal consultation is expected before the rules are laid in Parliament later this spring, giving multinationals a narrow window to lobby for a household-income or joint-tax model instead of the individual test.
Under draft Immigration Rules leaked last week, partners would have to show that they have personally paid income tax on earnings of at least £12,570 a year for five consecutive years before being allowed to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). At present, dependants may settle after five years irrespective of their economic activity provided the main visa-holder meets the criteria. The Migration Observatory estimates that roughly 42 % of partners on work-related routes are not in paid employment—many because they are caring for children, studying or seeking work—and would therefore fail the new test.
If you or your family are uncertain about how these proposed requirements might affect your long-term plans, VisaHQ can guide you through current and upcoming UK immigration processes, offering personalised visa and settlement assistance; visit https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/ for details.
Policy experts say the reform risks undermining the government’s stated goal of attracting global talent. Senior executives have already told relocation advisers they would reconsider UK postings if spouses could not secure a stable future. Employers in sectors that rely on dual-career couples—technology, finance and life sciences—fear losing high performers to more family-friendly jurisdictions such as Canada and the Netherlands.
Critics also highlight gender and equality concerns. Women make up the majority of dependants and are more likely to take career breaks for caregiving. Pension analysts calculate that forcing partners to restart the five-year settlement clock every time their income dips below the threshold could delay citizenship by more than a decade, increasing childcare costs for employers and employees alike.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs on Monday that she is “listening carefully” to feedback but insisted that “permanent status must be earned, not automatic.” A formal consultation is expected before the rules are laid in Parliament later this spring, giving multinationals a narrow window to lobby for a household-income or joint-tax model instead of the individual test.
