Migrants on the Skilled Worker route have reacted angrily to government proposals to extend the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years. In an open letter published by The Guardian, professionals working in health care, STEM and finance warn that the change would be "retroactive and cruel," trapping families in a decade of immigration uncertainty and heavy surcharges.
The idea—floated in a July consultation on the forthcoming Immigration Bill—aims to deter long-term settlement and reduce net migration. Critics counter that there is little evidence tougher ILR rules lower headline numbers; instead, they fear the move will encourage talent to choose rival hubs such as Dublin, Amsterdam or Dubai. Current Skilled Worker holders already face strict continuous-employment rules, no recourse to public funds and an annual Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,400 per adult.
Employers in sectors with acute shortages—NHS trusts, fintech scale-ups and advanced-manufacturing firms—say lengthening ILR will diminish the attractiveness of UK packages, forcing them to raise salaries or expand overseas. Campaigners urge the Home Office to apply any extension only to future entrants, preserving the "five-year promise" made to workers who have already committed to the UK.
The government is expected to publish draft legislation in early 2026; until then, mobility teams should keep sponsoring employees on track for the five-year threshold and prepare advocacy evidence highlighting retention risks.
The idea—floated in a July consultation on the forthcoming Immigration Bill—aims to deter long-term settlement and reduce net migration. Critics counter that there is little evidence tougher ILR rules lower headline numbers; instead, they fear the move will encourage talent to choose rival hubs such as Dublin, Amsterdam or Dubai. Current Skilled Worker holders already face strict continuous-employment rules, no recourse to public funds and an annual Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,400 per adult.
Employers in sectors with acute shortages—NHS trusts, fintech scale-ups and advanced-manufacturing firms—say lengthening ILR will diminish the attractiveness of UK packages, forcing them to raise salaries or expand overseas. Campaigners urge the Home Office to apply any extension only to future entrants, preserving the "five-year promise" made to workers who have already committed to the UK.
The government is expected to publish draft legislation in early 2026; until then, mobility teams should keep sponsoring employees on track for the five-year threshold and prepare advocacy evidence highlighting retention risks.
