How long until you can settle in the UK?
The Home Office has published the final earned settlement rules. Answer a few questions to see which pathway you are likely on and what you still need to do before applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
Free. Takes about two minutes. Your answers stay on your device.
General information only. This is not immigration advice and is not affiliated with the Home Office or GOV.UK. Rules may change and guidance is still to come. For advice on your own case, speak to an OISC-regulated adviser or a solicitor.
The new pathways at a glance
| Pathway | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| 3 years | Earning at least £125,141 in 3 of the 4 years before applying |
| 5 years | Earning at least £50,271 in 3 of 5 years, eligible health and education occupations, recognised British connections, and existing care workers who meet their route requirements |
| 10 years | The default for everyone else who meets the requirements |
| 20 years | Immigration breaches, or claiming public funds without five clean years |
Everyone must also have no criminal record, no outstanding government debt, B2 English, a pass in the Life in the UK test and a sustained contribution. Read the full explanation.
Popular situations
- Skilled Worker who arrived in 2022Default 10-year pathway for earnings under £50,271
- Care worker who arrived before May 20255-year route for existing care workers who meet requirements
- Small boat arrival with refugee status, not in work or study30-year pathway on Core Protection after illegal entry
- Student and Graduate visa timeTemporary routes do not build settlement time
- Partner or parent of a British citizen5-year pathway for recognised British connections
- Claimed public funds in the last five years20 years unless you have 5 clean years
See all example situations or browse the guides.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to wait for settlement (ILR) under the new rules?
The standard wait becomes 10 years. It is 5 years if you earn at least £50,271 in 3 of the 5 years before applying, work in an eligible health or education occupation, or have a recognised British connection. It is 3 years at £125,141 in 3 of the 4 years before applying. A qualifying immigration breach, or claiming public funds without five clean years, means 20 years.
Do the new rules apply to people already in the UK?
In general yes. The government says being in the UK does not give an automatic right to settle under the rules that existed when you arrived. It has created targeted one-off arrangements for care workers and some public service workers who arrived before May 2025, and some groups, such as BN(O) route holders and Windrush, sit outside the framework.
Does time on a Student or Graduate visa count?
No. Temporary routes will not count towards settlement and the Long Residence route closes. Your qualifying period starts when you move onto a route that leads to settlement.
When do the new rules start?
The government response does not give an implementation date. It says further guidance will follow before implementation, and applications are ordinarily decided under the rules in force on the decision date.
Is this site official, or immigration advice?
No. It gives general information based on the Home Office's published government response and is not affiliated with the Home Office or GOV.UK. For advice on your case, speak to an OISC-regulated adviser or a solicitor.
Based on A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: Government Response to the Consultation (CP 1707), Home Office, November 2026. How this site works.