Public service occupations that qualify for 5-year settlement
Updated 2 November 2026
Workers in specified health and education occupations can qualify for settlement after five years, provided they meet the other requirements. The qualifying occupations are the health and education public-sector roles the Immigration Rules already identify as paid on national pay scales.
Eligible occupations (Annex C)
| Health | Education and social work |
|---|---|
|
|
The list is derived from health and education SOC 2020 occupations in Table 3 of the Skilled Occupations appendix, where going rates are based on national pay scales.
Roles below degree level
Workers in healthcare and education occupations below RQF level 6 that are on a national pay scale, such as nursing auxiliaries and teaching assistants, are not on the permanent list. A one-off arrangement lets those who came to the UK before the May 2025 White Paper and meet their visa requirements keep a five-year route. People arriving after that point qualify through the 10-year pathway, with opportunities to qualify sooner.
Source: A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: Government Response to the Consultation (CP 1707), November 2026, chapter 2, chapter 8 and Annex C.
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.
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