By Azeez Ramon
WESTMINSTER, UK—The Home Affairs Committee has launched a major inquiry into the Government’s controversial proposals to overhaul the UK’s immigration settlement system, which include a plan to double the standard qualifying period for immigrants to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
The inquiry, titled “Routes to Settlement,” was opened on October 21, 2025, to scrutinize the proposed shift from a five-year standard route to a minimum of ten years for most migrants.
The Home Office, has stated that the changes—which form part of a new “contribution-based” model—are designed to reduce net migration and ensure immigrants make a proportionate, long-term contribution to the UK economy and society before gaining permanent status.
Key Proposals Under Scrutiny
The new system aims to replace the time-served criteria with an “earned settlement” model, offering a potentially shorter route for those who demonstrate significant contribution. The Home Affairs Committee is seeking evidence on the feasibility and impact of these specific proposals:
- Extended Wait Time: Moving the baseline qualifying period for ILR from five years to ten years.
- Earned Settlement: Introducing a points-based system where migrants could reduce their waiting time by meeting defined criteria such as higher earnings, sustained National Insurance contributions, advanced English fluency, and community engagement.
- Exemptions: Determining which categories of migrants, such as certain family members of British citizens, should be exempt from the extended period.
Committee Focus and Concerns
In launching the inquiry, Dame Karen Bradley, Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, stressed the need to understand the far-reaching consequences of the proposed reforms.
The Committee is specifically requesting written submissions addressing:
- Economic Impact: The likely effect of longer settlement routes and stricter requirements on businesses and employers, particularly regarding the international recruitment and retention of skilled workers.
- Migrant Households: The financial, social, and personal impact of the proposed ten-year wait on migrant households already residing in the UK, including their access to public funds and integration efforts.
- Defining Contribution: How “long-term contribution” to the UK should be precisely defined and quantified, balancing fiscal and economic contributions with social and community involvement.
The inquiry’s findings will be used to inform and challenge the development of the Government’s new policy. The deadline for submitting written evidence is Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
To make a submission or provide evidence, visit: UK Parliament Website
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