London / New Delhi — The UK government has announced that foreign workers will now need to wait 10 years instead of the current 5 to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Under the new policy, migrants must also meet stricter criteria during this extended period.
Applicants will be required to maintain consistent National Insurance contributions, demonstrate high-level English proficiency, and engage in community volunteering. In addition, they must avoid dependency on welfare benefits and uphold a clean criminal record.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the changes are necessary to ensure that permanent residency is granted only to those who genuinely contribute to British society. She framed the revisions as restoring fairness and public confidence in the immigration system.
The modifications stem from the broader 2025 immigration white paper, which proposes multiple changes to the visa and settlement system. Besides increasing the qualifying period for ILR, the paper includes tighter English language standards, refined visa pathways, and enhanced compliance requirements for employers.
These developments will significantly affect Indian nationals, who form one of the largest groups of skilled workers in the UK. Moving forward, they may face higher financial costs and longer periods of uncertainty in their path toward settlement.
