Illegal immigrants & visa overstayers will be eligible for settlement after 30 years.
UK Announces Toughest Immigration Reforms in 50 Years. Britain has unveiled its biggest shake-up of the legal immigration system in half a century. The new policy imposes much tougher conditions for permanent residence.
In September 2024, UK bars foreign workers with criminal records from work visas.
Under the reforms, illegal immigrants and people who depend on government benefits will face a wait of 20 to 30 years before they can apply for settlement. Officials say this will be the strictest system in Europe.
The government will reward migrants who contribute strongly to the UK economy. Those who pay higher taxes and meet social and community standards will qualify for faster residency. In contrast, low-income migrants or those relying on state support will face much longer wait times.
The new model will apply to nearly two million people who arrived after 2021. It will not affect individuals who already hold settled status.
Key points of the reforms include:
- Illegal immigrants and visa overstayers can apply for settlement after 30 years.
- Migrants receiving benefits must wait 20 years.
- NHS doctors and nurses can apply after 5 years.
- High taxpayers, innovators, and highly skilled workers can secure residency in 3 to 5 years.
- English proficiency, community involvement, and National Insurance contributions can further shorten the wait.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said permanent residence is a “privilege” and must be earned through character, integration, and economic contribution.
Officials noted that record migration under the previous government meant 1.6 million people would have become eligible for settlement by 2030. They argued that the sharp rise made these reforms necessary.
The government also announced that only British citizens will receive public funds in the future. Even migrants with settlement status will not automatically qualify for benefits.
Ministers will release interim arrangements after consultations. However, the main rule will remain: anyone who has not yet secured permanent residence will fall under the new “deficit-based model.”
