The government today announces the most significant overhaul of the legal migration system in almost 50 years, introducing a new model designed to reward those who contribute to the UK and abide by the rules.

Following major reforms to tackle illegal migration announced earlier this week, the Home Secretary has set out a transformed approach to legal migration that will prioritise individuals who support the economy and integrate into British life.

Earlier this year, the government confirmed plans to double the general qualifying period for permanent settlement to 10 years, with potential reductions for migrants who make an exceptional contribution.

The changes will apply to nearly two million migrants who have arrived in the UK since 2021, subject to consultation on transitional arrangements for borderline cases. They will not affect individuals who already hold settled status.

Low-paid workers—including the 616,000 migrants and dependants who entered on health and social care visas between 2022 and 2024—will face a baseline requirement of 15 years. This visa route was closed earlier this year due to widespread abuse.

For the first time, penalties will apply to migrants who exploit the system. As a result, the UK is set to have one of the most selective and tightly controlled settlement systems in Europe. Migrants who rely on benefits could wait up to 20 years before becoming eligible for settlement—four times longer than at present.

Under landmark proposals, access to benefits and social housing may be restricted to those who have become British citizens, rather than those with settlement alone.

Illegal entrants and visa overstayers would face settlement waits of up to 30 years, significantly reducing opportunities for long-term residence.

Conversely, NHS doctors and nurses will continue to qualify for settlement after five years, and high earners and entrepreneurs could secure settlement after just three years to support growth and attract global talent.

Due to historically high migration levels, 1.6 million migrants are currently on course to become eligible for settlement by 2030. Transitional arrangements for those already in the UK will be detailed following consultation, though the government’s intention is for anyone not yet granted settlement to fall under the new contribution-based rules.

These reforms aim to deliver a fairer immigration system for the British public while recognising and rewarding migrants who contribute to the economy and public services.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Migration will always be a vital part of Britain’s story, but recent levels have been unprecedented.

“To settle in this country is a privilege that must be earned.

“I am replacing a broken immigration system with one that prioritises contribution, integration, and fairness.”

Additional proposals include:

Criminality:

• Migrants seeking settlement should have a clean criminal record. Work is underway to determine the exact threshold, building on earlier changes to reduce the deportation threshold.

Contribution-based reductions:

• Immediate family members of UK citizens and Hong Kong BN(O)s will continue to follow a five-year pathway.

• A five-year route will remain for skilled frontline public service workers.

• Migrants on Global Talent or Innovator Founder visas could qualify for settlement after three years.

• Migrants paying National Insurance will normally qualify after 10 years, with reduced periods for higher-rate taxpayers.

• Additional reductions may apply for strong integration, such as high-level English and volunteering.

The Home Secretary has previously set out core preconditions for settlement: being in work, meeting English-language requirements, having a clean criminal record, and not claiming benefits.

At present, settlement is typically granted after five years with few restrictions, enabling access to public funds. Citizenship is available one year later and provides limited added benefits. Restricting benefits to citizens would mean even those who meet the new settlement requirements would not automatically gain access to public funds.

To obtain citizenship, migrants must also pass the Life in the UK test and pay additional fees.

As announced in the asylum reforms earlier this week, recognised refugees who arrive in the UK legally will now face a 20-year route to settlement, though they will retain access to public funds under stricter conditions.

The Earned Settlement model, set out in the government’s Immigration White Paper, is built on four pillars: character, integration, contribution, and residence.