On 12 May 2025, the UK Government released its White Paper “Restoring Control over the Immigration System”—an extensive recalibration of immigration policy that touches nearly every route into and through the UK. Among its most significant, yet underappreciated, proposals is the extension of the standard route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from 5 years to 10 years. For many migrants, this change lengthens not just the journey to settlement, but also the period of uncertainty, cost, and legal vulnerability.
From Pathway to Obstacle: The 10-Year Standard Route
Previously, a skilled worker could secure ILR after five continuous years in the UK—marking a transition from temporary migrant to permanent resident, with the associated rights and freedoms that come with that status. Under the new proposals, that period doubles to ten years.
The White Paper frames this shift as part of a “contributions-based” settlement system, under which ILR becomes a reward for long-term value to the UK economy and society—not a default endpoint of lawful residence. But for many migrants, this move will likely be experienced less as a system of merit, and more as an extended period of precarious status.
Who Benefits, Who Waits?
According to the Government, there will be an exception to the 10-year rule: those who are deemed to be making a “real and lasting contribution” may be eligible for fast-tracked settlement. While illustrative examples include professionals in healthcare, STEM, and AI sectors, no clear metrics have been published—a gap that leaves most migrants guessing whether they’ll be recognised as “high-contributing” or not.
This risks establishing a two-tiered system: one for the elite, and one for everyone else. For the vast majority of visa holders—including those in essential but lower-profile roles—this means 10 years of visa renewals, compliance obligations, and uncertainty.
Financial Strain and Legal Exposure
From a practical perspective, the extended timeline brings real cost implications. Visa renewal fees, Immigration Health Surcharge payments, and legal representation costs will now apply across a much longer period. More importantly, it increases the timeframe during which migrants remain vulnerable to changes in immigration rules, personal circumstances, or employer sponsorship.
As Dr Madeleine Sumption of the Migration Observatory notes, this extended pathway effectively means migrants will be exposed to the risk of falling foul of future rule changes for twice as long, raising barriers to long-term integration.
Integration by Delay?
While the Government argues that longer periods before settlement will encourage integration and language acquisition, this perspective overlooks the fact that settlement itself has always been a key mechanism for integration. Permanent status offers stability—allowing migrants to fully participate in society, access credit, buy homes, and make long-term plans for family and career.
By deferring that stability, the system may inadvertently discourage precisely the kind of investment—financial, emotional, and cultural—that underpins successful integration.
Our View: Policy in Search of Principle
The move to a 10-year ILR standard appears driven more by political signalling than policy necessity. In the absence of a transparent and consistent framework for assessing “contribution,” the reforms risk creating confusion, deterring skilled individuals from choosing the UK, and overburdening a Home Office already grappling with visa processing and enforcement.
At Seddons GSC, we urge policymakers to clarify the criteria for accelerated settlement, publish a realistic implementation timeline, and consult stakeholders across sectors. A fair and functioning immigration system must balance control with clarity—and aspiration with accessibility.
Are your clients or employees affected by these changes? If you, your clients or employees are affected by these changes please contact Soma Barzinji ([email protected]) in our immigration team for further advice.