The Home Office has released its new Command Paper, A Fairer Pathway to Settlement (CP 1448), outlining proposals that would substantially reform the route to settlement in the United Kingdom.
The most significant proposed change is a move away from the current five-year route toward a ten-year baseline for most long-term settlement categories. Under this new framework, eligibility for settlement would be assessed against four key pillars: Character, Integration, Contribution, and Residence.
| Character – considers an individual’s conduct, compliance with immigration laws. and any relevant criminality. |
| Integration – evaluates English language ability, community participation, and overall stability of life in the UK. |
| Contribution – reflects an applicant’s economic activity, tax record, and wider social or civic engagement. |
| Residence – focuses on lawful presence, continuity of stay, and any absences from the UK. |
Crucially, the proposals introduce the potential for a shorter or longer qualifying period depending on an applicant’s circumstances and the extent to which they demonstrate these criteria.
Table 1: Considerations that will reduce the baseline qualifying period:
| Pillar | Attribute | Adjustment to baseline qualifying periods |
| Integration | Applicant has competency in English language at C1 Level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages | Minus 1 year |
| Contribution | Applicant has earned a taxable income of £125,140 for 3 years immediately prior to applying for settlement | Minus 7 years |
| Applicant has earned a taxable income of £50,270 for 3 years immediately prior to applying for settlement | Minus 5 years | |
| Applicant has been employed in a specified public service occupation for 5 years | Minus 5 years | |
| Applicant has worked in the community (volunteering, etc) | Minus 3–5 years | |
| Entry and residence | Applicant holds a permission as the parent/partner/child of a British citizen and meets core family requirements Not Subject to consultation | Minus 5 years Not subject to consultation |
| Applicant holds a permission granted under the British National Overseas route Not subject to consultation | Minus 5 years Not subject to consultation | |
| Applicant has 3 years continuous residence as the holder of a permission as a Global Talent worker or Innovator Founder | Minus 7 years | |
| Acknowledgement of specific and vulnerable groups having a reduction | No decision yet as Subject to consultation |
Table 2: Considerations that will increase the baseline qualifying period:
| Pillar | Attribute | Adjustment to baseline qualifying periods |
| Contribution | Applicant has been in receipt of public funds for less than 12 months during route to settlement | Plus 5 years |
| Applicant has been in receipt of public funds for more than 12 months during route to settlement | Plus 10 years | |
| Entry and residence | Applicant arrived in the UK illegally e.g., via small boat/clandestine | Plus, up to 20 years |
| Applicant entered the UK on a visit visa | Plus, up to 20 years | |
| Applicant has overstayed a permission for 6 months or more | Plus, up to 20 years |
It is important to note that not all individuals will be affected by these reforms. The changes do not apply to those who already hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), individuals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), applicants that holds a permission as the parent/partner/child of a British citizen or British National Overseas route (BNO), or those covered by the Windrush scheme.
A 12-week open consultation is currently underway. During this period, the government is seeking views from the public, practitioners, and organisations to assess the potential impact of the proposals and gather evidence to inform the final policy. This stage provides a vital opportunity for affected groups to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and test how the proposed criteria might operate in practice.
Although these proposals are not yet law, and amendments may follow, the paper clearly signals a move away from passage of time-based rules toward a more performative and evidence driven pathway to settlement that requires more planning.
For expert guidance on how these proposals may affect you or your organisation and to plan effectively under the evolving settlement framework, please get in touch with our specialist Immigration team.