Migrants rush for UK settlement as government proposes longer residency rule
A surge in applications for permanent residence and citizenship has been recorded as the Home Office prepares to double the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain.
Official figures indicate that 199,628 individuals received indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom during the twelve months ending June 2026, representing a 24% increase and the highest level since 2010. Those granted settlement can typically apply for citizenship after a twelve-month interval, and the year also saw 245,520 new citizens, while applications for citizenship rose to a record 315,224, though refusals climbed 44%.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a consultation on reforms that would double the residency requirement for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years. The proposal, initially set out under former Labour leader Keir Starmer, is sparking debate within the governing Labour Party, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham under pressure from MPs to possibly halt the changes. The pending rule shift aims to tighten settlement pathways ahead of the expected tightening of immigration controls.
Why it matters
The policy could delay many migrants' path to permanent status and citizenship, affecting their lives and the UK's labor pool.
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