Earned settlement: Home Office consultation on new 10-year ILR route ends soon

Sunday, 11 Jan 2026 3 min read

Thousands of Turkish workers and families across London are being urged to have their say on a major overhaul of the UK immigration system. The Home Office's public consultation on the proposed "Earned Settlement" model is currently in its final weeks, with a closing deadline of February 12, 2026.

If implemented, these changes would replace the current, predictable five-year path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) with a more complex, merit-based system that could extend the wait for many to a decade or more.

What are the main proposals?

The core of the "Earned Settlement" plan is to move away from automatic settlement based simply on time spent in the UK. Instead, migrants would "earn" their permanent status through their economic and social contributions.

10-Year Baseline: The standard qualifying period for settlement would increase from 5 years to 10 years for most sponsored work routes.
Accelerated Routes: High earners (those making over £50,270) or those in specific public service roles like the NHS could still qualify in 5 years. Exceptional talent or those earning over £125,140 might even qualify in as little as 3 years.
Extended Waits: Conversely, those who have relied on public funds (benefits) or have minor immigration breaches could see their pathway extended to 15 or 20 years.
Higher Language Bar: The English language requirement for settlement is set to rise from the current B1 level (GCSE equivalent) to B2 level (A-level standard).

Impact on the Turkish community

For the Turkish community in boroughs like Hackney, Enfield, and Haringey, these reforms could have a significant impact:

Skilled Workers: Many Turkish professionals on Skilled Worker visas may find themselves on a longer, more expensive path to permanency unless they meet the "high earner" threshold.
Retrospective Changes: One of the most controversial parts of the proposal is that it could apply to those already in the UK who have not yet reached their 5-year ILR milestone.
Dependants: Partners and children may now have to meet their own individual "contribution" standards rather than automatically qualifying alongside the main visa holder.

Why you should respond

Legal experts and community groups, including Migrant Voice, are encouraging individuals to participate in the consultation. This is a rare opportunity to tell the government how these changes would affect your family, your business, and your future in London.

The Home Office has specifically asked for views on "transitional arrangements"—meaning you can argue that people already here on the 5-year route should be allowed to finish it under the old rules.