The proposal formed part of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s earned-settlement reforms, outlined in the House of Commons on November 20, 2025. Announcing the plans, she argued that permanent settlement should be earned, telling MPs: “To settle in this country forever is not a right, but a privilege, and it must be earned.”
The government proposed extending the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five to 10 years, while setting a separate 15-year baseline for lower-paid migrants who arrived through the Health and Care visa route, including care workers and their dependants.
Mahmood said: “It is right that we apply more stringent controls for this group. For that reason, we propose they should wait 15 years before they can earn settlement.”
The proposal was never brought into force.
Following opposition from Labour lawmakers, trade unions and care-sector organisations, Mahmood announced a revised framework in the House of Commons on November 2, 2026, preserving a conditional five-year settlement route for eligible care workers.
The five-year route gives eligible care workers the option to secure permanent residency earlier, but they can still choose to wait longer before applying for citizenship.
Those who arrived before May 2025 can still qualify for ILR after five years if they meet the requirements. About 146,000 care workers and 136,000 dependants could benefit from the revised arrangements, according to The Guardian.
The conditions attached to the five-year route
Care workers must earn at least £25,000 annually and have complied with their visa conditions.
Applicants will also face wider settlement requirements, including English-language proficiency, a clean criminal record, no outstanding government debts and a record of National Insurance contributions.
Workers who do not meet the requirements may be eligible for a further five-year visa, giving them time to find qualifying employment and meet the conditions. The concession does not cover every migrant working in care, and eligibility will depend on individual circumstances and transitional arrangements.
The announcement is particularly relevant to African workers, who form part of Britain’s overseas care workforce.
While care workers have secured a reprieve from the proposed 15-year wait, the government is proceeding with its plan to extend the standard settlement qualifying period for most migrants from five to 10 years. The revised framework therefore offers relief to eligible existing care workers without reversing the broader tightening of Britain’s immigration rules.
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
