Earned Settlement explained: what does it mean for your ILR date?
Summary: The UK government has proposed "Earned Settlement" — a new framework that replaces the simple 5-year qualifying period with a points-based system. Your ILR date could move by up to 7 years in either direction. The reforms are not yet law but are expected to be legislated in Autumn 2026. You can model your new date at visaclock.co.uk.
What is Earned Settlement?
Earned Settlement is a proposed reform to how migrants qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom. Rather than a flat 5-year qualifying period for most routes, the new system would allow migrants to "earn" a shorter route to settlement through positive contributions — or face a longer wait if certain factors apply.
The government published its consultation document, "A Fairer Pathway to Settlement", in November 2025. It outlined a framework where the qualifying period becomes variable — a minimum of 3 years for high contributors, up to 10+ years for those with negative factors.
When does Earned Settlement come into effect?
As of March 2026, Earned Settlement is not yet law. The government has signalled legislation in Autumn 2026. The exact commencement date, transition rules, and grandfathering provisions for people already in the UK remain to be confirmed.
This uncertainty is significant. People who arrived in 2021 or 2022 on Skilled Worker visas may be close to their 5-year ILR date and are watching developments closely. The proposed rules could either accelerate or delay their eligibility depending on their individual profile.
⚠ Not yet law: All Earned Settlement figures in this article are based on the November 2025 consultation proposals. Transitional provisions, grandfathering rules, and final qualifying criteria have not been legislated. Treat this as planning guidance only.
How does the points system work?
The proposed framework works by starting from a baseline qualifying period and applying reductions or increases based on your individual profile:
Baseline period
- Most work routes (Skilled Worker, Health and Care, etc.): 10 years baseline
- Family of British citizen routes: 5 years baseline (retained)
- Lower-skilled work routes (RQF 3–5): 15 years baseline
Reductions (things that shorten your clock)
| Factor | Reduction | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Salary ≥ £50,270 for 3 continuous years | −5 years | Maintained for 3 full years |
| Salary ≥ £125,140 for 3 continuous years | −7 years | Maintained for 3 full years |
| NHS / teaching role (RQF 6+) | −5 years | Active employment |
| Significant community volunteering | −5 years | 3–5 years documented record |
| Regular documented volunteering | −3 years | 1–2 years documented record |
| English at C1 level or above | −1 year | Recognised qualification |
| Global Talent / Innovator (3+ years) | −7 years | 3+ continuous years on route |
Increases (things that extend your clock)
| Factor | Increase | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Benefits claimed (under 12 months) | +5 years | Any public funds claimed |
| Benefits claimed (over 12 months) | +10 years | Extensive public funds use |
| Minor immigration breach | +20 years | Any compliance issue |
| Serious breach / criminal record | +30 years | May prevent settlement entirely |
The minimum
Regardless of reductions, the minimum qualifying period under Earned Settlement is proposed as 3 years. This means even a highly paid NHS doctor who volunteers extensively cannot apply for ILR before 3 years of continuous UK residence.
Who is most affected?
The Earned Settlement reforms affect people differently depending on their visa route and personal circumstances:
Skilled Worker visa holders (most impacted)
With a 10-year baseline, a Skilled Worker visa holder who earns below £50,270 and has no other reducing factors would face a 10-year qualifying period under the new rules — double the current 5 years. However, a Skilled Worker earning above £50,270 for 3 years could qualify in as few as 5 years (10 − 5 = 5 years), maintaining a similar timeline to today.
Health and Care Worker visa holders
NHS workers qualify for the NHS public service reduction (−5 years from the 10-year baseline) bringing them to a 5-year qualifying period. Combined with salary thresholds, some NHS workers could qualify in as few as 3 years.
Family routes
Spouse and family routes retain the 5-year baseline under the proposals. The impact is expected to be more limited than for work routes.
What about people already in the UK?
This is the central question for the estimated 2+ million people currently on a qualifying route. The government has signalled that transitional provisions will be considered. Two scenarios:
- Grandfathering: People who arrived before the commencement date keep their existing 5-year clock. Most likely outcome given political and legal pressure.
- Partial credit: Time already served is credited under the new framework, with new rules applying to the remainder. Could produce similar or worse outcomes depending on individual profile.
Parliamentary scrutiny has been significant. The Home Affairs Select Committee has raised concerns about retrospective application. Until legislation is published, both scenarios remain possible.
How to calculate your new date
VisaClockUK has built a calculator that models both your current ILR date and your proposed date under Earned Settlement. It applies all the reduction and increase factors based on your specific profile — salary history, route, volunteering, English level, and more.
Find your new ILR date under Earned Settlement
Takes 2 minutes. Free for your current-rules date. Subscribe to see your proposed new date and personalised improvement plan.
Calculate My Date — Free →Frequently asked questions
Does Earned Settlement affect the citizenship timeline?
British citizenship eligibility is typically 12 months after ILR. If Earned Settlement changes your ILR date, your citizenship date shifts by the same amount.
Will the 180-day absence rule change?
The consultation does not propose changing the 180-day continuous absence rule or the 548-day total absence limit. These are expected to remain.
Does volunteering really count?
The proposals explicitly include "community contribution" as a reducing factor. However, the documentation requirements are expected to be strict — dates, hours, role, and the name of the organisation. Start logging now if you intend to use this factor.
What if I change visa routes?
Route-switching (e.g. Student → Graduate → Skilled Worker) is common. The qualifying clock generally starts from the beginning of the route that leads to settlement. VisaClockUK can model multi-segment routes.
This article is for planning purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The Earned Settlement proposals are not yet law. Always consult a qualified UK immigration solicitor before making immigration decisions. Privacy Policy · Terms