Open consultation

Earned settlement

From:
Home Office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, HM Treasury and The Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP
Published
20 November 2025

Summary

The government is consulting on how the current settlement system should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented.

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

Settlement refers to a person’s right to live in the UK permanently without any immigration restrictions. It is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

The 2025 UK Immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, introduced significant reforms to how migrants can settle in the UK.

Settlement will no longer be granted automatically after a fixed period. Instead, migrants will need to earn it by demonstrating sustained good conduct, contribution and integration.

We are aware that this publication may have accessibility issues. We are working on an accessible version.

Read more about our accessible documents policy.

Documents

A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: statement and accompanying consultation on earned settlement

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-6105-8, E03496668, CP 1448

PDF, 886 KB, 60 pages

Order a copy

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Ways to respond

Respond online

Updates to this page

Published 20 November 2025

Sign up for emails or print this page