World

BRITAIN EXTENDS SETTLEMENT WAIT FOR MANY MIGRANTS, RETAINS WORKER EXEMPTIONS

November 2, 2026

Palace of Westminster in London; file photograph.

LONDON — Britain announced Monday that many migrants arriving on work visas will face a 10-year wait for permanent residence, while some public-service workers and higher earners retain shorter routes.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the changes are planned for 2027. Doctors, nurses and teachers are among those eligible for five-year settlement, alongside workers meeting a £50,000 income threshold.

People earning more than £125,000 can apply after three years. Care workers can retain a five-year route if they earn at least £25,000, a retreat from an earlier proposal that would have imposed a much longer wait.

The government says settlement should reflect a migrant’s contribution. Critics argue the changes prioritize restrictive rhetoric and could create problems for employers and families.

The announcement sets out different pathways rather than one uniform waiting period, making a person’s occupation, earnings and entry route central to how the changes would apply.