The United Kingdom has introduced new immigration settlement rules that will extend the period most foreign workers must wait before qualifying for permanent residency.
The new rules, announced on November 2, will replace the previous five-year route with a new system based on income, employment contributions, and character.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the proposed reforms aimed to establish an immigration system that prioritizes control, contribution and compliance with the law.
He added that the changes recognized the role foreign workers play in Britain’s economy and communities.
“People want to see an immigration system based on control, contribution, and rewards those who play by the rules.
These proposals are based on that principle and recognize the contribution made by overseas workers to our country,” he said.
UK Raises Bar for Permanent Residency Affecting Kenyans
Under the new earned settlement model announced by the UK government, most migrants will have to live in the country for 10 years before qualifying for permanent residency, while the highest earners could qualify after three years.
The changes could affect Kenyans seeking employment opportunities in Britain, particularly those planning to relocate through skilled worker and other employment visa routes.
Under the revised framework, workers earning more than Ksh8,764,572 (£50,271) annually and certain public service professionals, including doctors, nurses and teachers, will qualify for settlement after five years.
The highest earners will be eligible for settlement after three years, while migrants who have breached immigration rules could face a waiting period of at least 20 years.
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Those Seeking to Work in the UK
Anyone seeking permanent residency must also meet four mandatory conditions, regardless of when they arrived in Britain. These include having a clean criminal record, demonstrating a high standard of English, having no outstanding debts to the British taxpayer and maintaining a record of National Insurance contributions.
The reforms will also affect care workers, a category that has attracted many foreign employees, including Kenyans. Those who complied with their visa conditions and earned at least £25,000 annually will retain the five-year settlement pathway.
However, care workers who arrived or switched to the route between 2022 and 2025 but do not qualify for the five-year pathway will be offered another five-year visa. They can change employers and work towards meeting the settlement requirements.
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The UK government said the changes followed concerns over exploitation in the care sector, adding that 1,800 employers had lost their licences to sponsor foreign workers.
The new framework will also apply to migrants already living in Britain who have not obtained settled status, as settlement eligibility will be assessed using the rules in force when an application is made.
However, people who already hold settled status will not lose it, while family members of British citizens and certain other categories will retain their existing settlement pathways.
The government estimates that more than 500,000 migrants will have to wait longer than five years to obtain permanent residency under the reforms.
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