Big Changes Coming to UK Indefinite Leave to Remain – What You Need to Know
The UK immigration system could be about to face one of its biggest shake-ups in years. At the Labour Party conference, the new Home Secretary Shabana Mehmood announced that rules for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) are set to get much tougher.
Labour proposes doubling ILR wait from 5 to 10 years with new contribution tests. Find out who will be affected and what this means for migrants.
What’s Changing?
Right now, most migrants can apply for ILR after five years in the UK. Labour wants to double that to ten years.
And it’s not just about waiting longer. To qualify, migrants may also have to pass new “contribution tests.” This could include:
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Working full-time
Paying national insurance
Not claiming benefits
Passing an advanced English test
Having no criminal record
Showing community contribution (like volunteering)
In short, ILR may no longer be just about living in the UK for a certain time—it could also be about proving you’re giving back.
Who Will Be Affected?
Here’s where things get tricky.
Financial Times says the new rules will not apply to people already in the UK.
But LBC reports Labour may bring in emergency retrospective rules, which could stop nearly a million people who arrived after 2021 from automatically getting ILR under the current five-year route.
So right now, there’s a lot of uncertainty.
What Happens Next?
Nothing has been finalised yet. The government will open a public consultation soon, meaning people will get a chance to share their views before any changes are officially made.
Why This Matters
For anyone already working towards ILR—or planning to apply in the future—this could completely change your path to permanent residency. If you’re affected, it’s important to stay informed and be ready to give feedback during the consultation.
Final Thoughts
This is big news, and naturally, people have strong opinions. Some will say it’s fair that ILR should be earned by contributing more. Others feel doubling the wait time and adding new tests is too extreme and unfair.
👉 What do you think? Should ILR be harder to get, or is this going too far?
UK ILR rules 2025
Indefinite Leave to Remain changes
Labour immigration policy UK
ILR new contribution tests
10-year ILR requirement
UK immigration news September 2025
Shabana Mehmood ILR reforms
ILR consultation UK 2025
