Amid a wave of sweeping immigration reforms announced on 1 July 2025, the UK government has notably left untouched the hotly debated proposal to extend the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) , a move welcomed by migrant communities and immigration advocates.
Over the past year, there have been persistent rumours that the Home Office was preparing to increase the minimum residency requirement for ILR from five to six or even ten years, sparking concern and uncertainty among tens of thousands of skilled and care workers who had hoped to secure permanent residency under existing rules.
However, in the official statement released on Monday, the government made no mention of changes to the ILR timeframe, prompting speculation that internal disagreements or legal and political complexities may have delayed the controversial move.
“No news is good news,” commented Taffi Nyawanza , an immigration solicitor in Birmingham. “Many clients have been asking whether they should rush their applications. Today’s announcement buys them some time and some peace of mind.”
ILR is a critical milestone for many migrants in the UK, as it offers the right to live, work, and study in the country indefinitely and opens the path to eventual British citizenship. For care workers and skilled employees who arrived post-Brexit, the retention of the five-year route remains a lifeline amid increasingly tightened rules around dependants, salary thresholds, and job eligibility.
Still, legal experts warn that this could be a temporary reprieve, and advise eligible applicants to submit their ILR applications as soon as they qualify.
“We’re in a volatile policy environment,” said one London-based barrister. “Nothing is guaranteed. If you’re eligible this year, don’t wait for next year.”
While migrant rights organisations cautiously welcome the silence on ILR, many continue to campaign for more transparent, compassionate, and predictable immigration policies, particularly in the care sector where overseas workers have been disproportionately affected by recent restrictions.
For now, those hoping for long-term security in the UK can breathe a little easier but uncertainty still lingers.
