Earned Settlement Consultation: What the New ILR Rules Mean for You
A fixed-fee review of your immigration history and a clear, personal answer on when you can settle under the new earned settlement rules. £250 + VAT.
Last updated: 5 November 2026
The government has confirmed the biggest change to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in years. Under “earned settlement”, the standard wait for settlement is moving from five years to ten for most people. Some people will still qualify sooner, some will wait longer, and the rules will apply to many people already living in the UK.
If you are on a Skilled Worker, family, Health and Care or other visa and planning to settle, the decisions you make in the next few months could change when you qualify. Our Earned Settlement Consultation gives you a clear, personal answer.
Fixed fee: £250 + VAT (£300 total) – a 30-minute consultation (longer if you need it) plus a written summary of your advice.
Just want a quick answer on whether you can apply now? Book a free 10-minute ILR eligibility check.
What is earned settlement?
Earned settlement is the UK government’s new framework for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Instead of most people qualifying after five years, the standard qualifying period becomes ten years. Shorter paths of three and five years are available to people who meet set conditions, such as higher earnings, working in certain public service jobs, or having a British partner or family connection. A longer twenty-year path applies to people who have used public funds recently or breached immigration rules.
The government announced its final decision on 2 November 2026. The new rules are expected to be introduced in stages during 2027. Until they take effect, the current settlement rules still apply, which is why now is the time to plan. Read our full guide: ILR & Earned Settlement in the UK: what’s changing.
Who is this consultation for?
This consultation is for you if you are:
- Currently in the UK on a visa that leads, or that you hoped would lead, to settlement
- Unsure whether you will now need to wait five, ten or more years for ILR
- Relying on the 10-year Long Residence route, or time spent on a Student or Graduate visa
- An employer or HR team wanting to understand the impact on sponsored staff (please ask about our employer packages and sponsor licence services)
- Worried that a past issue, such as a gap in your visa, an overstay, a period on benefits or a criminal record, could affect your application
What’s included
1. A detailed review of your immigration history
We look at every visa you have held, your continuous residence, absences from the UK, earnings, and any issues that could affect your settlement application under the current rules or the new earned settlement rules.
2. Confirmation of when you can currently apply for settlement
We tell you the earliest date you could apply for ILR under the rules as they stand today, and how the earned settlement changes could affect that date.
3. Changes you should make now to qualify as soon as possible
You will get practical, personal steps to protect or shorten your route to settlement. This could include timing your application, your English language level, your salary and earnings record, public funds, or your choice of visa.
4. A look at other routes that may be available to you
Depending on your situation, a different route may get you to settlement faster. We consider options such as partner and family routes, UK Ancestry, Global Talent, public service occupations and other routes where relevant.
5. Free updates as the rules change
Your consultation includes a place on our earned settlement mailing list. As new rules, start dates and guidance are published, we will send you clear updates on what has changed and who it affects. You can unsubscribe at any time.
How it works
- Request your consultationFill in the short form below and tell us when suits you. We’ll confirm your time and send your invoice.
- Send us your detailsWe will send a short questionnaire about your visa history, plus a list of documents to share.
- Have your consultationWe talk through your situation by video or phone – usually 30 minutes, but we take as long as you need.
- Receive your written summaryYou’ll receive a written summary of our advice and your recommended next steps within 2 working days.
Why choose Baya Immigration?
- We are regulated at the highest level – Level 3 – by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), registration number F201800106.
- We are rated 4.9 on Google and 5.0 on Review Solicitors.
- Our advisers – Jocelyn, Owain, Jon and Joseph – are all regulated at Level 3 and bring more than 20 years’ experience of Home Office applications. Meet the team.
Book your Earned Settlement Consultation
£250 + VAT (£300 total). Tell us a little about your situation and we’ll be in touch within one working day to arrange your consultation.
Prefer to talk first? Call 0330 118 0393.
Earned settlement: frequently asked questions
Not yet. The government confirmed its earned settlement plans on 2 November 2026, and the Home Secretary said the changes will start to be laid before Parliament from December 2026 and be introduced during 2027. Until the Immigration Rules change, the current settlement rules apply.
For many people, yes. The government has said there will be no general exemption for people already living in the UK, and that applications will normally be decided under the rules in force at the date of decision. Only certain groups, such as some care workers who started before May 2025, keep a five-year route. A consultation will tell you which applies to you.
Possibly. A five-year path is planned for people who meet the higher earnings threshold, people working in eligible public service jobs, and people with a British connection, such as the partner of a British citizen. If you can apply under the current rules before the changes take effect, that may also help.
The government has said the Long Residence route will close under earned settlement, and time on Student and Graduate visas will no longer count towards settlement. No closing date has been published yet. If you are relying on this route, you should get advice now.
Under the plans, people who have used specified public funds in the five years before applying may be placed on a twenty-year path. The full list of benefits that count has not yet been published.
The English requirement for settlement is rising to B2 on most routes. Some people are exempt, including those aged 65 and over and those with a relevant physical or mental condition.
£250 + VAT (£300 in total). The fee is fixed and includes your personal review, advice on your settlement timeline, recommended next steps, alternative routes and ongoing updates via our mailing list.
Yes. We advise individuals and employers. If you are an employer with several sponsored workers, please contact us about group consultations.
Get clarity on your route to settlement
The new rules could add years to your wait for ILR, but there may be steps you can take now to protect your position. Book your Earned Settlement Consultation today and find out exactly where you stand.
£250 + VAT Book now
This page provides general information about proposed changes to UK settlement rules and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change regularly. Advice on your personal circumstances is provided during your consultation.
What our clients say
Rated 5.0 on Google
Joss was extremely helpful and professional. She advised us on EU law regarding family settlement at a time when rules had recently changed following Brexit.
Daniel Thompson
I strongly recommend Joss, because of her amazing approach and support throughout the whole process of my visa application, she is very professional and confident that makes you feel safe and positive while waiting for the whole process.
Elaine Magrath
Jocelyn is a fantastic immigration lawyer. She is experienced, professional and very friendly. I have known her for a few years and would trust her with the most complex immigration matters.
Ruba Huleihel
Jocelyn’s service was completely amazing. From the beginning she was really helpful, clear, supportive and efficient especially when outlining what was required for my application and how to proceed.
JohnPaul K
Both Joss and Owain were helpful, reassuring and patient in our spouse visa process. Highly recommend as they will guide you through the application process and give detailed instructions on what documentation is needed. 10/10 would use again.
Danielle
Jocelyn has been simply amazing and extremely efficient when it has come to the application of all of my visas for staying in the UK. From the time of my Fiancé visa application a few years ago right until my most recent ILR visa application, Jocelyn has been highly professional,...
Namita Gokal
I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a client of Jocelyn and came to know her vast knowledge and expertise in Immigration services.
Harmeet Oberoi
Absolutely highly recommended. Straight forward and direct to the point. All you need is to explain your situation.
Yahya Abueidah
It was the greatest help I could ever imagine to get through quite stressful visa process. Greatly appreciated your help, I truly don’t know where I would have been sitting without your help.
Veronika P
