Social care workers already living in the United Kingdom may be spared a proposed 15-year wait for permanent settlement, according to a BBC report published on 31 October 2026.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to announce her final decision on rules for legal migrants during the week beginning 2 November 2026, when the details will be presented to Parliament. The Home Office has declined to comment on the final decisions until then, the BBC reported.

What was proposed

Under the original plan, the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain would double from five years to 10 years. Some lower-paid migrants, including many social care workers, faced a wait of up to 15 years, under an earned-settlement system.

The consultation drew about 200,000 responses. Ministers faced opposition to applying the new rules to workers already in the UK who had not yet received indefinite leave to remain.

What may change, and what is not yet clear

The BBC understands that social care workers already in the UK are now likely to be exempt from the longer 15-year wait. However, the reporting does not confirm whether they will stay on the five-year route or move to the standard 10-year period expected for most other workers. That detail will only be clear when the statement of changes is published.

Most other workers are still expected to face a 10-year wait, reducible for community contribution or higher earnings. Nothing has changed yet: current rules remain in force until a statement of changes is laid.

General information only, not personal immigration advice. Official current rules: GOV.UK, Indefinite leave to remain if you have a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, T2 or Tier 2 visa.