Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to announce her final decision on immigration rules for legal migrants on Monday 2 November, in a statement to the House of Commons. A Home Office source confirmed the statement, according to PA reporting, after a consultation lasting almost a year drew more than 200,000 responses.

What was originally proposed

Mahmood's original proposals, unveiled in November 2025, would double the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for most migrants, from five years to ten, and remove the automatic right to remain. Ten years would be the baseline, with some migrants able to earn settlement sooner if they met certain conditions, and others facing waits of up to 15 years under penalties designed to ensure those granted settlement were contributing to the economy, society and integration. At present most migrants can apply for ILR, which grants the right to live, work and study in the UK permanently, after five years.

What may change after the consultation

Speculation has grown that the proposals could be scaled back after heavy criticism from senior Labour figures, including housing secretary Angela Rayner. One compromise thought to be under consideration is a faster route to settlement for migrant care workers, or exempting social care workers already in the UK altogether. The Institute for Public Policy Research said such an exemption would be significant, given that about 287,000 care workers and dependants are expected to settle between 2026 and 2030.

Reaction and what to watch on Monday

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has already criticised the reported dilution, writing on Sunday that the government would announce a U-turn on ILR. The Conservative plan, he said, is a ten-year route to ILR only for high-wage workers. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week he strongly supported the idea that ILR was a right to be earned, but stopped short of committing to bringing in all of Mahmood's reforms. Until Monday's statement, the final shape of the rules remains unconfirmed, and reports of a dilution are speculation, not the decision itself. This article is general information only and is not personal immigration advice. Sources: PA via Bury Times and The Times; see also GOV.UK Immigration Rules guidance.