Headlines say UK permanent residence now takes 10 years. That is not true yet. The 5-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is still the law. The government has proposed an “earned settlement” system with a 10-year starting point, and it wants the change to apply to people already in the UK. This guide separates what is law from what is only proposed, explains the current ILR rules, and shows what the change would mean if you are planning a UK move from the UAE.
Checked on 5 October 2026 against GOV.UK, Home Office publications and House of Commons briefings. Sources are listed at the end. This topic is changing. We update this page when the Home Office publishes its response or new Immigration Rules.
On this page
- Where things stand today
- Confirmed changes vs proposals
- The current 5-year ILR rules
- The earned settlement proposal
- What this means if you are moving from the UAE
- The Skilled Worker visa in 2026
- UK vs Canada, Australia and Germany
- Mistakes to avoid
- Questions people ask
Where things stand today
- The 5-year route to ILR on visas such as the Skilled Worker visa is still in force.
- The 10-year long residence route is also still open.
- The earned settlement plan was set out in the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and a consultation that closed on 12 February 2026. The Home Office received more than 200,000 responses.
- The government has not yet published its response or laid the new Immigration Rules needed to make the change law. The Statement of Changes published on 3 September 2026 did not introduce it.
- Ministers have said they want to start in autumn 2026. Some lawyers expect it to slip into 2027. There is no fixed date.
The change is expected to apply to people already in the UK. The government has said that anyone who does not yet have ILR when the new system starts will move onto it. If you or a family member already qualifies under the current rules, applying before the change is the safest option.
Confirmed changes vs proposals
| Change | Status |
|---|---|
| ILR application fee rises to £3,226 per person | In force from 8 April 2026 |
| Skilled Worker visa: new applicants need B2 English | In force from 8 January 2026 |
| Skilled Worker visa: degree-level jobs and £41,700 general salary threshold | In force from 22 July 2025 |
| B2 English for many settlement routes | Confirmed, starts 26 March 2027 |
| 10-year baseline for ILR | Proposed only, no date |
| Shorter qualifying periods for high earners and public service | Proposed only |
| Longer periods for lower-skilled workers and benefit claimants | Proposed only |
| Abolition of the 10-year long residence route | Proposed only |
The current 5-year ILR rules
For a Skilled Worker, the main requirements for ILR today are:
- 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on qualifying visas.
- Absences of no more than 180 days in any 12-month period during those 5 years.
- Still employed by a licensed sponsor in an eligible job, with a salary that meets the settlement salary requirement.
- English at B1 or above. From 26 March 2027, many routes will need B2.
- A pass in the Life in the UK test.
- Meeting the good character requirements.
- Paying the £3,226 application fee per person.
After ILR, most people can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months, or straight away if married to a British citizen. Citizenship rules have their own requirements, so check them separately.
The earned settlement proposal
The government’s plan would replace a fixed 5-year period with a points-style system built on four ideas: character, integration, contribution and residence.
Mandatory requirements in the proposal
- English at B2
- A clean criminal record
- No unpaid debts to the government, such as NHS charges or tax
- Earnings above £12,570 a year (the income tax threshold) for at least 3 to 5 years before applying
Proposed qualifying periods
| Situation | Proposed period |
|---|---|
| Baseline for most migrants | 10 years |
| Taxable income of £125,140 or more for 3 years before applying | 3 years |
| Taxable income of £50,270 or more for 3 years before applying | 5 years |
| Some public service roles, such as NHS and teaching | 5 years |
| Partners of British citizens | 5 years |
| Workers in lower-skilled roles | 15 years |
| People who have relied on benefits | Up to 20 years |
These figures come from the consultation. The final rules may be different, and transitional protection for people already in the UK has not been confirmed.
What this means if you are moving from the UAE
If you are in the UAE now and planning to move to the UK, the new system will almost certainly be in place before you could reach settlement. Plan as if it applies to you.
- Your years in the UAE do not count. The UK settlement clock starts only when you begin living in the UK on a qualifying visa.
- Assume 10 years, unless you will earn £50,270 or more. At that salary, the proposal suggests 5 years. Many Skilled Worker jobs pay less than this in the first years.
- Start with B2 English. You need it for the Skilled Worker visa already, and the proposal makes it mandatory for settlement too.
- Watch your absences. If your family stays in the UAE while you settle, trips back count towards the 180-day limit. Keep a record of every trip.
- Keep your UAE paperwork. You will need a UAE police certificate for some UK visas, and a clean record matters even more under the proposal. See our UAE police certificate guide.
No TB test for most UAE residents. The UK asks for a TB test only from people who live in listed countries. The UAE is not listed, so if you have lived here for more than 6 months, you usually do not need one, whatever your passport. Details are in our immigration medical guide.
The Skilled Worker visa in 2026
Most people moving from the UAE to work in the UK use the Skilled Worker visa. The 2026 requirements are:
- A job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence, and a Certificate of Sponsorship
- A job at degree level (RQF 6)
- A salary of at least £41,700 a year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. Some jobs, such as roles on the Immigration Salary List and some health and education roles, have lower thresholds.
- English at B2, for new applicants from 8 January 2026
- The visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per adult per year, paid upfront for the whole visa
From the UAE, you apply online and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The steps are the same as for a visitor visa. See our UK visa guide for the visa centre process.
UK vs Canada, Australia and Germany
| Country | When you become a permanent resident |
|---|---|
| Canada | Before you move, if invited through Express Entry |
| Australia | Before you move, on a 189 or 190 visa |
| Germany | 21 months after starting work on an EU Blue Card with B1 German |
| UK today | 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa |
| UK if the proposal goes ahead | 10 years for most, 5 years for higher earners |
The UK is easier to enter if you have a sponsored job offer, but slower to settle. Canada and Australia grant permanent residence first, but are now very competitive from outside those countries. Germany sits in between. Compare the full guides: Canada, Australia and Germany.
Mistakes to avoid
- Believing ILR is already 10 years. It is not law yet. If you qualify now, you can apply under the current rules.
- Assuming you will be protected. The government intends to apply the new rules to people already in the UK without ILR.
- Delaying a ready application. If a family member in the UK already qualifies, waiting could move them onto a longer route.
- Exceeding 180 days abroad. Long visits back to the UAE can break continuous residence.
- Relying on old salary or English figures. The Skilled Worker rules changed in July 2025 and January 2026.
- Paying for a sponsored job. Selling Certificates of Sponsorship is illegal, and fake offers lead to refusals and bans.
Questions people ask
Is UK ILR now 10 years?
No. As of 5 October 2026, the 5-year route is still in force. A 10-year baseline has been proposed but not made law.
When will earned settlement start?
The government has said autumn 2026, but no rules have been laid and no date is fixed. It may start in 2027.
Will the 10-year rule apply to people already in the UK?
The government says it intends to apply it to everyone without ILR when the new system starts. Transitional arrangements have not been confirmed.
How much is the ILR fee in 2026?
£3,226 per person, from 8 April 2026.
Does time living in the UAE count towards UK settlement?
No. Only time living in the UK on qualifying visas counts.
What English level do I need for UK ILR?
B1 for most routes today. From 26 March 2027, many settlement routes will need B2.
Related guides
- UK visitor visa from the UAE
- Canada PR from the UAE
- Germany Opportunity Card and EU Blue Card from the UAE
Sources
- Home Office — A Fairer Pathway to Settlement: earned settlement consultation: gov.uk
- Home Office — Immigration White Paper, 12 May 2025: gov.uk
- Home Office — Statements of Changes to the Immigration Rules, including March 2026 and HC 584 (3 September 2026): gov.uk
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa and Indefinite Leave to Remain guidance: gov.uk
- House of Commons Home Affairs Committee — Earned Settlement report, 13 March 2026
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa and residence rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or adviser, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 5 October 2026. This page is updated as soon as the Home Office publishes its response or new rules. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.