UK ILR News & Updates 2026: Latest Changes
Stay up to date with the latest UK ILR news and immigration rule changes for 2026. Covers earned settlement reforms, salary thresholds, processing times, and policy updates.
Latest ILR news: March 2026
Last updated: 15 March 2026. This page is updated regularly as new information becomes available. Bookmark it and check back for the latest uk ilr news as the government finalises its reform plans.
As of March 2026, the UK government is in the final stages of reviewing consultation responses on the proposed earned settlement system. The consultation closed earlier this year and the Home Office is now processing feedback from employers, immigration lawyers, and affected visa holders before publishing its formal response.
Implementation of the new system was initially expected in April 2026, but that date may shift. Government consultations of this scale often face delays, and the final rules including transitional arrangements for people already on existing visas have not yet been confirmed. The key thing to watch right now is whether people sponsored before the policy change will be protected under their original qualifying period, or whether they will be moved to the new points-based timeline.
For a detailed breakdown of how the proposed changes affect Skilled Worker visa holders specifically, see our guide to ILR new rules for Skilled Workers. To check how the proposed reforms affect your personal timeline, use the ILR Reform Checker.
Earned settlement: what we know so far
The biggest proposed ilr update in a generation is the shift from a fixed qualifying period to an earned settlement model. Under the current rules, most visa holders on work routes qualify for indefinite leave to remain after 5 continuous years of residence in the UK. Under the proposed new system, that fixed 5-year period would be replaced with a points-based approach where the qualifying period ranges from 3 to 10 years depending on individual circumstances.
Points would be awarded based on factors including annual salary, educational qualifications, the sector you work in, and potentially other contributions such as community involvement or tax paid. Someone earning a high salary in a shortage occupation could reach the threshold for indefinite leave to remain in as few as 3 years, while someone on a lower salary in a non-shortage role might need up to 10 years.
Which visa routes are affected?
The earned settlement proposals primarily target work-based immigration routes. The routes currently expected to be affected include:
- Skilled Worker visa
- Health and Care Worker visa
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (formerly Intra-company Transfer)
- Scale-up Worker visa
- Other points-based work routes
Spouse and family routes (including the partner visa and the spouse visa) are currently expected to remain unchanged, with the existing 5-year route to indefinite leave to remain still applying. However, this could change before the final rules are published.
For a full analysis of the earned settlement proposals and how they might affect your individual situation, read our ILR earned settlement changes guide or run your numbers through the Earned Settlement Calculator.
Salary threshold changes
Salary thresholds for work visas and indefinite leave to remain have changed significantly in recent years. Here is a timeline of the key changes and what they mean for ILR applicants.
| Date | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | General salary threshold raised to £38,700 | New Skilled Worker applications must meet the higher threshold |
| April 2024 (transitional) | Lower threshold protections for those sponsored before April 2024 | Some existing visa holders may qualify at the previous threshold |
| April 2026 (proposed) | Earned settlement salary tiers to replace fixed qualifying period | Higher salaries earn more settlement points and a faster route to ILR |
The April 2024 increase to £38,700 was one of the largest threshold rises in recent memory and caught many visa holders by surprise. People who were sponsored before April 2024 may be protected under transitional provisions, but this protection does not last indefinitely. When you apply for ILR, the Home Office assesses your salary against the threshold that applies at the time of your application.
Under the proposed earned settlement system, salary would not just determine whether you qualify for indefinite leave to remain but how quickly you qualify. Higher salary tiers would earn more points and push applicants towards the shorter end of the 3-to-10-year spectrum. This makes salary management a central part of settlement planning, not just a tick-box requirement.
For a detailed breakdown of salary thresholds by SOC code and occupation, see our ILR salary requirement guide.
ILR application fees 2026
The current fees for an indefinite leave to remain application are as follows. These figures are correct as of March 2026 and have not changed since the last Home Office fee review.
| Application type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SET(O) - work routes | £2,885 | Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, and other work routes |
| SET(M) - family routes | £2,885 | Spouse, partner, and family visa routes |
| SET(LR) - long residence | £2,885 | 10-year continuous residence route |
| Biometrics (UKVCAS) | £19.20 | Standard appointment; premium locations cost more |
| Priority processing (optional) | £500 | Decision within 5 working days |
| Super priority (optional) | £800 | Decision by end of next working day |
No fee changes have been announced for 2026 as of this writing, but the Home Office typically reviews immigration fees annually. Fees have increased substantially in recent years, so it is wise to budget conservatively and check the latest figures on GOV.UK before you apply.
For a complete breakdown of all costs involved in an indefinite leave to remain application, including the Life in the UK test, English language tests, and optional professional fees, see our ILR costs guide. You can also use the UK Visa Cost Calculator to get a personalised total for your situation.
Processing times update
Processing times for indefinite leave to remain applications vary depending on which service level you choose. The following figures reflect current community-reported data as of March 2026, combined with the official Home Office targets.
| Service level | Official target | Community reports | Additional cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 6 months | Typically 6-8 weeks; some wait longer | Included in application fee |
| Priority | 5 working days | Usually met; occasional delays reported | £500 |
| Super priority | Next working day | Generally reliable | £800 |
The Home Office's official standard service target is 6 months, but in practice most ILR applications are decided much faster. The majority of straightforward indefinite leave to remain applications are processed within 6-8 weeks of biometrics submission. However, complex cases, applications with missing documents, or applications flagged for further review can take considerably longer.
If you need certainty about timing (for example, if you are changing jobs, planning travel, or applying for a mortgage), priority or super priority processing is worth considering. Super priority is particularly valuable if your current visa is about to expire and you need a quick decision.
Community-reported processing times are tracked in real time at the Processing Times Tracker. For a full breakdown of what affects processing speed and how to track your application, see our ILR processing times guide.
Key dates and timeline for 2026
Here are the key dates and milestones to track as we move through 2026. This section will be updated as the government confirms new information. Check back regularly as this is a fast-moving area of immigration policy.
- January 2026: New immigration fees come into effect if the Home Office has announced any changes. As of March 2026, no new fee increases have been announced.
- April 2026: Expected implementation date for the earned settlement system, subject to confirmation. The Home Office has not yet published the formal response to the consultation, and this date may shift. Any changes to the indefinite leave to remain qualifying period would be accompanied by transitional provisions for existing visa holders.
- Throughout 2026: Ongoing transition to eVisas. BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) cards are being phased out and replaced with digital immigration status accessible via the UKVI online service. If your BRP expires in 2026, you should access your online status rather than expecting a physical replacement card.
- Ongoing: The Home Office may announce further rule changes, salary threshold reviews, and processing time updates at any point during the year. Subscribe to GOV.UK immigration updates and check this page regularly for the latest ilr update.
The pace of change in UK immigration policy has been high in recent years. New rules can be announced with relatively short notice, and the difference between acting before and after a rule change can significantly affect how long you need to wait for indefinite leave to remain. If you are approaching your eligibility date, do not delay your application without first checking the latest news.
How to stay informed
Keeping up with uk ilr news and immigration policy changes does not have to be a full-time job. Here are the most reliable ways to stay informed about developments that could affect your indefinite leave to remain application.
Official sources
- GOV.UK immigration rules: The official immigration rules are updated whenever the Home Office makes changes. Changes are published as Statements of Changes and are the authoritative source for all rule updates.
- Home Office consultations: Major policy changes like earned settlement go through a consultation period before implementation. Consultation documents and responses are published on GOV.UK and give early warning of upcoming rule changes.
- GOV.UK email alerts: You can sign up for email notifications when specific GOV.UK pages are updated, including the Skilled Worker visa guidance and ILR application pages.
Use ILR Tracker tools
- The ILR Reform Checker shows whether the proposed new rules affect your specific timeline based on your visa start date, salary, and occupation.
- The Earned Settlement Calculator models your likely qualifying period under the proposed points-based system so you can plan ahead.
- The ILR Eligibility Calculator tracks your qualifying period and shows your earliest application date under current rules.
- The Processing Times Tracker shows real-time community data on how long indefinite leave to remain applications are currently taking.
This page is updated regularly as new information becomes available. Each time there is a significant ilr update, we revise the content and update the "last updated" date at the top so you can see how current the information is.
How ILR Tracker helps you navigate changes
Immigration policy changes can feel overwhelming, especially when you are in the middle of a multi-year journey towards indefinite leave to remain. ILR Tracker exists to cut through the noise and show you exactly how each change affects your personal situation.
ILR Reform Checker
The ILR Reform Checker takes your current visa details and models the impact of the proposed earned settlement system on your timeline. Instead of reading through dense policy documents, you get a clear answer: will the new rules make your path to indefinite leave to remain faster, slower, or roughly the same?
Earned Settlement Calculator
The Earned Settlement Calculator lets you model different salary and qualification scenarios to see how many points you would earn under the proposed system and how that translates into a qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. This is particularly useful if you are considering a job change or salary negotiation and want to understand the settlement implications.
ILR Eligibility Calculator
The ILR Eligibility Calculator checks whether you meet the current requirements for indefinite leave to remain under the existing rules, including residence period, absence days, and document readiness. If you are close to your eligibility date, do not wait for the new rules to be confirmed before starting your application preparation.
UK ILR news can change quickly, but your preparation does not have to lag behind. Use ILR Tracker to stay on top of your eligibility, understand how rule changes affect you, and make informed decisions about when and how to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
Try our free calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the ILR rules changing in 2026?
Yes. The UK government has proposed an earned settlement system that would change how long it takes to qualify for indefinite leave to remain. Instead of a fixed 5-year period, settlement would be based on a points system considering salary, qualifications, and other factors. The exact implementation date and transitional arrangements are still being confirmed.
Will the ILR application fee increase in 2026?
No fee increase has been announced for 2026, but the Home Office reviews immigration fees annually and increases are common. The current ILR application fee is £2,885. Check our costs guide for the latest figures.
How long does ILR take to process in 2026?
Standard processing is currently 6-8 weeks, though some applicants report longer waits. Priority processing (5 working days) costs £500, and super priority (next working day) costs £800.
Do the new ILR rules affect spouse visa holders?
The earned settlement reforms primarily target work-based routes like the Skilled Worker visa. Spouse and family routes are currently expected to remain at a 5-year qualifying period, though this could change as the policy develops.
Where can I find official ILR rule updates?
Official updates are published on GOV.UK under the immigration rules section. The Home Office also publishes guidance documents and consultation responses. ILR Tracker monitors these changes and updates our tools and guides accordingly.
Related Guides
What is ILR?
A complete guide to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. Learn what ILR means, who can apply, the different routes to settlement, eligibility requirements, costs, and how long it takes.
ILR New Rules: Skilled Workers
How the 2026 ILR rule changes affect Skilled Worker visa holders. Covers the earned settlement system, new qualifying periods, transitional arrangements, and what to do now.
Earned Settlement Changes
Everything you need to know about the UK's proposed Earned Settlement reforms. How the new points-based system could change ILR qualifying periods from 5 to 10 years, who is affected, and what to do now.