What the Government Is Proposing — and What It Means for Spouses & Families
What’s changing?
Shabana Mahmood (Home Secretary) has opened a consultation on a new “earned settlement” model for permanent residency in the UK.
Under the proposals, the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) would increase from 5 years to 10 years for many visa holders.
But the 10-year route is just the “baseline.” To earn ILR under the new system, applicants may also need to satisfy additional conditions — including:
Ongoing employment (or consistent National Insurance contributions)
No reliance on public benefits or welfare — no receiving state benefits or social housing while waiting for ILR.
Strong English language skills, potentially to a higher standard than currently required (from B1 to B2).
A clean criminal record (excluding serious offences).
Demonstrable “contribution” to the UK — including community engagement or volunteering, as well as economic contribution (tax/National Insurance).
According to the government’s own plan, some categories of people might be “fast-tracked” to ILR on a shorter timetable (less than 10 years) if they show “outsized contribution.” For example, high earners, certain visa holders, might get ILR in 3–5 years under this new model.
However, the “fast-track” is not guaranteed for everyone, and a key concern is that many of those “fast-tracked” may be high-earning individuals, leaving out ordinary families, low-paid workers, or people who temporarily paused working (e.g. for maternity, caring, illness).
The proposals also lay out penalties for those who the government deems “contribute less” (or rely on benefits, or have immigration issues). In some cases, a path to settlement could take much longer, or even become unachievable.
Current spouse-visa holders are expected to stay on the 5-year route, but the government has proposed new settlement requirements that may still affect them.
In other words, you may not be forced onto a 10-year route, but you may face new, stricter rules when applying for ILR. This uncertainty is exactly why every affected family should complete the consultation.
The government has launched a public consultation on these changes. The consultation is open until 12 February 2026, giving individuals, including spouses and dependants, the opportunity to respond with their views.
What This Means for Spouses, Couples & Families?
For many families, these proposals carry major risks and uncertainties. Here’s how you could be affected:
Even if you currently qualify for the 5-year route to ILR, there is no guarantee the same route will remain untouched. The new “contribution-based” tests could override or delay your settlement.
If your spouse does not (or cannot) meet the new “employment + National Insurance + no benefits + English + contribution” test, for example due to caring responsibilities, illness, maternity/paternity, job gaps, or just working in lower-paid or informal jobs, you may end up waiting much longer than 5 years, possibly 10+ years.
Even couples who met all requirements under the old system could be forced to re-apply or extend visas, pay renewal fees, and live in limbo while the new system is rolled out.
For families with children, or partners unable to work (because of studies, disability, or caring duties), the “contribution” requirement may feel like a double punishment: contributing economically can be impossible, yet you may still be penalised for it.
The requirement to volunteer or “give back to the community” to qualify for settlement places additional unpaid labour demands on migrants, even though many citizens will never face such demands.
In short: what used to be a clear, well-defined path to stability and belonging now risks being replaced by a complex, conditional, uncertain, and potentially unfair system, especially for ordinary families.
Why We Should Be Worried? It’s More Than Just Bureaucracy
The government is framing settlement as a “privilege you must earn,” rather than a right earned through lawful residence.
These measures seem designed to limit long-term settlement, reduce net migration, and make the UK more selective about who gets to stay, even among people who already live, work, pay taxes, and call the UK home.
Because the criteria are broad (income, benefits, contributions, volunteering, English, etc.), they risk being applied unevenly, potentially discriminating against lower-income households, single parents, carers, people with disabilities, or those who can’t easily “prove contribution.”
The uncertainty alone, fear that your path to settlement may be prolonged or blocked, causes stress, anxiety, and undermines people’s sense of belonging.
What You Can Do? Respond to the Consultation (Before 12 Feb 2026)
If this matters to you, and if you believe spouses, families, and migrants deserve security, fairness, and dignity, here’s how to make your voice heard.
Read the consultation document carefully
The consultation is titled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement (published November 2025). https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691edda450b16caf978153d8/Command_Paper_final_-_reviewed7.pdf
The document outlines proposed rules, conditions, and questions for public feedback.
Write your personal story
Explain that you are part of a mixed-nationality family.
Describe what contribution you and your spouse have made (work, taxes, community, volunteering, caregiving, family support, etc.).
Highlight how the changes would affect you: emotionally, financially, psychologically.
Point out unfairness or unintended consequences
E.g. spouses or dependants who don’t earn (because caring for children, elderly, studying, disability) will be punished under “contribution” tests.
The volunteer requirement places unpaid burden exclusively on migrants.
The policy undermines family unity and stability.
Advocate for transitional protection
The government should not apply these changes to people already on the 5-year route, unless they explicitly opt in.
Existing visa-holders should have a guarantee of fair treatment, without being forced to restart their path or meet new “retroactive” rules.
Submit your response to the consultation
Follow the link from the government’s announcement https://ukhomeoffice.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yMmiaG7zqwPuM6 make sure your submission is before 11:59 pm on 12 February 2026.
Consider also writing to your local MP, sharing personal stories can have strong impact.
Why This Matters? Because We’re Human, Not Just Numbers
For many of us, the UK isn’t just a place we work, live, or pay taxes. It’s home.
Our families are here. Our children are born here.
Our commitments, emotional, financial, societal, are real.
Asking us to “earn” the right to settle permanently, not based on justice or fairness, but on fluctuating criteria like income, employment gaps, language tests, volunteering, turns us from people into checkboxes.
It devalues sacrifice, love, and contribution.
It tells families like ours: “You’re only welcome if you prove yourself again and again.”
That’s not just a policy change. That’s a fundamental shift in how the UK treats its residents.
If you believe in fairness, dignity, and human rights, please, respond to the consultation.
Make your voice heard.
Because this doesn’t just affect “immigrants.”
It affects real families with hopes, dreams, and lives rooted in this country.
Need Support?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, confused by the proposal, simply want to talk about it, or want a little bit of help with the consultation questions, please know you’re not alone. These proposed changes affect thousands of families, and it’s completely understandable to need reassurance or clarity.
You’re welcome to reach out to us at any time.
Email us: dammyandlaura@gmail.com
Or use our contact form below.
We’re here to help however we can. Your voice matters, and every response makes a difference.
