The UK government has officially doubled the Skilled Worker visa residency requirement for settlement, forcing migrants to remain in the country for 10 years before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The change, announced in mid-2025, marks one of the most significant shifts in UK immigration policy in recent years and has sparked widespread debate among businesses, migrants, and political groups.
Background: What Is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker visa is the UK’s primary work-based immigration route, allowing foreign nationals to come to the country for employment in approved skilled occupations. Traditionally, after five years of continuous legal residence in the UK under this visa, holders could apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—a pathway to permanent settlement and, eventually, British citizenship.
ILR is a crucial milestone because it grants rights almost identical to permanent residency, including:
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Freedom from visa restrictions.
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Access to public funds.
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Greater security for long-term family settlement.
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Eligibility to apply for British citizenship after an additional qualifying period.
Until recently, the five-year residency rule provided a balance between attracting talent and ensuring migrants had made a lasting contribution to the UK. However, in July 2025, the Home Office announced a fundamental change that shifts this balance.
Who Will Be Affected by the New Residency Requirement?
The reform impacts all current and future Skilled Worker visa holders, regardless of salary level or profession. This includes:
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Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and care workers—many of whom were initially recruited to help fill NHS shortages.
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Tech workers, engineers, and academics on long-term employment contracts.
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Hospitality and construction workers brought in under shortage occupation lists.
Importantly, there are no transitional protections for those already in the UK under the five-year rule. This means even migrants who expected to qualify for ILR in 2026 or 2027 will now need to wait until they have completed 10 continuous years.
Why Was the Decision Made?
According to the government’s Immigration White Paper (May 2025), the change is part of a broader strategy to:
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Reduce net migration to the UK.
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Encourage “temporary” work rather than “permanent settlement” through employment visas.
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Align the Skilled Worker visa with other long-term residence rules, which often require a 10-year continuous stay.
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Respond to political pressure from voters concerned about immigration levels.
Supporters of the change argue it will prevent the visa from becoming a “backdoor to citizenship” and ensure only those with the strongest commitment to the UK remain permanently.
How the New Residency Requirement Will Work
The rule came into force in July 2025, with the following key points:
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ILR application timeline extended: Skilled Worker visa holders must now complete 10 years of continuous residence.
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Continuous residence defined: The Home Office’s new guidance (effective 29 July 2025) outlines how absences from the UK are counted. Typically, absences of more than 180 days in a 12-month period break continuous residence.
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No exemptions: The rule applies across all Skilled Worker categories, including shortage occupations.
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Visa extensions required: Since most Skilled Worker visas are granted for up to five years, holders will now need at least one visa extension before reaching ILR eligibility.
Impact on Migrants and Their Families
The consequences of this policy change are far-reaching:
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Increased costs – Migrants will have to pay for additional visa extensions, health surcharges, and related fees, potentially running into thousands of pounds more over a decade.
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Job security concerns – Workers must remain in sponsored employment for a longer period, increasing dependence on employers.
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Family settlement delayed – Spouses and dependents will also face a longer wait for permanent settlement, creating uncertainty for families.
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Longer path to citizenship – Since British citizenship typically requires ILR first, migrants may now need over 11–12 years before becoming citizens.
For many skilled professionals, particularly in healthcare, this change has been described as a “breaking of trust” after the UK heavily recruited them during workforce shortages.
Economic and Political Considerations
The government justifies the change as necessary to control immigration numbers, but critics warn of negative consequences:
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Labour shortages: Extending the settlement requirement may discourage skilled workers from choosing the UK, particularly when countries like Canada, Australia, and Germany offer shorter routes to permanent residency.
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Business impact: Employers could struggle to attract and retain international talent, especially in high-demand industries.
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Political backlash: Human rights groups and migrant advocacy organisations accuse the government of moving the goalposts for people who already built their lives in the UK.
Economically, the policy could reduce the UK’s attractiveness as a destination for global talent, at a time when the country is competing internationally for highly skilled workers.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Businesses:
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) said the change will “damage the UK’s competitiveness” and warned that skilled professionals may choose countries with more welcoming settlement policies.
Healthcare sector:
NHS leaders expressed concern that extending the residency requirement will worsen staffing shortages, as many international doctors and nurses may reconsider long-term careers in the UK.
Migrants:
Some workers have described feeling “tricked” after committing to jobs and relocating families under the assumption that ILR was possible after five years.
Government:
Home Secretary statements argue the rule will “restore fairness and public confidence” in the immigration system.
How to Apply or Extend Under the New Rules
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Skilled Worker visa holders must continue to renew their visas until they reach 10 years of continuous residence.
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They must ensure they maintain valid sponsorship from an eligible UK employer throughout.
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When applying for ILR, applicants must still meet requirements including:
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Proof of employment and income.
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English language proficiency.
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Life in the UK test.
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Applicants who planned to apply for ILR after five years must now plan financially and legally for an extended pathway.
Possible Challenges and Criticisms
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Affordability: With extension fees and surcharges, many migrants may face costs exceeding £15,000 for themselves and their families over 10 years.
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Legal challenges: Immigration lawyers suggest potential challenges could be brought under human rights grounds, particularly for those already on the five-year track.
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Talent drain: Skilled migrants may increasingly choose alternative destinations with faster settlement pathways.
Public Response So Far
Public opinion is divided:
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Some voters support the move as a way to manage long-term migration.
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Others see it as unfair to workers who fill critical roles in healthcare, social care, and essential services.
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Online forums show a strong sense of betrayal among migrants who had structured careers and family plans around the five-year rule.
What to Expect Next
The policy is now in force, but lobbying efforts from businesses, unions, and migrant organisations are expected to intensify in the coming months. The government has given no indication of transitional relief, but pressure could build if worker shortages deepen in vital sectors like healthcare and technology.
The UK Skilled Worker Visa residency requirement was doubled in July 2025, increasing the wait for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from 5 years to 10 years. This change applies to all current and future visa holders, with no exemptions. Migrants must now complete 10 continuous years in the UK, pay for additional extensions, and delay citizenship applications, making settlement more costly and time-consuming.