Will ILR Be Scrapped? Reform’s Plan vs the Government’s Earned Settlement

Will indefinite leave to remain be scrapped? Not under current law. Reform UK has pledged to abolish ILR and replace it with a renewable five-year work visa, including for people who already hold ILR. That is a party pledge, not law. Separately, the government confirmed on 2 November 2026 that settlement will be “earned”, with a default qualifying period of 10 years instead of 5. Those changes are not yet in force, and the government has said settled status will never be removed from anyone who already holds it.

Updated November 2026.

The short answer

If you are already settled, nothing has changed. If you are on a five-year route now, the government’s reforms matter much more to you than Reform’s pledge. Our immigration solicitors can check where you stand.

What is Reform UK proposing?

Reform UK announced its plan in September 2025. As reported at the time, it would:

• abolish indefinite leave to remain and replace it with a five-year work visa that has to be renewed
• apply to people who already have ILR, who would need to reapply
• stop visa holders claiming benefits, with exceptions later announced for some groups such as Ukrainians and Hong Kongers
• raise the residence period for British citizenship from five to seven years
• raise English language requirements and link dependants to income

Reform has since restated the core plan, adding a special visa for spouses of British citizens. The details remain those of a manifesto-style pledge. There is no draft legislation, and some of the savings figures originally quoted have since been disputed.

Why the plan would be hard to deliver

Abolishing ILR for future applicants would need changes to the Immigration Rules, which a government can make. Removing ILR from people who already have it is a different matter.

• It would almost certainly need primary legislation and would face legal challenges, including under the Human Rights Act and the rule against retrospective changes to settled rights.
• Many groups have separate protection. EU citizens with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, which is an international treaty.
• The administrative load would be enormous. Hundreds of thousands of renewal applications every five years would land on a system that already has long processing times.
• Employers and the NHS rely on settled workers. Uncertainty about permanent status would make recruitment harder in sectors already short of staff.

None of that makes the plan impossible, but it would take years, not weeks, and the outcome would depend on Parliament and the courts.

What the government has actually announced: earned settlement

The more immediate change comes from the government itself. Following the May 2025 Immigration White Paper and a consultation that closed in February 2026, the Home Secretary set out the final earned settlement model on 2 November 2026.

Everyone applying for settlement will also need a clean criminal record, English at a high standard, no debts to the taxpayer and a record of National Insurance contributions. Separately, the English requirement for settlement is already due to rise to B2 for applications made from 26 March 2027.

The government says there will be protection for some groups already in the UK, including care workers who met their visa conditions and earned at least £25,000 a year, and that Hong Kong BN(O) holders, armed forces members and family members of British citizens keep their current pathways. Otherwise, settlement rules will apply as they stand on the date you apply.

As at November 2026, the changes have not been written into the Immigration Rules. Implementation is expected to be phased. If you are close to qualifying under the current five-year rules, timing may matter.

What this means if you already have ILR

• Your status is secure under current law. The government has said it will not remove ILR from existing holders.
• Do not lose it by absence. ILR usually lapses if you spend more than two continuous years outside the UK (five years for EU Settlement Scheme settled status).
• Keep your eVisa up to date. Physical documents have been replaced by eVisas, and your UKVI account must show your current passport. Our eVisa guide explains how to check and share your status.
• Consider British citizenship. Naturalising gives the strongest protection against future policy changes. Most people can apply 12 months after getting ILR, or straight away if married to a British citizen.

What this means if you are on a route to settlement

• Check which group you fall into under the earned settlement model, and whether any transitional protection applies.
• Keep evidence of earnings and National Insurance, as these will affect how long you wait.
• Avoid gaps and breaches. Overstaying or claiming public funds can push settlement back by many years.
• Plan your English test for the B2 requirement if you will apply after March 2027.
• Long residence applicants should take advice now, as the government has said the 10-year long residence route will close. See our guide to the 10-year long residence rule.
• Skilled Workers should check the current salary and going-rate rules, which also affect extensions.

Frequently asked questions

Is ILR being scrapped?

No. ILR still exists. Reform UK has pledged to abolish it, but that is not law. The government is keeping ILR but making it slower to obtain for many people.

Can my ILR be taken away?

Under current law, ILR can be lost through long absence from the UK, deportation, or revocation in limited cases such as deception. The government has said it will not remove settled status from existing holders under its new policy.

When does earned settlement start?

The model was confirmed on 2 November 2026 but had not been written into the Immigration Rules at the time of writing. It is expected to be phased in.

Will I have to wait 10 years for ILR?

That will depend on your earnings, job, route and immigration history. Ten years is the new default, but higher earners, some public service workers and some protected groups will still qualify after five years or less.

Should I apply for citizenship now?

If you are eligible, citizenship gives the most security. The residence, good character and Life in the UK requirements still apply, so take advice before you apply.

If you are worried about your status or planning a settlement application, contact our immigration team or call 0330 341 4757. Our fees for ILR and citizenship applications are published.

Please note: This article is general information about UK immigration law and policy as at November 2026. Policy in this area is changing quickly. It is not legal advice. Prime Legal Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA No. 834471.