How the 2025 Immigration White Paper Moves the ILR Clock for Skilled Workers While Affecting Graduates & Overseas Care Workers

We examine the comprehensive impact of the 2025 immigration white paper, analysing the new Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Rules and their effects on skilled workers, as well as the changes affecting healthcare workers and students in the UK.

It can be difficult to understand how the government’s immigration white paper effects the route to settlement for skilled workers, and the how the new rules effect British businesses, charities and universities, as well as the health care sector and students.  We provide an update and timeline on the key changes to help you understand the incoming rule changes and when they are due to be enforced.

Page Contents

• 10-Year Skilled-Worker ILR Rules – What is Changing?
• ILR Timeline
• Who Remains Eligible for the Five-Year Route?
• ILR Requirements – Changes
• Guidance for applicants & HR teams 
• Settlement advice & support

Who Remains Eligible for the Five-Year Route?

Not everyone will be subject to the extended 10-year timeline. You may still qualify for the current five-year route if you fall into any of the transition groups:

Transition group eligibility

Anyone whose first Skilled Worker, Health & Care, or other eligible work visa was granted before 6 April 2026 remains on the five-year track. This protects those already on their settlement journey.

Critical deadline

You must lodge your ILR application on or before 5 April 2031 to benefit from the five-year route. Missing this deadline could reset your clock to the new 10-year requirement so applicants must make sure to meet the deadline.

Evidence requirements

You’ll need to show that you have spent 60 months in the same visa category, passed the B2 English requirement, and completed the latest Life in the UK test. Failure to document continuous residence without excessive absences will be scrutinised closely.

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Earned Settlement: How to Score Contribution Points

The new “Earned Settlement” system offers a faster pathway to ILR for those who can accumulate sufficient contribution points. Here’s how the system will likely work:

Salary bands

Points will be awarded for earnings beyond the 75th percentile for your occupation. The higher your salary is compared to others in your field, the more points you’ll receive.

STEM & public-interest roles

Working in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or designated public-interest fields earns bonus points. The government is currently prioritising these sectors as a way to boost the UK economy.

Tax and NI record

A clean, continuous record of full-time employment with proper tax and National Insurance contributions adds weight to your application. It simply tells the Home Office that you are financially stable and committed to playing by the rules.

Volunteering and civic engagement

Community involvement matters now more than ever. Registered charity work, mentoring programmes, and taking on local leadership roles can contribute to your points.

Qualifications

Completing a UK PhD or equivalent adds one-off points to your contribution score. This rewards those who have invested in gaining new qualifications within the British education system.

Route-Specific Implications

Standard Skilled Worker Path

The standard route to settlement will be longer for new applicants due to the 10-year ILR timeline. Maintaining a salary above future thresholds will also help you accumulate contribution points.

Graduate Visa Holders Transitioning to Skilled Worker

The graduate visa will change to 18-months  with the new rules, but your ILR clock starts only after switching to a Skilled Worker visa.

STEM graduates commanding competitive salaries may still be able to settle in six years via the Earned Settlement route with the right career choice and salary threshold.

Senior-Carer & Social-Care Switchers

The frontline care route closes in early 2026, after which switching to RQF 6 senior-carer sponsorship will become the main pathway. Care workers who wish to start their ILR settlement at that point must meet the new salary and English-language requirements for settlement.

English-Language Requirements for ILR

Level requirements

A minimum of B2 level English proficiency becomes the new standard from 6 April 2026. This means you have to understand complex text, engage in detailed discussions, and be able to express yourself fluently.

Accepted tests

Several tests like the  IELTS, Pearson PTE, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and the Home Office Secure English Test Online will be recognized. Each has different formats and fees, so research the one that suits your learning style the most.

Validity period

Test certificates must be dated within two years of your ILR application. Don’t take the test too early, or you might need to repeat it when applying.

Exemptions

Applicants aged 65+ or those with chronic medical conditions certified by a GP may be exempt from the language requirement.

Struggling with visa applications under the new rules? Our expert application assistance service has a 98% approval rate and offers end-to-end support for your relocation journey. Get professional help now. 

Action Plan for Skilled Worker Applicants

The new UK immigration whitepaper contained a lot of surprising changes, but here’s what we think you should do to prepare:

• Track your timeline

Note your visa grant dates carefully and ensure no gaps in your immigration status. Even small breaks could reset your continual residence, so you have to be very intentional with this.

• Secure payslips & P60s

Maintain detailed evidence of high salary as this can boost your contribution points. Always keep digital and physical copies of all employment documentation in case you ever need it for your ILR application.

• Book an English test early.

Prepare to take your language test approximately six months before your ILR target date. This allows time for retaking if necessary while ensuring the certificate remains valid until the time of your application.

• Plan your finances

Create a budget for higher Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and ILR fees over the next 10 years. The extended timeline means more visa renewals and associated costs, potentially totalling over £20,000 for a family of four.

Guidance for Sponsors & HR Teams

If you are a UK employer, it’s best to be adequately prepared for compliance duties and other legal responsibilities. This section provides a guide on other ways to support your skilled workers through these changes;

• Salary alignment

Coordinate salary review cycles with projected threshold increases to ensure sponsored employees maintain eligibility and accumulate sufficient contribution points.

• Create Support programmes

Consider providing English-language training and community-volunteering opportunities that can help staff earn contribution points.

• Record keeping

Maintain digital records of everything because the UKVI audit teams will request payslips and tax data during Earned Settlement checks for your employees. Poor documentation could jeopardise your employees’ settlement prospects.

Preparing for a Longer Settlement in the UK

The 2025 Immigration White Paper has altered ILR permanent residence in the UK. Skilled workers who intend to apply must have a strategy that aligns with their career and other factors to increase contribution points.

With proper guidance and planning, you’ll still be able to navigate the new system successfully.

Ready to secure your future in the UK despite these challenging new rules? Our team can help create a strategy that fits. Schedule your consultation now.

How Total Law Can Help

Strategic ILR road-mapping

We will create personalised settlement timelines from your first Skilled Worker visa to permanent residence, with clear milestones and actions required at each stage.

Contribution-point maximisation audits

Our experts will assess your salary, skills, and civic activities that can improve your path to Earned Settlement.

End-to-end visa management

We will provide fast-track filings, appeals, and global relocation services so you can have continual residence throughout your journey to settlement.