Earned settlement · Skilled Worker
On a Skilled Worker visa? Your default is now 10 years.
You could still get there in 3 or 5.
Last updated: 2 November 2026
Your options
- 3 years: £125,141+ in 3 of the last 4 years
- 5 years: £50,271+ in 3 of the last 5 years
- 5 years: 5 years as a doctor, nurse, teacher or another eligible role
- 10 years: £12,571+ in 5 of the last 7 years
Am I protected?
There's no general protection for Skilled Workers. If you joined before April 2024, you can extend on current terms until 2035, but that doesn't lock in 5 years.
Do this now
- Check your last 5 years of earnings against £50,271
- Keep your payslips and P60s
- See if your job is on the eligible list
- Sort B2 English and Life in the UK
Not published yet
- The start date
- Whether reaching 5 years first gets you the old rules
- How your existing time counts
- Which income counts
What can push you to 20 years
- Using specified public funds (list not published)
- An immigration breach as an adult, like overstaying
What can get you refused: any adult UK criminal record, including conditional cautions and fines.
Other routes
Sources (GOV.UK only)
Confirmed, but not in force. Current rules still apply. No start date yet. General information, not legal advice. Last updated 2 November 2026.