3, 5 or 10 years?

The pathways

• 3 years: £125,141+ in 3 of the last 4 years, or at least 3 years on a highest talent scheme, like Global Talent or Innovator Founder, as your latest visa
• 5 years: £50,271+ in 3 of the last 5 years, 5 years in an eligible health or education job, or a British connection
• 10 years: the new default. £12,571+ in 5 of the last 7 years
• 20 years: specified public funds, or an immigration breach as an adult

Refugees have separate pathways.

Everyone also needs: B2 English, Life in the UK, no adult UK criminal record, and no government debt. Exemptions apply for English and Life in the UK.

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.

Gone

• The 15-year care route
• Volunteering and C1 English reductions
• Student and Graduate time counting towards settlement
• The Long Residence route, once it closes (no date yet)

Protected

• Care workers who started before the May 2025 White Paper, if they meet the conditions
• Health and education support staff on national pay scales who came before then, if they meet their visa requirements

No general protection for other Skilled Workers.

Sources (GOV.UK only)

• Government response
• Consultation page
• Consultation findings