Summary

The government is consulting on how the current settlement system should be reformed and how those reforms should be implemented.

This consultation closes at 11:59pm on 12 February 2026

Consultation description

Settlement refers to a person’s right to live in the UK permanently without any immigration restrictions. It is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

The 2025 UK Immigration White Paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, introduced significant reforms to how migrants can settle in the UK.

Settlement will no longer be granted automatically after a fixed period. Instead, migrants will need to earn it by demonstrating sustained good conduct, contribution and integration.

Link to consultation

WMCA's advice to members:

As many of you have sponsored workers, the governments proposals will have ramifications for your international workforce. We therefore encourage any of you who have sponsored workers to reply to this consultation

The Home Office is hosting live broadcasts to explain the Earned Settlement proposals. Each session will deliver the same content. There will not be Q&A. Join on the day using the links below: 

• Wednesday 10^th December 2025 – 11:00 to 11:45: 
• https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OTIzOGYyMWItNmFmYy00ZjA3LWEzNDMtZDNkODQxOWI0NzIw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22f24d93ec-b291-4192-a08a-f182245945c2%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22abb41690-f14d-46a6-b70c-70758b860789%22%7d 
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• Wednesday 10^th December 2025 – 15:30 to 16:15: 
• https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzQ5NWNlOWEtZDdkYi00NGYxLTljNmItNzVjMDMzN2EyYjE5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22f24d93ec-b291-4192-a08a-f182245945c2%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22abb41690-f14d-46a6-b70c-70758b860789%22%7d 
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• Thursday 11^th December 2025 – 13:00 to 13:45: 
• https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NjdmMWVmZmEtZjU0YS00MGJjLWI4NWUtMGFmNzIwNGMwNWEx%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22f24d93ec-b291-4192-a08a-f182245945c2%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22abb41690-f14d-46a6-b70c-70758b860789%22%7d 
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• Friday 12^th December 2025 - 11:00 to 11:45: 
• https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NDQ5MjQ4ZTQtNTlhOS00ZmFlLWFlMGMtZTA5NjQ5OTQ0YmIy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22f24d93ec-b291-4192-a08a-f182245945c2%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22abb41690-f14d-46a6-b70c-70758b860789%22%7d 

Joining the broadcast - troubleshooting: 

• Use the Microsoft Teams app for best experience. Download it in advance. 
• Sign in as a guest if you don’t have a Microsoft account. 
• Preferred browsers if using web: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Note: some corporate firewalls may block access. 
• Still having difficulty? Join on a non-corporate device or speak to your IT support.