New UK immigration rules scheduled for 2026 will raise English language requirements for key work visas and introduce a new “earned settlement” model for permanent residency, according to measures announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. From 8 January 2026, many new skilled workers, graduates and scale-up visa applicants will need to meet a higher English standard, while separate reforms due from spring 2026 could extend the wait for Indefinite Leave to Remain to up to 20 years for some migrants who rely on benefits.


What is changing in UK immigration policy in 2026?

The UK Government has outlined a package of immigration reforms widely described by officials and analysts as one of the most substantial overhauls of the system in years. The changes focus on two main areas: work-related visas and the rules governing settlement, formally known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

The measures build on a series of post-Brexit and post-pandemic immigration reforms that have already altered routes for students, health and social care workers, and skilled migrants. Ministers say the 2026 changes are designed to reinforce integration, reduce perceived “dependency” on the welfare system, and respond to public concern over migration levels. Critics argue that the reforms could deter needed workers and create long-term insecurity for people making their lives in the UK.

The Home Office has said the new rules will apply primarily to people who arrived in the UK after 2021 and to new visa applicants, rather than those who have already secured settlement under existing schemes.


Higher English language requirements for work visas

From 8 January 2026, migrants applying for several types of work-related visas will need to demonstrate a higher level of English. According to government announcements, the English requirement for many new applicants will rise from B1 to B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), moving from intermediate to upper-intermediate level.

  • Applies to: new first-time applicants for Skilled Worker visas, graduate routes, and scale-up visas for employees of fast-growing businesses.
  • New standard: B2 English, broadly in line with UK A-level language standards.
  • Previous standard: B1 English, which corresponds to lower-intermediate level.
  • Existing holders: those extending existing visas will remain subject to the current, lower requirement.

The scale-up visa route is intended to support high-growth companies by enabling them to recruit skilled overseas staff. Graduate visas allow international students who have completed degrees in the UK to remain temporarily in the country to work or look for work.

Officials argue that raising the standard to B2 will improve communication in workplaces and support longer-term integration. The change is expected to affect thousands of prospective applicants annually, particularly those from countries where English is not widely taught to advanced levels.

UK border control at Heathrow Airport. New 2026 rules will apply to many first-time skilled worker and graduate visa applicants. Image: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood first signalled the tougher language threshold in an October policy statement. She said: “If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part… It is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life.” Supporters of the policy say it reflects public expectations that those settling in the UK should be able to participate fully in social and economic life.


The new “earned settlement” model

The centrepiece of the 2026 reforms is a new “earned settlement” system that will change how many migrants qualify for permanent residency in Britain. Settlement, or Indefinite Leave to Remain, allows a person to live and work in the UK without time limits and is typically a prerequisite for British citizenship.

Under current rules, many work visa holders can apply for settlement after five years of continuous lawful residence, provided they meet income, conduct and absence requirements. The government’s proposals would introduce a more graduated pathway, with waiting times linked to benefit use and, for some groups, the type of visa held.

According to the plans, the measures will apply largely to an estimated 2.6 million people who have arrived in the UK since 2021. People who have already obtained settlement under existing schemes would not be affected.

Settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain allows someone to live in the UK permanently, work and access public services without restrictions. It is also a key step towards gaining British citizenship.

Ministers have framed the shift as a move away from automatic or time-based routes toward a model that, in their view, “rewards contribution” and discourages long-term reliance on the welfare system.


Benefit use could mean waits of up to 20 years

A central feature of the earned settlement model is the link between benefit use and the time required to qualify for permanent residency. Under the proposals:

  • Legal migrants who claim benefits for less than 12 months could face a 15-year wait before being eligible for settled status.
  • Those who rely on benefits for longer than 12 months could face a wait of up to 20 years.
  • People who arrived on post-Brexit health and social care visas may also see their settlement path extended from five years to around 15 years, according to the outline proposals.

Detailed regulations have not yet been published, and the government has launched a consultation on how to implement the new framework. That consultation is expected to run until February 2026, with the reforms scheduled to come into force from spring 2026.

The approach departs from earlier policies that placed more emphasis on length of continuous residence and compliance with immigration conditions, regardless of benefit use. The Home Office argues that the new model better aligns settlement with “economic self-sufficiency” and “long-term integration outcomes”.


Impact on post-2021 arrivals and health and social care workers

The reforms will primarily affect people who arrived in the UK from 2021 onwards, including those on routes created or expanded after Brexit. Among those most directly affected are migrants on health and social care visas, a group that has grown rapidly as the UK has tried to address staffing shortages in the NHS and care sector.

Under current rules, many health and care workers can move from a time-limited visa to settlement after five years if salary and other criteria are met. Under the proposed earned settlement system, they could need to wait around 15 years before becoming eligible, particularly if they have drawn on certain benefits.

Care sector employers have expressed concern that longer and more uncertain routes to settlement may make it harder to recruit and retain staff, especially for roles that are already hard to fill domestically. Some trade unions and migrant advocates argue that those who worked in frontline roles during and after the Covid-19 pandemic should not face extended insecurity.


Government rationale for the 2026 immigration reforms

Ministers have framed the reforms as part of a broader effort to manage migration in line with economic needs while responding to public concerns about integration and access to public services. Raising English language requirements is presented as a way to ensure that new arrivals can communicate effectively at work and participate in civic life.

The earned settlement model, meanwhile, is portrayed as a shift toward a system that “rewards contribution” and “prioritises those who are economically active and self-supporting”. Linking settlement timelines to benefit use is intended, in the government’s view, to encourage financial independence and reduce long-term pressure on welfare budgets.

Supporters within government and aligned think tanks argue that the changes clarify expectations on both sides: migrants know that permanent residency will require not only time in the UK but also a record of limited welfare dependency and sufficient language skills.


Criticism and concerns from employers and advocates

The proposals have drawn criticism from business groups, some economists, and migrant rights organisations, who warn of potential unintended consequences for the labour market and social cohesion.

  • Business and skills shortages: Employers in sectors such as technology, engineering and care say higher English thresholds and longer settlement routes may make the UK less attractive to international talent, particularly compared with other English-speaking destinations.
  • Impact on lower-paid but essential roles: Critics argue that tying settlement to benefit use does not fully account for low-paid but vital jobs where wages may be insufficient to cope with rising living costs, potentially forcing some workers to rely on benefits temporarily.
  • Long-term insecurity: Migrant advocacy groups say waits of 15 or 20 years for settled status could leave families in prolonged uncertainty, affecting decisions about housing, education and community integration.
  • Administrative complexity: Legal specialists have raised questions about how benefit use will be tracked and assessed, and whether the rules might generate more disputes or appeals in the immigration system.

Some organisations have called for safeguards to protect people who face short-term hardship due to illness, disability, or economic shocks, warning that rigid thresholds could penalise those who are otherwise well integrated and contributing.


Timeline: When will the new rules take effect?

Two key dates structure the introduction of the 2026 immigration reforms:

  1. 8 January 2026 – English language changes: From this date, many new applicants for skilled worker, graduate and scale-up visas will need to demonstrate B2 level English, rather than the previous B1 requirement.
  2. Spring 2026 – Earned settlement model: Following the conclusion of a government consultation due to end in February 2026, the new earned settlement rules are expected to come into force, affecting routes to Indefinite Leave to Remain for many post-2021 arrivals.

Detailed guidance is likely to be published closer to implementation, including transitional arrangements for people already in the UK on temporary visas and for those who have made plans based on the previous five-year settlement expectation.



Context and what to watch next

The 2026 visa and settlement reforms come after years of debate over how open the UK’s immigration system should be following Brexit. Previous changes have already tightened family migration, altered student routes and created dedicated schemes for health and care workers.

Analysts say the impact of the latest measures will depend on how strictly benefit-related rules are applied, the availability of support for migrants trying to meet higher English standards, and how employers adapt their recruitment strategies. The consultation period and subsequent parliamentary scrutiny may still shape the final form of the earned settlement model.

For now, legal experts advise prospective migrants and recent arrivals to monitor official guidance closely and seek professional advice where necessary, particularly if they are planning long-term stays or eventual citizenship in the UK.