Nigerians working and living in the United Kingdom could face a longer wait before securing permanent residency following proposed changes to the country’s immigration settlement framework.
Under the revised Earned Settlement policy announced by the British government, the standard qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is expected to increase from five to 10 years for most foreign workers.
The changes are designed to make settlement eligibility depend more closely on applicants’ earnings, occupations and immigration compliance records, with different qualifying periods retained for certain categories of migrants.
The new conditions are expected to affect existing visa holders once the Home Office formally introduces the necessary changes, while individuals who breach immigration regulations or enter through undocumented routes could face waiting periods of between 20 and 30 years.
Here are 10 major aspects of the proposed changes and what they could mean for Nigerians in the UK.
1. Most skilled workers face a 10-year wait
The standard period required for most Skilled Worker visa holders to qualify for permanent residency is being extended from five to 10 years.
Nigerian professionals on this route would generally need to maintain their qualifying immigration status and meet the relevant conditions throughout the extended period before applying for ILR.
2. Workers earning at least £50,271 retain a five-year route
Migrants with annual earnings of £50,271 or above will remain eligible for the shorter five-year settlement pathway, provided they satisfy the other requirements.
The income-based provision is intended to favour workers whose earnings meet the specified threshold.
3. Lower-paid skilled workers move to the longer pathway
Those earning below the £50,271 annual threshold will generally be required to complete 10 years before becoming eligible for settlement.
Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate that their earnings meet the applicable tax requirements throughout the qualifying period.
4. Top earners and Global Talent visa holders retain a three-year option
Migrants earning at least £125,141 annually will qualify for a shorter three-year route under the framework.
Global Talent visa holders will also retain access to the accelerated pathway, which is intended for highly skilled professionals and individuals with recognised expertise.
5. Some existing care workers retain five-year eligibility
Care workers who entered or switched to the Health and Care visa route before May 2025 will continue to qualify for the five-year settlement option.
However, they must earn at least £25,000 annually and satisfy the relevant sponsorship conditions to benefit from the provision.
6. Newer care workers face a 10-year requirement
Those who joined the UK’s health and care sector after the May 2025 cut-off will no longer qualify for the shorter five-year pathway.
Instead, they will generally be subject to the 10-year settlement requirement under the revised framework.
7. Some public-sector professionals remain exempt
Certain essential workers, including National Health Service doctors and nurses, teachers and qualified social workers paid under national salary scales, will retain the five-year settlement route.
The exemption provides a different arrangement for professionals working in specified public services.
8. Family and spouse visa holders are not affected
The proposed changes are directed at economic migration routes rather than family-based immigration categories.
Consequently, spouses, civil partners and parents of British citizens or settled residents will continue to follow the existing five-year settlement pathway.
9. Student and Graduate visa periods will not count
Time spent in the UK under Student and Graduate, commonly known as post-study work, visas will no longer contribute towards the qualifying period under the revised settlement framework.
Only continuous residence on eligible settlement-track visas will count towards the required 10 years.
10. Existing visa holders could also be affected
The proposed framework is expected to cover migrants already living and working in the UK once the Home Office formalises the changes through its immigration rules.
Nigerians approaching settlement may therefore need to examine their visa records, employment history and earnings to establish how the revised requirements could affect their eligibility.
The changes could significantly alter the settlement plans of Nigerian professionals and families who moved to the UK under the previous five-year arrangement, although the final impact will depend on the formal implementation provisions and the category of visa held.
