Ryan Prosser
Published November 21, 2025 3:09pm
Updated November 21, 2025 3:09pm
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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood this week unveiled a new ‘contribution-based’ reforms to the UK’s immigration system (Picture: MEGA)
This week the Home Office unveiled ‘sweeping changes’ to the UK’s immigration system.
Under the new regime, designed to mirror successful measures taken in Denmark, asylum will become temporary and migrants will have to wait longer to claim indefinite leave and citizenship.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new scheme would curb the recent ‘unprecedented’ wave of migration and prioritise ‘contribution, integration and respect for the British sense of fair play’.
The changes come after ministers took interest in the Danish model where, under centre left prime minister Mette Frederiksen, 95 per cent of asylum seekers are turned away and claims are at their lowest level in 40 years.
With Reform waiting in the wings and having dominated the summer with promises of tough action, Ms Mahmood will be hoping her new measures help turn the tide on Labour’s fortunes as it trails Nigel Farage’s party by up to 15 points in the latest polls.
But what do the new rules mean for the UK and people wanting to come and settle here? Read on to find out more.
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Under new rules many migrants will have to wait up to 10 years before they can apply to stay permanently in the UK (Picture: NurPhoto)
What are the UK government’s new immigration rules?
Ten years for permanent status
Top of the changes in the Government’s ‘earned settlement’ scheme are new rules for those wishing to permanently settle in the UK.
Most migrants will now have to wait 10 years to apply for indefinite leave to remain, double the current period of five years.
The change will affect nearly two million migrants who arrived in the UK since 2021, often referred to as the ‘Boriswave’.
Exceptions will be made for those who make ‘strong contribution to British life’, including doctors and nurses working in the NHS.
Hong Kong citizens will British national (overseas) visas will also continue to enjoy the current five-year rule.
Also exempt are migrants with existing settled status within the UK.
Restrictions on benefit claimants
The Home Office has also announced that those who exploit the system will be subject to penalties.
Migrants who are reliant on benefits face a 20-year wait before they can apply for permanent status.
Further proposals would deny migrants benefits until they have been naturalised and are British citizens.
Those found to have entered illegally or have overstayed their visa will be banned from applying for permanent settlement for 30 years.
More favourable terms for talented migrants
It’s better news however for migrants deemed talented and on high pay, who will only have to wait five years before they can apply to stay permanently.
The shorter timeframe will also apply to doctors and nurses in the NHS.
Migrants may be able to apply for settlement sooner if they demonstrate ‘integration’ into British society such as through learning English and volunteering (Picture: Alamy)
Migrants on Global Talent or Innovator Founder visas may only have a three-year wait for settlement.
Incentives may also be offered to those who ‘integrate’ better into British society, such as by learning English and volunteering.
While ‘transitional arrangements’ may apply to those already in the UK, the new contribution-based rules are intended to affect all those who have yet to claim indefinite leave.
Tougher rules for refugees
Refugees, on the other hand, now have a 20-year wait before they can apply for permanent status.
Until then they will be granted leave for 30 months, extendable for as long as their home country is deemed unsafe.
Under the Denmark-inspired asylum reforms, support for migrants will become discretionary and withheld from certain people, including criminals and those who can work but refuse to do so.
Migrants being brought ashore by an RNLI lifeboat after attempting to cross the English Channel (Picture: Reuters)
Those will sufficient assets and income will be required to make a contribution themselves under the new policy.
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Refugees will also not be automatically entitled to family reunion.
Furthermore, financial support will be provided to those who agree to leave voluntarily, while sanctions will be imposed on countries that fail to co-operate with repatriating their citizens, including a suspension of visas for that country.
Finally, the new rules will require migrants wishing to make an appeal to submit all their claims at once to one panel
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