UK Settlement Shock: How the “Earned ILR” System Impacts Skilled Worker & Health Visas

Hello, readers! Following up on the major UK migration news, many of you working or planning to work under a sponsored visa route—especially nurses and highly skilled professionals—are asking the same question: Do I now have to wait 10 years for settlement?

The short answer is: It depends entirely on your job, your salary, and your profession. The UK’s new “Earned Settlement” model, detailed in the November 2025 announcements, fundamentally changes the path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), or permanent residency. Here is the vital breakdown for two of the most popular work routes.

1. The Health and Care Worker Visa (For Nurses, Doctors, Allied Health)

This route is treated as a priority, but the rules are highly segmented based on your specific role and skill level.

Good News: Doctors and Registered Nurses

• Settlement Timeline: 5 Years.
• Why: The government recognizes the critical public service contribution of registered healthcare professionals (doctors, registered nurses, and certain allied health roles) and plans to maintain the existing 5-year pathway to ILR for these roles. Your path to settlement is secured, provided you meet the financial, character, and compliance standards.

Bad News: Care Workers and Senior Care Workers

• Settlement Timeline: 15 Years (Baseline).
• The Context: Recruitment of new overseas Care Workers and Senior Care Workers under the Health and Care Visa was banned earlier this year (July 2025). For those already in the UK on this visa, the settlement period is being drastically extended.
• The Hurdle: Because these roles are classified below the degree level (RQF Level 6), they are automatically penalized under the new system. The proposed baseline wait time for settlement is now 15 years, subject to consultation. Furthermore, reliance on certain benefits (even in-work benefits for families) could increase this wait time to 20 years or more.

Sage’s Insight: If you are a BSN-educated nurse moving to the UK, your RN registration puts you firmly in the prioritized 5-year category. If you are a care worker, this new policy is designed to drastically discourage long-term settlement.

2. The Skilled Worker Visa (For Engineers, IT, Finance, etc.)

The Skilled Worker route is subject to the new 10-year baseline, but high earners have a clear path to fast-track their application.

Default Timeline: The 10-Year Baseline

• Settlement Timeline: 10 Years (Default).
• The Change: Most migrants on the Skilled Worker Visa will no longer automatically qualify for ILR after 5 years. The new default wait time is 10 years of continuous lawful residence.

Fast-Track Reductions: Earning Your Settlement

The new model allows you to “earn” a reduced timeline based on your economic and social contribution:

The Common New Requirements for Everyone

Regardless of your visa type, the new system introduces strict, non-negotiable standards that everyone must meet to qualify for ILR:

• Clean Compliance: No criminal convictions, no history of immigration rule breaches, and no outstanding NHS, tax, or government debt.
• English Standard: The minimum English language requirement for ILR is expected to rise from the current B1 level to B2 level (equivalent to A-Level or advanced academic standard).
• No Benefits: Long-term reliance on most public funds will now result in severe penalties, potentially extending your wait time to 15 or 20 years.

Final Word from Sage

The UK is clearly signaling a fundamental change: permanent settlement is no longer an automatic progression of time; it is a privilege that must be earned through measurable economic and social contribution.

If you are a highly skilled professional or a registered nurse, your path is largely protected at the 5-year mark. If you are in a lower-skilled RQF position, you must plan for a much longer journey.