Reform UK has unveiled proposals that would abolish the right for migrants to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK after five years of lawful residence. Instead, migrants would be required to reapply for time-limited visas every five years under tougher conditions, such as higher salary thresholds and English language requirements.
This article takes a look at the party’s proposals, including what they mean for the hundreds of thousands of people currently on indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
The party argues that removing ILR would prevent long-term welfare dependency, with claims that this could save a highly disputed figure of £234 billion over several decades. It has also proposed restricting access to welfare to British citizens only and creating new visa routes for entrepreneurs, investors, and roles in acute skills shortage areas.
However, these proposals would have profound implications for the hundreds of thousands of migrants currently living and working in the UK.
ILR is a cornerstone of the UK’s immigration system, providing certainty to individuals and families who have built their lives here. It also serves as the primary route to British citizenship. Retrospectively removing the possibility of ILR could destabilise lives, separate families, and expose the government to significant legal challenges.
While the current government has floated proposals to lengthen the ILR qualifying period from five years to ten, Reform’s approach is unprecedented in its scope and severity. No other mainstream political party has proposed such a sweeping overhaul of settlement rights.
Conclusion
The abolition of ILR would represent a fundamental shift away from providing long-term security and integration opportunities for migrants. For individuals and families currently working towards settlement and citizenship, Reform’s proposals would create uncertainty and instability. Although politically eye-catching, it is doubtful whether such measures could be implemented without extensive legal, economic, and human rights challenges. For now, ILR remains intact, but applicants should keep abreast of political developments, as the pathway to settlement may face substantial reform in the coming years.
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