What are the planned changes to immigration rules?

Key Points:

• Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has finalized plans to overhaul UK immigration rules, doubling the standard residency period required for permanent settlement from five to ten years, with certain exceptions for higher earners and key public service workers.
• Under the new rules, most migrants must have earned at least £12,571 for five of the seven years before applying for settlement, while high earners and skilled workers may qualify after shorter periods ranging from three to five years.
• Refugees will face different settlement timelines based on their arrival method and activities, with those arriving through official schemes qualifying after five years, but those arriving illegally potentially waiting up to 30 years if not working or studying.
• The changes apply to migrants currently in the UK who have not yet been granted settlement, with family members subject to the same qualifying periods unless they arrive simultaneously, and children under 18 exempt from income and language requirements.
• Additional conditions for settlement include no criminal record, proficiency in English, no outstanding debts to the taxpayer, and meeting minimum income thresholds, with stricter rules for migrants who have claimed certain benefits or breached immigration laws.