Europe

UK to double wait for permanent residency, with exemptions for care workers

Most migrant workers would need a decade in Britain before settling, though higher earners and some social care staff could qualify earlier.

UK to double wait for permanent residency, with exemptions for care workers
Photograph: AJE

Britain plans to double the time most migrant workers must spend in the country before they can apply for permanent residency. Under the new rules, the standard wait would rise to 10 years.

Exemptions would apply to care workers, and people earning higher salaries would be able to qualify for settlement sooner than the standard period allows. The report did not say when the rules take effect or how the earnings threshold would be set.

Read next