There’s a major Home Office consultation happening right now — and it has the potential to reshape the settlement (ILR) pathway for tens of thousands of people already living and working in the UK.
Most people haven’t heard about it. Many won’t understand its full impact. And even fewer will realise how their response could influence the final policy.
If you or someone you know is on a path toward ILR, please take a moment to read this.
**🔍 Will People Already in the UK Have to Wait Longer?
Sadly… yes. In most cases.**
The consultation includes a line that many immigration practitioners found shocking:
“We propose to apply these changes to everyone in the country today who has not already received ILR.”
This is incredibly unusual — most major immigration changes in the past have not been applied retroactively.
What this could mean:
- People expecting ILR in 2026–2028 may suddenly need to meet new, higher salary rules
- Individuals currently on a 5-year route could be pushed to 10 years
- Some may find themselves no longer qualifying at all under the new thresholds
- Families who planned their lives around predictable timelines could face significant disruption
For many, this feels less like a policy change and more like the goalposts being moved halfway through the match.
🟠 Transitional Arrangements… But Only for “Borderline Cases”
The consultation hints at transitional protections — but only for:
“borderline cases”
This means:
- No guaranteed protection for the majority already here
- No automatic grandfathering
- Heavy reliance on discretion, not clear rules
In reality, most people will not be shielded from the new requirements.
⚠️ A Confusing Question in the Consultation — Please Answer Carefully
One of the settlement questions is worded in a way that can easily make people choose the opposite of what they intend.
It asks:
“To what extent do you agree or disagree that there should not be transitional arrangements…?”
It then explains:
- Agreeing = you want NO transitional protections
- Disagreeing = you WANT transitional protections
This is a classic double negative.
👉 If you believe people in the UK should be protected from sudden rule changes,
the correct response is: Strongly Disagree.
Please read this question carefully — it will influence policy direction.
🗣️ Why You Should Have Your Say
Whether you’re a migrant, an employer, a community leader, or simply someone who cares about fairness — your voice matters.
Public consultations genuinely influence legislation. High participation = stronger democratic pressure. Low participation = assumptions made on behalf of those who never knew they could speak.
This is one of the most consequential immigration consultations in years.
📢 Take the Consultation (10–15 minutes):
📝 Consultation link: https://ukhomeoffice.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yMmiaG7zqwPuM6
⏰ Deadline: 23:59 on 12 February 2026
If you’re on a visa now — or hoping to get ILR in the next few years — your future could be shaped by this consultation. If you employ migrant workers, your workforce planning could be significantly impacted. If you support migrant communities, your input will help highlight real-world consequences.
👥 Please share this widely
Someone in your network will be affected — even if they haven’t realised it yet.
If you want help understanding any part of the consultation or writing your response, feel free to reach out.
Your voice can genuinely make a difference. Let’s make sure it’s heard.