One of the most significant — and least discussed — changes in the UK’s new 10-Year Settlement Plan is the complete redesign of how dependants will qualify for settlement.
Under current rules, dependants (spouses and children) usually follow the main applicant’s timeline.
But under the new “earned settlement” model, this automatic link disappears.
For many families, this could be the most disruptive part of the entire reform.
1. Dependants Will Be Fully Assessed — Independently
The consultation makes this absolutely clear:
Dependants will no longer simply “inherit” the main applicant’s eligibility or timeline.
Each adult dependant will be assessed based on their own:
- Earnings (and evidence of sustained income)
- English level
- Integration score (e.g., volunteering, community involvement)
- Compliance history
- Use of public funds
- Criminality/suitability checks
This means one family can have multiple timelines depending on individual circumstances.
2. Families May End Up on Different ILR Timelines
Here is a simplified example often used to explain the risk:
- Main applicant → qualifies in 10 years
- Spouse (lower earnings, no volunteering, lower English level) → qualifies in 15 years
- Adult child who turns 18 → moves to a separate adult route → 20 years
❗ Result:
A single family could be split across 10, 15, and 20-year settlement timelines.
3. If the Main Applicant Fails Mandatory Refusals — Dependants Are Blocked
This is one of the strictest rules in the new model.
If the main applicant fails suitability due to:
- NHS debt
- Tax disputes
- Ongoing litigation against a government body
- Criminality issues
- Public-funds usage
➡️ Dependants cannot qualify for ILR, even if they individually meet the criteria.
Meaning a dependant who:
- earns £100k,
- has perfect compliance,
- has passed English and Life in the UK,
…can still be refused because the main applicant fails mandatory refusals like suitability.
This elevates the importance of the main applicant’s compliance history.
4. What If a Dependant Earns £125,140+? Can They Reduce Their Timeline?
Yes, in theory.
Dependants can earn reductions independently of the main applicant.
Example:
If a dependant earns:
- £50,270+ for 3 years → –5 years
- £125,140+ for 3 years → –7 years
These reductions apply to their personal timeline, not the main applicant’s.
👉 So a dependant could qualify earlier than the main applicant — in theory.
But… see point 5 below
5. Can a Dependant Get ILR Before the Main Applicant?
Usually NO — because of the Mandatory Refusal rule.
Even if a dependant earns a high salary and qualifies earlier on paper, they cannot settle earlier if:
- The main applicant has not yet met the Mandatory Refusals rule, like suitability
- Or the main applicant has not yet reached their own qualifying period of settlement
The consultation wording implies:
➡️ Dependants cannot “overtake” the main applicant unless they move to a completely separate immigration route.
(e.g., Skilled Worker as their own main applicant)
Example:
Spouse earns £125,140+ → eligible in 3 years (10 – 7)
Main applicant earns £30k → still on 10-year baseline
Outcome:
Spouse cannot get ILR unless the main applicant also meets requirements, unless the spouse switches to their own independent route.
6. BN(O) and British Citizen Family Dependants Are Exempt
These are exemptions:
- Spouses/partners of British citizens
- Children of British citizens
- BN(O) dependants
➡️ They remain on the 5-year route.
➡️ They are not moved to the 10-year system.
This is one of the few protections highlighted in the consultation.
7. Adult Children Turning 18 — A Critical Detail
When a child turns 18:
- They are no longer treated as a child dependant
- They are placed on an adult route (10, 15, or 20 years)
- They must meet adult English and earnings requirements
- Their timeline may be longer than their parents’
This is how some families end up with a:
- 10-year main applicant
- 15-year spouse
- 20-year adult child
…all under one household.
8. Summary: How the New System Impacts Dependants
✔ Each dependant gets their own settlement timeline
✔ They can earn reductions via income, skills, or integration
✔ But they cannot get ILR before the main applicant
✔ Suitability failures of the main applicant block dependants
✔ Adult children face the longest routes
✔ British citizen family and BN(O) dependants are exempt
✔ Families may be split across 10, 15, and 20+ year routes
✔ High-earning dependants can reduce their time — but not settle first
Final Thoughts
The UK’s new settlement system doesn’t just change timelines — it reshapes how migrant families plan their futures.
For the first time, dependants will be judged on their own earnings, compliance, English level, and integration, creating different settlement timelines within the same household.
High earners may accelerate, lower earners may slow down, and adult children may face the longest routes, while suitability issues for the main applicant can block the entire family.
This is not a small adjustment.
It’s a complete shift in how the UK decides who becomes a long-term resident.