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.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
The UK Home Office has unveiled a major overhaul of its immigration settlement framework, introducing what it describes as an Earned Settlement model that ties permanent residency to contribution, conduct, and length of lawful residence.
The changes were announced on the Home Office's official X account on Monday, November 2, and were simultaneously set out before Parliament.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the proposals were designed to restore confidence in the immigration system.
UK abolishes automatic 5-year route to permanent residency, Kenyans could wait 10 years
The reforms introduce seven distinct changes to how and when migrants can qualify to live in the UK permanently:
UK sets 4 new conditions for foreigners seeking permanent residency
The shift from automatic to earned settlement marks a significant departure from the previous framework, under which most migrants on a standard route became eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after five continuous years.
The new model creates a tiered system, with waiting periods ranging from five years for high earners and certain protected categories to 30 years for those who entered without authorisation.
The requirement for higher-level English proficiency and a clean criminal record adds additional qualifying conditions beyond residency duration alone.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
