UK Home Office Reports Record Settlement Grants Amid Reform Plans

The Home Office reported that 199,628 migrants were granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the year ending June 2026, the highest level since 2010. This 24 percent increase was driven by a surge in approvals for former work visa holders—particularly Indian and Chinese nationals—and Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders. Indian nationals were the largest group granted settlement, with grants increasing 51 percent to 35,384. Additionally, citizenship applications reached a record 315,224, with 245,520 people granted citizenship.

Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, announced plans to tighten these settlement rules to restore control at the border. Under the proposed reforms, the standard five-year qualifying period for ILR could double to 10 years. High-earners may qualify in three years, while low-paid workers could face waits of 15 to 20 years, especially if they access taxpayer-funded benefits. Mahmood indicated that transitional arrangements might apply to those already residing in the UK for nearly five years.

The government is also moving to restrict public benefits exclusively to citizens. These policy shifts come as Prime Minister Andy Burnham manages internal party divisions and pressure from the Conservatives and Reform UK. While citizenship applications rose, Indian student visas fell 16 percent to 82,523, falling behind Chinese nationals.