New ‘Earned Settlement’ system expected from April could replace traditional five-year route to permanent residency

THOUSANDS of migrants living and working in the UK could face waiting up to fifteen years before qualifying for permanent settlement under major immigration reforms expected to take effect from April 2026.

The UK Government plans to introduce a new “Earned Settlement” framework that would replace the traditional five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The proposed system links settlement eligibility to economic contribution, income levels and integration into British society.

Under the proposals, the standard pathway to settlement for many migrants will increase to ten years. However, some applicants could qualify sooner while others may face significantly longer waits depending on their personal circumstances.

Immigration specialists say the reforms represent one of the most significant changes to the UK’s settlement system in decades.

Helena Sheizon, an immigration expert at Kadmos Immigration, said: “This reform represents a fundamental shift from a time-based route to permanent residence to one focused on earned contribution. It aims to reward economic participation and integration, but it also means thousands of people already on a path to settlement could face new conditions and longer waits if they do not meet the new criteria.”

Under the current immigration framework, many migrants on routes such as the Skilled Worker visa or family visas can apply for permanent residency after five years of lawful residence.

The proposed reforms would introduce a points-based settlement model. The time required before applying for ILR could vary depending on factors including income, employment history and compliance with immigration rules.

Government proposals suggest a ten-year baseline settlement route for most migrants. Individuals with very high earnings or exceptional contributions to the UK economy could qualify after around three years. Others with lower incomes or irregular employment histories could face qualifying periods of up to fifteen years or more.

The new framework moves away from a purely time-based system and instead requires migrants to effectively “earn” settlement through measurable contribution.

Sheizon added: “What makes this system distinctive is the idea of earning settlement through measurable contribution. People will need to demonstrate not just residence in the UK, but active economic engagement.”

Several key factors could affect how quickly someone qualifies for settlement under the new model. These include income levels, with higher taxable earnings potentially reducing the settlement timeline, as well as employment in public service sectors such as healthcare or education.

English language ability may also influence eligibility, while visa breaches, irregular entry or reliance on public funds could extend the time required before settlement can be granted.

In practice, this means two migrants arriving in the UK at the same time could reach settlement at very different points depending on their individual contribution profiles.

Some changes linked to the new system have already begun to take effect. These include higher English language requirements for several visa routes and increased income thresholds tied to visa eligibility.

The reforms are expected to affect a wide range of migrants currently living and working in the UK. Skilled workers and their dependents could face longer waits unless they meet higher earnings criteria, while family visa holders may encounter extended settlement timelines and stricter income requirements.

Lower-paid workers, particularly in sectors such as social care or middle-skilled roles, could face the longest qualifying periods.

The proposals follow the Government’s wider immigration strategy outlined in a recent White Paper and consultations carried out during late 2025. A formal Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules is expected in March ahead of the planned launch of the new system in April.

Sheizon said the reforms could significantly alter long-term plans for migrants already living in Britain.

“The immigration reform expected from April 2026 marks a major turning point. The shift to an earned settlement model changes not only how long people must wait for permanent residence but also what they must do to achieve it,” she said.

“With these changes approaching, migrants and employers should review their settlement plans now and consider whether earlier applications may be possible.”

CONCERNS are mounting over a growing number of school safety incidents across Wales after police enforced the closure of two Cardiff schools this week.

Llanishen High School and Eastern High School were closed on Monday (Mar 16) after South Wales Police received a report on Sunday evening. Officers said the decision was taken as a precaution while enquiries continue.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the nature of the report that prompted the closures, but the incident has raised wider questions about the number of schools being forced into lockdown or temporary closure following threats or safety concerns.

The Cardiff case is the latest in a series of incidents affecting schools across Wales over the past year.

Earlier this month, Ysgol Maesydderwen in Ystradgynlais was placed into lockdown after police received reports of threats of violence sent digitally. A seventeen-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the incident, which caused alarm among pupils and staff.

In February this year, Milford Haven School in Pembrokeshire went into lockdown after emergency services were called to a serious incident involving a pupil and a weapon. A fifteen-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the incident.

In another case, Ysgol Harri Tudur in Pembroke was placed in lockdown after threatening messages were received suggesting a pupil may have brought a knife onto the school site. Police attended while staff secured the school.

North Wales has also seen similar concerns. Ysgol y Grango in Wrexham was placed into lockdown after a threat was reported, with police attending while pupils were kept inside classrooms.

Another incident in November 2025 saw Dafen Community Primary School in Llanelli close for the day after online messages warned people would arrive at the school with knives. Police confirmed the closure was a precaution while the threats were investigated.

While many incidents ultimately prove to be hoaxes, rumours or isolated events, education leaders say the rapid spread of messages on social media has created new challenges for schools.

Threats or rumours shared on platforms such as Snapchat and WhatsApp can circulate quickly among pupils, sometimes triggering widespread concern before school staff have time to verify the information.

The issue has also drawn political attention.

Commenting on the latest Cardiff closures, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education Natasha Asghar MS said: “This is a deeply concerning situation for parents, pupils and staff, and I hope the police can carry out a swift investigation to avoid further disruption to families.

“Teachers and pupils must feel safe in school, and incidents like this raise serious concerns about safety.

“The Welsh Conservatives would restore discipline by introducing automatic exclusions for pupils who carry weapons, helping create a safer environment for students and staff.”

Debate around school safety intensified following the stabbing attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford in April 2024, when two teachers and a pupil were seriously injured.

The teenager responsible was later convicted of attempted murder, prompting calls for stronger measures to prevent weapons being brought into schools.

Despite the recent incidents, education leaders stress that schools remain safe environments for the vast majority of pupils. However, the combination of online threats, heightened safeguarding rules and rapid information sharing among students means schools and police are increasingly taking precautionary measures to protect staff and children.

With investigations continuing into the Cardiff closures, parents and teachers across Wales will be watching closely to see whether the incidents represent a worrying trend or a series of isolated cases.

Cover image:

Amman Valley school, in Ammanford, Wales, went into lockdown over a stabbing incident in 2024 (Photo: PA)

Funding to restore habitats and protect species including bats and wetlands

MORE than £15 million has been awarded to projects across Wales aimed at restoring habitats, protecting wildlife, and strengthening nature conservation.

A total of 28 projects will share £15,186,716 from the Nature Networks Fund, a programme delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government in partnership with Natural Resources Wales.

The funding will support conservation work across land and marine environments, including efforts to restore wetlands, protect vulnerable plant species and safeguard wildlife such as the brown long-eared bat.

Among the successful projects in west Wales, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum Community Interest Company has been awarded £249,584, while Milford Haven Port Authority will receive £959,180 for environmental work in the county.

The Bat Conservation Trust has secured £249,630 for a Wales-wide project focused on protecting the brown long-eared bat – sometimes known as the “whispering bat” because of its quiet echolocation calls. The work will include woodland habitat management, surveys of tree roosts and community engagement events.

Another major grant of £823,320 has been awarded to the National Botanic Garden of Wales to help safeguard vulnerable plant species. The project will expand collections in the National Seed Bank of Wales and improve infrastructure at the Waun Las National Nature Reserve.

Meanwhile the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust has received £548,406 to restore wetland habitats around WWT Llanelli and the Tir Morfa coastline, improving conditions for wildlife and internationally important wintering birds in the Burry Inlet.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who has responsibility for climate change, said the funding demonstrated Wales’ commitment to tackling the nature emergency.

“This significant investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting Wales’ natural heritage and meeting international biodiversity targets,” he said.

“By supporting these projects we are not only preserving precious ecosystems but also empowering communities to become stewards of their local environments.”

Since the Nature Networks Fund launched in 2021, a total of 147 projects have shared more than £54 million in funding.

The programme supports Wales’ commitment to the international “30 by 30” biodiversity goal, which aims to protect and effectively manage 30 per cent of land, freshwater and marine environments by 2030.

Andrew White, Director of Wales at the Heritage Fund, said the grants reflected the scale of ambition behind nature recovery work across the country.

“To protect Wales’ habitats and wildlife, we need long-term action built on collaboration,” he said. “These awards show the vital role communities play in creating a more resilient future for nature.”

Natural Resources Wales said the projects would help restore and improve protected sites across the country while strengthening ecological networks.