UK foreign workers face longer settlement wait

Britain's government confirmed Monday that many foreign workers already in the UK will have to wait longer before applying to settle permanently.

Interior minister Shabana Mahmood said the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain for most workers will double from five to 10 years. The status allows someone to live, work and study in Britain without restrictions and is a key route to UK citizenship.

High earners will be able to apply after three years, while public service workers including doctors, nurses and teachers will remain eligible after five years.

The government softened an earlier proposal for foreign care workers after criticism from some Labour lawmakers. Under the revised policy, foreign care workers will have to wait five years if they have met their visa conditions and earn at least £25,000 a year.

People who have claimed certain benefits or breached their visas will have to wait 20 years. Refugees who arrived in the UK illegally, including by small boat across the English Channel, will also have to wait 20 years, rising to 30 years if they have not entered work or study.

Refugees arriving on pre-approved routes, including schemes for Ukrainians and Hong Kong citizens, will be able to apply after five years. The new rules are due to be rolled out next year and will affect people already in the UK, but not people who already have settled status.