Reform UK Proposes to Scrap Indefinite Leave to Remain: What It Means for Migrants

Reform UK has announced a controversial policy proposal that, if implemented, would fundamentally reshape the immigration landscape in Britain. The party has pledged to abolish Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the immigration status that currently allows migrants to settle permanently in the UK after five years.

Under the plans, migrants would instead be required to reapply for visas every five years, facing stricter eligibility criteria, including higher salary thresholds and tougher English language requirements. This would affect not only future applicants but also hundreds of thousands of people already living in the UK with ILR or on a route towards it.

ILR is a well-established part of UK immigration law. It gives people the right to live, work and study in the country without time restrictions and is often a stepping stone to full British citizenship. Importantly, it also opens access to public benefits, such as Universal Credit.

Currently, most migrants can apply for ILR after five years of lawful residence in the UK, provided they meet specific requirements.

Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage has argued that Britain should no longer be the world’s food bank. The party claims its reforms would save £234 billion over several decades, though these figures have been challenged by independent bodies.

The proposed changes include:

• Scrapping ILR entirely and replacing it with renewable five-year visas.
• Raising salary and language thresholds, making it harder for migrants to remain in the UK long-term.
• Restricting welfare access to British citizens only, thereby excluding migrants from claiming benefits.
• Retrospective application of the policy, affecting hundreds of thousands of people already in the UK on the ILR pathway.
• New visa categories, such as an Acute Skills Shortage Visa, where employers can recruit overseas workers only if they train a UK worker at the same time.
• Extending the citizenship route, increasing the waiting time for naturalisation from six to seven years.

The policy has provoked widespread debate.

• Government response: Chancellor Rachel Reeves criticised the figures behind Reform’s cost-saving claims, calling them unrealistic. The current government is already consulting on extending the ILR qualifying period from five years to ten.
• Conservatives: Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Reform of “copying Conservative ideas” but implementing them in an “unworkable” way.
• Liberal Democrats: The party argued the proposals would create chaos for businesses and damage the economy.
• Legal experts: Many predict that retrospective removal of settlement rights would be subject to legal challenge, given the disruption it would cause to families and communities who have built their lives in Britain.

If enacted, Reform’s plans would mean:

• Migrants already on a route to settlement could lose their entitlement to ILR.
• Families who have lived in the UK for years could face uncertainty, forced to meet higher thresholds or risk removal.
• Employers relying on international workers may find it harder to recruit and retain staff.
• Those reliant on welfare support would be at risk of losing their immigration status entirely.

Reform UK’s proposals represent one of the most radical shifts in immigration policy seen in decades. While aimed at reducing long-term public spending and curbing migration, they risk creating instability for hundreds of thousands of people who have already contributed to British society.

The announcement will undoubtedly fuel political and legal debate in the months ahead. For migrants and their families, the possibility of losing access to settlement rights raises urgent questions about their future in the UK.

With over 20 years of experience and a commitment to excellence, Morgan Smith Immigration is your trusted partner for all your immigration needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you with UK Visa Applications. For any enquiries or assistance, call us at 0203 959 3335 or email [email protected].