British govt unveils new rules for obtaining permanent settlement

UK announces new settlement rules, extends standard ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years; Indian migrants face uncertainty TOI correspondent from London: UK home secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled new rules for getting permanent settlement in the UK on Monday following a public consultation which elicited 200,000 responses.She announced that ILR (indefinite leave to remain) — which gives migrants unrestricted access to the labour market and access to public funds — would now have to be “earned” and “should not be automatic” simply because someone has lived in the UK for five years.The starting point for settlement will move to 10 years, with faster and slower paths available, she said.To “earn” settlement, a migrant must not have a criminal record; must speak English to a high standard; must not owe any debt to the UK govt; and must have a record of at least three years’ worth of National Insurance contributions.The five-year path will remain open to those earning above £50,000, as well as to doctors, nurses and teachers, and care workers who fulfil certain criteria.But those earning less than £50,000, who are not in these professions, will have to wait 10 years. This retrospec...