ILR 5 Years to 10 Years: UK Parliament Debate 

On Monday, September 8, 2025, over 9,500 people tuned in live as MPs debated whether Skilled Workers and BN(O) visa holders should wait 5 years or 10 years before applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Read our full article on the proposed ILR new rules to understand more about the background. 

Here’s the summary of the debate:  

1. This debate was only about ILR for Skilled Workers and BN(O) visa holders.  

2. The government says there will be a consultation at the end of 2025.  

3. No final date was provided.  

4. Skilled Workers may face a 10-year route — unless they prove “contributions beyond taxes.”  

5. BN(O) visas could not be guaranteed as remaining on the 5-year route.  

6. Crucially, the Minister refused to say if changes will apply retrospectively.  

That’s the bottom line and it leaves thousands of migrants still in limbo. We will break this down and uncover what really happened in the debate.  

If you have any questions about your ILR application, contact our immigration lawyers for a free consultation by calling 020 3744 2797 or filling in our enquiry form. 

What is the parliament debate about and why it matters

This debate came after a May 2025 Immigration White Paper proposed doubling the ILR pathway from 5 years to 10 years. Two petitions, signed by more than 270,000 people, triggered this debate in Westminster Hall. It wasn’t about passing a law, but about pressing the government for answers. Because this was also the new Labour Immigration Minister’s first day on the job, the pressure was intense.  

MPs focused on two urgent questions:  

1. Will changes apply to people already in the UK?  

2. When will the government finally give clear answers?  

The fact that almost 10,000 people tuned in live shows just how high the stakes are.  

What MPs said in this debate

If you watched the debate, you’d notice it was heavily one-sided. Almost every MP said: don’t move the goalposts. Only one Conservative MP defended the government’s plan and that really stood out.  

Why so one-sided? Because this wasn’t a full Commons debate — it was a petition debate in Westminster Hall. These sessions are non-binding, attendance is voluntary, and the MPs who show up are usually the ones most sympathetic to the petition. That’s why you didn’t hear from Reform MPs either, even though they take a hard line on immigration in the media. Petition debates rarely attract them.  

Most of the voices in the room were Labour MPs, plus some from smaller parties. Conservative MPs largely stayed away — either because they didn’t want to defend a controversial policy, or simply because petition debates don’t force them to.  

Now, what did those who did attend actually say? They hammered the same themes: fairness, trust, and stability.  

• One MP compared the situation to: “running a marathon and halfway through being told the finish line has moved.”  

• Another said bluntly: “We keep our word.”  

• Others reminded Parliament that “Migrants are not just statistics.”  

BN(O) visa holders were highlighted in particular. MPs stressed this was a humanitarian visa, not an economic one. To move the goalposts now, they warned, would be a “betrayal of trust” and could even hand Beijing a propaganda victory.  

Some also emphasised the economic contributions migrants are already making. For example, around 40% of those that would be on the 10-year route work in health and social care. MPs argued that forcing them into decade-long limbo undermines the NHS, the economy, and family stability.  

But then came the one dissenting voice. A lone Conservative MP argued that:  

• “Settlement is too short at 5 years.”  

• “Skilled workers are a cost on resources.”  

• And fairness to British citizens must come before fairness to migrants.  

In a room full of MPs demanding clarity and compassion, that solitary intervention highlighted just how skewed this debate was in tone — not because all of Parliament feels this way, but because of who showed up.  

The Minister’s Response

At around 7pm, the new Immigration Minister gave his first official statement.  

Here’s what he said:  

• A formal consultation will happen by the end of 2025.  

• No date yet for a final decision.  

• Settlement is a privilege, not a right.  

• The immigration system “does not work,” and reforms are meant to reduce reliance on overseas workers while encouraging UK employers to train local staff.  

• Skilled Workers may face a 10-year route, unless they prove contributions beyond just taxes — though what counts as “extra contribution” wasn’t defined.  

• BN(O) visas remain on the 5-year route “for now,” but no guarantees.  

• And on whether these rules will apply retrospectively? He refused to give an answer.  

In short: lots of words, little clarity.  

What this means for you

So, what does all of this mean?  

• The petitions worked — MPs pushed hard on your behalf.  

• But the government is stalling — migrants remain in uncertainty until at least the consultation at the end of 2025.  

• The Minister’s phrase “settlement is a privilege, not a right” is significant. Expect to hear it again.  

• “Contribution beyond taxes” is vague and potentially worrying. Will volunteering count? Critical-sector jobs? Nobody knows.  

• For BN(O) holders, the lack of reassurance is alarming. The government is no longer promising stability.  

• For Skilled Workers, the biggest risk is retrospection. If the rules change while you’re mid-way, could the finish line move from 5 years to 10? That’s the unanswered question.  

What happens next for the ILR qualifying period

Here’s the roadmap for the proposed new ILR qualifying period before any change is confirmed:  

1. Consultation — end of 2025.  

2. White Paper — setting out final proposals.  

3. Statement of Changes — the legal document that updates immigration rules.  

4. Debate and Approval — before any changes become law.  

Until then, the 5-year rule still applies to ILR application.  

What you should do now

So, what action should you take?  

• If you’re nearing your 5-year ILR mark, apply immediately. Don’t wait for consultations or final decisions.  

• If you’re midway through your visa journey, stay calm — current rules still apply.  

• Start preparing evidence now: proof of contributions, community work, or shortage-sector employment. This could matter in the future.  

• And most importantly — stay engaged. These changes will unfold step by step, and we’ll guide you through each one.  

If you need assistance with your ILR application or have any questions, contact our immigration lawyers for a free consultation by calling 020 3744 2797 or filling in our enquiry form.