Party Proposes Ending Indefinite Leave to Remain Status
New Five-Year Renewable Visa System Proposed
Policy Changes Would Affect Millions of Current Residents
Stricter Criteria for Long-Term Settlement Outlined.
Reform Party leader Nigel Farage has announced comprehensive immigration policy proposals that would significantly reshape the UK’s approach to permanent settlement for foreign nationals.
The party plans to abolish the current indefinite leave to remain (ILR) system, which currently allows individuals who have resided in the UK for more than five years to access benefits and apply for citizenship. According to Reform’s analysis, approximately 3.8 million migrants who arrived after the pandemic could become eligible for ILR between 2026 and 2030.
Under the proposed changes, the party would halt new ILR awards and review existing settled status arrangements. Instead, migrants would need to apply for five-year renewable visas with enhanced requirements, including English language proficiency, higher salary thresholds, and limitations on dependent family members.
The policy document, scheduled for publication on Monday, indicates that implementation would occur “on a staggered and orderly basis to allow businesses to train British workers.” The party characterizes this as ending what it calls “the era of cheap foreign labour.”
Additional proposals include:
Restricting welfare eligibility to UK citizens only
Extending the qualifying period for citizenship beyond the current one-year requirement after settled status
Implementing what the party calls “Operation Restoring Justice” for migration enforcement
Reform estimates these changes would result in significant fiscal savings over time, though the methodology behind these calculations has not been independently verified.
The proposals represent one of the most substantial immigration policy overhauls suggested by any UK political party in recent years and would require extensive legislative changes if implemented.
Industry groups and immigration lawyers have yet to respond to the detailed proposals, which would affect both current residents and future applicants under the UK’s immigration system.
