The UK government says many migrants will face longer waits before qualifying for permanent settlement, with most people required to wait 10 years instead of five. Multiple outlets report that the change is part of revised “earned settlement” rules that link eligibility to work, tax payments and conduct.

Several sources add that the policy includes exemptions or shorter timelines for specific categories, such as higher earners and certain key workers. ABC News and other outlets say care and other key workers are exempt from the longer requirement, while The Guardian’s editorial notes the government also dropped a longer proposed 15-year qualifying period for some lower-skilled occupations.

Outlets also describe that some groups can face much longer waits depending on their circumstances and how they arrived. Metro reports timelines ranging from three years for some high earners to up to 30 years for certain refugees who arrived by small boats and are not working or studying. Overall, coverage largely agrees on the central shift to a 10-year standard for most migrants, with differences in emphasis on exemptions and the details of qualifying criteria.