In its Immigration White Paper published last year, the government announced plans to implement an earned settlement model, with the next step to put in place an aligned earned citizenship system. Andre Minnaar, head of our Immigration team explains the proposed changes and what they could mean to applicants applying for British citizenship.
Proposed changes
Earned settlement model: The government's consultation on earned settlement closed on 12 February 2026. The Home Office is currently analysing responses. Recent press reports suggest that the earned settlement model may be implemented by Autumn 2026, although this timeframe hasn't been formally confirmed by the government.
Focus on earned citizenship: Once the earned settlement model is established, the Government will focus on earned citizenship, which will require amendments to the British Nationality Act 1981. Changes must be approved as primary legislation by parliament, a potentially lengthy process.
Under the proposed "earned" citizenship scheme, there will be:
- A longer standard qualifying period.
- English language proficiency raised to a higher Level B2.
- A new and different Life in the UK test, compared to the current version.
Our recommendation
We recommend that if you have indefinite leave to remain and plan to naturalise as a British Citizen in future, then it’s worth considering making the application before any new and more onerous changes are implemented.
Get in touch
If you're concerned about how these changes might affect you, please reach out to our team today. We are here to discuss your options and ensure the success of your application.
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