In a speech on 5 March 2026, the Home Secretary set out settlement, refugee leave, asylum support, voluntary return payments and visa measures affecting applicants, sponsors and advisers.
Report item: a speech, not a rule change. Dates below are as stated in the speech.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood gave the speech at the Institute for Public Policy Research on immigration reforms. The published text has some passages redacted, and this item covers only the policy points stated in it.
Settlement. The Home Secretary said the Home Office is reviewing responses to its consultation on new settlement rules. The principles in that consultation are that the qualifying period should move, as a norm, from 5 years to 10, with conditions: a clean criminal record, no debt to the taxpayer, a history of work and tax payment, and higher English language standards. She said the first of these changes was made in "this week's rule changes": in a year, people who arrived on a visa and seek settlement will need English as a foreign language at A-Level standard. She said some people, including public servants such as doctors and nurses and those contributing the most to the nation's finances, may qualify at or before 5 years, subject to consultation. She also said rule changes would apply to people already in the UK who have not yet received settled status.
Refugee leave. A change to the migration rules, which she said comes into effect this month (March 2026), reduces initial leave to remain for refugees from five years to two and a half years. A refugee's need for protection will then be reviewed. Status will be renewed if protection is still needed.
Asylum support. Secondary legislation introduced on the day will replace the duty to provide asylum support with a power to do so. She said support will be removed from those who do not follow the law or who work illegally.
Voluntary returns. A pilot for families of failed asylum seekers will offer a small number of families £10,000 per person, up to £40,000 per family. The Home Office is consulting on how removals of families with children should take place.
Visas. She said certain visa routes are suspended for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, and that visit visas will be imposed on Nicaragua and St Lucia.
Safe routes. A new student refugee route opens this autumn, with first arrivals in autumn 2027. A new work route and wider community sponsorship were also mentioned, without dates.
What this means for applicants
The speech sets out intentions, and several points depend on consultation. The refugee leave change was described as taking effect in March 2026. Readers affected by settlement, asylum support or the visa suspensions should check the final rules or legislation when published.