UK changes its settlement rules: what it means for Lithuanians
On 2 November the UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, presented a new “earned settlement” model. The standard path to the right to live in the country permanently is being extended from 5 to 10 years. In the government documents, the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is listed among the arrangements that the reform does not affect. We look at what exactly has been said, what the documents do not say and what is worth doing now.
What is changing
The Home Office press release says that settlement will be “earned” through contribution and good character. The Government Response to the consultation sets out several qualifying periods:
- 3 years for the highest earners: at least £125,141 a year, in three of the four years before applying. This period also applies to some of the highest talent schemes (their list is still under review).
- 5 years for those earning at least £50,271 (in three of the five years before applying) and for workers in certain health and education occupations, such as doctors, nurses and teachers.
- 10 years for everyone else. Page 12 and Table 1 of the Response state that applicants will need to earn at least £12,571 a year in five of the seven years before applying. Pages 11 and 48 of the same document refer to a minimum of three years, so this requirement may still be clarified.
- 20 years for those who breached immigration rules as adults, for example by overstaying a visa or using deception in an application.
The Home Office estimates that, as a result of the changes, more than 500,000 people will wait longer than 5 years for the right to settle permanently.
Mandatory requirements
Under the Government Response, applicants will need to:
- have no criminal record in the UK (the rule applies to adults; the current threshold for refusal is a 12-month suspended sentence);
- speak English at level B2 (equivalent to an A-level foreign language exam); exemptions remain for children, people aged 65 and over, and those unable to meet the requirement for health reasons;
- have no debts to the state: NHS debt, tax, National Insurance contributions or litigation costs awarded to the Home Office;
- not have used specified public funds in the five years before applying;
- pass the “Life in the UK” test, as now.
What the documents say about the EU Settlement Scheme
On page 23 of the Government Response, the EUSS is the first entry in a list introduced with the words: “The following routes already operate under separate arrangements (most of which are now fully closed) and are not affected by the Earned Settlement reforms”. The entry itself reads: “EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS): the deadline for applying for most people was 30 June 2021.”
The 2025 consultation document stated: “In line with the UK’s obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement, settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) is out of scope for both this consultation and the planned reforms.”
Important: the 2026 Government Response does not mention pre-settled status even once. Neither the Home Office press release nor the Home Secretary’s statement says what will change for those who hold it. In the parliamentary debate, nobody asked about it.
Pre-settled and settled status: what applies now
According to a Home Office document of 9 April 2026, a pre-settled status holder can obtain settled status if they have lived in the UK for at least 30 months in total in the most recent 60 months. The automated system checks whether tax was paid or benefits were received during that period. The GOV.UK guide still refers to 5 years in a row, but the April rule is the more recent one.
The same document states that from 9 April the Home Office would begin removing pre-settled status from those who have clearly ceased to maintain continuous residence in the UK. This decision can be appealed.
To those with settled status, the Home Office press release promised: “Settled status will never be removed from anyone who already holds it.” In Parliament the Home Secretary added: “The Government are not restricting benefits for those with settlement rights.” (Hansard, column 598.)
When it will take effect
There is no single commencement date. In Parliament the Home Secretary said: “The changes that have been announced will begin to be laid from the December immigration rules. They will be implemented over the course of 2027.” (Hansard, column 593.) On 3 November the new rules did not yet appear in the list of statements of changes to the Immigration Rules.
What to do now
- Check your status in your UKVI account: whether you hold settled or pre-settled status.
- Keep evidence of your life in the UK, especially tax and benefit documents. The automated system checks the 30 months in 60 months requirement against tax and benefit records.
- Follow the December Immigration Rules. They are expected to contain the first specific changes.
- Questions about the EUSS can be put to the EU Settlement Resolution Centre: 0300 123 7379 (from within the UK), +44 (0)20 3080 0010 (from outside the UK). The numbers are given in Home Office information from 2024.
Our assessment
Our conclusion, not an official confirmation: because the government listed the EUSS as a whole among the arrangements that the reform does not affect, we believe that pre-settled status holders will continue to be able to obtain settled status under the EUSS rules, and not under the new 10-year requirements. However, the documents do not say this directly. Until the Home Office confirms it in writing, it remains our conclusion.
The position is different for Lithuanians who came on a work or family visa. The Government Response states that being in the UK does not give someone an automatic right to settle under the rules that existed when they arrived. For them, this may mean a longer wait and stricter conditions. The Home Office press release says that family members of British citizens will keep their current pathways.
In our assessment, the greater risk for pre-settled status holders today is not the new reform but a rule already in force: status can be removed if a person has clearly stopped living in the UK. That is why evidence of living in the country is very important.
“Londono Žinios” will follow the December Immigration Rules and will report when more becomes clear.
Based on: the UK Home Office press release (2 November 2026); the Government Response to the consultation “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement”, CP 1707 (November 2026); the transcript of the House of Commons debate of 2 November 2026 (Hansard, columns 583 to 611); the 2025 consultation document CP 1448 (November 2025); the Home Office document on EUSS automation (9 April 2026); the GOV.UK EUSS guide; Home Office information for EUSS applicants (updated 2 August 2024); the list of statements of changes to the Immigration Rules (accessed 3 November 2026).
Republication must credit Londonozinios.com as the source.
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