London: The UK Parliament has debated a proposal to double the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for overseas skilled workers from five to ten years, a move that has sparked widespread backlash and triggered an online petition that gathered over 168,000 signatures. ILR, also known as permanent residency, is the first step before skilled migrants can apply for British citizenship.

The proposed change, part of the government’s Immigration White Paper, is aimed at controlling high migration numbers but has raised serious concerns among migrants’ rights advocates. “The Skilled Worker visa already puts people in a vulnerable position, subject to the whims of their sponsor.

Doubling the time they must endure this precarity is needlessly punitive,” said Adis Sehic, Policy Manager at the Work Rights Centre, which spearheaded the petition titled ‘Keep the 5-Year ILR Pathway for Existing Skilled Worker Visa Holders’.

During the Westminster Hall debate, British Indian MP and NHS nurse-turned-parliamentarian Sojan Joseph urged that any rule change should not apply retrospectively. “The certainty they had about their lives in the UK has been thrown into doubt, and now they cannot plan for the future,” Joseph said, echoing the concerns of thousands of migrant workers already in the UK.

Responding on behalf of the government, Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris reiterated that settlement is “a privilege and not a right,” and that details will only be finalized after a formal consultation process later this year. “Although we are setting a baseline qualifying period at ten years, those who make meaningful contributions will be allowed to shorten this period,” Norris said.

The Work Rights Centre has warned that the uncertainty is causing anxiety and confusion among skilled workers. Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signaled a tougher stance on immigration policy, including potential suspension of visas for countries that refuse to repatriate illegal migrants and overstayers.

“If countries refuse to take their citizens back, we will take action,” Mahmood stated, emphasizing that visa issuance may be adjusted to reflect non-cooperation.

Currently, foreign skilled workers are eligible to apply for ILR after five years of continuous UK residency, granting them the right to work without restrictions, access to social benefits, and the option to apply for citizenship after one additional year.

The final decision on whether the proposed changes will affect existing visa holders will depend on the outcome of the consultation process.