In a recent press conference, Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf clearly stated that the party wants to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR) completely. This is a major change to the current UK immigration system.
Instead of allowing migrants to settle permanently, he explained that ILR would be replaced with a five-year renewable work visa. In simple terms, this means people would no longer be granted permanent residency in the UK.
Permanent Settlement to Ongoing Checks
According to SkyNews, Zia Yusuf said that under this proposed system, migrants would need to reapply every five years to stay in the country. Each time, they would have to meet stricter requirements. These requirements could include:
- Higher income thresholds
- Stronger English language skills
- Continued economic contribution
If someone fails to meet these conditions, they may not be allowed to remain in the UK. The idea behind this is to make staying in the country dependent on continuous eligibility, rather than a one-time approval.
No More “Permanent” Residency
What Reform UK is proposing is not just a policy adjustment; it is a complete shift in approach. Currently, ILR allows people who have lived in the UK for more than five years to:
- Stay permanently
- Access certain benefits
- Apply for British citizenship
Under Reform UK’s plan, this pathway would disappear. Instead of settling permanently, migrants would remain on a temporary status indefinitely, needing to prove their eligibility again and again.
The ‘Boriswave’ and Economic Concerns
At a press conference, Nigel Farage and Zia Yusuf presented a 21-page document outlining their concerns about migration levels between 2020 and 2024. They referred to this period as the “Boriswave”, claiming that around 1.6 million migrants arrived in the UK during that time.
According to their analysis, this could cost the UK £622 billion in real terms, which they say equals roughly £20,000 per UK family.
Farage warned that if a large number of these migrants are granted indefinite leave to remain in the near future, it could create what he described as a serious long-term economic burden.
Why Reform UK Wants to Act Now
Reform UK argues that action needs to be taken quickly. Their concern is that many migrants who arrived during that period may soon become eligible for permanent residency.
Farage stated that allowing millions of people to gain ILR within a short time frame could have lasting economic consequences for the country. This is one of the main reasons the party is pushing to abolish ILR before more people qualify for it.
A Call for a Public Inquiry
In addition to immigration changes, Reform UK has proposed launching a public inquiry into the rise in migration numbers. The aim would be to investigate who or what was responsible for the increase. However, such inquiries are often criticised for being costly and time-consuming, with outcomes that may take years to fully emerge.
Political Context and Strategy
Immigration has become a central issue in UK politics, and Reform UK is positioning itself strongly on this topic. The party has long supported stricter immigration controls, and abolishing ILR has been part of its agenda for some time.
By focusing on this issue again, Reform UK appears to be trying to differentiate itself clearly from the Conservative Party and appeal to voters who are concerned about migration levels.
What Immigration Expert Says About It
We asked the opinion of immigration expert “Umer Rasib,” and he summed up this issue in the following words:
Reform UK’s proposal to abolish indefinite leave to remain represents a significant change to how immigration could work in the UK. Instead of offering long-term stability, the system would shift towards continuous review and conditional stay.
Supporters may see this as a way to maintain control and ensure fairness, while critics may argue it removes certainty for people who want to build a long-term life in the UK. What is clear is that this proposal is not a small adjustment; it is a fundamental rethink of what it means to settle in the UK.
Not only Reform UK, but Labours also are focusing on immigration matters seriously. This is why Shabana Mahmood has introduced plans to extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five years to ten years. The idea behind this approach is not to remove permanent residency altogether, but to make the path to settlement longer and more controlled.
Furthermore, under this proposal, migrants would still be able to settle in the UK permanently, but only after a decade of living, working, and contributing to the country. Supporters argue this would ensure stronger integration and commitment before granting long-term status, while still keeping a clear route to settlement in place. This is also why Mahmood names it “Earned Settlement.”
In simple terms, unlike Reform UK’s plan to abolish ILR completely, this approach keeps ILR but makes people wait longer and meet stricter conditions before qualifying. Time will decide whose plan succeeds; for now, the timeframe between April and September is extremely important for immigrants in the country on skilled worker and carer visas. They are in limbo, along with their families; they can only wait until their fate is decided.