Many students planning a UK degree have heard that permanent residency, called Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR, may move from five years to ten. In July 2026 a coach on AdmitKard's Study Abroad with Piyush channel described the proposal as being challenged in the House of Lords. This guide separates what is confirmed from what is still a proposal, using GOV.UK and Parliament pages checked in October 2026.
- As of 16 October 2026, the 10-year ILR proposal is not law in the sources we checked, and no government response to the Lords committee report was found
- The Home Office consultation on earned settlement ran from 20 November 2025 to 12 February 2026
- The UK Graduate visa lasts 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027, and cannot be extended (GOV.UK).
Is the 10-Year ILR Rule Law Yet?
No. In the sources we checked in October 2026, the move from five to ten years was still a proposal. The Home Office consultation closed on 12 February 2026, and we found no draft Immigration Rules laying it down. Existing five-year routes still apply, but check GOV.UK before you plan, because the position can change quickly.
The video says the rule will not happen. That goes further than the evidence. A parliamentary committee has argued against parts of the plan, but committee reports are advice, not decisions, and the government has not confirmed it will drop the proposal.
What Did the Government Propose in the Earned Settlement Consultation?
The Home Office consultation, published on 20 November 2025, said settlement would no longer be granted automatically after a fixed period. Migrants would need to earn it through sustained good conduct, contribution and integration. Reporting on the paper describes a ten-year baseline instead of five, with shorter or longer periods depending on the route and earnings.
The paper builds on the 2025 immigration white paper. We did not find a final policy or transitional rules in the sources checked, so the details of who would be affected, and from when, are not settled. Read the GOV.UK paper itself, titled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, for the proposals as written.
UK Work Visa Guide for Indians 2026: Skilled WorkerRead →What Did the House of Lords Committee Say?
The Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee published its report Settlement, Citizenship and Integration on 23 June 2026. Its majority opposed extending the baseline qualifying period and applying the change retrospectively. It regretted that no impact assessment had been given, but said it is not against earned settlement in principle.
The committee also asked the Home Office to publish better migration data, and recommended that dependants on work visas can qualify at the same time as the main applicant when household income is high enough. A government response was due within about two months of the report. We could not find one when we checked, so treat the outcome as open.
What Does the Video Say, and What Is Not Confirmed?
The coach says the Lords challenged the government on five points: the rule is harsh for a high-earning economy, unfair to people already in the UK, harmful to integration, costly because of extra health surcharge and visa fees, and based on missing data. He calls it good news, but adds that it is not law yet.
That last point is the one to remember. Your plans should not assume either outcome. The video is the coach's summary, and the report we checked is longer and more nuanced, with some committee members supporting the government's direction.
Does This Affect You as a Student on the Graduate Visa?
Possibly, later. The Graduate visa cannot be extended, but GOV.UK says you may be able to switch to a visa such as the Skilled Worker visa. Settlement rules mainly matter for that next step. The Graduate visa shortens to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027, so plan your switch early.
If you hope to settle in the UK, check which route you would use after your degree and how long it would take under both the current rules and the proposals. Employers and the Skilled Worker route have their own salary and job-level requirements, so a proposal that changes settlement can change the value of a UK degree for you.
UK Graduate Route: Post-Study Work Visa Guide 2026Read →How Can You Keep Up With the ILR Changes?
Follow three official places: the GOV.UK earned settlement page for the consultation outcome, the Home Office Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, and the Justice and Home Affairs Committee page on parliament.uk for any government response. Be cautious with law firm blogs, which often repeat old dates such as April 2026.
| Item 2026 | Status on 16 Oct 2026 | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| 10-year ILR baseline | Proposed, not law in sources checked | GOV.UK earned settlement page |
| Consultation | Closed 12 Feb 2026; outcome not found | GOV.UK |
| Lords committee report | Published 23 Jun 2026; majority opposed | parliament.uk, HL Paper 13 |
| Government response | Not found when checked | Committee publications page |
| Graduate visa length | 18 months from 1 Jan 2027 | GOV.UK Graduate visa |