Some migrants to face 20-year wait for settled status

Migrants in the UK legally may face a 20-year wait for settled status as the government proposes extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from 5 to 10 years. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that the changes will impact around 1.6 million migrants who arrived since 2021, with exceptions for those who already obtained settlement. The proposals also suggest a 15 to 20-year wait for migrants claiming benefits, emphasizing that becoming part of the UK is "not a right but a privilege" that must be earned.