Britain’s government set out before Parliament the “earned settlement” model, which ends the almost automatic grant of permanent residence after five years.

People earning more than £50,271 a year and some public service workers, such as doctors, nurses and teachers, will be able to settle after five years; others will wait 10 years as the new default. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said settled status “until now has been given almost automatically” and that, “from today, it must be earned.” People found to have breached immigration rules will have to wait at least 20 years to settle, and anyone who arrived by small boat or another clandestine means faces an additional 10-year wait, which could reach 30 years. The new rules are due to come into effect next year and do not affect people who already have settled status.