Who keeps existing arrangements?
| Group | Arrangement |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong BN(O) | Settlement after 5 years, as already promised |
| Afghan schemes (ARAP and ACRS) | Settlement straight away for eligible people |
| HM Armed Forces | Settlement after at least 4 years’ reckonable service; partners and children after 5 years |
| Bereaved partners | Can usually apply without completing a qualifying period |
| Victims of domestic abuse | Can usually apply for settlement under existing arrangements |
| Children in local authority care | Existing bespoke arrangements |
| Children who grew up in the UK | Existing 5-year route after 7 years or most of their life in the UK |
| Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children | Existing 5-year settlement arrangements |
| Windrush | Eligible people can have their existing British citizenship or settled status confirmed, with no qualifying period |
| Legacy Safe and Legal routes | Settlement after 5 years, subject to route requirements: UK Resettlement Scheme arrivals before 6 April 2027, Community Sponsorship, the Mandate Resettlement Scheme and earlier resettlement schemes |
| EU Settlement Scheme | Separate scheme, not affected |
| Closed legacy routes | Not affected: Tier 1 (Investor), Turkish businesspeople and workers under the ECAA, Overseas Domestic Workers granted before 2012, and children brought from the Calais camps (Calais and section 67) |
What still applies
People on the routes covered by existing Government commitments (BN(O), Afghan schemes, legacy safe and legal routes and Windrush) and the Armed Forces will need to meet the stronger general requirements, including the new criminality rule and B2 English, unless an existing exemption or safeguard applies.
For the vulnerable groups (bereaved partners, victims of domestic abuse and the children and young people listed above), the Government says that where appropriate they will still need to meet the stronger requirements on criminality and English, with existing exemptions and safeguards continuing to apply. Bereaved partners must meet suitability and character requirements unless an exemption applies.
The closed legacy routes and the EU Settlement Scheme operate under separate arrangements.
Domestic abuse supportIf you are in danger, call 999. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours on 0808 2000 247.
See which pathway applies to you, and your earliest estimated date.
Check my pathwayLeave Outside the Rules
The Government has said it will set out its approach to people with Leave Outside the Rules separately.
Questions and answers
Do BN(O) visa holders need B2 English?
Yes. The response says people on these routes will need to meet the stronger general requirements, including the new criminality rule and B2 English, unless an existing exemption or safeguard applies. Check the final BN(O) guidance for details.
Is the EU Settlement Scheme changing?
No. It sits under separate arrangements and is not affected.
This is not legal advice. This guide explains the Government’s published proposals for Earned Settlement, which are not yet in force and may change. For advice on your own situation, speak to a regulated immigration adviser or solicitor, or check GOV.UK. Read our full disclaimer.