UK settlement must now be “earned” – plus Canada, US and Europe updates

What happened: On 2 November 2026, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told Parliament that the right to settle permanently in the UK (indefinite leave to remain) will no longer come almost automatically after five years. Under the new “earned settlement” model, it must be earned through contribution and good character.

UK: the new settlement timeline

• 3 years: the highest earners.
• 5 years: people earning more than £50,271 a year; some public service workers such as doctors, nurses and teachers; and care workers who followed their visa rules and earned at least £25,000 a year.
• 10 years: the new default for most people.
• At least 20 years: people who have broken immigration rules.

Four conditions for everyone who wants to settle

• A clean criminal record
• A high standard of English
• No debts owed to the government
• A record of National Insurance contributions

People who already have settled status keep it. The government has not yet announced the start date for the new rules, so watch for official guidance on GOV.UK.

UK: good news for top graduates

• The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa will cover graduates of the world’s top 150 universities (up from 80), and the yearly cap of 8,000 applications will rise.
• From 30 November 2026, the money students must show for living costs rises to £1,570 a month in London and £1,203 a month elsewhere.

Canada: new immigration targets are due

Canada is expected to publish its 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan in the coming days. Under the current plan, Canada aims for 380,000 new permanent residents each year, and 385,000 new temporary residents (students and workers) in 2026, falling to 370,000 in 2027. We will share the new numbers as soon as they are released.

USA: immigrant visa interviews still on hold

• Immigrant visa (green card) interviews remain paused at many embassies. The pause began in late August while consular officers receive new training on public charge screening.
• There is no date yet for interviews to resume everywhere. Some consulates are sharing guidance on what applicants will be asked, such as where they will live in the US.
• Tourist and student visas are not part of this pause.
• Waiting for an interview? Follow your embassy’s emails closely and do not make travel plans until your date is confirmed.

Europe: ETIAS has no launch date yet

ETIAS, the new travel authorisation for visitors who do not need a visa (for example travellers from the US, UK and Canada), still has no start date. The EU will announce it several months in advance. For travellers who need a Schengen visa, nothing changes – and for Ethiopian applicants, standard Schengen rules have been back since May 2026, with normal processing times and access to multiple-entry visas.

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