BASW writes to Home Office on earned settled status for social workers

The Home Office is consulting on new plans for earned settled status that would create different timeframes for eligibility for immigrants who wish to apply for settled status in the UK. 

Under the current system, many migrants can apply for permanent settlement in the UK once they have lived here for a set number of years. The new proposals would replace that route with 'earned settlement' which means that instead of qualifying through time spent in the UK alone, people would need to meet a wider set of requirements. These requirements include a much longer period of residence (10 years instead of 5), higher levels of income, voluntary work, and working in a frontline public serving role. Working in such a role would reduce the qualifying time from 10 years to 5. There is no indication on whether social workers would be considered a frontline public serving role by the Home Office. 

There are also factors which increase the qualifying time, such as claiming benefits. It is also proposed that those on Health and Care visas will need to be in the UK for 15 years, as they tend to earn low wages and often bring family to the UK with them. Generally, social workers come to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa or a Health and Care visa. This causes further concern about the impact of the proposals on social workers. 

BASW has written the Home Office seeking clarification on how social workers will be impacted by these proposals. We have also worked with Cat Smith MP to table a parliamentary question to the Home Secretary. We have now had the following response:

In May 2025, the Immigration White Paper set out an increase in the baseline qualification period for settlement from five years to ten, which was collectively agreed across government. A Fairer Pathway to Settlement sets out the Government’s proposed model for earned settlement and accompanies the current public consultation on settlement reform, which is open until 12 February 2026.

The consultation seeks views on the proposal that there should be a shorter pathway to settlement for those working in vital public services, particularly where earnings are based on national pay scales and may not meet the proposed threshold for an income-based reduction in the qualifying period. This might include, for example, medical and teaching professionals working in public services. However, it is envisaged that the above reduction in the qualifying period for public service roles would apply only to those working in skilled occupations (at RQF Level 6 or above). Full details on earned settlement will be finalised following the conclusion of the public consultation.

As part of the consultation, the Home Office is also seeking views on how unaccompanied asylum-seeking children should be treated in terms of qualifying time for settled status. BASW will be responding the consultation, and we urge all social workers to read the proposals and feedback to the Home Office here.

BASW will stand up for social workers and ensure that the voice of our profession is heard throughout government. The full letter can be viewed on the link below.