The United Kingdom recorded its highest rate of granting permanent residency to immigrants in 16 years, with approximately 200,000 immigrants receiving this right between June 2025 and June 2026.
According to statistics from the British Home Office, this represents a 24% increase compared to the same period of the previous year.
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The same period saw a record number of applications for British citizenship, exceeding 315,000, marking the highest level in the history of monitoring, an increase of 17% compared to the period 2024-2025, amid a growing demand from immigrants to settle permanently in the United Kingdom, reflecting the attractiveness of the British market for skilled labor.
The Times attributed this increase to the record influx of migrant workers following former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Brexit-related reforms, along with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans to extend the required residency period for permanent residency from five to ten years, prompting many migrants to apply before the new rules came into effect.
1. What has happened in Britain?
Britain has recorded a 16-year high in the number of migrants receiving permanent settlement, also known as indefinite leave to remain. Official figures for the year ending March 2025 showed 172,798 settlement grants, up 33% from the previous year.
2. Why has permanent residency increased?
The rise has been linked to increased settlement grants across several immigration routes, including work, family and asylum routes.
3. What does permanent residency mean for immigrants?
Settlement generally gives eligible migrants the right to live and work in the UK without a time limit. It can also be an important step toward applying for British citizenship, although separate requirements apply.
Benefit: Permanent settlement can provide greater stability for families, employment and long-term planning.
4. What can people learn from this development?
Immigration rules can change significantly over time. People considering moving to Britain should carefully check official eligibility requirements, residence periods, visa conditions and future policy changes rather than relying only on news headlines.
Advice: Always verify your immigration situation through official UK government information before making financial or relocation decisions.
