Last updated: 11 March 2026

Key Changes in Indefinite Leave to Remain

Heard the UK immigration salary is now £38,700 and worried about your future? The good news is, that number doesn't apply to everyone. Before diving into the specific rules, it helps to understand the destination they all point toward: permanent settlement.

This destination is officially called Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is the UK’s answer to “what is permanent residence?” Think of your current visa as a rental agreement with a fixed term; achieving ILR is like buying the property. You are no longer on a countdown and can become permanently resident in the United Kingdom.

In practice, this status grants you significant freedom. It means no more costly visa applications and, for most, the liberty to change jobs without sponsorship worries. Clarifying this goal is the first step in figuring out how to get a permanent visa in the UK and whether the new rules will actually affect your journey.

The £38,700 Question: Who the New Skilled Worker Salary Threshold Affects

For many people on a work visa, the path to settlement has a new, significant financial milestone. The government has substantially increased the minimum salary required for most individuals on the main work visa route who are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

This change, which took effect in April 2024, is one of the most impactful updates. Previously, most applicants needed to show they were earning a salary of at least £26,200 per year. Under the new ILR requirements in the UK for 2024, that figure has risen sharply:

• General Salary Threshold (before April 2024): £26,200 per year
• General Salary Threshold (after April 2024): £38,700 per year

This updated ILR minimum income threshold primarily impacts those on the Skilled Worker visa. To qualify for settlement, your salary must now meet this new £38,700 level or the specific ‘going rate’ for your occupation, whichever is higher.

However, this high bar doesn't apply to everyone. Crucially, key workers on a Health and Care Worker visa, such as nurses, doctors, and social care workers, are exempt from this specific increase. They have a separate, lower set of salary requirements, acknowledging their vital role in the UK. While these updated rules transform the landscape for many skilled workers, a different set of financial requirements applies to those on family visas.

Spouse & Family Visas: Understanding the Separate New Income Rules

While the £38,700 threshold has reshaped the landscape for work visas, the rules for those on a family or spouse visa are different. For partners and families looking to build a life in the UK, the government has introduced a separate new minimum income requirement of £29,000 per year for the UK sponsor. This is a crucial distinction that has caused some confusion.

Initially, there was concern that this family income figure would also rise to £38,700, but the government instead opted for a phased increase. This means the £29,000 figure, which came into effect in April 2024, is the first step in these new financial requirements, replacing the long-standing previous threshold of £18,600. Comparing the old vs new ILR financial requirements shows a significant, but more manageable, increase for families.

In a significant simplification of the spouse visa to ILR new rules, the separate, additional income needed for dependent children has also been removed. Previously, you had to earn more for each child you were sponsoring. Now, the £29,000 requirement is a flat rate, regardless of whether you have children or not, making the calculation more straightforward.

Meeting this financial requirement is a critical part of the process each time you apply for or renew your family visa on the typical five-year path to settlement. For anyone wondering how to get PR in England on this route, this rule is a vital piece of the puzzle. However, financial stability is just one aspect; how you manage your time in the country is equally important.

Why Tracking Your Travel Is Now More Critical Than Ever

Beyond the financial hurdles, your journey to settlement depends on maintaining what the Home Office calls ‘continuous residence’. This simply means you’ve lived in the UK for your required qualifying period—typically five years—without any significant gaps. Think of it as a clock that counts up to your eligibility; certain trips or gaps can unexpectedly reset it back to zero, forcing you to start again.

Recently, interpretations of these rules have tightened. This is especially true for the 10-year 'long residence' route, where some time spent under previous visa categories may no longer count towards the total. These long residence ILR rule changes mean a gap once considered acceptable could now break your continuous period, making past assumptions about your eligibility unreliable.

With these changes to continuous residence for ILR, keeping a precise travel log is now critical. Every trip outside the UK should be recorded with exact dates. Miscalculating your total absences could lead to a devastating refusal, potentially resetting your entire settlement timeline. Careful tracking is your best defence against these indefinite leave to remain settlement changes and their consequences.

Your ILR Checklist: 3 Practical Steps After These Rule Changes

Navigating the path to UK settlement can feel complex, but understanding how these recent changes affect you is the first step toward taking control of your journey. To avoid refusal under the new rules, it is important to be prepared.

Take your first step with this simple checklist:

1. Identify Your Visa Path and Its Specific Rules. The requirements for a Skilled Worker are different from a Spouse Visa—confirm which apply to you.
2. Create a Travel Diary Today. Log all trips outside the UK to ensure you meet the strict 'continuous residence' requirements.
3. Bookmark the Official gov.uk Source. Use this as your single source of truth for the most up-to-date rules.

Taking these proactive steps can help you confidently manage your application and build your future in the UK.