Long Residence Route: Which Visas Will No Longer Count
Understandably, the planned closure of the long residence route has left many people worried. Specifically, the Home Secretary announced the change on 2 November 2026 as part of earned settlement. Importantly, the route remains open today, and the Government response gives no closure date. Yet thousands of students, graduates and long-term residents now wonder whether their years in the UK will still count. Naturally, that uncertainty feels unsettling after years of building a life here. Fortunately, you do not have to face it alone. At Dawn Solicitors, we therefore explain what has changed, listen to your circumstances, and help you plan your next step.
Key areas explored in this article
- What Is Changing for the Long Residence Route?
- Which Visas Will No Longer Count After the Long Residence Route Closes?
- Which Routes Will Still Count?
- How Do the New Pathways Compare With the Long Residence Route?
- Who Gets Transitional Protection?
- What Should You Do Before the Long Residence Route Closes?
- How Dawn Solicitors Can Assist.
- Conclusion.
- FAQs.
What Is Changing for the Long Residence Route?
Currently, the long residence route lets you settle after ten years of continuous lawful residence. Importantly, time on most visas counts, including years spent studying or on the Graduate visa. Under earned settlement, however, only time on routes built for long-term residence will count. Consequently, the standard wait for settlement rises from five years to ten. Meanwhile, higher earners and public service workers can settle sooner. Naturally, many people want clear answers, but the Home Office has yet to publish the detailed rules.
Which Visas Will No Longer Count After the Long Residence Route Closes?
Specifically, the Government response lists these routes as not counting towards settlement:
- Visit
- Student
- Graduate and High Potential Individual
- Global Business Mobility
- Temporary Worker routes
- Youth Mobility and Seasonal Worker
- Overseas Domestic Worker
- Ukraine scheme routes
- Leave outside the Immigration Rules (treatment still to be confirmed)
Consequently, Graduate time will not count once you switch to Skilled Worker. Indeed, that is hard news for people who planned their lives around the old rule.
Which Routes Will Still Count?
By contrast, these routes will still count towards settlement:
- Core routes: Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale Up, Innovator Founder, UK Ancestry, International Sportsperson, Minister of Religion, Family (Partner) and Stateless Person
- Family and Private Life: these count, but lead only to the 10 or 20-year pathways
- Protection routes: Core Protection and Protection Work and Study
- Safe and Legal routes
Importantly, you cannot top up protection or human-rights time with work or family time.
How Do the New Pathways Compare With the Long Residence Route?
Meanwhile, the Government response sets out four pathways:
| Pathway | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| 3 years | Earn £125,141 in three of the last four years, or hold a high-talent route |
| 5 years | Earn £50,271 in three of the last five years, work in an eligible public service role, or have a British connection |
| 10 years | Default route: earn £12,571 in five of the last seven years |
| 20 years | Immigration breach, or public funds claimed in the last five years |
Additionally, every applicant must meet these minimum standards:
- No criminal record, including fines and discharges
- No outstanding Government debt
- English at B2 level
- A pass in the Life in the UK test
Who Gets Transitional Protection?
Fortunately, some groups receive targeted protection. First, care workers who joined before May 2025 keep a five-year route if they earn £25,000 and meet the other requirements. Next, health and education workers below RQF 6 on national pay scales keep five years if they arrived before May 2025. Additionally, workers on the pre-April 2024 salary rules can extend on current terms until 2035. However, applications normally follow the rules in force on the decision date. Therefore, most visa holders have no automatic protection, so early advice matters.
What Should You Do Before the Long Residence Route Closes?
First, count your lawful residence and note any gaps. Next, gather evidence for every year, including passports, visa records and payslips. Also, take advice before you switch routes, because a switch can change which time counts. If you are close to ten years, therefore, ask whether you can apply while the route stays open. Above all, do not panic, because careful planning still helps.
How Dawn Solicitors Can Assist
Conclusion
Overall, the planned closure of the long residence route is worrying, yet it remains open today. Early advice, therefore, protects your years of lawful residence. Dawn Solicitors, moreover, tracks each new rule as the Government publishes it. So contact our friendly team today, and let us help you plan with confidence.
FAQ's
Q1. Has the long residence route closed already?
No, the Government response gives no closure date. Therefore, the route stays open under the current rules for now.
Q2. Will my Student or Graduate time count towards settlement?
Not under the earned settlement plans. However, the detailed rules are still to come, so Dawn Solicitors can review your position as they emerge.
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