Mahmood revises migrant settlement rules for care workers

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has revised the government’s proposed settlement rules for migrants, allowing qualifying care workers to apply for settlement after five years rather than face a planned wait of up to 15 years. She set out the changes in the House of Commons on November 2, alongside a tougher 10-year default route for most migrants. Under the revised terms Mahmood described, care workers who comply with their visa conditions and earn at least £25,000 a year can seek settlement after five years. Workers who do not meet those requirements may apply for a further five-year care visa, without remaining tied to their previous employer, she said. A separate account of the rules says applicants on that route must secure a job offer within 120 days or leave the UK. Mahmood said the new framework will make settlement something applicants must earn. Most migrants will face a 10-year qualifying period, while those earning at least £125,141 may apply after three years. People earning more than £50,271 and some public-service workers, including doctors, nurses and teachers, may qualify after five years. She also said applicants must have a clean criminal record, meet an...