LONDON – Some Zimbabweans working in Britain’s social care sector will retain the opportunity to apply for permanent settlement after five years, following a government concession that softens proposed changes to the country’s immigration system.
The Zimbabwe Mail, reporting on the Government’s latest policy announcement, said the concession covers qualifying care workers who entered or switched into the social care visa route between 2022 and 2025, earned at least £25,000 annually in the sector and complied with their visa conditions.
Those meeting the criteria will remain eligible for the existing five-year route to indefinite leave to remain (ILR), avoiding a proposed extension that could have increased the qualifying period to as much as 15 years.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told MPs that settlement should be earned, as the Government outlined a revised approach to immigration and long-term residency.
A separate provision will allow care workers who breached their visa conditions to apply for a new five-year care visa, without being tied to their previous employer. The Government estimates this group accounts for about a quarter of those who entered or switched into the social care route between 2022 and 2025.
The concession does not apply automatically to all Zimbabweans employed in care. Applicants must satisfy the specified salary, qualifying-period and immigration compliance requirements, alongside the wider settlement criteria.
For most other migrant groups, the standard settlement qualifying period is set to increase from five to 10 years. A five-year route will remain for certain higher earners and public service professionals, including doctors, nurses and teachers, while some high earners and eligible talent-route applicants may qualify after three years.
The Government has also outlined requirements covering criminal records, English-language ability, outstanding debts to the taxpayer and National Insurance contributions.
The announcement offers some relief to migrant care workers who faced uncertainty over their long-term residency prospects. However, the precise implementation date and transitional arrangements will depend on the revised Immigration Rules.
