A punishing process': Experiences of people on the 10-year route to settlement

Article

Around 170,000 people are estimated to have permission to remain in the UK on a ’10-year route to settlement’ - a pathway that requires them to accrue 10 years of continuous lawful residence before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain.

While on this immigration route, individuals face a number of challenges. In this report, we take stock of the impacts of the 10-year route policy on people’s lives. Findings are drawn from a survey of over 300 people who are either on or have been on the route, as well as in-depth interviews with people on the route.

Taken as a whole, it is evident from our research that there are detrimental impacts resulting from the design of the 10-year route to settlement on people who have made, and wish to continue making, their lives in the UK.

As an overarching recommendation, we suggest that the 10-year route policy should be reviewed as part of a wider independent review of the immigration system to better understand the effects of the route on individuals on the basis of race, gender, age and disability, as well as its impact on wider society – including on other local and central government policy objectives (such as wider integration, belonging and social cohesion goals) and budgets.

Related items

  1. A wide shot of several large commercial vessels, including oil tankers and a survey boat, floating on turquoise water. In the background, an industrial shoreline with numerous smokestacks and refinery infrastructure is visible under a cloudy sky. Concept of global logistics, maritime industry, and international trade.

    Price caps and economic stability: How to manage the Iran war energy shock?

    The Iran war energy shock will impose significant costs on the UK economy, even if the government does not offer a universal support package.

  2. The political trust crisis: Why local democracy must start listening again

    A troubling reality hangs over May’s local elections: trust in politics has collapsed.
  3. Close Up Of Female Care Worker In Uniform Holding Hands Of Senior Man Sitting In Care Home Lounge

    Putting cardiovascular disease at the heart of policymaking: Learning from research in the devolved nations

    Deaths from heart attacks and strokes have halved since the 1960s and people living with these conditions have seen remarkable improvements in managing and treating them. But now progress is stalling.