10-Year ILR Rule Explained: A 2026 Guide for UK Sponsors

Settlement in the UK is moving from a fixed 5-year timeline to something you earn over 5 to 10 years. Here's what the proposed earned settlement rules and the 10-year ILR baseline mean for your sponsored workforce, and what to put in place before the rules land in Autumn 2026. Matthew Bond (CEO and Co-Founder, Borderless) and Lul Salah (Lead Immigration Advisor, Borderless) walk through the change, the risks, and the planning framework for sponsors. Recorded live as part of the Borderless CPD Academy, June series. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How settlement works today, and what the earned settlement proposal actually changes How the 5-to-10-year scale works, and how higher earners, C1 English, and public-service roles can cut years off the baseline What a longer route means for your sponsored workers: salary thresholds, employment gaps, visa dependence How to plan a 10-year sponsorship cycle: budgeting, renewals, retention, HR involvement What to put in place now, before the rules go live TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome and panel introduction 05:30 Section 1: Settlement today, the current 5-year route 07:45 Section 2: The earned settlement proposal and timeline 14:15 Section 3: What it means for your people 15:20 Section 4: Planning ahead for your business 28:00 Q&A RESOURCES MENTIONED Skilled Worker Minimum Salary Calculator: https://www.getborderless.co.uk/blog/... Book a 20-minute compliance review: https://www.getborderless.co.uk/demo Catch up on the full June series: https://www.getborderless.co.uk/webin... THE BORDERLESS CPD ACADEMY, JUNE SERIES 1. Getting started with sponsorship 2. Certificate of Sponsorship Masterclass 3. Home Office compliance 4. Earned settlement (this video) Got a question ? Drop it in the comments and the team will reply. Share this with the HR or People Ops lead who'll be planning around the 10-year rule. #UKImmigration #ILR #SponsorLicence #SkilledWorker #EarnedSettlement ABOUT BORDERLESS Borderless is the UK immigration platform for sponsors. One record for every sponsored worker, automated tracking, and an in-house immigration team. Faster than solicitors, clearer on cost, built to keep you compliant. Website: https://www.getborderless.co.uk/ LinkedIn:   / get-borderless   Book a demo: https://www.getborderless.co.uk/demo All webinars: https://www.getborderless.co.uk/webin...