Rejected petition Maintain the 5 year period for settlement and citizenship for those in the UK

The white paper published on 12 May 2025 calls for increasing the standard qualifying period for settlement and citizenship in paragraphs 264 and 271. The 5 year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain and citizenship for legal immigrants who are already in the UK should be maintained.

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The changes should not apply retroactively to legal immigrants who are currently in the UK, before these changes were announced. Implementing these changes retroactively could have a detrimental effect for both legal immigrants and the UK. Legal immigrants may face additional fees for visa renewals and challenges fully integrating into UK society. Businesses and companies who sponsor individuals may also face higher fees and increased uncertainty over the ability to retain sponsored workers.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

You may wish to sign this petition which calls for similar action:

Keep the 5-Year ILR pathway for existing Skilled Worker visa holders
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/727360

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 13 May 2025
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