Petition
Stop retrospective ILR changes for current skilled worker visa holders
Rejected
10 signatures
What the petition asks
We ask the UK Government to ensure that any changes to the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) for skilled worker visa holders are not applied retrospectively. People who are already in the UK on work visas should remain eligible for ILR under the current 5-year rule.
Many skilled workers moved to the UK legally, trusting the 5-year ILR pathway. We’ve built lives, careers, and families here based on this rule. Changing it to 10 years and applying it retrospectively is unfair and disruptive. We urge the Government to protect those already on the 5-year path and apply any new rules only to future applicants. Retrospective changes undermine trust and harm the lives of hardworking, law-abiding residents.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
You may wish to sign the following petition, which calls for similar action:
Keep the 5-Year ILR pathway for existing Skilled Worker visa holders
Keep the 5-Year ILR pathway for existing Skilled Worker visa holders
Keep the 5-Year ILR pathway for existing Skilled Worker visa holders
Keep the 5-Year ILR pathway for existing Skilled Worker visa holders
Timeline
| 16 May 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 May 2025 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
10
Status
Rejected
Rejected
30 May 2025
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 27 Aug 2026.