Petition
Stop Retrospective ILR Changes & Allow Skilled Workers OpenEmployment after 5yrs
Rejected
11 signatures
What the petition asks
We request that the UK Government does not apply any future change extending the ILR qualifying period from 5 to 10 years to Skilled Worker visa holders already on the established 5-year route. Retrospective application would undermine fairness
and the legitimate expectations of those who have planned their lives around existing rules
We ask for a transitional measure allowing current Skilled Worker migrants to work for any employer, in any role, without sponsorship after completing 5 years of lawful residence. We accept continued ineligibility for public funds until ILR is granted under any new rules. This arrangement would provide stability, prevent dependency on single sponsors, and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.
We ask for a transitional measure allowing current Skilled Worker migrants to work for any employer, in any role, without sponsorship after completing 5 years of lawful residence. We accept continued ineligibility for public funds until ILR is granted under any new rules. This arrangement would provide stability, prevent dependency on single sponsors, and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.
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 petitions:
Do not apply ILR qualifying period changes retrospectively to ILR applicants
Do not apply ILR qualifying period changes retrospectively to ILR applicants
Make a law to protect ILR from abolition and retrospective changes
Make a law to protect ILR from abolition and retrospective changes
Make Skilled Worker sponsor-free after 5 years, with grace period and cap fees
Make Skilled Worker sponsor-free after 5 years, with grace period and cap fees
Keep the 5-year pathway for all legal immigrants to apply for ILR
Keep the 5-year pathway for all legal immigrants to apply for ILR
Do not apply ILR qualifying period changes retrospectively to ILR applicants
Do not apply ILR qualifying period changes retrospectively to ILR applicants
Make a law to protect ILR from abolition and retrospective changes
Make a law to protect ILR from abolition and retrospective changes
Make Skilled Worker sponsor-free after 5 years, with grace period and cap fees
Make Skilled Worker sponsor-free after 5 years, with grace period and cap fees
Keep the 5-year pathway for all legal immigrants to apply for ILR
Keep the 5-year pathway for all legal immigrants to apply for ILR
Timeline
| 26 Nov 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 9 Jan 2026 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
11
Status
Rejected
Rejected
9 Jan 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 23 Aug 2026.