PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk

Protect ILR for migrants who built their lives on the current 5-year system.

Protect the stability of refugees who built lives under the current 5-year system. They work, integrate, and raise children who feel a sense of belonging here. Don’t disrupt life plans or place new uncertainty in the path of their integration. Don't create a troubled generation lacking belonging.

Last fetched 18 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk

Signatures

signatures

Government response threshold (10,000) · 7/10,000

Debate threshold (100,000) · 7/100,000

Petition progress2 events · Nov 2025 – Jan 2026

16 JAN 2026
Petition rejected
duplicate
We have a number of petitions already open on this subject: Do not increase the time migrants with ILR need to wait to apply for citizenship https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/751392 Keep 5-Year ILR and Restrict Access to Benefits for New ILR Holders https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/746363 Do not apply ILR qualifying period changes retrospectively to ILR applicants https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/751517 If you search for "ILR" on the petitions web-site you will find even more
22 NOV 2025
Petition created

Background

Applying the new 20-year uncertainty retrospectively to refugees who built lives (work, school, banking) relying on the 5-year ILR route creates a socio-pedagogical crisis. This policy fosters severe marginalisation and lack of belonging. The 20-year rule must apply to future applicants, not those who trusted the 5-year route. A child born here living in uncertainty until 20 hinders identity and belonging, preventing productive British citizenship. Stability is foundational to integration.