Protect the pathway people have built their lives around

Many Skilled Workers have spent years working, paying visa fees and building their lives in the UK. They made decisions about their jobs, homes and children’s education around a published route that allowed them to apply for settlement after five years if they met the requirements.

On 2 November 2026, the Home Secretary announced an Earned Settlement policy with a new ten-year starting point. The policy is intended to apply to most people already in the UK who have yet to settle. For affected families, a longer wait could mean more visa renewals, more fees and more years dependent on employer sponsorship.

**What we are asking for**

Skilled Worker Justice Alliance (SWJA) is asking the Home Secretary to preserve the five-year settlement pathway for people who entered or switched into the Skilled Worker route before **12 May 2025**, and for their dependants. Applicants would still need to meet the applicable requirements, including the salary rules and any transitional salary provisions that would have applied before the reforms.

**What your donation will help fund**

SWJA is an independent, community-led organisation. We have carried out policy research, gathered evidence, contributed to parliamentary scrutiny and prepared a briefing for specialist counsel.

Our immediate priority is an **independent written opinion from a King’s Counsel specialising in public law**. We intend to seek advice through Direct Access where appropriate. We estimate this first stage will cost **£10,000**, subject to confirmation of scope, fees and VAT. The opinion will help us decide whether there is a viable judicial review, when action may be needed and what protection a challenge could realistically secure.

Further donations may support evidence gathering, case preparation and essential costs directly related to this work. If proceedings go ahead, the appeal may also support legal, court and administration costs. Any decision to bring a claim will be informed by independent legal advice.

**Who receives the donations**

Donations through this page are received by **Circle Vision Foundation**, registered charity number **1209727**. SWJA Ltd is a separate organisation. We will report legal and organisational costs separately and explain how spending is approved and how any remaining funds are handled, including if proceedings do not go ahead.

If you can, **please donate to help fund the first legal opinion**. Sharing this appeal also helps us reach more people affected by the changes.

Learn more at **swja.uk** or contact **hello@swja.uk**.