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StudyImmigration

For people moving abroad for good

Moving to another country permanently starts with knowing the rules.

We follow every announcement from the US, Canadian, British, and Australian immigration authorities and explain what it means for your route to permanent residence and citizenship.

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UK Announced

UK Confirms 10-Year Earned Settlement Starting Point for ILR (Announced, 2 November 2026)

The government's earned settlement response sets a 10-year ILR starting point, with 5 and 3-year paths for some. It is announced, with no start date yet.

  • The standard qualifying period for settlement will rise from 5 to 10 years, with 20 years for people who used specified public funds or breached immigration rules as an adult.
  • Five years remain for people earning at least £50,271 in 3 of the last 5 years, eligible health and education workers on national pay scales, and partners, parents and children of British citizens.
  • Three years apply to people earning at least £125,141 in 3 of the 4 years before applying, and to the highest talent group.

Where are you moving?

United States

Most US green cards come through family or employer sponsorship, and per-country caps create long backlogs for applicants from India, China, Mexico and the Philippines. Policy changed fast in 2025-26, so check official sources before you file.

Canada

Canada picks most permanent residents through points: Express Entry ranks skilled workers by CRS score, and provinces nominate people they need. Many reach PR after studying or working in Canada, then citizenship after 3 years of physical presence.

United Kingdom

The UK uses a points-based system in which most work visas need a licensed employer sponsor. Most migrants can still settle after 5 years under the current rules. On 2 November 2026 the government confirmed "earned settlement", which would make 10 years the standard wait, with 5 or 3 years for some groups; as of 13 November 2026 it is announced, not in force, and has no start date.

Australia

Australia picks skilled migrants through the points-tested SkillSelect system and employer sponsorship via the Skills in Demand visa, within set planning levels. Student settings tightened from 2 October 2026.

Essential guides

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A permanent move, in five stages

Most moves take years and several applications. Here is the order things happen in.

  1. Stage 1 Choose a country
  2. Stage 2 Find a route to PR
  3. Stage 3 Prepare documents
  4. Stage 4 Arrive and settle
  5. Stage 5 Become a citizen

Free practice test

US citizenship test

All 128 questions on the 2025 civics test, 20-question mock interviews scored the way a USCIS officer scores them, and answers for your own senators, representative, and governor.

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Every guide and report links the official source and shows when it was last checked. How we report