On Wednesday 11 March, I will be leading an RCN delegation to a mass lobby of Parliament, where we will raise our voices against unfair and dangerous proposals to change the indefinite Leave to Remain system across the UK.  

This issue has seen huge numbers of members get active and speak up over the last few months, and I am proud to be taking this important next step alongside them.  

ILR grants the right to live, work, and study without time limits, and is sometimes called settlement. The government is proposing to extend the ILR qualifying period to ten years and intends to apply this retrospectively to people already living in the UK. They’re also looking at removing the recourse to public funds for people with ILR, meaning they would no longer be able to access benefits like universal credit, child tax credits, housing support, and more.  
 
After sustained pressure from the RCN and other health organisations, the Home Office announced in November 2025 that nurses in the NHS would be effectively exempt from the changes. But it remains unclear what this means for nurses working in the independent sector and social care settings. Our recent report found that "limiting the access of internationally educated staff to ILR will only add instability to health workforce planning and increase the likelihood of a return to harmful international recruitment practices and increased levels of exploitation."  
 
Alongside this, the proposals have created vast levels of uncertainty, alienation and fear. This was evident in anyone listening to the more than 700 members who attended January's webinar on Indefinite Leave to Remain. The questions we received were heart breaking. “How will this affect my child?” “I’ve worked in social care AND the NHS – when will I get clarity on if I’m affected?” “This is so disappointing – we're just not wanted here.” 
 
But what is heartening is that members have not simply stayed afraid. Hundreds attended that webinar, and thousands then sent emails to MPs about this through our email tool. Now we taking the next step to demand they look again at the proposed reforms, sharing our experiences, knowledge and opinions as nurses and migrant workers.  
 
We are going to Parliament to stand up for patients and to stand up for ourselves, and I want you to join me.