The proposal to move skilled workers to a "10-year route" (or 'Earned Settlement') is often presented as a minor policy adjustment. In reality, it is a mechanism of attrition.

The Compound Risks:
1. Visa Renewal Roulette: Doubling the time to settlement means double the number of visa renewals. Each renewal is a risk point—if you lose your job or salary thresholds change (like the recent ISL updates) during that extra 5 years, you lose everything.
2. The "Reset" Button: Proposals suggest that changing employers could "reset" your settlement clock, effectively tieing workers to a single employer for a decade—a form of modern indentured servitude.
3. Aging Out: Children who enter as minors may turn 18 during this extended wait, losing their dependency status and facing international student fees.

We argue that this shift fundamentally alters the "Deal" made upon entry. It is not just a longer wait; it is a hazardous obstacle course designed to make you fail.