UK Plans to Introduce 3-Year Settlement Route for High Earners

The United Kingdom has announced plans to introduce a new 3-year settlement track for high-earning foreign professionals.

The proposal is now open for consultation and allows individuals earning at least £125,000 ($163,000) annually to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 3 years of continuous residence.

Program Overview

The new fast-track route will apply to high-income earners, as well as entrepreneurs under the Global Talent and Innovator Founder visa categories.

Key criteria include:

• Income requirement: £125,000+ in UK taxable income for three consecutive years.
• Conditions: clean criminal record, three years of National Insurance contributions, no outstanding state debts, and English proficiency of at least A-level.
• Scope: applies to current visa holders who have not yet obtained ILR; transition details will follow consultation.

Individuals earning below £125,000 but above £50,000 may also qualify for reduced ILR timelines on a sliding scale that will be finalized after the consultation period.

Reform Context

The reform forms part of the Labour government’s strategy to recalibrate migration policy, tightening settlement eligibility for lower-income routes while creating incentives to retain top global talent.

Authorities estimate that under current rules, as many as 2.2 million people could become eligible for ILR by 2030. The new framework seeks to moderate that trend by introducing differentiated settlement timelines tied to income and contribution.

Implementation Timeline

The Home Office is conducting consultations to finalize qualifying income evidence, transitional measures, and the official commencement date. The new three-year ILR route is expected to take effect following the 2026 fiscal year, pending legislative approval.