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The UK has announced the most significant overhaul of its immigration system in half a century. On November 20, 2025, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood introduced a new “earned settlement” framework, under which the baseline period for obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) will increase from 5 to 10 years. However, “the brightest and the best” migrants will benefit from accelerated routes. “Permanent settlement is not a right, but a privilege to be earned,” said the head of the Home Office. Under the proposed system, some categories of migrants will be able to shorten that period. For example, holders of Global Talent or Innovator Founder visas will be eligible for ILR after 3 years of residence, while doctors and nurses will qualify after 5 years. In contrast, low-paid workers will face much longer waits: their baseline period may increase to 15 years.
The bill and upcoming public consultation aim to sharply curb low-skilled migration and reward economic contribution. The key ILR timelines proposed by the government are as follows:
A major proposal in the White Paper is to separate ILR from access to benefits: the right to claim public support and social housing would only be granted to those who acquire British citizenship. In other words, even with ILR, some social rights would remain unavailable until naturalisation.
This system marks a radical shift from the current framework. Until now, a Russian or CIS national could obtain ILR after 5 years of work under a Skilled Worker visa — and citizenship a year later, for a total of around 6 years.
The UK government has been keen to emphasize that its doors remain open to international “talents.” The Global Talent visa — designed for established leaders in science, the arts, and digital technology — continues to be one of the most attractive immigration routes. In 2025, the application process was slightly streamlined: the separate Tech Nation endorsement form for IT specialists was removed, and the program still has no annual cap. However, experts warn that new requirements may be introduced soon, including a higher level of English proficiency and stronger evidence of social integration — which could make things somewhat tougher for applicants and their families. IT specialists holding a Global Talent visa can currently apply for ILR after 3 to 5 years of residence in the UK.
The Innovator Founder visa is aimed at startup founders with innovative business ideas, endorsed by a recognized body. This route has also become more flexible: as of November 25, 2025, graduates of UK universities can switch to the Innovator Founder visa from inside the country, without having to leave and reapply from abroad. Minimum investment thresholds have been removed — the focus is now on the commercial potential of the idea, rather than a specific monetary contribution. Successful applicants are granted a 3-year visa, with the option to extend for another 3 years — but they may apply for ILR after the first 3 years.
However, there is a catch: each year (and during renewal), founders must demonstrate measurable business progress to their endorsing body. If the startup is deemed non-viable or growth is lacking, the endorsement may be withdrawn — and with it, the visa.
The traditional Skilled Worker visa has also seen changes. As of July 2025, the list of eligible occupations has been narrowed to only the most highly skilled roles, and the minimum salary threshold has been raised to £41,700 per year. In addition, the requirements for sponsorship documentation have become stricter, and penalties for non-compliance have increased. Starting January 8, 2026, new applicants for the Skilled Worker visa will be required to demonstrate English proficiency at level B2 (up from the previous B1).
It is also worth noting that family routes remain largely unchanged. For example, spouses or civil partners of British citizens will still be eligible to apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous cohabitation, as was the case before the reform.
Global Talent visa holders benefit from specific ILR eligibility rules:
In addition to standard documents (see below), Global Talent applicants typically don’t need a new endorsement letter from their endorsing body (unlike entrepreneurs). Still, many choose to include reference letters from employers, project partners, or the original endorsing organization to strengthen the case. Required documents include:
If you're the main applicant on a Global Talent visa and your spouse or children joined as dependants, they can also apply for ILR — but only after 5 years of residence. This means that even if the main applicant qualifies after 3 years, family members may need to stay longer to meet the 5-year rule. In practice, families often extend their visas until reaching 5 years and then apply for ILR in parallel (or shortly after) the main applicant.
It’s worth planning ahead: if your dependants arrived later than you, they may need extra time to catch up. Still, once the main applicant obtains ILR, it provides greater security and relaxes some obligations — for instance, you no longer need to pay the annual NHS health surcharge, and you may gain access to certain benefits.
Entrepreneurs on the Innovator Founder visa also face strict ILR criteria — though the emphasis here is on business success:
As with other routes, applicants must have resided in the UK for a full three years without extended absences. You must be physically present in the UK at the time of applying (ILR applications must be submitted from within the country). You must not exceed 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period of those three years. The Home Office carefully checks passport stamps and requires a full list of travel dates and purposes.
To apply for ILR, you must obtain a new endorsement letter from your endorsing body confirming that your startup has met the required criteria for success. Over the three years, your project is monitored by the endorsing body — you are expected to stay in touch and submit regular progress updates (usually every 6 or 12 months). By the end of the third year, if things are on track, your endorsing body will issue a letter to the Home Office confirming:
Additionally, the letter must confirm that you have met at least 2 out of 7 success criteria, as outlined in the immigration rules:
1. At least £50,000 has been invested into the business and spent on its development
2. The customer base has doubled in the last 3 years and now exceeds the average for similar businesses
3. The business conducts R&D and has filed for UK intellectual property (e.g. patents, trademarks)
4. The business had at least £1 million in gross revenue in the most recent full financial year
5. The business had at least £500,000 in gross revenue, of which at least £100,000 came from overseas clients
6. At least 5 full-time jobs for UK residents have been created, each with a salary of at least £25,000 per year
7. At least 10 full-time jobs for UK residents have been created (with no salary threshold)
As an entrepreneur, it's crucial to plan early which criteria you're targeting. For example, a tech startup might aim for raising £50k+ and doing R&D, while a retail-focused business may prioritize turnover and exports.
Pro tip: Discuss your targets with your endorsing body early on and track your progress regularly. If, by the halfway point, none of the criteria seem achievable, you have two options: revise your business strategy or prepare to extend your visa instead of applying for ILR.
The rules allow you to extend your Innovator Founder visa for another 3 years if you're not yet eligible for ILR. It's better to apply for an extension than risk refusal. The Home Office may also request company documentation (e.g. financial statements, tax filings, registration info), so be prepared to submit these if needed.
In addition to the standard ILR documents, the key requirement is the ILR-specific endorsement letter. Request this from your endorsing body about 1–2 months before your visa expires. Since the letter contains all the success indicators, you don’t need to submit financial reports or patents separately. However, many applicants still include supporting documents like company registration certificates, tax records, or investor letters.
The full document set typically includes:
It’s also a good idea to include a short cover letter summarizing how you meet all the criteria — this isn't mandatory, but it helps immigration officers review your application efficiently.
If your startup has multiple founders who each hold an Innovator Founder visa, each person must demonstrate individual achievements. The same metric cannot be counted twice — for example, if two co-founders apply for ILR, and one of the success criteria is creating 10 jobs, the business must have created 20 jobs (10 per founder). This rule ensures applicants don’t duplicate achievements across applications. Plan your team’s development accordingly.
Applications for the Global Talent and Innovator Founder visas are submitted through the official GOV.UK website — you'll need to create an account, complete the application form, upload your documents, and pay the fee. As of 2025, the government fee for an ILR application is £3,029 per person. On top of that, expect to pay around £50–£100 for the Life in the UK test and £150–£200 for an English language exam. These are significant costs: for a family of 3–4, the total can easily reach £9,000–£12,000. Payment is made online by card right before submitting the application. Note: the fee is non-refundable if your ILR application is denied.
Optional services include priority processing. Standard ILR processing typically takes up to 6 months. You can pay an extra ~£500 for a “Priority” service (decision in 5 working days) or ~£1,000 for “Super Priority” (decision by the next working day). However, these services are not always available for every visa type — the system will show your options.
ILR applications are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge, unlike visa extensions. Once you are granted ILR, you gain full NHS access without the surcharge.
After payment, the system will direct you to UKVCAS to book your biometric appointment. As part of the ILR process, you'll need to submit fingerprints and a photo — this is mandatory, even if you've done it before. From the date of your biometrics, you're granted Section 3C leave, meaning your previous visa conditions are extended while your application is processed. However, you cannot travel abroad during this time — doing so will automatically cancel your application.
You’ll receive your decision by email (the one listed in your application). If successful, you’ll be notified by letter and then sent your new biometric residence permit (BRP) — though note that in 2025, the UK announced a gradual shift to digital-only immigration statuses, so physical cards may soon be phased out. Check both your email and your listed delivery address regularly.
Once approved, you’ll become a permanent resident of the UK: no time limits, no work restrictions, and no need for further visa renewals. ILR is indefinite, but be aware — if you leave the UK for more than 2 consecutive years, you may lose your ILR. Until you become a British citizen, avoid extended absences, or be prepared to apply for Returning Resident status later.
If your application is refused, you have options: appeal, request an administrative review, or simply reapply once you’ve addressed the issues. Common reasons for refusal include failure to meet criteria (e.g. business requirements for Innovator), exceeding absence limits, missing tests, or incomplete documentation. Most of these are fixable — once you meet the requirements, you can reapply immediately, but you’ll have to pay the full fee again.
If you’re already in the UK and are approaching your ILR eligibility — don’t delay your application. The same goes if you’re still planning your move: 2025 may be the last year to start your journey under relatively stable and favourable rules. Entry to the UK remains accessible — but staying for good is getting harder. The government’s new model is built around selecting the best and most committed migrants. Now is the time to act.
At Relogate, we monitor every shift in UK immigration law. Our team helps talent, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals not only obtain visas, but build a long-term path toward ILR and citizenship. We’ll guide you through strong application strategies, portfolio prep, deadlines, and every technicality — so you don’t have to go it alone.
While you grow your career or build your business, we’ll manage your entire visa process from end to end. Get in touch with us if you’re ready to apply or exploring your options. We’ll help you reach your goals fast, safely, and with the best possible chance of success.
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