UK Home Office introduces new fast-track way to settlement (ILR) for high earners and top professionals 10 December 2020 The UK Home Office has introduced a new route to settlement for those with the best job offers in the UK. The amendment was tabled by Shabana Mahmood.
Eligible migrants can get ILR in three years under the new policy, rather than having to wait longer as before.
Who Can Qualify?
UK-based Pakistanis may be eligible if they:
- Earn above £125,000, or
- Retain Global Talent or Innovator for Founder visas
But workers earning from £50,000 to £125,000 will still be confined to the five-year route. Most other applicants will be put on a new 10-year path.
The Home Office insists the changes recognise strong economic value.
Key Requirements
Applicants must show:
- Clean criminal record
- Normal tax + Insurance contributions.
- Not owing any money to the NHS or Home Office
- English-language proof
The 10-year path can be shorter with lower fluency.
Penalties That Can Delay PR
- Receiving public benefits for under 12 months → +5 years
- Receiving benefits for more than 12 months → +10 years
- Illegal entry (e.g., small boat) → +20 years
Documents Needed
History of Visa, payslips, P60s, HMRC papers in both main and additional jobs, English evidence certificate and police check;Web history;proof of address(financial payg);financial compliance.
Who Is Not Included?
BE AWARE: The fast-track is NOT valid for:
- Spouses/family members of British citizens
- BN(O) migrants from Hong Kong
- Windrush cases
- EU Settlement Scheme applicants
- Public-sector workers (doctors, nurses, teachers)
The new policy will help highly-skilled Pakistanis seeking long-term settlement in the UK, experts say.