Key Points
‍

• The UK agenda includes reforms that could extend the route to ILR for work visas to 10 years. For Global Talent/Innovator Founder, discussions are ongoing, but no final rules have been adopted yet.
• Changes usually don’t apply retroactively: those already on their route will continue under the old rules.
• Dependants of Global Talent/Innovator Founder holders still qualify for settlement after 5 years; for Skilled Worker visas, families typically follow the lead applicant on the same timeline.
• For ILR, it’s important to track rolling absence periods: no more than 180 days in any consecutive 12-month period.
• Innovator Founder → ILR: applicants must demonstrate business results (investment, team, markets, etc.) and undergo a final audit with the endorsing body.
• UK Passport: you need to prove your “ties to the UK” through a combination of factors — work, study, community, children, etc.
  ‍

White Paper, Initiatives, and Timing: What to Expect and When

Currently in focus are government proposals, including the Labour Party’s White Paper and Conservative initiatives. They mainly affect work visas, where an extension of the ILR route to 10 years is being discussed. For Global Talent and Innovator Founder, targeted adjustments (including endorsement processes) are possible, but no unified, confirmed rules have been announced.

“The law usually does not apply retroactively. Even if the changes are tough, those already on the route still have a chance to continue under the old rules — there are court precedents confirming this.”

In practice, new packages often arrive in “waves” (historically in October/April). After a Statement of Changes is published, some rules take effect within 21 days. The bottom line: if you are close to filing — time is against you, it’s best to accelerate now.

‍

Dependants: “Following the Train” to Settlement

For GT/IF, the main applicant reaches ILR in 3 years, while family members typically qualify for settlement in 5 years — this has not changed. For work visas, family timelines are generally synchronized with the main applicant: if the route is extended, dependants will likely face the same extension. For families already in the UK, there’s no reason to panic: these changes would only affect future applications.

‍

ILR Without Surprises: Counting Absences and What to Keep

The golden rule for ILR is no more than 180 days of absence in any rolling 12-month period (a moving window, not a calendar year).

Practical steps:

• Keep a travel log with entry/exit dates.
  
• Collect evidence of valid reasons for absences (illness of a close relative, Covid restrictions, etc.).
  
• If necessary, request a file from the Home Office with travel records — but be aware that databases sometimes contain errors, which can be challenged with supporting documents.
  
  

Global Talent → ILR: Freedom of Choice, But Proof of Activity

The GT category is flexible: you can be an employee, run a company, or work as self-employed — the key is that your activity matches your area of talent and is provable:

• contracts/invoices, projects, company accounts, client correspondence;
  
• if self-employed, it’s better to have 2+ clients, proper registration, and clean invoices;
  
• for ILR, you’ll need Life in the UK and English language tests (language wasn’t required at the GT entry stage — don’t forget to prepare).

How much do you “need” to earn for ILR? There is no strict minimum. Logic and demonstrated activity matter more than specific numbers.

‍

Innovator Founder → ILR: Proving the Business is Alive

In addition to annual monitoring by the endorsing body, at the ILR stage you’ll need to:

1. Obtain a final endorsement confirming progress against your original objectives.

2. Fulfill at least two criteria from the business requirements list. Common examples include:

• ~£50k investment into business development;
  
• Team: for example, 5 employees with settled/British status earning at least £25k/year each for a minimum of one year;
  
• Expansion to international markets;
  
• Filing a patent application, etc.
  

This is one of the most document-heavy ILR routes: those who win are the ones who track metrics early and keep evidence organized, rather than scrambling in year three.

‍

Citizenship and Passport: How to Prove “Ties to the UK” and When to Apply

For naturalisation, you need 5 years of residence in the UK and 1 year “free of immigration control” (with ILR). Example: if you obtain ILR in 3 years via Global Talent, you typically wait another 2 years before applying for citizenship.

“Ties to the country” are confirmed by a combination of factors: work/business, study, children in schools, participation in community/volunteering, housing, etc. There is no strict checklist — the key is to present an honest picture of your life in the UK.
‍

Regarding the passport:

• You cannot leave the country while your application is being processed (all foreign passports are submitted).
  
• Ensure consistency of your name/details across all documents — otherwise, you’ll be asked to make changes or provide a letter from your consulate.
  
• There are expedited options: processing in as little as 1 week.
  
  

How Much Does ILR Cost and Where to Budget
‍

• ILR application fee — about £3,029 (same for all categories).
  
• Life in the UK test + English test — roughly £300 in total.
  
• Priority processing (if available for your visa type): £500/5 days or £1,000/24 hours.
  

At Relogate, preparing a Global Talent case costs €5,900, while an Innovator Founder case starts from €10,900.