Global Talent ILR & Settlement
Global Talent can lead to settlement after the qualifying period that applies to the way you entered the route. At settlement stage, the Home Office also considers your relevant UK earnings, endorsement or prize position, continuous residence, English language and Knowledge of Life in the UK.
On this page
In brief
- Global Talent can lead to settlement after the qualifying period for how you entered the route.
- Settlement also considers your relevant UK earnings in your expert field.
- Your endorsement or prestigious-prize position is reviewed at this stage.
- Continuous residence, English and Life in the UK also apply — the guide sets out the requirements.
Is this the Global Talent settlement stage?
This page covers indefinite leave to remain under the Global Talent route. It does not explain how to qualify for Global Talent for the first time.
You will normally reach this stage after holding Global Talent permission, although certain legacy Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) permission can also be relevant under the settlement rules.
You are preparing for ILR
Use this page for the settlement requirements that apply after time on the Global Talent route.
You are applying for Global Talent for the first time
The initial endorsement, prestigious-prize and visa-entry requirements belong on the main Global Talent route page.
Global Talent Visa →Your settlement is based on another work route
Use the settlement requirements for that specific immigration route.
Settlement hub →How long do you need before Global Talent settlement?
The qualifying period is not the same for every Global Talent applicant.
Depending on how you originally qualified for the route, the settlement period can be either 3 years or 5 years.
Some Global Talent applicants can settle after 3 years
The 3-year framework applies to specified prestigious-prize, research and exceptional-talent pathways.
Some applicants require 5 years
The 5-year framework applies to specified exceptional-promise pathways.
Do not assume that every Global Talent holder has the same settlement period. The correct period depends on the basis on which the applicant qualified for the route.
Can time on another immigration route count?
In specified circumstances, time spent on certain other work or business routes can contribute towards the Global Talent settlement qualifying period.
- Global Talent / Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent)
- Skilled Worker / Tier 2 (General)
- Specified legacy Tier 1 routes
- Innovator Founder / Innovator
- International Sportsperson
- T2 Minister of Religion
- Scale-up
- Representative of an Overseas Business
The fact that time can be combined does not import the qualifying rules of those other routes into Global Talent settlement.
You must have earned money in the UK in your expert field
At settlement stage, the applicant must have earned money in the UK during their Global Talent permission.
The earnings must be linked either to the field that led to the original endorsement or, where the route was based on a prestigious prize, to a field related to the subject matter of that prize.
There is no minimum earnings figure in this requirement. The settlement guidance requires relevant UK earnings but does not prescribe a minimum salary or earnings threshold for this requirement.
The Rules do not prescribe one fixed form of evidence. The Home Office guidance allows independently sourced evidence that can be verified, and its examples are not exhaustive.
Your endorsement or prestigious-prize position
If you originally qualified through endorsement
You do not need a fresh endorsement decision simply because you are applying for settlement. However, the original endorsement must not have been withdrawn.
If you originally qualified through a prestigious prize
The settlement framework applies by reference to that prize pathway. The guidance states that the prize must not have been withdrawn or suspended.
Continuous residence for Global Talent settlement
You must meet the continuous-residence requirements throughout the qualifying period.
Global Talent also has a specific research-related absence exception for some applicants, including certain research endorsement pathways and specified prestigious-prize circumstances.
Read the Continuous Residence guide →
Do not apply the research-absence exception to every Global Talent applicant. It applies only in the circumstances defined by the Global Talent rules and guidance.
English language and Knowledge of Life in the UK
English language
Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must meet the English language requirement that applies at settlement stage.
English language requirement →Knowledge of Life in the UK
The applicant must meet the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement under Appendix KOL UK.
Knowledge of Life in the UK →Evidence areas to review
The evidence required will depend on how the applicant entered the Global Talent route and on their immigration history.
- Current and previous Global Talent permission
- Legacy Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) permission, where relevant
- Basis of original Global Talent qualification
- Evidence of UK earnings in the relevant expert field
- Independent and verifiable evidence supporting those earnings
- Qualifying-period immigration history
- Travel and absence history
- Research-related absences, where the specific exception may apply
- English language requirement or exemption
- Knowledge of Life in the UK
- Any suitability matter requiring review
These are evidence areas to review, not a universal list of documents required in every case.
What about Global Talent dependants?
Dependants do not simply obtain settlement because the Global Talent main applicant is granted ILR.
Appendix Global Talent contains separate settlement provisions for dependants, so each family member's position must be considered under the dependant settlement framework that applies to them.
Global Talent settlement framework guide
Answer a few general questions to identify the settlement framework and evidence areas that may need review. It is a guide only — it does not decide eligibility or predict a decision.
Guide only: this tool identifies immigration frameworks, issues and evidence areas that may need review. It does not determine eligibility, give a score or probability, predict a Home Office decision or assess an appeal.
Approaching settlement on your work route? Get a fixed-fee check of your ILR eligibility and continuous-residence position.
Get a fixed-fee quoteOur regulatory scope. ENS Immigration Advice is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority at Level 1. We advise on straightforward immigration applications within our authorised competence. Where a Global Talent settlement matter involves a refusal, disputed endorsement or prize status, complex residence history, suitability concerns or another issue outside straightforward Level 1 work, we will identify the complexity and direct you to the appropriate next step. IAA regulation · Refusal or complex issue → specialist referral.
How ENS can help
Identify the settlement framework
We can review how a straightforward Global Talent applicant originally qualified and identify the settlement period and requirements that need to be addressed.
Organise settlement evidence
We can help organise evidence of relevant UK earnings, qualifying residence and the other evidence areas required for a straightforward application.
Prepare a straightforward application
Where the matter falls within our Level 1 authorisation, we can assist with preparing and presenting a straightforward Global Talent settlement application.
Frequently asked questions
Can Global Talent lead to ILR?
Yes. Appendix Global Talent contains a specific settlement framework for Global Talent applicants who meet the applicable settlement requirements.
Is Global Talent settlement after 3 years or 5 years?
It depends on how the applicant qualified for Global Talent. The Home Office guidance provides a 3-year qualifying period for specified pathways and a 5-year period for specified exceptional-promise pathways.
Can time on another visa route count towards Global Talent settlement?
In specified circumstances, yes. Appendix Global Talent allows time in certain other work and business routes to contribute towards the qualifying period.
Do I need to earn a minimum salary for Global Talent settlement?
The settlement guidance does not prescribe a minimum earnings figure for this requirement. It requires the applicant to have earned money in the UK in the field linked to their endorsement or prestigious prize.
What evidence can I use to prove my Global Talent earnings?
The guidance does not require one specific document. Evidence can be used where it comes from an independent source, can be verified and demonstrates relevant UK earnings.
Do I need a new endorsement before applying for ILR?
Not simply because you are applying for settlement. Where you originally qualified through endorsement, the endorsement must not have been withdrawn, but the guidance does not require a fresh endorsement decision for settlement.
Do absences matter for Global Talent settlement?
Yes. Continuous residence applies to the qualifying period. Some applicants in specified research-related Global Talent pathways can benefit from a particular overseas research absence exception.
Do I need to meet an English language requirement?
Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must meet the English language requirement that applies at settlement stage under Appendix English Language.
Do I need to pass the Life in the UK requirement?
The applicant must meet the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement under Appendix KOL UK.
Do my dependants automatically get ILR when I settle?
No. Appendix Global Talent contains separate settlement provisions for dependants, so each dependant's position must be considered under the applicable dependant settlement requirements.
Source basis: Home Office, Global Talent, version 19.0, published for Home Office staff on 3 August 2026. Immigration Rules and guidance can change; confirm the current position on GOV.UK before applying.
Discuss a Global Talent settlement application
If you are approaching the settlement stage of the Global Talent route, we can review a straightforward immigration history, identify the relevant settlement framework and explain the evidence areas that should be prepared.