These 6 UK Tech Jobs Could Make You Eligible for Faster ILR

Before now, speed to settlement did not depend on earning high salary thresholds or working in specific public service occupations. Normally, permanent residency was granted once the time requirement and general criteria, such as passing the Life in the UK test and meeting basic English language requirements, were met. 

However, the UK government has now unveiled new rules under what it calls the “earned settlement model”, changing how migrants qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the country. 

These new rules do not exclude tech workers. In fact, they allow tech professionals to qualify for accelerated three-year or five-year pathways to Indefinite Leave to Remain if they meet certain earning thresholds, such as earning over £50,271 ($67,815) or £125,141 ($168,815), or qualify through routes like Global Talent. That is not to say lower earners will not be considered, but they face a baseline extension to 10 years. You can check our previous story to get more details on the new rules. 

If you are a tech talent looking to settle in the UK, you may want to target a job earning £50,271 and above. To make that search easier, we have compiled a list of tech jobs that offer the potential to reach or exceed that earning threshold. 

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1. Cybersecurity Specialists 

According to data from Glassdoor UK, the average base pay for a Cybersecurity Specialist in the United Kingdom ranges from approximately £51,000 to £67,400 ($68,799-$90,922) per year. 

With cyberattacks becoming more prevalent, cybersecurity professionals are among the tech workers whose expertise businesses will continue to need. Recent incidents, including the PHP and Binance hacks, show how much damage security breaches can cause. Cybercriminals also no longer need to be highly sophisticated to exploit vulnerabilities, particularly as AI tools make it easier to identify weaknesses and automate certain attacks. 

For companies handling sensitive customer information, financial transactions and critical infrastructure, having professionals who can identify threats and protect systems is no longer optional. Some key areas of specialisation include cloud security, application security, penetration testing, and security engineering. Professionals who build expertise in these areas can move into more senior positions with higher earning potential.