That's very helpful. Thank you very much. I guess I have to decide whether the expat package is worth taking the risk or not then! Thanks a lot.

Thanks - but I was under the impression that if my salary is paid into my UK bank account and I'm employed by UK company with UK contract and pay UK tax, I can still apply for ILR? Is that not correct for Tier-1 settlements?

Hello, I have been in the UK for 6 years (2 years as student and 4 years as HSMP and Tier-1). I can apply for ILR in Jan-2012 when my stay period with HSMP and Tier-1 will become 5 years. Now, my company is outsourcing our business function to India and I have the opportunity to expat out to India ...