Following the recent election, there has been a sharp uptick in queries from US citizens about their options for immigrating to the UK. Although there are no US-specific immigration categories, there are a number of options that Americans can use to move to the UK.
Partner/family routes
One of the simplest routes for moving to the UK if you have a British or settled partner is the partner visa. The UK-based partner must have an income above £29,000 but there are many ways this can be met, including property income, pension income and cash savings.
Parents of minor British/settled children can also apply to move to the UK to join them. If applying from abroad, there is a financial requirement but instead of having to earn above a specified figure, the test that applies is “adequate maintenance”. Similarly, minor children of British/settled parents can also apply to join them in the UK.
Finally, elderly parents, or other family members like siblings, who require assistance with everyday tasks and cannot get the help they need in their home country can apply to join their British/settled family in the UK. These are very difficult applications with high refusal rates but this is a category that we have a lot of experience with, frequently achieving excellent outcomes for our clients.
Skilled Worker
This is the main work route in the UK. You must find a registered sponsor who can offer you sponsored employment.
The standard minimum salary is £38,700 but there are a number of ways you can be sponsored with a lower salary, including if you are under the age of 26.
Student/Graduate route
You can apply to move to the UK to study for a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s or a PhD (or all three). If you have a partner or child, only a research-based Master’s or PhD will allow you to bring them with you.
After the completion of your course, you can apply for a further qualification and stay in the Student route or you can apply for a Graduate visa, which is a two year visa (or three, if you completed a PhD), which is unsponsored and allows you to do almost anything you like in the UK during this time.
High Potential Individual
This is an unsponsored route that allows you to work or study in the UK without sponsorship. To qualify, you must have obtained a degree from a list of specified universities in the last five years.
This will grant two years of leave, or three if the relevant degree is a PhD.
Global Talent
This is a category that covers many different fields from science and philosophy to tech and fashion. If you are outstanding in your field, or showing promise of this, you may qualify for this excellent unsponsored route that in many cases allows settlement after just three years.
Citizenship by double descent
If you were born in the US prior to 1988, and your maternal grandmother or grandfather was born in the UK, you may be able to register as a British citizen for free.
Contact our friendly team today if you would like to explore your options for moving to the UK.