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United Kingdom

Points-based post-Brexit system with strong skilled worker and graduate routes.

Skilled Worker visa fee
£769 – £1,519 (per year)
Immigration Health Surcharge
£1,035 / year (adult)
ILR after
5 years (most routes)
Citizenship after ILR
12 months

Overview

Since 2021, the UK operates a points-based system that applies equally to EU and non-EU nationals. The Skilled Worker visa is the workhorse for employer-sponsored migration, while the Graduate Route offers 2–3 years of unsponsored post-study work. Salary thresholds rose sharply in April 2024 (to £38,700 for most Skilled Worker applicants), reshaping the landscape for new applicants.

How the immigration system works

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office, manages all immigration. Most categories require a sponsor licence held by a UK employer (Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker), a UK educational institution (Student visa), or a UK family member (family routes). Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is typically available after 5 years of continuous residence; British citizenship follows after a further 12 months.

Best for

  • Skilled workers in shortage occupations or earning £38,700+
  • Senior intra-company transferees (no salary threshold cliff)
  • Recent graduates of UK universities
  • Spouses and partners of British citizens / settled persons
  • High-net-worth individuals via Innovator Founder

Jump to

Important

Rules change frequently. Always confirm current requirements on the official portal before applying.

Visa pathways

6 structured pathways into United Kingdom

work

Skilled Worker Visa

Medium

Sponsored work visa for jobs at RQF Level 3+ paying at least £38,700 (or £30,960 in Immigration Salary List roles).

Who it's for: Workers with a job offer from a UK employer holding a sponsor licence.

Timeline
3 weeks overseas / 8 weeks in-country (standard)
Cost
USD 1,000 – 4,000 + IHS
Documents
5 items

Requirements

  • Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
  • Job on the eligible occupations list
  • Salary at or above the relevant threshold
  • English at CEFR B1+

Process

  1. 1Employer issues CoS
  2. 2Apply online from inside or outside UK
  3. 3Provide biometrics
  4. 4Decision typically within 3 weeks (overseas) or 8 weeks (in-country)

Documents

  • • CoS reference number
  • • Passport
  • • English language proof
  • • Tuberculosis test (some countries)
  • • Criminal record certificate (some roles)

Common mistakes

  • • Applying with a job below the salary threshold
  • • CoS issued for a role not on the eligible occupations list

Risk factors

  • • April 2024 threshold increase priced out many entry-level roles
  • • Dependants now barred for most care workers and students
Official source

study

Student Visa

Medium

Visa for full-time study at a licensed UK sponsor institution.

Who it's for: Applicants holding a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed UK education provider.

Timeline
3 weeks overseas (standard)
Cost
£490 application + IHS £776/year (student)
Documents
5 items

Requirements

  • CAS
  • Proof of funds (tuition + £1,334/month London or £1,023/month outside London)
  • English at required level
  • ATAS clearance (sensitive subjects)

Process

  1. 1Receive CAS
  2. 2Apply online up to 6 months before course start
  3. 3Provide biometrics
  4. 4Receive 30/90-day vignette, collect BRP/eVisa

Documents

  • • CAS
  • • Passport
  • • Financial evidence (28 consecutive days)
  • • Academic transcripts
  • • TB test (some countries)

Common mistakes

  • • Funds not held for 28 consecutive days
  • • Submitting before CAS issued
Official source

work

Graduate Route

Easy

Unsponsored 2-year post-study work visa (3 years for PhD graduates).

Who it's for: Anyone who has successfully completed an eligible UK degree on a Student visa.

Timeline
Up to 8 weeks
Cost
£880 + IHS £1,035/year
Documents
3 items

Requirements

  • Successful completion of eligible UK course
  • Inside the UK when applying
  • Current Student visa

Process

  1. 1University notifies Home Office of award
  2. 2Apply online
  3. 3Provide biometrics
  4. 4Decision within 8 weeks

Documents

  • • CAS used for original Student visa
  • • Passport
  • • BRP

Common mistakes

  • • Letting Student visa expire before applying
  • • Not understanding it doesn't count toward ILR
Official source

family

Family Visa (Spouse / Partner)

Medium

5-year route to settlement for spouses and partners of British citizens or settled persons.

Who it's for: Married couples, civil partners, or unmarried partners (2+ years cohabitation) with a British citizen or settled sponsor.

Timeline
12–24 weeks overseas / 8 weeks in-country
Cost
£1,938 outside UK / £1,321 inside UK
Documents
5 items

Requirements

  • Genuine and subsisting relationship
  • Sponsor meets minimum income (£29,000)
  • English at A1+ (initial) / B1 (ILR)
  • Adequate accommodation

Process

  1. 1Apply online, pay IHS
  2. 2Provide biometrics and supporting documents
  3. 3Receive 33-month visa, then extension after 2.5 years

Documents

  • • Marriage/civil partnership certificate
  • • Cohabitation evidence
  • • Sponsor payslips and bank statements
  • • English test
  • • Accommodation evidence

Common mistakes

  • • Income calculation errors (Category A vs B confusion)
  • • Insufficient relationship evidence over the full claimed period
Official source

tourist

Standard Visitor Visa / ETA

Easy

Up to 6 months for tourism, business meetings, or family visits.

Who it's for: Nationals of visa-required countries (Standard Visitor) or visa-exempt nationals (Electronic Travel Authorisation, rolling out 2024–25).

Timeline
3 weeks (Standard Visitor); ETA: minutes to 72 hours
Cost
£115 (Standard Visitor) / £10 (ETA)
Documents
5 items

Requirements

  • Strong ties to home country
  • Funds for trip
  • Genuine purpose

Process

  1. 1Apply online (UKVI)
  2. 2Provide biometrics at a VAC (Standard Visitor) or simply complete ETA app
  3. 3Receive decision

Documents

  • • Passport
  • • Bank statements
  • • Employment letter
  • • Itinerary
  • • Invitation (if applicable)

Common mistakes

  • • Travelling on ETA when visa required
  • • Stating intent to work
Official source

work

Global Talent Visa

Hard

Unsponsored 5-year visa for leaders or potential leaders in academia/research, arts and culture, or digital technology.

Who it's for: Endorsed by Tech Nation (until transition), Royal Society, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, UKRI or Arts Council England.

Timeline
Endorsement: 4–8 weeks; visa decision: 3 weeks
Cost
£766 endorsement + £262 visa + IHS £1,035/year
Documents
4 items

Requirements

  • Endorsement from an approved body OR eligible prestigious award
  • Genuine intent to work in the qualifying field

Process

  1. 1Apply for endorsement (Stage 1)
  2. 2Apply for the visa with endorsement letter (Stage 2)
  3. 3Biometrics + IHS payment

Documents

  • • Endorsement letter / award proof
  • • CV
  • • Three letters of recommendation (leader/exceptional promise)
  • • Evidence portfolio (10 items)

Common mistakes

  • • Generic evidence portfolio that does not match endorsing body criteria
  • • Weak recommendation letters from non-independent peers

Risk factors

  • • High refusal rate at endorsement stage for borderline portfolios
Official source

Eligibility checker

Check your eligibility for United Kingdom

Smart eligibility checker

Find your visa pathway in seconds

Indicative results based on official government programs — not legal advice.

Real-world examples

If this sounds like you…

Pakistani software engineer with UK job offer at £45,000

Salary above £38,700 threshold, role on eligible occupation list. Skilled Worker visa for 5 years, leading to ILR in 2029.

→ Skilled Worker → ILR after 5 years

Read full case study →

Nigerian master's student at a UK university

1-year MSc, full tuition paid, 28-day-seasoned funds for living costs. Eligible for Student visa then 2-year Graduate route to find a sponsored role.

→ Student → Graduate Route → Skilled Worker

Read full case study →

Australian on working holiday wanting to settle long-term

Youth Mobility Scheme (up to age 35 for Australians since 2024) gives 3 years. Switching to Skilled Worker requires meeting salary threshold with a sponsor.

→ Youth Mobility → Skilled Worker

Read full case study →

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much do I need to earn for a Skilled Worker visa?

Generally £38,700 since April 2024, or the going rate for the occupation if higher. £30,960 applies to Immigration Salary List roles and PhD-level roles in shortage.

Can my dependants join me?

Yes for Skilled Worker, but no longer for most Student route applicants (dependants are restricted to research postgraduates and government-sponsored students since January 2024).

How does ILR work?

After 5 years of continuous residence on most work routes (with no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period), pass the Life in the UK test and English B1+ to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Is the Graduate Route still available?

Yes — confirmed to continue following the 2024 Migration Advisory Committee review. It remains 2 years (3 for PhD), and time does not count toward ILR.

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?

An upfront NHS access fee charged per year of visa: £1,035 for adults, £776 for students and under-18s, paid as part of the application.

Can I switch from Student to Skilled Worker?

Yes, once you've completed your course, provided you have a CoS from a licensed sponsor and meet the salary/role requirements.

Do I need a sponsor for every UK work visa?

Most yes — Skilled Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker, Health and Care Worker, Scale-up. Exceptions: Global Talent, High Potential Individual, Innovator Founder, Youth Mobility, Graduate.

When can I apply for British citizenship?

Generally 12 months after receiving ILR (immediately for spouses of British citizens), subject to good character, residence and English/Life in the UK tests.

Has the UK ETA replaced visitor visas?

Only for nationals who were previously visa-exempt. Visa-required nationals still apply for a Standard Visitor visa.

Official sources

Government & embassy references

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