This is general information, not immigration advice. In the UK, only regulated advisers can give immigration advice on your own case. We can introduce you to one.
Visiting first
US citizens don’t need a visa for short visits, but you do need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel. A visit doesn’t let you work or live here.
The main routes
| Route | Who it’s for | The key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | People with a UK job offer | A job with a licensed sponsor employer, at the required skill and salary level |
| Global Business Mobility | Staff moved by an overseas employer, e.g. to set up a UK branch | Employer sponsorship, usually for a set period |
| Global Talent | Leaders or emerging leaders in fields such as tech, science, the arts | An endorsement from an approved body, or a qualifying prize |
| High Potential Individual | Recent graduates of top-ranked universities | A degree from an eligible university within the last few years |
| Innovator Founder | People starting an innovative business | Endorsement of the business idea |
| Family (partner or spouse) | Partners of British citizens or settled people | Proof of the relationship, plus financial and other requirements |
| Student, then Graduate | People studying in the UK | A place on a course with a licensed sponsor |
UK Ancestry visas are only for Commonwealth citizens, so they’re generally not open to Americans unless you also hold a Commonwealth citizenship, such as Canadian or Australian.
Already British?
Check before you apply for a visa. You may already be a British citizen by descent, for example if a parent was born in the UK. Some people born before 1983 to a British mother can register as British under rules introduced to correct past unfairness. A British passport means no visa at all.
Costs to plan for
Most routes involve an application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge, both paid upfront per person. Some routes also need proof of savings. Check current amounts on GOV.UK.
Your family
Partners and children can usually come as dependants on many routes, though not all. Check this early, because it affects which route works for you.
What to do next
Build your move plan. If you’re “not sure yet” about your route, it will point you to the first step.
General information, not personal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.