United Kingdom
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · Capital: London
The UK's points-based system centres on the Skilled Worker route, which since July 2025 requires a degree-level (RQF 6) job with a licensed sponsor and a salary of at least 41,700 GBP or the going rate. The Health and Care visa serves NHS and clinical roles, though overseas recruitment of care workers closed in July 2025, while the Global Talent route offers a sponsor-free path for leaders in tech, science and the arts.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into United Kingdom.
Policy overview
7 visa routes into United Kingdom
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Skilled Worker Visa
SkilledSkilled Worker
Points-based route requiring a job offer from a licensed sponsor at or above the salary threshold for the role. Since 22 July 2025 new roles must be degree level (RQF 6); RQF 3-5 roles qualify only via the Immigration Salary List or Temporary Shortage List, both ending 31 December 2026. Fee shown is for over 3 years from outside the UK (819 GBP up to 3 years), plus the 1,035 GBP a year health surcharge.
Eligibility
- Job offer from a licensed sponsor
- Job at RQF level 6 (degree level), or on the ISL/TSL until 31 December 2026
- Salary of at least 41,700 GBP or the going rate, whichever is higher
- English at B2 (B1 if extending a visa held before 8 January 2026)
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Health & Care
A reduced-fee Skilled Worker route for eligible health roles, exempt from the immigration health surcharge. Overseas recruitment of care workers and senior care workers closed on 22 July 2025; people already in the UK can switch into those roles until 22 July 2028. Fee shown is for over 3 years (324 GBP up to 3 years).
Eligibility
- Job offer in an eligible health role
- Licensed health-sector sponsor
- Relevant qualification/registration
- Salary of at least 25,000 GBP or the going rate
- English at B2 (B1 if extending a visa held before 8 January 2026)
Document checklist (12 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Global Talent Visa
TalentGlobal Talent
Sponsor-free route for leaders or emerging leaders in academia, research, arts and digital technology.
Eligibility
- Endorsement from an approved body (or eligible prize)
- Evidence of recognition or potential
- No job offer required
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Innovator Founder Visa
EntrepreneurInnovator Founder
For experienced entrepreneurs launching an innovative, viable and scalable business endorsed by an approved body.
Eligibility
- Endorsed innovative business idea
- Active role in the business
- English at B2
- Endorsing body monitoring, with check-ins at 12 and 24 months
- Application fee GBP 1,357 plus GBP 1,000 endorsement fee and GBP 500 per check-in
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Visa
StudentStudent
Study at a licensed institution. The Graduate Route gives 2 years' post-study work for applications made by 31 December 2026 and 18 months from 1 January 2027 (3 years for PhDs).
Eligibility
- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
- Proof of funds
- English proficiency
- Genuine student assessment
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Family / Spouse Visa
FamilyUK-FAM
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Graduate Visa
TalentUK-GRAD
Post-study work for graduates of UK universities: 2 years (3 for PhDs) for applications made by 31 December 2026, 18 months from 1 January 2027.
Eligibility
- Completed an eligible UK degree
- Valid Student visa
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in United Kingdom, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where United Kingdom needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Health & social care
The NHS still recruits clinical staff internationally. Overseas recruitment of care workers closed on 22 July 2025; only in-UK switching remains, until 22 July 2028.
Technology
Most digital and cyber roles are RQF level 6 graduate occupations and remain eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
Engineering
Net-zero and infrastructure programmes drive engineering demand.
Education
Persistent shortages in STEM and special-needs teaching.
Construction trades
Housing targets keep trades in shortage, but sub-degree roles can be sponsored only if listed on the Temporary Shortage List, which ends on 31 December 2026.
Veterinary & life sciences
Veterinary and research roles feature on shortage lists.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
London
Global capitalBy far the biggest market across finance, tech and the arts, pick your borough carefully.
- Cost index
- 90
- 1-bed rent
- $2,600
- Quality
- 76
Manchester
Northern powerhouseFast-growing tech, media and student city at a fraction of London's costs.
- Cost index
- 66
- 1-bed rent
- $1,350
- Quality
- 78
Edinburgh
Finance & quality of lifeBeautiful, safe and strong in finance and tech, superb for families and a cultured retirement.
- Cost index
- 72
- 1-bed rent
- $1,550
- Quality
- 82
Bristol
Creative & greenA creative, green tech hub with easy access to the coast and countryside.
- Cost index
- 70
- 1-bed rent
- $1,500
- Quality
- 80
Birmingham
Big-city valueThe UK's largest regional economy, young and increasingly invested in.
- Cost index
- 64
- 1-bed rent
- $1,250
- Quality
- 75
Glasgow
Affordable & culturalScotland's largest city, affordable, friendly and rich in music and the arts.
- Cost index
- 62
- 1-bed rent
- $1,150
- Quality
- 77
Leeds
Finance & legal hubA major finance and legal centre with a big student population and good value.
- Cost index
- 63
- 1-bed rent
- $1,200
- Quality
- 77
Cambridge
Science & tech clusterA world-renowned university and the heart of the UK's biotech and deep-tech cluster.
- Cost index
- 78
- 1-bed rent
- $1,700
- Quality
- 82
Brighton
Seaside creative hubA liberal, creative seaside city within commuting distance of London.
- Cost index
- 74
- 1-bed rent
- $1,600
- Quality
- 81
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in United Kingdom.
Free NHS care (visa holders pay the Immigration Health Surcharge); waits for non-urgent care.
Free state schools, renowned private schools and world-leading universities.
High in London; the North and Scotland are far more affordable.
Fast and reliable; fibre rollout widespread.
Mild, damp and changeable; cool summers, grey winters.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendMigration is a prominent political issue, but skilled and care routes retain broad support.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Petty theft in city centres; violent crime low by global standards.
Higher = safer (crime index 44/100).
Where to live
Which United Kingdom city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Edinburgh
Historic and safe
Beautiful, safe and strong in finance and tech, superb for families and a cultured retirement.
Bristol
Independent and leafy
A creative, green tech hub with easy access to the coast and countryside.
Manchester
Tech and culture
Fast-growing tech, media and student city at a fraction of London's costs.
Cambridge
University town
A world-renowned university and the heart of the UK's biotech and deep-tech cluster.
Brighton
Bohemian by the sea
A liberal, creative seaside city within commuting distance of London.
Glasgow
Friendly and gritty
Scotland's largest city, affordable, friendly and rich in music and the arts.
Leeds
Northern business centre
A major finance and legal centre with a big student population and good value.
Birmingham
Reinvented second city
The UK's largest regional economy, young and increasingly invested in.
London
World city, world prices
By far the biggest market across finance, tech and the arts, pick your borough carefully.
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