If you’re a US citizen looking to work in the United Kingdom, you’ll need to navigate the UK’s immigration system with precision. The UK doesn’t offer a blanket “work visa for Americans”; instead you’ll need to identify the correct visa route, meet eligibility criteria, and submit an application from the United States or abroad.
In this article you’ll learn which UK work visas apply to US citizens, how to qualify, how to apply, timelines, costs, key tips, and ways to bring family members.
Understanding the UK Work Visa Landscape
The first important point: the UK has multiple work-visa categories depending on your job type, skills, salary, and sponsorship status. There is no one “US citizen only” work visa. Most of the work routes require: a job offer from a UK employer who is a licensed sponsor, a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), eligibility under the job’s occupation code, salary threshold compliance, and other requirements such as maintenance funds and the English-language test (though US citizens often have exemptions).
For example, the most commonly used route is the Skilled Worker Visa. This route has replaced the old Tier 2 (General) category. You must have a job offer from a UK employer approved by the UK Home Office, hold a valid CoS, the job must be on the eligible occupations list, and you must be paid at least the minimum salary for that role.
Other routes include: temporary work visas (Creative Worker, Seasonal Worker), business and talent visas (Global Talent, Innovator Founder), and specialist business mobility or secondment routes. Each route has its unique criteria and is subject to the UK’s points-based system.
Which Visa Should You Apply For?
If you’re a US citizen planning to relocate and work in the UK for a UK employer long-term, your primary choice will likely be the Skilled Worker Visa. Here’s why:
- Job offer: You need a UK employer who holds a sponsor licence and is willing to assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Eligible job: The role must be on the Home Office’s eligible occupation list and meet a suitable skill level.
- Salary threshold: As of 2025, the general minimum salary is £41,700 per year (or the going rate for the job) for many roles; some roles have lower thresholds depending on occupation or shortage category.
- English language: Usually required, but US citizens are typically exempt because English is considered their primary language.
- Duration: You can stay up to 5 years before extending or applying for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) if eligible.
If your role is temporary, lower skilled, or you will be transferred internally by a US employer to a UK branch, one of the business mobility routes might apply. If you plan to start your own business in the UK, the Innovator Founder or other entrepreneur-type routes may be relevant.
Eligibility Criteria for US Citizens (Skilled Worker Route)
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the criteria you must meet as a US citizen under the Skilled Worker route:
- You must have a valid job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor licence.
- Your employer must provide you with a unique Certificate of Sponsorship containing the job role’s details and occupation code.
- The job must meet the required skill threshold and be on the eligible list.
- You must be paid at least the minimum salary requirement (e.g., £41,700 per year or relevant going rate).
- You must have savings (maintenance) to support yourself during your first month in the UK unless your employer certifies maintenance.
- You must apply before your job starts and no more than three months in advance of the start date.
- You must meet the English language requirement — although if you are a US national, you are exempt from having to take a test in most cases.
- You must apply from outside the UK (unless you qualify to switch from another visa route).
- Your CoS must be issued within three months of your application and must include the job’s start date.
Once you meet these criteria, you submit your online application, attend a visa application centre in the USA for biometrics and documents, and await a decision.
Application Process and Fees
Here’s what you should expect:
- Choose the correct visa category (e.g., Skilled Worker).
- Make sure your employer assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship and that the job meets the criteria.
- Prepare your documents: passport, CoS number, job details, salary, bank statements showing maintenance funds, and dependents’ details if applying with family.
- Apply online from the USA (or outside the UK) up to three months before job start date.
- Pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) which gives you access to the NHS during your stay. For work visas, the IHS is typically £1,035 per year of leave for adults (it may vary for children, dependents).
- Attend a visa application centre for biometrics submission.
- Wait for the decision — processing time often around 3 weeks (depending on location, route and whether you pay for priority service).
- If approved, you’ll receive your visa vignette or BRP (biometric residence permit) and you can travel to the UK and begin employment as per your CoS.
Fees vary by route, job duration, and where you apply from (e.g., USA). Hence you should check up-to-date fee tables before submitting.
Bringing Dependents and Family Members
If you apply for the Skilled Worker visa, you can also bring your spouse or civil partner and children under 18 (in most cases). Here’s what you need to know:
- Your dependents must apply for their visa at the same time or after your main application is submitted.
- They must pay the full application fee and the IHS surcharge too.
- You’ll need to provide evidence of family relationships (marriage certificate, birth certificates) and show you have the funds to support yourself and your dependents in the UK.
- Once they are in the UK, dependents can usually work (no sponsorship needed) under the Skilled Worker route.
- Children may be able to study.
Bringing dependents increases your application cost and requires you to budget accordingly — and factor in costs of living, healthcare access, and schooling in the UK.
Path to Settlement and Citizenship
One of the major attractions of moving to the UK on a work visa is the potential to stay long-term. Here’s how the pathway works:
- Under the Skilled Worker route you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of continuous residence in the UK, provided you meet the eligibility requirements (salary, employment, absence limits, English/’Life in the UK’ test etc).
- Once you hold ILR for at least 12 months (and in some cases immediately) you can apply for British citizenship if you wish.
- Important: you must not break immigration conditions, spend more than allowed time outside the UK (generally not more than 180 days in any 12-month period) and abide by all employment rules.
For US citizens, the language exemption no longer applies for ILR (you must have English language proficiency and pass the Life in the UK test). Also be aware that rules and timelines may change — always check the current Home Office guidance.
Common Pitfalls and Key Tips
To boost your chances of success and avoid delays or refusals, keep these in mind:
- Don’t apply without a valid job offer – US citizens cannot just relocate and job hunt on a visitor visa. They must secure a sponsored position first.
- Ensure your employer is a licensed sponsor – If they don’t hold a valid sponsor licence, your application will fail.
- Check the CoS start date and validity period – Your application must be submitted no more than three months before the job’s start date and before the CoS expires.
- Use the correct occupation code and salary threshold – Mistakes here cause rejections.
- Budget for full costs – Application fee, IHS surcharge, dependents’ costs, and possibly the Immigration Skills Charge (for the employer).
- Avoid overstay or disallowed employment – Working before your visa start date, or in the wrong job, can jeopardise ILR later.
- Document maintenance funds – Show you held the required savings (e.g., £1,270) for at least 28 consecutive days within the relevant period unless your employer certified maintenance.
- Prepare for rule changes – UK immigration is evolving. For instance, English-language requirements are scheduled to increase for workers from Jan 8 2026.
- Consider tax and relocation implications – Working in the UK has tax consequences and living costs differ from the US. Factor these into your decision.
Estimated Processing Times and 2025 Stats
Processing time for a UK work visa when applying from the USA is typically around 3 weeks, but this can extend depending on route and complexity. Data shows that applications from US nationals to live/work in the UK are rising: over 6,600 Americans applied for UK citizenship or indefinite leave in the 12 months leading up to March 2025 — the highest figure since records began.
This interest underscores the need to plan ahead, prepare a strong application, and budget for a UK move effectively.
Final Checklist Before You Apply
Here’s a quick checklist to tick off before submitting your application:
- ✅ Secure your job offer and ensure employer is licensed
- ✅ Obtain your Certificate of Sponsorship with accurate job details
- ✅ Confirm job meets the eligible occupation list and salary threshold
- ✅ Check you have the maintenance funds (or employer certification)
- ✅ Make sure you’re applying within three months of job start date
- ✅ Prepare documents: passport, CoS, contract, bank statements, dependents’ info
- ✅ Decide whether your dependents will apply where and when
- ✅ Budget fees: visa application, IHS, dependents, relocation
- ✅ Consider living costs in the UK, tax implications, schooling (if applicable)
- ✅ Stay informed about rule changes or upcoming requirements
Conclusion:
As a US citizen you absolutely can move to the UK and work — but only if you follow the correct process, apply for the right work visa (most likely the Skilled Worker route), and meet all the eligibility requirements.
You’ll need a job offer from a UK licensed employer, a Certificate of Sponsorship, meet the salary and job-role thresholds, satisfy maintenance and English language rules (though US nationals are often exempt for English), and apply within the specified timeframe. Allow around three weeks processing time and budget for visa and health surcharge fees.
Bringing your spouse and children is possible, and after five years you can usually apply for settlement and eventually British citizenship. With the right preparation and timing you can make your UK career move happen.