In short
US citizens visit the UK with a £20 ETA for up to 6 months, but cannot work on it. Most Americans move on a Skilled Worker visa — a job with a licensed sponsor paying at least £41,700 or the going rate — and pay the £1,035-a-year healthcare surcharge for NHS access. Routes without a job offer include the High Potential Individual visa for recent top-university graduates, the Global Talent visa and the Innovator Founder visa. Settlement (ILR) still takes 5 years on most work routes; a 10-year model is proposed but not yet law. Citizenship usually follows 12 months later, and dual citizenship is allowed. A single person spends about €3,800 a month in London including a central 1-bedroom.
Moving to the UK: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visits | US citizens visit the UK with an ETA — £20 since 8 April 2026 — for up to 6 months; it does not allow work and does not guarantee entry# Source: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) (GOV.UK) |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker visa | A job with a licensed sponsor paying the higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for the occupation; mainly degree-level (RQF 6) jobs. US citizens do not need to prove English# Source: Skilled Worker visa: your job (GOV.UK) · Skilled Worker visa: knowledge of English (GOV.UK) |
| Skilled Worker costs | Visa fee £819 (up to 3 years) or £1,618 (longer) from outside the UK, plus the healthcare surcharge of £1,035 a year# Source: Skilled Worker visa: how much it costs (GOV.UK) |
| Healthcare surcharge | £1,035 a year per adult (£776 for students), paid with the visa; it gives access to the NHS# Source: Pay for UK healthcare: how much (GOV.UK) |
| High Potential Individual visa | For graduates of eligible top universities within the last 5 years: 2 years (3 after a PhD) with no job offer# Source: High Potential Individual visa (GOV.UK) |
| Global Talent visa | For leaders or potential leaders in research, arts and culture or digital technology, with an endorsement or eligible prize; up to 5 years at a time, settlement after 3 or 5 years; £766# Source: Global Talent visa (GOV.UK) |
| Innovator Founder visa | A new business endorsed by an approved body; no minimum investment; 3 years, with settlement possible after 3 years; £1,357 plus a £1,000 endorsement fee# Source: Innovator Founder visa (GOV.UK) |
| Settlement (ILR) | Still 5 years on most work routes; a 10-year "earned settlement" model is proposed but no rules had been laid as of late September 2026. B2 English for settlement from 26 March 2027# Source: UK immigration rule changes 2026: the complete timeline (Adam Bernards) |
| Citizenship | Usually 12 months after ILR (straight away if married to a British citizen); fee £1,709 plus £130 for the ceremony (2026)# Source: Become a British citizen (GOV.UK) |
| Dual citizenship | Allowed — you can be British and American at the same time# Source: Dual citizenship (GOV.UK) |
| Exchange rate | About 0.85 pounds to the euro (ECB reference rate, 5 October 2026)# Source: ECB euro reference rates – pound sterling |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
UK immigration rules are the same for all non-UK nationals, including EU citizens who arrived after 2020. A few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Visits | US citizens visit the UK with an ETA — £20 since 8 April 2026 — for up to 6 months; it does not allow work and does not guarantee entry. |
|---|---|
| Youth Mobility | Young Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders can use the UK Youth Mobility Scheme; there is none for US citizens. |
| English test | US nationals do not need to prove English for the Skilled Worker visa; many other nationals do (B2 since January 2026). |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Country Overview
United Kingdom at a Glance
Key facts Americans need before deciding.
London
The biggest job market for finance, law, tech and media. See our Living in London guide.
English
No language barrier — and no English test for US citizens on the Skilled Worker visa.
Pound sterling (GBP)
Not the euro — about £0.85 to €1 (October 2026).
69.5 million
Provisional estimate for mid-2025.
NHS
Paid for through the £1,035-a-year healthcare surcharge with your visa.
ETA required
Americans need a £20 ETA for visits of up to 6 months.
eVisa
Your immigration status is digital, linked to your passport.
Not EU, not Schengen
The UK left the EU in 2020 and was never in Schengen.
Pathways to Residency
Which Visa Route is Right for You?
You can visit with an ETA for up to 6 months, but you cannot work on it. To live in the UK you need a visa — most often through a licensed employer, but some routes need no job offer.
Skilled Worker Visa
A job with a licensed sponsor paying the higher of £41,700 or the going rate, mainly at degree level. Up to 5 years at a time; settlement after 5 years under today's rules.
- Min. salary
- £41,700 or going rate
- Visa fee
- £819 / £1,618
- English
- Not needed for US citizens
High Potential Individual
For graduates of eligible top universities in the last 5 years — 2 years (3 after a PhD) to work freely, no job offer needed.
- Job offer
- Not required
- Length
- 2–3 years
Global Talent Visa
For leaders or potential leaders in research, arts and culture or digital technology, endorsed or holding an eligible prize. Settlement after 3 or 5 years.
- Job offer
- Not required
- Fee
- £766
Innovator Founder Visa
A new, innovative business endorsed by an approved body — no minimum investment. 3 years, with settlement possible after 3.
- Endorsement
- Required
- Fee
- £1,357 + £1,000
Partner Visa
For partners of British citizens or settled people. Combined income of at least £29,000; first visa 2 years 9 months.
- Income
- £29,000 a year
- Settlement
- After 5 years
Settlement & Citizenship
ILR after 5 years on most work routes today — a 10-year model is proposed but not yet law. Citizenship usually 12 months after ILR; dual citizenship allowed.
- ILR
- 5 years (reform pending)
- Citizenship fee
- £1,709 + £130
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
Cost of Living
What Does Life in the UK Actually Cost?
London is expensive; Manchester and Edinburgh cost about a third less.
| Item | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, London centre | about €2,530 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, London outside centre | about €2,035 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, Manchester / Edinburgh centre | about €1,615 / €1,430 |
| Everyday costs without rent (single person, London) | about €1,270 (£1,080) |
| Utilities (85 m² apartment, London) | about €330 |
| Monthly public transport pass (London) | about €220 |
| NHS healthcare surcharge (paid with the visa) | £1,035 a year |
Estimates from Numbeo (October 2026); surcharge from GOV.UK. Source: Numbeo: London · Manchester · Edinburgh · GOV.UK: healthcare surcharge
Visa fees and the healthcare surcharge are paid up front — for a 3-year Skilled Worker visa about £819 plus £3,105.
Why the UK
What Americans Love About the UK
Beyond the shared language — the real reasons Americans choose the UK.
No Language Barrier
Work, rent and deal with officials in English from day one — and skip the English test.
Routes Without an Employer
High Potential Individual, Global Talent and Innovator Founder visas let you come without a job offer.
Settlement in 5 Years — for Now
ILR still comes after 5 years on most work routes; watch the proposed 10-year reform.
Dual Citizenship
You can become British and keep your US passport.
New-Arrival Tax Relief
People arriving after 10 years abroad can claim 4 years of UK tax exemption on foreign income and gains.
Social Security Agreement
The US–UK agreement means you pay into one system, not both.
Where to Live
Where to Live in the UK
From London to the big regional cities.
London
Most international jobs and the highest costs — about €3,800 a month for a single person with a central 1-bedroom. See our London guide.
Manchester
The largest city in the North West, with lower rents — about €2,560 a month including a central 1-bedroom.
Edinburgh
Scotland's capital — note that Scotland sets its own income tax bands. About €2,480 a month including rent.
Other cities
Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow offer big-city jobs at lower rents than London.
How It Works
From Decision to Your UK Visa
We guide you through every step — from first consultation to settled life in the UK.
Book a free consultation
We check whether a sponsored job, HPI, Global Talent, Innovator Founder or a family route fits you best.
Secure the basis
A Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed employer, an endorsement, or your university or family documents.
Apply online
Apply on GOV.UK, pay the fee and the healthcare surcharge, and give your biometrics or use the ID app.
Receive your eVisa
Your status is digital — set up your UKVI account and link it to your passport.
Settle in
Register with a GP, open a bank account and get your National Insurance number.
Free Tools
Plan Your Move with Our Calculators
Built specifically for Americans considering a European move.
Golden Visa Calculator
Compare investor residence programmes across Europe — real costs and requirements, not brochure figures.
Open Calculator →Cost of Living Calculator
Enter your current US city — see your monthly budget in London and 30 other European cities.
Open Calculator →Visa Finder
Answer 7 questions about your situation. Get a personalised ranking of European visa programmes matched to your profile.
Find My Visa →FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do Americans need a visa to visit the UK?
No visa, but an ETA. Since February 2026 US citizens need an ETA (£20 since April 2026) to visit for up to 6 months. You cannot work on it.
What salary do I need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
The higher of £41,700 a year or the going rate for your occupation, in a job with a licensed sponsor — mostly degree-level roles. US citizens do not need to prove English.
How long until permanent residence in the UK?
Under today's rules, Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years on most work routes. The government has proposed a 10-year "earned settlement" model with shorter paths for high earners, but no rules had been laid as of late September 2026.
Can I keep US citizenship if I become British?
Yes. The UK allows dual citizenship, and US law lets you keep US citizenship when you naturalise abroad.
How expensive is London?
About €1,270 (£1,080) a month without rent for a single person, plus about €2,035–2,530 for a 1-bedroom — around €3,300–3,800 in total (Numbeo, October 2026). Manchester and Edinburgh are about €2,500.
United Kingdom
Everything about moving to the UK
Across Europe
Compare all 29 countries by topic
Ready to Make the Move?
Tell us about your situation and we'll get back within 2 business days with a clear assessment of your best route. The first consultation is free.