The UK Skilled Worker route requires a licensed sponsor, an eligible occupation and the applicable English and salary conditions. New applicants generally need B2 English; medium-skilled jobs require a listed or transitional exception. The usual salary floor is £41,700 or the occupation going rate, whichever is higher. Our tool illustrates your confirmations; it does not decide eligibility. Job, English and salary guidance checked 28 September 2026.
UK immigration runs on a points-based system administered by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office. It splits into four broad streams: economic/work routes (almost all requiring a licensed sponsor and a job offer, scored on 70 points), study routes, family routes, and temporary/youth/humanitarian routes. Most work and family routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR, i.e. settlement) after 5 years, followed by British citizenship about 12 months later. Since 2024-2026 the system has tightened sharply: higher salary thresholds (general Skilled Worker minimum now 41,700 pounds), the skill floor raised back to RQF 6 (degree level) from 22 July 2025, overseas care-worker recruitment closed, English raised to B2 for Skilled Workers from 8 January 2026, the family income requirement at 29,000 pounds, and a proposed reform to lengthen the standard ILR qualifying period to 10 years (not yet law). The UK is outside the EU, so EU free-movement routes (Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, etc.) are entirely separate national systems and are covered comparatively at the end.
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From skilled-worker and investor visas to family, study and humanitarian routes — each with its real
eligibility requirements, key facts and a link to the official page.
IHS-exempt Skilled Worker branch for NHS and eligible health professionals.
Who it's for
Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and adult social care managers sponsored by the NHS, an NHS supplier, or a CQC-registered provider.
Key requirements
Job offer in an eligible health/care occupation from an approved health/care sponsor.
Lower salary threshold than standard Skilled Worker (often around 25,000 pounds or the going rate).
Professional registration where required (e.g. GMC for doctors, NMC for nurses).
English normally CEFR B2. Holders before 8 January 2026 extending/updating retain the stated B1 exception; switching and professional-body exemptions need their own checks.
+ 1 more requirement
Fee
324 pounds for up to 3 years; 628 pounds for over 3 years.
IHS
Exempt
PR?
ILR after 5 years
Sponsor?
Yes, approved health/care sponsor
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Unsponsored visa for leaders in research, arts/culture or digital technology.
Who it's for
Recognised or emerging leaders in academia/research, arts and culture, or digital tech who hold an endorsement or a qualifying prestigious prize.
Key requirements
Endorsement from a Home Office-designated body (e.g. Royal Society, Tech Nation successor, Arts Council) OR a Prestigious Prize award (no endorsement needed).
Qualify under 'exceptional talent' (already a leader) or 'exceptional promise' (emerging leader); aged 18+.
No salary, job offer, or sponsor required; no English requirement to enter.
Evidence portfolio of achievement appropriate to the field.
Fee
~766 pounds (endorsement + visa stages)
IHS
1,035 pounds/year
PR?
ILR after 3 years (exceptional talent) or 5 years (some promise routes)
Sponsor?
No
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Sponsored for 6 months, then work freely with no sponsor for a fast-growing UK firm.
Who it's for
Skilled employees recruited by a qualifying high-growth UK 'scale-up' business that holds a scale-up sponsor licence.
Key requirements
Job offer from an A-rated scale-up sponsor that has grown 20%+ a year (turnover or headcount) over 3 years.
Salary at least 39,100 pounds/year or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher.
Job at RQF 6 / in Appendix Skilled Occupations; English normally CEFR B2. Holders before 8 January 2026 extending retain the stated B1 exception; switching requires B2.
Sponsored only for the first 6 months; afterwards you can change/leave employer with no new sponsor needed.
+ 1 more requirement
Fee
937 pounds, inside or outside the UK.
IHS
1,035 pounds/year
PR?
ILR after 5 years
Sponsor?
Yes, but only for first 6 months
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Intra-company transfer route for senior staff sent to a linked UK branch.
Who it's for
Senior managers and specialist employees of an overseas business being assigned to a UK entity linked by common ownership or control (the old Intra-Company Transfer route).
Key requirements
Sponsored Certificate of Sponsorship from the linked UK business.
Salary at least 52,500 pounds/year or the going rate, whichever is higher.
Usually 12 months' continuous prior employment with the overseas group (waived if paid 73,900 pounds+).
Job at RQF 6 / in Appendix Skilled Occupations; no English requirement on entry.
+ 1 more requirement
Fee
819 / 1,618 pounds outside; 943 / 1,865 pounds inside, for up to / over 3 years.
IHS
1,035 pounds/year
PR?
No direct route to settlement (must switch routes)
Sponsor?
Yes, GBM sponsor licence
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
If the UK doesn't fit, three popular EU/EEA destinations with very different routes.
Who it's for
People weighing the UK against nearby alternatives: high-skilled employees (Netherlands), English-speaking tech/health workers (Ireland), and remote workers or the financially independent (Portugal).
Key requirements
NETHERLANDS - Highly Skilled Migrant (Kennismigrant): job offer from an IND-recognised sponsor; 2026 minimum gross salary EUR 5,942/month (age 30+), EUR 4,357/month (under 30), or EUR 3,122/month for recent Dutch graduates / orientation-year holders. Leads to permanent residence after 5 years.
IRELAND - Critical Skills Employment Permit: job offer (usually 2 yrs) on the Critical Skills list; minimum salary EUR 40,904/year from 1 March 2026 (EUR 36,848 for relevant recent graduates), or EUR 68,911 for jobs off the list. Fast-tracks to long-term residence; English-speaking, Common Travel Area with the UK.
PORTUGAL - D8 Digital Nomad visa: remote worker/freelancer with active income of at least 4x the Portuguese minimum wage (~EUR 3,680/month in 2026) plus ~EUR 9,840 savings; leads to residence and a path to citizenship after 5 years.
PORTUGAL - D7 Passive Income visa: stable passive income (pension, rental, dividends) of at least the minimum wage (~EUR 920/month in 2026) plus ~50% extra per adult dependant; popular with retirees.
+ 1 more requirement
NL salary (2026)
EUR 5,942/mo (30+) / EUR 4,357/mo (<30)
IE salary (2026)
EUR 40,904/yr Critical Skills
PT D8 income
~EUR 3,680/mo (4x min wage)
PR?
Permanent residence after ~5 years in each
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Work and live in the UK based on a UK-born grandparent; leads to settlement.
Who it's for
Commonwealth citizens (and some others) aged 17+ with a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or pre-1922 Ireland.
Key requirements
Be a Commonwealth citizen, British Overseas citizen, British National (Overseas), British subject, or citizen of Zimbabwe.
Have a grandparent born in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or (before 31 March 1922) what is now the Republic of Ireland, with documented family chain.
Be aged 17 or over and able and intending to work in the UK.
Be able to support and accommodate yourself and dependants without public funds.
+ 1 more requirement
Fee
~637 pounds (~726 pounds from 8 Apr 2026)
IHS
1,035 pounds/year
PR?
ILR after 5 years
Sponsor?
No
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Study full-time at a licensed UK education provider.
Who it's for
International students aged 16+ with an unconditional place (a CAS) on an eligible course at a licensed student sponsor.
Key requirements
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from a licensed student sponsor, used within 6 months of issue.
English at CEFR B2 for degree-level courses (B1 for below degree level).
Maintenance funds: 1,483 pounds/month for London (up to 9 months) or 1,136 pounds/month outside London, plus unpaid tuition; held 28 consecutive days. (Rising to 1,529 / 1,171 pounds for some 2026 applications.)
Sufficient funds for first year's tuition shown on the CAS.
+ 1 more requirement
Fee
558 pounds, inside or outside the UK.
IHS
776 pounds/year for students
PR?
No, must switch (e.g. to Graduate or Skilled Worker)
Sponsor?
Yes, licensed education provider
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Working-holiday visa for young people from partner countries.
Who it's for
18-30 (or 18-35 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea) citizens of participating countries/territories who want to live and work in the UK.
Key requirements
Be a citizen of a participating country: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, India, Iceland, Monaco, Andorra, Uruguay, Taiwan, San Marino (plus BN(O)/British Overseas citizens). India and some others allocated by ballot.
Meet the age limit when you apply (18-30, or 18-35 for AUS/CAN/NZ/South Korea).
Have at least 2,530 pounds savings held for 28 consecutive days.
No job offer or sponsor; can work for almost any employer.
+ 1 more requirement
Fee
340 pounds.
IHS
776 pounds/year
Validity
2 years (3 for AUS/CAN/NZ), non-extendable
PR?
No, must switch
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Protection for people who cannot safely return to their home country.
Who it's for
People in the UK who fear persecution in their home country on grounds such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group.
Key requirements
Must claim asylum in person, in the UK or at the border, as soon as reasonably possible.
Show a well-founded fear of persecution and that the home state cannot protect you (Refugee Convention) or that you face serious harm (humanitarian protection).
No application fee; legal aid may be available.
Cannot work while a claim is pending (limited exceptions after 12 months).
+ 1 more requirement
Fee
Free
Initial grant
Usually 5 years' refugee/humanitarian leave
PR?
Settlement route after 5 years
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Indefinite Leave to Remain, then naturalisation as a British citizen.
Who it's for
People who have completed the qualifying period on an eligible route and want to settle permanently, then become British.
Key requirements
ILR: usually 5 years' continuous lawful residence (10 years via long residence; 3 years on some Global Talent/Innovator routes).
ILR: pass the Life in the UK test (50 pounds) and meet English at CEFR B1.
ILR: stay within absence limits (commonly no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months).
Citizenship: hold ILR/settled status (usually 12 months, waived for spouses of British citizens); 5 years' UK residence (3 if married to a British citizen).
+ 2 more requirements
ILR fee
3,226 pounds per applicant.
Naturalisation
1,709 pounds application fee plus 130 pounds ceremony fee (1,839 total for the standard adult route).
Period
Usually 5 years to ILR; citizenship ~12 months later
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
For the Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Scale-up (first 6 months) and Senior/Specialist Worker routes, yes. But Global Talent, High Potential Individual, Innovator Founder, UK Ancestry, the Youth Mobility Scheme, the Graduate visa, and family routes need no job offer. The Scale-up Worker visa needs a sponsored job only for the first 6 months, then you can work freely.
What is the cheapest or easiest way for a young person to move to the UK?
If you're 18-30 (or 18-35 for Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Korea) and a citizen of a participating country, the Youth Mobility Scheme is the simplest: roughly 319 pounds plus the health surcharge, around 2,530 pounds in savings, no job offer and no sponsor. It lasts 2-3 years but does not lead directly to settlement.
How long does it take to get permanent residence (ILR) in the UK?
Most work and family routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years of continuous lawful residence. Some routes are faster (3 years on Global Talent 'exceptional talent' and Innovator Founder). A proposed 2025 reform may lengthen the standard period to 10 years for many routes, but it is not yet law. British citizenship usually follows about 12 months after ILR.
Can I bring my family with me?
Most long-term routes (Skilled Worker, Health and Care, Global Talent, Innovator Founder, Scale-up, Student, Graduate, UK Ancestry, HPI) allow a partner and children under 18 as dependants, each paying their own fee and health surcharge. Exceptions: care workers can no longer bring dependants, and most taught Master's and undergraduate students cannot bring family. The Youth Mobility Scheme does not allow dependent children.
How much does a UK visa really cost?
Application fees checked 2026-10-04: standard Skilled Worker starts at 819 pounds for an outside-UK application of up to 3 years; Student is 558 pounds; HPI is 880 pounds. Home Office fee table effective 2026-04-08. Healthcare surcharge, maintenance funds, exemptions and other charges require separate checks; these are not a complete personal total.
Do I need to speak English?
Most work routes require English: CEFR B2 for Skilled Workers from 8 January 2026 and for degree-level students, B2 normally for Health and Care, Scale-up and HPI, with specified B1 extension/update exceptions for some pre-8-January-2026 holders. Global Talent, UK Ancestry, the Youth Mobility Scheme and Senior/Specialist Worker have no English test to enter. Family partners need A1 to enter, rising to B1 to settle. Settlement and citizenship both require B1 plus the Life in the UK test.
Which route leads to UK settlement without a sponsor or job offer?
UK Ancestry (for Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent) is the clearest example: no sponsor, no job offer, no English test, and ILR after 5 years. Global Talent and Innovator Founder also lead to settlement without an employer sponsor, though they require an endorsement.
Should I consider an EU country instead of the UK?
Possibly. The UK left EU free movement in 2021, so each country is now a separate system. The Netherlands offers a fast Highly Skilled Migrant permit (2026 salary from EUR 4,357-5,942/month) if you have a recognised sponsor; Ireland is English-speaking with a Critical Skills permit (EUR 40,904/year from March 2026) and a Common Travel Area with the UK; Portugal's D8 digital-nomad and D7 passive-income visas suit remote workers and the financially independent. All three reach permanent residence in about 5 years.